Absolutely No Swimming Allowed: Thunderdome to Anglers, 8.09, 2024-01-11

[@johntempest267]

That huge water is so scary. I'd have to dust off the old Jefe Grande. I'm sticking to steep creeks. You guys are fearless.

[@macfawlty]

A courageous crew in rarified waters. The half-slice was a bold choice. The backender roll at the start was pretty freaky. Well executed. I’ve been in Vegas and NOLA and haven’t witnessed the recent surge.

[@paddlebikediveclimb]

I figured if I messed up and got stuck in a hole, the half slice would come out easier than the creeker. It did make the eddy lines more interesting.

[@CathySummers-z7g]

Try it in a slalom race boat if you really want to have fun in those boils.

[@paddlebikediveclimb]

@@CathySummers-z7g If I could afford one...

[@RobPollen]

you cant even tell which way the river flows

[@ArtificialBeligerence-bl9hq]

Less than 1000 subs, he out here risking it all

[@pedro191921]

- How many PFD´s would I wear ? - Yes. you are insane. but in a good way. :D

[@minyambou]

Awesome, David. Looks terrifying bit fun if you can pull it off. And obviously you did!

[@DrRepper]

Big, bouncy fun! That first rapid is huuuuge!

[@bos7708]

You guys are straight savages. That was crazy... +1 sub... stay safe out there boys

[@paddlebikediveclimb]

Thanks!

[@Thomas-h4n5h]

Looks like fun!

[@tonybarnes3858]

Nice to see a Mayfly's view of my old top-roping grounds, a million miles and and ten thousand climbs later.

[@paddlebikediveclimb]

I keep forgetting to go to Carderock to see at what level the base of the cliffs is under water. I certainly wouldn't want to climb at Great Falls with this much water going through!

[@tonybarnes3858]

We used to rap down to whatever starts were available @@paddlebikediveclimb

[@paddlebikediveclimb]

There are some routes I've done with belays from the top, but I think those were all at Carderock. I have always belayed from below at Great Falls. But that's a fair point, You could still climb whatever of the routes are still above water!

[@tonybarnes3858]

Top-roping can be done either way. Easier to hold a fall from below, of course. If you rap down you have a slingshot TR ready. Don't they teach this shit any more?

[@paddlebikediveclimb]

@@tonybarnes3858 Well, I can't speak to what anyone learns or doesn't learn. I don't trust most people to belay from the top. I haven't ever seen anyone climbing over the Potomac at near flood stage. You lose at least half of every route. I have seen a few folks belay from the top on a few routes at Carderock that are over water. I mostly TR solo those anyway. At Great Falls I don't recall having ever seen someone belay from the top, so it's surprising to hear that it used to be common.

[@MarkAlan145]

It's been a long time since a video scared me. You guys are crazy. 😅

[@petedog9581]

Looks like the Inga on the Congo at Thunderdome and Zambezi. props.

[@MTB_Rider_96]

Yikes that's F-ING high. I was there about 10 years ago when it was at least 50% higher than that after a hurricane.

[@stereothrilla8374]

The chop and roll don’t scare me. The terrifying part is getting pinned in one of those washing machines.

[@MykoSuchy]

Wooooooooooo hoooooooooo! Ooooooo yeaaaaaahhh!!

[@bashy2.0]

Great watch, thanks , I couldnt tell which way the flow was half the time, which camera do ya use and is that a camera mount point on the paddle? if so, how did ya managed keep it stuck there?

[@paddlebikediveclimb]

I use a GoPro. I can't recommend it because it drives me nuts, but I also don't know what's better. That is a broken camera mount on my paddle. GoPro has amazing adhesive mounts that people stick on all kinds of surfaces. It's the flat version of the sticker mount that I use to hold the camera onto my helmet. As for it being broken - that was me mashing it on a rock. For that particular shot to have worked, I would have needed the mount to be farther from the edge of the blade. kzbin.infoawuhiHlW5QE

[@bashy2.0]

@paddlebikediveclimb hi, thank you for the reply, sorry to hear about the Gopro, I recently bought the DJI Action 4 and I really like it, they do overheat mind but from what I've see on here, Gopro are worse for overheating, so perhaps give DJI I thought, at least watch a few reviews on them. Thanks for the answer about the paddle mount :) Great video keep it up, I've now subbed :)

[@williamrichmond8237]

Nice video! At those flows would you say Thunder Dome was all big waves and crashing waves? No sticky holes?

[@paddlebikediveclimb]

The hole we kept our eyes on at this level is at S-Turn. You can see other holes from the scouting shot, but you'd be hard pressed to get to them. In my mind, the biggest hazards at Thunderdome are wood (think logs or even trees that have just broken up over the Falls on their way downstream) popping up next to or below you, and the eddy lines, which are ferocious. If you swam here, I imagine you'd have a dangerous amount of down time. It's amazing how small changes in the level - even when the water's this high - can alter the features.

[@williamrichmond8237]

@@paddlebikediveclimb makes sense. Thanks for the detailed explanation. This looks like the most fun rapid of Great Falls

[@ArthurFellig]

Kayakers are brave souls.

[@ennanced]

😮, how’s his shoulder?

[@paddlebikediveclimb]

Last I heard, "sore."

[@hamiltonhauder]

Yes very sore! Will be getting a closer look tho

[@kayakboy6748]

Where is this? Surprised to see that much debris in the fall. Looks more like spring runoff

[@paddlebikediveclimb]

This is where there are normally dry rocks upstream and river left of the O-Deck surfing area, just below the Maryland observation deck. www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1pJyoiyDhyWszGsjtS4BRvD5JFjab5fJY&ll=38.99633209999999%2C-77.25231080000003&z=20

[@garycousino]

Great Falls of the Potomic outside DC

[@kevinmabry8422]

What kind of roll do you do? If your playing in this stuff you should be capable of one handed rolls without a paddle.

[@Ari-pw6nu]

Ya know. When your sitting on the side of the road watching the ri river flow it doesn't look this scary.

[@jasonwalker7166]

That was a no sssssshhhh swim situation

[@garycousino]

I dont think even Chuck Norris would run that

[@cadilacdesert]

water looks toxic. Good paddling though

[@paddlebikediveclimb]

Thanks! I'll take the winter chocolate milk over the summer algae blooms. But yeah, it's pretty disgusting.

[@cadilacdesert]

@@paddlebikediveclimb I have a lot of old paddle buddies with permanent sinus problems. Nose plugs!!!

[@paddlebikediveclimb]

@@cadilacdesert Ear plugs, too

[@johnrflinn]

Boiling cauldron.

[@samiirai]

Lmao shit doesn't even look fun, it's just straight up survival mode.