After a long day of running the White Salmon, and the Lower from Husom to the Lake twice, it was time to get in some play.  Fortunately, Rattlesnake Hole is directly across the street from Wet Planet, where I will be working all summer.  It is going to be amazing living in such close proximity to a play spot I enjoy.

Andy Round rips it up at Rattlesnake.  Jessica Frank photos.

The trick with Rattlesnake is to be patient and expect to get beat a lot.  Andy, who has been mastering this hole for years, said that it is a really tough spot to figure out, and an even harder spot for those without the skills to figure it out (i.e., not for beginners... it would be very frustrating).  However, with the patience and experience, it can be a very rewarding spot.  It is good for spins, blunts, backstabs and other hole moves.  Apparently, you can throw PanAms and donkey flips as well, but its pretty hit and miss.  The surfers left is flushy while the surfers right is good for left blunts off the shoulder and spins down in the trough.

To figure out the level, the gauge upstream on the bridge below Husom Falls should be between 3.5-4.5 feet.  You can also check out the gauge rock, which should be almost submerged at lower flow and just covered at ideal flows.  This level was a bit low.

The gauge rock marks the level, or the stick gauge under the bridge below the Husom bridge.

Jonathan Blum attempts to blunt left... ha.

Chris caught an edge really hard while we were surfing and hit a rock on the left with his paddle, breaking it.  It was an AT though, so whatdya expect?

Jonathan Blum on the pile.

To get to Rattlesnake Hole, follow the Hwy to the town of Husom.  When you see Wet Planet Rafting on the right, there is a large parking area on the left.  Park here and the hole is right downstream.  There is a fixed rope to pull yourself back up as well.

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