Wildcat Rapid, pinned raft recovery

Real time use of mechanical advantage system to create a 3 to 1 (3:1) to assist in a rescue of a raft wrapped on the midstream rocks. Wildcat Rapid on the Rogue River is technical and presents wrap hazards, especially at low flows. The cubic feet per second (cfs) is just over 1000 on the Grants Pass gage on this fall post permit season trip. The more conservative line at this flow is all the way right, where you can see a clear channel in the foreground of the video. Our team created this video as a teaching tool for Swiftwater Rescue courses and guide training.

[@xXpurplenurple007Xx]

Wow bad ass Nicole. Went on a trip on the Rogue many years ago with you and Lily and the experienced brotha from Zimbabwe who had just gotten a root canal. I remember pulling up to this one rapid with crazy rock formations, I remember it as an island that looked like a moon. Owner of Black Diamond and his family was all wrapped up on it. You guys made a 3:1 and made that shit happen. Was amazing. Just got a 12' NRS raft for fishing and am trying to develop these skills. Thanks for the video! -Eric

[@nicolesmedegaard1778]

Oh yea that Rogue trip was very memorable for me. That was Blossom Bar Rapid. It was the first time I had ever needed to be the one in charge of a mechanical advantage system. The D ring ended up blowing off the pinned raft and flying back at us when it came free. LMK if you are ever interested in rowing instruction (I do that now) and congrats on your new raft!

[@stephensmith5856]

Nice job on the recovery. Abysmal performance from the raft.

[@davidcelliott]

Hi, Nicole! I saw this same situation a few years before that. It was a long extraction.