So, I am here in Idaho. On the Lochsa. This coming weekend is our busiest weekend. So what is the Lochsa like? Imagine that the Kennebec and the Dead got it on and had a baby. I know, it's weird, just go with it. And that baby grew up to have a really bad steroid problem. Got it? OK, that would be the Lochsa River. It is big, beautiful and COLD!!! HOLY SHIT IT IS COLD!!!! It adds to the penalty points. So many rapids. Tall waves. Huge wave holes. 40 rapids in 30 miles. I am slowly starting to shake off my intimidation. But I keep getting worked. The other day I ran into a 25 foot monolith in the middle of the river. There was so much water going in to it, it created a surf wave immediately in front of it. I tried avoiding this huge rock, but it didn't really work out. The next thing I know I am watching my downstream hand trying to get a grip on the rock. Finally I give in and flip. I rolled up so quick! That was my last day in the Skip. The water is just too big for that little boat. For me, the Skip is a great Class III+ play boat. But for big, pushy, swirly water? The Delirious. Hands down. I am so happy I still have that thing. The waves are so fast here. Check out the NRS catalog from this month. The Lochsa is featured everywhere. I surfed one of the smoothest, glassiest waves ever earlier today. Ahh, life is good.
   The first day I followed the raft trip down the beefier section of the Lochsa. Blind. In the Skip. Following a raft line. This is how the day went:
   1. During the 3 feet of flat water between rapids, I notice the bus (acting as safety and photographer) is parked below the next horizon line. I get some sort of vague information from a guide boat. ie/ "Go left, then sort of right. But look out for the lateral! And there is a big hole in the middle that probably won't keep you. Actually, just follow us."
   2. I would watch the raft go over a horizon line rather abruptly. The raft would then reappear as it crested the next wave. Usually with a violent pop. Sometimes sideways. Once in a while with people exploding off the raft and oars flailing. Did I mention they run stern mounts here?
   3. I think to myself...Is that really the best line? If I opt to run it on the fly and pick a different line. Would I be worse off? Ugh. Hard to tell. Not wanting to do anything silly, like get out and scout it, I take the same line as the raft.
   4. I flip.
   5. I roll.
   6. I repeat steps 4 & 5.
   7. I repeat steps 4, 5& 6.
   8. I repeat steps 1 - 7. All day