The Flume Outflow
by Leah McPhail
Title
The Flume Outflow
Artist
Leah McPhail
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Located on the Upper Kern, also known as The Killer Kern, The Flume is a treacherous and dangerously deceptive rapid. Avoided by rafters until sufficient water is flowing to cover most of the boulders, the larger rafts simply cannot make it down, and the smaller ones really should not attempt it. Small rafts can be caught in the whirlpool and will not be released until all people and objects have been thrown out or have fallen out. Once you are in the whirlpool it will keep you until you surrender to it, which for most people is when they are too tired to swim anymore.
It is usually rafted by expert/experienced rafting guides during the fall and winter. Even when water is low, it is still one of the few rapids to have a high class rating, always considered to be at least a class IV or higher. Complete with holes, a whirlpool, boiling water, (it only looks like it's boiling, the water is actually very cold) undercut rocks, and prime conditions for hiding broken branches just below the water's surface. Kayakers can be seen year round flying out, paddles held high in the air, usually accompanied by a victory cry.
Every year, my husband and I have pulled people out of the river in this outflow area. By the time an unsuspecting person who has fallen in reaches the outflow, they are exhausted both mentally and physically. It is always an emotional experience, for both them and us. Most people have said that they were sucked in while playing or standing in the incredibly calm looking area located just before and above where the rapid begins.
Just because the water looks calm, it can still be moving swiftly.
Be safe and always wear a life jacket!
People covered in sunscreen are slippery and hard to hold on to.
Uploaded
March 27th, 2017
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