This was a knock the rust off day for me. I was lit on the 4.8. Got a chance to do a GPS track of Purgatory. Had the main pool all to myself.

Bloomington


Champaign


Decatur




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Close to 1 mile reaches. Perfect direction for Purgatory.



Wind didn't grab the water and make big swell. Too much shift and not solid enough. The wind would come in waves.



You can see the cove.



2 miles of fetch coming out of the dam pool and then down main pool.



Freeride heaven.



'till next time.




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Purgatory! That place bears that name really well! I recall the painful access to the launch: walking down a narrow path in the woods first and then treading waters with the kit in tow across submerged logs and dead trees with water up the neck! Not only it is a tight swell ridding spot in strong conditions - good for only the best - but the trecking challenge before ridding is reserved to the Midwest most ambitious, determined and tenacious sailors!

Me and another KC guy drove up to Red Rocks Lake , Pella , Iowa that day. I was thinking about you Illinois guys and wondering if you were able to sail Purgatory that day. It was 4.5 alllll day at Red Rocks!

Greg from Sheb. wrote:

For me it's more painful to tack my way up to the main pool on this direction from CLSA. And getting back to CLSA is just as bad. No laying your gear on a bed of water grass(this time of year) and getting a drink of water or gear change.

The rain has eroded the bank so we can walk behind the fallen tree with gear in hand, then let the water float your gear and do all the work. . You have to make friends with Purgatory - it feeds on anger and frustration. Sailing in the main pool is such a reward when it's good - wide open - big clean swell and speed spots on the far side.

Eric Raven wrote:

I looked at the map. That puppy sits the right way for that direction. Nice!