Gear Garage Live Show | May 2nd, 2025

This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage Live Show, where we answer submitted questions and talk all things whitewater.

Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode

• Answer Questions
• River Rescue Gear at River Hardware

Some of the Questions that Zach covered in the Q&A section of this episode

Topic: Highwater Middle Fork of the Salmon

I'm invited on a MFS trip June 10. Super psyched! The trip leader wants to cap the trip at 5 feet, but I bet it will be higher. I'm pushing for a careful safe trip, even if higher than 5 feet. I feel up to the challenge 100%. The crew is solid. Any thoughts on flows and wisdom of going? I hate the idea of the permit being canceled. Thanks!

Topic: Guide Shoes

What about guides wearing Chacos... Do you have any thoughts about that?

Topic: Rope Selection

You've covered a lot on static line length and diameter on your previous videos, and I'm curious to hear more about material and buoyancy.

On whitewater gear you offer the sterling super static 2 rope, but I don't believe that's a high floating material, and is quite a bit heavier without being stronger than some other equivalent 3/8" ropes like ultra line.

Can you review a bit more on rope design/materials vs use in whitewater rescue applications? Sterling looks to be the standard in ropes, and their ultra line appears like the best overall option for weight/strength vs flotation. Only downside I can see is that ultra line is not available in sizes other than 1/4" and 3/8" if someone needs 11mm or larger.

Topic: 18' Raft Owyhee

What's your low flow cutoff for getting a medium to lightly loaded 18' raft down the Lower Owhyee? I'm able to make technical moves just not interested in getting high centered or squeezed all the time and having to get out to shove a whole bunch. Nuisance rapid for instance. Does an 18' even fit between boulders at flows less than 1K CFS? I'm 5 days out from launch and flows have been very slowly dropping, currently around 1300 CFS to 1400 CFS with no major precip in forecast.

Motoring out and my 18' has the registration. Have a smaller raft with fishing frame and registration but its not rigged to motor and would like to avoid that hassle of frame changeover and assembly if possible. Thanks for your insights!

Topic: IK Safety

Thanks for this channel; it is an excellent resource for people like me who are new to rafting. Two buddies and I took the NWRC Class III rowing school last year, which was awesome. The Lower Salmon was one of the rivers the instructors recommended as a good first private trip, so we are planning a multi-day trip with our families on the Lower Salmon in mid-July. We will have three rafts.

We have several high school kids in our group. I am considering bringing two or three inflatable kayaks for them to use if they want more excitement than riding in the rafts. Everyone will be in helmets and PFDs. The kids are strong swimmers and comfortable in the water. I have three questions:

1. Where should we put the IKs in the group? I am thinking between the middle and last raft as that would leave two downstream rafts in case they swim.
2. Would having three IKs in the water at one time be too many given we only have three rafts?
3. Could you talk about how trip leaders monitor IKs on your commercial trips.