Stand up paddleboarding near Sedona, Arizona, while making the first known descent of Rarick Canyon on a Hala Rado SUP. The entire run was sent standing up, and we have found no past documentation of this run having ever been done. The nearby Rattlesnake Canyon is in Tyler's "Paddling Arizona" book, but nothing else seems to be documented. The put in is about 2 to 3 miles north of the Red Tank Draw bridge. Above this is not boatable due to brush, constant log jams, and braided channels. Above that and north of the Mullican canyon junction the run is mostly clean class 5, with loads of spots to pin, drops and small waterfalls up to 8 feet. If someone were to run this in a hardshell from the North, the section below the junction would be an absolute mess and exiting the canyon to the Blue Grade Road would be a push up loose talus. Running the Red is beautiful, as you get class 2 and 3 creeking similar to Dry Creek. It seems if a group had the skills and desire to run the class 5 section above the junction it would make more sense to simply do Rattlesnake as per the Paddling Arizona guidebook. The lower Red Tank Draw section heading south provides good spots to put in and take out as well as beautiful scenery and a really cool creeky run. The run filmed here was around 5 miles. The put in is located about 2 miles North of the Red Tank Draw bridge. The take out is near the Wet Beaver confluence located approximate to Lawrence Crossing. Disclaimer: Paddling solo is dangerous, use good judgement. Do NOT use a leash in this type of terrain if you value your life.
22 сен 2024
