Serious Consequences. Russell Fork River - Soul Rafter ep. 18

The Russell Fork River on the Kentucky/Virginia border is considered "one of the classic Class V creek runs in the United States" and is one of the most dangerous rafting runs in the eastern US. For the season finale of this season of Soul Rafter we decided to risk it for the biscuit and take on the Russell Fork.
Finale episode of Soul Rafter's 18 rivers in 2018 series where Rafting Magazine Ambassador Nick Prete attempts to paddle 18 new rivers in 2018. Big thanks to everyone who helped show us down the river, had our backs on all the rivers we paddled, and agreed to be interviewed for the series. Also big thanks to some of our sponsors/promotors:
Sawyer Paddles
Rafting Magazine
Astral Footwear
Watershed Drybags
Sotar Rafts
Immersion Research
NRS
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Assistant producer and additional footage provided by Juniper Rose.

[@big1dog23]

Fun times. We came around a bend and on R rt. a bunch of people were panicked on top of and undercut rock. Turns out a kid named Jason was stuck under the rock. Sad as hell to help retrieve him. We were 5 mins behind his boat, which had flipped and poor Jason was the only one to not get left of the under cut. So yea, not the hardest river...but many under cut rocks. Careful on the RF.

[@bryceclevenger1347]

Love it

[@SoulRafter]

Thanks!

[@sophiestrawn1872]

Woah!

[@SoulRafter]

woah indeed!

[@russellbiggs6006]

I dig your videos. Nice work.

[@SoulRafter]

Thanks for the support! I appreciate you taking the time to watch them and to comment!

[@wadebieber5717]

Have you run the Upper Yough in Maryland yet? Went down that for the first time last Friday. Totally worth it!

[@SoulRafter]

I have actually run that river. In fact, I bought my boat specifically to run that river. Thus far, the Upper Yough is one of my favorite rivers I've ever run! Totally worth it. Glad you got on it!

[@michaelhill56]

Nice recovery there at Climax! I'm surprised you left out Mind Bender...

[@SoulRafter]

Hey thanks! It took way longer in real life to get out of there haha. I'm not even sure which one Mind Bender is? Is it after El Horrendo?

[@lou36heron87]

Good footage, thanks for sharing, I've rafted several rivers in the southeast including both Gauleys and the New River, but this one you guys did looked even more challenging with all the rocks and narrow lines at times, what was your most challenging river you have done?

[@SoulRafter]

Yeah I'd say this is definitely harder than the New or Gauley. Its challenging to say what the most challenging river I've rafted is.. It might have been the Gorge Royale of the Ubaye river in France. But I have yet to paddle some really challenging rivers here in the United States. I'm definitely not a hard charger like some folks. If you're looking to step up from the Gauley try the Tullullah or Cheoah. They are both super fun rivers!

[@danieljenkins5235]

Nice edit. Looked like a big crew of rafters, that is awesome. Been a few years since I have been out there. Many of those lines looked different but I think you had more water too. I remember a line that takes you to the bottom right of Maze then ends with a ferry glide all the way back left. I hear you are coming on the Slab Creek run on the South Fork American this weekend.

[@SoulRafter]

Yeah it was 800 I think, so some lines like the "fire escape" on Fist were in. Definitely seems like there are more kayakers out there than rafters so it was nice to actually get a crew together. But yes, super excited to run slab creek! hope to see you out there!

[@danieljenkins5235]

@@SoulRafter "Fire escape" looks real nice. Fist is a common portage. There is a super hairy line down the center into a large pillow that you much highside on while surfing right. I watched my brother go under the rock there with a friend. They both lived. Some local guys cut the wood out the day before.

[@SoulRafter]

sketchy AF@@danieljenkins5235

[@deathanglewhitewater]

Hey man great video! I love your editing style. Question though, what makes most of those drops class V? Is it just the danger of a swim? From the camera angles it just didnt seem like V's

[@SoulRafter]

Thanks man! It is definitely the danger of the swim that makes this river a class V. None of the moves are actually that challenging but every rapid is FULL of undercut rocks with most of the water pushing towards them. Have you boated on the East Coast much? Everything there is full of undercut rocks which make the runs more dangerous. I'd say in general, East Coast runs are easier, but have higher consequences. A ton of people have died on this run, that's what makes it class V.

[@deathanglewhitewater]

@@SoulRafter unfortunately I have not been able to run any east coast rivers yet but I plan to soon. Here in the northwest we are fairly lucky and dont have too many issues with that. Thanks for the info man

[@SoulRafter]

@@deathanglewhitewater Yeah man, gotta love the PNW! But you should definitely go out east. So much fun to be had out there too. Cheers!

[@SoulRafter]

@Paul Kryder yeah BRG has actually been on my list for several years. In fact, I've made plans to boat it like 3 or 4 times and had people bail, or something come up so we couldn't do it. Soon though! And definitely not saying that undercuts are exclusive to the east coast but they are the main reason the Russell Fork is rated class V.

[@mountain_ginger]

Nice switch on climax getting the more confident stronger paddler on the side that needed the power. That's thinking. Whats your take on the aire sabertooth. Just bought a used one. Being 6'6" I liked the idea of a bigger paddle cat. On the fence about getting rid of it though. Not due to its performance, but due to having trouble getting a second person in there to paddle the harder stuff. I usually kayak.

[@SoulRafter]

Hey thanks! It's nice when you have a chance to sit there and think about what to do. I've never paddled a Sabertooth but it can be hard to find people to paddle with for sure. My advice is to marry a raft guide! Otherwise you could row or R1 stuff. In general I feel like easier stuff is more fun when R1ing. Otherwise you've gotta find a good paddling buddy to stick with ya.

[@mountain_ginger]

@@SoulRafter Haha, for sure.

[@markmcmyn8967]

Looks like fun if you don't mind dyin'

[@jasonstanley7197]

What was flow?

[@SoulRafter]

good question, I can't quite remember unfortunately. It was a standard release flow, I want to say it was around 900 but someone else who runs this section more regularly might know.