Yampa River High Water Raft Flip 2011

Rafting the Yampa River. johnnywetuber flips his boat twice in big water. The video only shows the first which actually occurred on the Green River after the confluence. Moonshine, SOB, Schoolboy, and Inglesby Rapids were pretty big @ 29000CFS. Warm Springs normally a Class III becomes Class V and is a blast to run as long as you stay out of "The Maytag" hole. This was June 14-19 and the Yampa was just below 20K. I lost my cooler full of beer on the second flip as I forgot to strap down the lid to my captain's cooler. That and the Jolly Roger were the only casualties. Hindsight was that I should have been more prepared to flip it back over sooner. The current was too strong to get it to shore. Surprisingly enough our first time rafter Linda had left her good upright raft to help jump on the upside down shark and flip it back over in the big rapids. Thanks to Eddie and Benner for helping me flip it back over and to all the rest of the team for being there. They are listed in the credits at the end of the movie. SC '78

[@kentclements5610]

All that back-rowing makes my palms sweat.

[@juanverde7444]

Backstrokes against the current means either of two things, doesn’t know how to row or they are a fishing guide.

[@lodore58]

What a great Yampa year this has been. Mid-July and still running well. Great video

[@wetuberscolorado]

Hey thanks Gyntster. The sunglasses were one of the many throw aways :) Actually found them on the bottom of Lake Powell one year scuba diving. We did actually flip it back over via flip lines. Just didn't have them connected at the time. Been rafting for over 30 years and that was only my third flip ever. My other two were on Cataract (one at 60,000cfs).

[@Jbn_292]

Looks like the flip was in Moonshine? Yes, no?

[@johnnywetuber]

Yes it was a little loose and good call. Hopefully these are lessons learned by others as well. I got my ankles tied up by a rope connected to bail bucket once after a canoe flip as a kid. Canoe wrapped on a rock and my ankles were tied. Ever since I've carried a knife on my jacket.

[@Gyntster]

Great shots from both the shore and guide's perspective. You need a pair of "Chums": holding on to your glasses in the flip stalled correcting the flip. Here's a tip: Secure flip lines on 4 "corner" D-Rings; while holding on to raft unravel one, or both on one side if there is another swimmer with you, and toss it to the opposite side; get to other side & pull yourself on to the floor via this line; get as many swimmers on the floor as possible; pull hard against the flip lines & get her over!

[@Gyntster]

Great line in Warm Springs, Johnny!! I loved the mega-surf tossing you to the right above "Photographer's Perch". I started guiding in '73 and my Dad was one of the original Grand Canyon Dory guides for Litton. My only flip was with Dad in the stern in the Right side of Lava in '89...Dad told me later he knew I was over as soon as I straightened out...he lost his hat, and I lost my "Flip Cherry"! I'm interested in you Go-Pro mount, details??

[@dTh83mk8]

Great history Gynster. The internet is the new oral history. Lots of river rats out there, including me, who would like to hear more of your story.

[@sheilasandoli1353]

no loose rope ever.... canoes rock!!

[@funckyfinger]

Tighten up that chicken line. Looks like a major entrapment hazard.

[@garygatto3410]

Is that cross mountain Canyon because if it isn’t you should try across the mountain some time that’s a wild one

[@sheilasandoli1353]

speed... you...river.....you ….river....that ought a dah

[@robertmclean9737]

Cross Mtn is a Mean Streach of River.

[@johnnywetuber]

It's actually a swimming noodle with a pole stuck in it for my GoPro camera mount. It floats so if we flipped, hopefully I would be able to find it.

[@johnnywetuber]

Luckily it was cooler weather so we had wet suits on and the water wasn't that bad later in June. We were focused on trying to get it to shore but should have just got up on sooner and flipped it. In 30 years of whitewater I had only flipped twice, both on Cataract and this day I flipped twice in one day.

[@sheilasandoli1353]

if there is a will, there is a way....ran it june 2019... needed my will

[@kazak4x4]

Great video, I like your camera setup. How come the guys didn't get out of water after the flip? That's a cold swim.

[@vernonw.970]

warm springs is a class 4 at that level...

[@tevaalli-gator9518]

PUSH!

[@stuntsheriff]

that big yellow thing looks sketch .what it is?

[@aboutface102]

Total gaperfest. Pin and clips? Unholy

[@ralphsmithco1]

aboutface102 Pins and clips are that “little something” to hang onto when you’re near vertical and the boat comes back down again. Otherwise you’re gonna swim.

[@averyuniqueloghomeuniquelo5166]

Doug Smith u shouldnt have been there in the first place.pins and clips.....pre-internet.lmao

[@SegoMan]

BIG Boats in Big Water I prefer pins and clips. Small boats in narrow rocky rivers oar-rights..

[@thakidistight]

I'm not usually the guy to say "where are your helmets?"....but fucking seriously, where are your helmets?

[@discotex11]

Better without the music