OT:Abiqua Falls FIRST successful descent video

Kinetic · Since 27 Jan 2008 61 Posts NW

I'm doing some work regarding fitness with Jesse and thought you might enjoy this vid eye candy. This is the first successful descent of 94 foot Abiqua falls near Silverton Oregon taken a few weeks ago... enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd5NItAvwgA&feature=related

jblum · Since 13 Jul 2008 306 Posts The Gorge Obsessed

The GoPro HD off the lip is incredible. The time lapse really gives it an amazing effect. Very nice work to LG and the crew & Jesse of course.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Jesse killed it Thumb's Up

Nice shooting

PDXF · Since 10 Sep 2008 116 Posts Stoked

Amazing shots, creepy how surreal the boat cam vid is.

kss · Since 24 Apr 2006 614 Posts pdx Addicted

that was so money. way cool presentation!

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Damn, that's intense.

Kinetic · Since 27 Jan 2008 61 Posts NW

here is excerp from Jesse: and a link to longer vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66GIShXATts&feature=share

Lucas and I were looking for first descent waterfalls, and Heather Herbeck suggested Abiqua. We showed up on March 11th after looking at a couple other waterfalls that did not have enough water. As soon as I saw the waterfall from the bottom I knew it was in the realm of possible. After talking with Heather and Christie Glissmeyer and getting their perspective I walked to the top and saw that the lip was actually quite friendly.

We set up all the cameras and got in place. Ben Church from Oregon State University set up the rigging to keep everyone safe. I got in position at the top and slipped my JK Villain into the pool at the top. The height of this waterfall is no joke. It looks like you will fall off the earth. I made sure I was calm and happy, and that I was ready to be in the pool below. Lucas called on the radio and said he was ready and in place. I put the radio inside my dry top and paddled for the lip. I pulled off once wanting to make sure my head in the right mind set. I paddled again for the lip, picked up a little speed and took a left stroke at the lip to set my angle. The thought in my head was that this waterfall is every bit as tall as it looks.

I kept every motion smooth. I began my tuck half way down and got as tight as possible. I wondered in my head how hard the hit would be. And BOOM I get. My paddle got ripped way faster than I can contemplate. I surfaced to the right of the falls. I went for a hand roll and my skirt was blown. I saw that I was near the back pool and pulled water for it. I rolled up on a rock at the back of the pool and raised my fist in celebration.

This was the tallest waterfall I have ever run and I had a super clean line. I was stoked! And I had Lucas Gilman shooting it which means I KNOW he got the shot. He was shooting two DSLR video cameras and a still camera; tons of great footage. Plus we put a camera on the back of my boat that has amazing footage. It was an amazing day!

Abiqua Falls has extra lore in the Pacific Northwest as it was first run in 2002 by my good friend Tim Gross. Unfortunately Tim landed upside down and was thrown from his boat hurting his knees. My second call after my successful descent was to Tim to share the good news of my descent. Ironically, Abiqua dealt me a collapsed lung and some shoulder damage. Sadly, nine days after I ran Abiqua, Tyler Bradt ran it at lower level and broke his back. Here’s to a full and speedy recovery Tyler.

Many thanks to Lucas Gilman for nailing the shot like always and being a great teammate in our productions.

Planning our next adventure….

Jesse

Joshiebaby · Since 14 Oct 2007 569 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

Sweet!!!