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Hiking Over to Drop Into ‘Perfect’ Whitewater: Sending Cali’s Cherry Bomb Gorge

Is there a better section of whitewater river in the world? With this crew, their stoke, and based on this edit, I'd say no.

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Five proclaimed “senders” trek into kayaking paradise. (OK, fair, these chums are pros.) The crew includes kayakers Huw Butterworth, Dane Jackson, and Lorenzo Vellutino. They hike up, down, slanted, and sideways across smooth red rocks and large boulders. The hike in looks gnarly, but also gorgeous with sweeping vistas at every turn and overlook.

“It was a childhood dream for me to kayak down this river and it felt incredible,” announces the filmer and kayaker Bren Orton. After the hike in, they arrive at Cherry Bomb Gorge and proceed to drop into a narrow gully. The reward? Churning, frothy, bouncy, fun whitewater. And toward the end of the gorge, it only gets better with a fun slide sequence, and of course, a few choice waterfall drops.

The cherry bomb on top is definitely at the 9.5- to 11-minute mark (you’re welcome). That, and the aptly picked track from Cali’s Blink-182 and Oliver Tree.

The crew stumbled upon what they call “perfect rapids.” It’s 10/10, and all smiles. This is the fun we all wish for.

Runtime: 12 minutes

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