Team Pyranha Blog » Cody Howard

1st D: UPPER UPPER NORTH FORK KAWEAH

Cody Howard — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 04:01:51 +0000

Last year we ventured into the “Upper Upper NF Kaweah” for it’s first descent. Besides a couple of Google Earth scouts, we knew nothing of it’s sick, steep whitewater. Here is a video of the trip(s) and a teaser photo for the write-up over at HUCKIN HUGE.com

THE VIDEO:

The Burn gettin’ some love on the first descent of the Upper Upper NF Kaweah, California.

1st Descent: Piute Creek, California

Cody Howard — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 22:42:59 +0000

CLICK HERE to see the video, photos and write-up about a big, trans-sierra mission earlier this summer.
The Pyranha backpack system, coupled with the L Burn was kickin’ some serious ass and put on some legit miles. Here are a couple teaser pictures.

BIG SNOW OPTIONS

Cody Howard — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 18:53:40 +0000

It’s July! –> and some of the typical early May runs haven’t even come in yet! With the big snow pack in the Sierras, we have been checking out new stuff and lapping some classics. Here are some shots from the past couple of days.

Chico’s backyard awesomeness! Photo above & below taken by Fredy Riner.

Paddling under an Avalanche path, lining up a move that waits below. Jared Noceti photo.

Good slides literally underneath the snowpack. Thomas Moore photo.

JAPAN EXPEDITION 2011

Cody Howard — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 15:07:28 +0000

In 2008, myself and team of three traveled to Japan in search of new whitewater. Documenting the trip in Huckin Huge’s first release, The Risen Sun, we scored a month straight of 2 rivers a day. Since, i’ve been chopping at the bit to go back. Fast forward to earlier this winter, I found myself with tickets in hand and a great team along for another trip overseas! Shortly after booking the tickets, disaster struck and the massive earthquake / tsunami took out the Northwest shoreline of the main island of Japan. This and the thereafter nuclear crisis had us questioning the feasibility of going over there. After speaking with friends on the island and some research, we determined that if we stayed out of the radiation evacuation zone, we’d be okay in that aspect, but our plans would slightly shift. We intended on going over there with small donations we could get on the plane and volunteer our help in the devastation area. The trip went off without a hitch and we wrote live team updates for Canoe & Kayak Magazine. Follow the links below to view these updates and a teaser video:

Teaser Video: Expedition East

Update 1: Postcards from the Edge

Update 2: Postcards from the Edge 2

Update 3: Postcards from the Edge 3

FYI – The ammo was a blast!

Off to Japan (with a last minute overnighter)

Cody Howard — Sat, 07 May 2011 21:03:28 +0000

Sayonara! We are out of here, off to Japan for some boating and to help out some friends! Just before stepping out the door, I was able to get on an obscure, but super worthy run: Long Canyon into the Rubicon River. This stout canyon (yes canyon, not even labeled on some maps as a river or creek) is one long gorge with drop after drop. Nothing too tall but just right. This combination led to some great bombing and linkage of rapids. Here are some photos and words by Darin McQuoid, a member of the Japan Expedition as well. Stay tuned here @ Pyranha and Huckin Huge for updates from the field in Japan!

Busy California

Cody Howard — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:10:14 +0000

The title rings true in so many ways. But lately, “in a boating way” – even more so. Cali goes hand in hand with SUNSHINE and GRANITE. But given that some end-of-the-world storms have been blasting us this winter, it is now RAIN and BASALT. So staying indoors, breaking out the maps and exploring some new low elevation runs, is the name of the game. (and by low I mean low as in 200′ above sea level). So here is video and here for more words and pictures. The sun finally broke out yesterday, yeah.

Sun Burnin’

Cody Howard — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 19:12:09 +0000

Breaking out the L Burn in sunny California. This particular falls has a nice launch ledge just below the lip that never treats you the same twice. Good to dial in that freefall for the springtime! Photo by Alex Conheim

KAYAK KRIBS

Cody Howard — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:21:36 +0000

A in-depth look into the dwelling of a dedicated boater on the side of a river. Click on the picture to view. M 17+ Rating

Stikine 2010

Cody Howard — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 07:33:57 +0000

Hear are some lifestyle images from a great trip down the Grand Canyon of the Stikine in Northern BC.

Upper Upper EF Kaweah exploring

Cody Howard — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 19:58:57 +0000

Stoked to finally check out what the Upper Upper East Fork Kaweah had to offer. Nathan Hunkapiler, Macy Burnham & Chris Tulley 1′st D’ed a steep portion of the Upper Upper 2 years ago that uncovered some goods, but required the team to hike out on day two due to time constraints. This left the trio amped on the Upper Upper & wondering what the “middle” Upper Upper had to offer, as there was 6 miles unaccounted for. Joining up with the original team +1, Cully Thomas – we dropped into Upper Upper to complete the 1st Descent. After a quick bushwack entrance to the gorge a mile downstream of where they originally hiked out, we kicked off the trip with some wooded drops and slides, and one crux pinch drop that had a cool, must make wall move. Upon arriving to the confluence of Horse Creek, we all couldn’t pass up the opportunity to camp at one of the coolest camp spots in the Kaweah Drainage! Horse Creek dropped steeply into the Upper Upper East Fork and contained numerous slides and one nice big fall (*shallow landing*). We hiked up and did multiple laps on it and laid down to sleep, only to be woken at 5am by rain. Putting on the rising East Fork super early, we finished out the Upper Upper and dropped into the “Upper EF”…whew lots of upper stretches (as the EF continues to prove that it contains some of the best, most continuous whitewater anywhere). The Upper EF was a real treat and had some surprising gorges and drops that had the whole team stoked and feeling it. Here are some pix. - video soon.

1st D of Horsecock Falls, Horse Creek California. Chris Tulley photo

Gorgeous lighting for a late afternoon boof. Culley Thomas photo

A stout drop on the Upper EF Kaweah. Chris Tulley photo

Macy named this one Gorneria – “if ya dropped into thar u’ed be a goner son”

Parting shot – Horse Creek and Upper Upper EF confluence. Cully Thomas photo