North Fork American - Giant Gap Kayaking at 2800 CFS - Colfax, CA

Back in California, and in late January after a lot of rain, the North Fork American was starting to come up!
Will Norris, Lauren Megaw and I decided to run Giant Gap - Will and I had never run it, and Lauren ran it a few times a little while ago at a much lower level, so it was definitely an experience for everyone!
At these levels, the holes are pretty stompy and swimming really isn't a good idea, as you're gorged in to a massive, albeit gorgeous, canyon.
We ended up portaging around Dominatrix, as it was too difficult to see the line downstream, the whole bottom hole is basically river wide and from the top, we couldnt' see a line. Starting middle and ending right is probably the best line.

[@BarryKruse]

That's high flow on The Gap! (As evidenced by some impressive surfs!) I hardly recognized several of the drops there, having never been on at that flow. Ballsy, Kristian.

[@TheHayward05]

Barry Kruse thanks Barry! First time in the Gap and it was an insanely fun flow! Can’t wait to get back in there!

[@BarryKruse]

@@TheHayward05 I've been down it about 40-50 times. I'm soley a rafter. But it is a magical, special place. I'm waiting to see the flow at 1,500 or less this year. Can't wait to go again. It's been many years. Hope we see you there!

[@TheHayward05]

@@BarryKruse Definitely a special place, that not many people get to see. Good lines next trip!

[@UrsaMusic]

nice side surfing

[@TheHayward05]

Thanks! Was a pretty fun ride!

[@dereksmith8165]

Dude, Bad. Ass. Nice job getting out of that hole up top too.

[@plegan]

So dope

[@big1dog23]

Good times...in the 90's....

[@TheHayward05]

David Prange always cool to see the sport at different points in time! Wish they had gopros back then to see a side by side!

[@Stephen6492]

I have watched this video many times and I cannot identify some of the rapids. Can anyone tell me at what point in the video Kristian is running Grater, Nutcracker, and Locomotive. Thanks

[@NickCoulter]

Grater at 0:55, Nutcracker at 1:50, Locomotive at 2:20. Looks like a left line opens up at Nutcracker at this flow. Barely recognizable.