4^rd Annual Weasel Gathering

August 25-26, 2012

Tim Hollar droppin’ bombs at the Weasel...

Dates:

August 25-26, 2012 (sat/sun)
The official gathering will commence at the spot Saturday morning, although many folks will likely be there much of the week prior.  The WeaselCup competition will begin at 10AM on Sunday morning.

Spot Info:

The Weasel is located about an hour and a half south east of Portland in the beautiful Santiam Drainage in central Oregon.  Weaver found this spot on Google Earth; we drove down to check it out one Sunday afternoon, almost as an afterthought.  Within a few minutes of arriving, we were already getting cautious ten second rides.  We knew immediately that we had found something special.  We originally called it the ‘AntiRanch’, as it seemed like a bizarro-world version of the famed Squirt Ranch, but it was so good that we felt that it deserved its own name, with no reference to the Ranch.  After several weeks of indecision, someone called it the Weasel (Weaver-Diesel), and the name stuck.  Since then, we have seen many actual weasels swimming and playing at the mystery arena on multiple occasions, so the name was meant to be!

Main Spot
The Weasel is a classic convergence, similar to the Squirt Ranch, CJs, Sweet Cheeks or Borobas. The river splits around a small island, and the water comes back together at the downstream point of the gravel bar.  The move is to ferry across the river left channel into the convergence with the river right channel.  Mysteries are easily accessible going both lefty or righty, and it all plays out into a huge eddy. The deeper water is on the eddy side, so back cutting to the right can result in deep, very slow rides.   The most used charc is a lefty in a sweet zone in the middle of the seam, which allows for a quick effortless drop into a long roaming ride.   At the best water levels, the convergence zone is at least ten feet long.  There are several major rocks in the deep zone, most noticeably the seven and ten pins that you will pass directly between or off of when locked in a good ride.  There is also the rarely seen Mister Mxyzptlk lurking in there.  The rocks seem ominous at first, but so far it has been a VERY friendly neighborhood for everyone, with no known pins and very limited boat bashing.  Very deep and long traveling rides can be had for those with a big appetite.  Your appetite is your limit at the Weasel.

Underwater at the Weasel from Joel Meadows on Vimeo.

Upper Spot
A year after the Weasel was found, Jono Der began playing in an upper eddy just upstream of the main spot.  After some trial and error dialing in the entrance charc, we realized there was another fantastic mystery spot right there, that actually merges into the main mystery seam.  So, it is possible to sink at the upper spot and travel downstream hitting the main seam already deeply submerged.  Very few have hit it well enough to travel through both spots without air.  It is much more common to grab a breath while neck deep and then hit another big ride down below.  The upper spot is an eddy line spot, and the charc is strong backcut lefty move just off of the eddy line.  Follow the upstream current of the eddy into the main flow, initiate a big backcut, and wing down deep as quickly as possible.  You will know it if you hit it.  It is pretty obvious underwater when you arrive at the main seam, so be mindful of your air supply and grease the up button if you go for it!

2010-06-00 Weasel - MT Han Roaming Double from SinkSpots on Vimeo.

Flows & Weather

The Weasel is in from 800-2200cfs on the North Santiam River at Mehama USGS Gage.  1000-1800cfs is the sweet zone.  The North Santiam River is a dam fed river, so flows are regulated and predictable during the summer months.  In most years, it runs in that “sweet zone” range all summer and into fall.  The water is also usually very clear and cold (excellent for underwater filming!).  A quick note on weather and water temps:  Generally the weather is predictably sunny and warm in August.  However, as the crew from the first Weasel Gathering can attest to, the weather can turn COLD and wet very quickly in the mountains of Oregon.  The water is always unusually chilly even on hot days.  Cold rain, sixty degree air, and water temps in the forties make for a cold mystery set when you show up in shorts and flip flops.  We’ll have a good idea of the weather leading up to the event, but it would be wise to at least bring a few extra layers for both paddling and camping.  Beanies are not uncommon even on sunny August days. 

 

Competition:

The WeaselCup follows the standard JimiCup format of five rides, with the total time for all five rides as the final score.  Zeros count.  The Worlds format will also be the same as it has been at previous JimiCup competitions. 

Logistics:

The Weasel is a fairly simple operation logistics-wise, with easy directions, camping options, close proximity to cities and airports, as well as a plethora of local stores and restaurants nearby for your convenience.  Access to the spot is in the North Santiam State Park.

Directions
Coming north or south on I5, take exit 253 for HWY 22 towards Detroit Lake/Bend.  Drive approximately 22 miles, and turn right onto North Santiam State Park Road, a few miles past Mehama, OR.  Follow the speed limit on Hwy 22, as there is usually a heavy police presence that isn’t afraid to dish out tickets.  There is a brown park sign signaling the upcoming right turn onto the park road.  Drive down into the park and continue straight onto the gravel road down to the river.  Park at the boat landing.  The spot is at the bottom of the island just downstream. 

If you are flying, the closest major airport is PDX in Portland, OR.  It’s approximately 80 miles from PDX to the Weasel. 

Estimated Drives Times:
(destination lat, long: 44.7741,-122.5683)

Departing From:
Portland, OR: 74.2 mi (about 1 hour 33 mins)
Eugene, OR: 77.7 mi (about 1 hour 29 mins)
Seattle, WA: 246 mi (about 4 hours 20 mins)
Moscow, ID: 432 mi (about 7 hours 51 mins)
Boise, ID: 421 mi (about 8 hours 28 mins)
Reno, NV: 499 mi (about 9 hours 17 mins)
Truckee, CA: 531 mi (about 9 hours 52 mins)
San Francisco, CA: 603 mi (about 10 hours 24 mins)
Missoula, MT: 621 mi (about 10 hours 43 mins)
Salt Lake City, UT: 757 mi (about 13 hours 35 mins)
Las Vegas, NV: 929 mi (about 16 hours 28 mins)
Yellowstone National Park, WY: 892 mi (about 16 hours 39 mins)
Mancos, CO: 1,119 mi (about 19 hours 58 mins)
Grand Canyon National Park, Supai, AZ: 1,198 mi (about 21 hours 2 mins)
Denver, CO: 1,249 mi (about 21 hours 12 mins)
Fayetteville, WV: 2,592 mi (about 1 day 19 hours)
Cabin John, MD: 2,783 mi (about 1 day 22 hours)
Lancaster, PA: 2,793 mi (about 1 day 22 hours)
Chattanooga, TN: 2,476 mi (about 1 day 17 hours)
Ottawa, ON, Canada: 4,369 km (about 2 days 0 hours)

Camping
The best camping is located within the North Santiam State Park, where we plan to have camping for everyone.  The park has nine campsites that we will acquire ahead of time.  Ice, wood, drinking water, and restroom facilities are available.  When entering the park, turn left into the parking area.  The camping area is at the far end of the parking lot.  For more information, go here:  North Santiam State Park

If backup camping options are needed, there is also the Fisherman’s Bend State Park a few miles east.  This park is huge, mostly paved, and generally not a quiet enjoyable camping experience. 

A third option is the Rock Creek Campground in Mill City, about fifteen miles away.
Its undeveloped with two or three areas to choose from. The circus family fun factor of Fishermans Bend is noticably absent, so its further away but an all around more enjoyable and peaceful camping experience. To get there, go into MillCity.. make a right and go down by the bridge which is actually the takeout from the Packsaddle to MillCity run. Go over the bridge over the river..youll be on 1st ave. eventually you get to the post office..make a left. Now you are on Kingwood Ave. In this same area there is a little grocery store and a laundry mat. Going on kingwood ave, youll see a tiny little sign on your left that says Rock Creek campground.. make a right turn there and the paved road will quickly turn into a gravel road.

Food & Supplies

There are several decent food options nearby.  Mountain Pizza, Mountain Edge Cafe, and Poppa Al's are all fine options just three miles east of the Weasel on Hwy 22. There is also a bank and convenience store next to these restaurants. 

 

 

Sat Dinner:
Sponsored by SinkSpots.org!  Menu to be determined.

 

STAY TUNED AS THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED FREQUENTLY!!

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Weasel Gathering 2012 Scores

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Weasel Gathering 2011 Scores

SCORES ARE OVER HERE yo!

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Weasel Gathering 2009 Scores

Flow: 1130 cfs on Mehama Gage
Air Temp: 63 *F - Partly Sunny
Water Temp: 48.2 *F
Water Turbidity: 0.1 FNU - Crystal Clear

Finals - Round 1

Place	Rider	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	Total	Country	Affiliation	Mode	Boat
1	Tim	18.97	13.22	19.36	20.25	10.4	82.2	USA	Team WA	HP	Ninja
2	Noah	14.87	20.31	11.29	7.57	14.69	68.73	USA	Team NV	HP	Kor
3	Tehan	10.91	10.69	20.37	14.66	8.97	65.6	USA	Team OR	HP	Wisper
4	Andy	5.66	12.75	24.06	11.5	10.94	64.91	CANADA	Team BC	HP	Wisper
5	Jake	6.71	1.06	16.94	0.94	20.53	46.18	USA	Team CA	HP	Bigfoot
6	JoelD	9.13	4.97	7.91	5.03	17.66	44.7	USA	Team OR	Stick	Whirld
7	Biggs	7.4	0.68	7.59	13.1	12.22	40.99	USA	Team CO	HP	Shred
8	Josh	6.69	7.5	5.47	5.32	9.28	34.26	USA	Team CA	HP	Bigfoot
9	Weaver	5.5	0	0	9.5	15.44	30.44	USA	Team OR	HP	Bigfoot
10	Willie	5.72	8	4	2	4	23.72	USA	Team OR	HP	Kor

 

Bonus - Round 2

"...just one more ride..."

Place	Rider	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	Total	Country	Affiliation	Mode	Boat
1	Weaver	17.81	16	15.72	15.63	14.82	79.98	USA	Team OR	HP	Bigfoot
2	JoelD	13.25	7.62	14	9.65	9.57	54.09	USA	Team OR	Stick	Whirld
3	Andy	11.28	13.4	5.5	10.78	6.3	47.26	CANADA	Team BC	HP	Wisper