Swimming from Hite to the Dam

Status
Not open for further replies.
With what I consider to be the prevailing general wind on the lake out of the SW does anyone think he would be better off swimming from Page and going uplake? I realize a swimmer does not have much "freeboard" to be impacted by wind but I would think that swimming into even small wind waves would slow you down. With the preparation he has done I hope he has considered this.
 
I wish this guy the best. His training isn't in the water??? I wonder how far he has swam in a day before? I swam a mile today, and spent most of the time thinking about him and his journey. I'm just a 65 year old man and not in great shape, but I do swim 100 laps in my pool about 3 times a week (165 laps is a mile) and other exercises on the other days. Needless to say, I'm pretty tired. I just can't fathom being able to swim 14 times that in a day, then doing it 10 days in a row, with only 5 months of training. I really do hope he makes it, but he has to be a superman if he does. I think I'll go over and see if I can watch him finish at the dam. Do you think he will have to stop and the chains or if they'll let him go all the way to the dam??
 
Ok, we are bored at work and debating this current concept. From a water hydraulics standpoint, is there really any significant "current" at lake powell other than the upper reaches of canyons with river inflows?
 
cdrew said:
Ok, we are bored at work and debating this current concept. From a water hydraulics standpoint, is there really any significant "current" at lake powell other than the upper reaches of canyons with river inflows?
Click to expand...
Well, yes, there's a current, but whether it's significant is a matter of how you define "significant." With an outflow of 10,000 cfs (or whatever) at the dam, there is clearly water moving downstream, thus a current. If you were drawing a line, the inflow point is the elevation of the Colorado River where it joins the lake, and the outflow point is the much lower elevation at which the water is released. If the river If were narrow and shallow (i.e, no reservoir), you'd notice the movement. But the same volume of water will move through a wide and deep reservoir a whole lot slower. So slow, in fact, that you really can't notice it.

In general, the bigger issue facing any swimmer on Lake Powell (in any direction) is wind. Plus the wake boats.
 
RichieW13 said:
How much lower is the elevation at the dam relative to Hite?
Click to expand...
It's a question of where the water is released. The release point of water through the dam at the penstocks to generate power is somewhere just under 3490... and the surface elevation where the river joins the lake right now is about 3548...

And the bypass valves for the river outlets are at 3370, which is why that's dead pool... no release possible below that level...
 
Can't remember the source (maybe here on WW?), but thought I learned that most of the current/flow is on the reservoir floor, in the original river channel. Can anyone confirm?

The swim will be a pretty cool accomplishment. I was skeptical at first, but looks like he's on his way.
 
JFRCalifornia said:
Well, yes, there's a current, but whether it's significant is a matter of how you define "significant.
Click to expand...
I think there may be a little more current in places than most expect. Back when we were slipped at Halls, on G, I would try to fish under a green light sometimes. It was always difficult trying to keep from getting the bait pushed in to the cables. There was a definite current pushing North. Not a lot, but I couldnt fish straight down. Always a few degrees off plumb. I think it was a swirling like an eddy from the river current making the bend at the mouth of Bullfrog. Just my observations.
 
I think this guy will have a better chance of making it by just zipping himself inside of a dry suit and drifting down the lake.


This adventure is already a HUGE success considering the massive free publicity he has gained with mentions of his exercise gear company.


This is what you call a moonshot, or near zero probability but a big high 5 for effort and attitude.


Change the conditions to 30 days with a nice tritoon with a hot captain memory foam mattress with a comfy heated blanket, an espresso machine for smooth entry into the day, a nice wok with plenty of yummy food, cold beer for sunsets, and this guy could make it with under 5 miles a day and may actually gain weight along the way.


The 10 day and pulling a sled has me betting the farm against him, but perseverance and focused mental drive can have him being the last one laughing.


He is going to have to GoPro the entire swim or many will cast doubt… look at all the buff climbers faking the ascents.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top