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Playspot: Canada, British Columbia, River Clear Water, Pink Mountain.

What's it like

This is a large breaking wave found only at certain water levels. The gauge is marked beneath the bridge on the way up the river. If it is at 3.5', it's ideal. Higher and the wave flushes out, lower and it becomes a boney, crunchy hole. Typically in spring (before the end of May) and from the middle of July to the middle of August. The river season itself is from April - October typically.

This is an excellent play spot on river left as you pass the large pink cliff on river right (Pink Mountain). A 4-5' green wave fronts the fun breaking wave behind it. You'll have to catch the first one on the fly. The real fun is to be had in Pink Mountain. It is difficult to make the short ferry out of the eddy and catch the hole, but watch what the currents are doing and you'll figure it out. Once on the wave, open up you playbook and enjoy. If you flush, paddle hard to catch the eddy. Otherwise, you have to hop out of your boat and scrabble back up the shore. A very popular play spot with the locals and draws in others from around when it is running.

How to get there

Travel north from Kamloops to Clearwater town (125km). You'll pass over the river going into town. Head up the gravel road on river right. To get to Pink Mountain, you'll have to paddle the river from the rafting put-in, about 10/12 km up the road. You'll see a yellow gated road going to the right of the main dirt road. Pull over just ahead on the main dirt road (the rafting access is privately owned and gated so buses can enter and turn around) and hike down to the river. You can either put in directly where the rafts put-in. Or about 400m upstream, just below the "Kettle" which is a Class 6 (at times) rapid. If you put in below the "Kettle" you get to run some nice whitewater ("Three Fingers") which gets you pumped for the rest of the river. Watching and listening to the "Kettle" along with the put-in being a fairly surging eddie, can often get one wired too. About 500m below the raft put-in on river left (at the top of the island) is the "Wall". One of the best "glass" river waves you'll find anywhere.

There is also a 4*4 turn-off that will get you closer to the playspot from the main gravel road, but it is not sign posted and even locals have trouble finding it! Your best bet is to run the river and enjoy all the other playspots on the way down (Class III-IV).

More info

Interior Whitewater is the local rafting company and they may be able to pass on the river level to you.

Locals

Part of Wells Gray Park. Occasional rafters. More common to spot other kayakers. Fishermen on the river, but never in this location.

Info sources

[mail address protected from spambots with javascript] , http://www.spiritcanada.com