It was just another hot, long and lazy summer day in southern California. I popped another cold one as I reflected upon my youth so long ago in Arkansas. In my youth I'd be walking along the swamps and acting silly. It's difficult for me to think that in less than two weeks I'll be on medicare. What has happen to my youth and such silliness? I still have the mind, but not the body of of a teenager. As I popped another cold one, I heard on the radio the weatherman is predicting thunder storms and possible flash floods for the Santa Rosa Mountain area.

I drift off into a sleep and dreamt...

I dreamt of rafting the mighty Santa Rosa River during a flash flood all the way to the desert floor – maybe even all the way to the Salton Sea. To pull this off will take planning, skill and much labor on my part.

I quickly put together about 120 pounds of equipment, food and booze. Got to cut down on some of the weight. The climbing equipment was over 40 pounds – including three ropes. Nothing I can shave there. I would need all three ropes. I shaved a few pounds by cutting the food in half. I shaved another pound by drinking a pint of the single malt scotch.

Still, the weight including my raft was well over a hundred pounds. A problem for an old man. I'll just have to do two carries with my pack.

I don't want to talk about the first day except to say, this poor old man who barely can afford his vices, got a real work out.

CaptainTrad in the crows nest aboard the Flying Dutchman. No “Good Ship Lollypop” for Captain Trad.


Ship Provisions.


Port Shangri-La


Dinner in port. Steak,corn on the cob and bake potato


In port waiting for a flash floor to happen. Plenty of thunder, lighting and some rain. Sleep in port, anchored for the night, hoping to catch the frontal wave from a flash flood.


Set sail the next day in stormy weather. No flash flood during night.


The Flying Dutchman headed into port.


Another night, another port.


An unwanted stow away is put ashore.


What the heck is going on TradClimber?


Sailing into another port for the night.


Reflecting back on what a long strange voyage the mighty Santa Rosa River has been!

Stats:
Total time – 8 days along
Total distance rafted – around 600'

All photos by Captain TradClimber on7/6-13/11 in a remote area.

As usual a great trip report with super pix.

Trad, my life's goal is to lose weight and be able to hang with you and you inflatable girlfriends!

That being said, I LOVE the pix and description of your latest adventure.

Perhaps, some day, in an alternate, Desertroad Universe, we'll meet under a full moon somewhere in the Santa Rosas.

Your virtual buddy.

the Troad

Thanks guys for looking.

DesertToad – stay away from any “Event Horizon” (black holes) or we might get together sooner then you think.

Here's some graffiti/art works by Lizardo da Vinci.
















All graffiti by Lizardo da Vinci.
All photos by TradClimber near the “Event Horizon”.

Climbing Equipment Used: One rope is not shown.


This is called a screamer. It limits the load on marginal anchors.


Ascending a fixed rope.




My harness just after a rappel.


All photos by TradClimber in a remote area.

Note:

Boys and girls, please don't play these games alone in remote areas. They can be dangerous.

TradClimber is what some may call an “expert”, others, such as yuccahead, “an old fool”.

Truth be told – he's probably both.

I love this post!
That Lizardo De Vinci is quite a character!

Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU ALL! (TradClimber takes a deep bow during a drum roll amid thunderous applause and heads off stage for his next gig)

That is awesome. And I thought I had an old pair of Jumars.

Thanks for looking moe. The jumars are a little more than 45 years old. They have endured 100's of wild adventures.

TradClimber

Lizardo complaining about one of Trad's photos of his Art/Grafitti works.

Scale, Lizardo said, it's all about scale!

Lizardo - Take another look at this photo that you (TradClimber) posted above.


Lizardo - Doesn't that agave appears to be growing next to the rock wall and the dead agave stalk appears to be leaning against the rock wall?

TradClimber – No comment.

Lizardo - So TradClimber, How big is that rock wall behind the agave?

TradClimber - It's several hundred feet high and near vertical.

TradClimber - The agave is around 200' from that rock wall and seperated by a 300' chasm.

WOW, said Lizardo, now, doesn't that just about changes everything in my Art/Grafitti Works?

TradClimber – No, nothing really, just perceptions.