Sweet! Well, this is my first Blog posting so I hope I dont screw it up too much. And for all you blogger haters out there, im just posting this so the cool people out there (and my sponsors) can see what I've been up to and check out some cool photos. Sit back and enjoy it...

Quite possibly the most spiritual moment of my life, we had been sitting on this snow covered beach for at least an hour, deep in the BC coastrange when Mike, our heli pilot, finally came into sight with our kayaks. The reality of the situation was fully setting in...we had no option but to get to the bottom of the Mosley Creek. For more on Mosley Creek check out mosleycreek.blogspot.com

Me on my favorite rapid, Wintergreen on my favorite river...Toxaway.

Photo Tommy Hilleke
If you are wondering about the title, "back in the game" I pulled a muscle in my ribs about three weeks ago at a motocross race. In the second moto, I started close enough to see the leaders of my good ole beginner class (woo hoo) and I was so fired up that I was up front that on the second lap I had the brilliant idea to try a uphill double jump that i had no buisness attempting. Such is life in search of the next adrenaline rush...and racing. Well i thought i had the speed on the way up the hill to the kicker, but all too late i realized it wasn't quite enough as i had already passed my turn back point, so i kept it pinned. Came up just a little bit short and i could have ridden out of it but i guess i was more focused on absorbing the landing with my body rather than keeping the gas on so i could lessen the impact by accelerating out. So, in landing with the throttle off my back tire was spinning slower than i was going and it made me swap out and high side over the bike. I ended up braking my front brake lever with my abs, then cutting the bajesus out of them where the lever broke. I picked up my bike and finished in 15th...i think. Well, because i've hit the dirt in every moto of every race i've tried, i think im out on the motocross racing. Somebody's gotta be trying to tell me that racing is not for me so im just gonna bury my head down and focus on the up and coming kayak extreme races (GREEN RACE), upcoming trips and just go ride for fun.

Sitting on a rock looking down into Cherry Creek. What a place. Photo Tommy H

Backtracking a bit, in July i went out to cali with the Tdub crew and we ran most of Upper Cherry Creek at really low water in just one day. Quite a mission, but it was my first time there and the boys didnt let me scout anything but Cherry Bomb Falls, Kiwi in the Pocket, and Dead Bear. It was an amazing experience to be in the middle of the infamous Cherry Creek Gorge, and bombing into all of it behind Toby(won kanobi) made it all the better.

Finishing the hike in. Notice top of ridge over my left shoulder...dont hike down there. The bottom of the class 4 gorge is right in front of me. Photo Tommy H

Toby won Kanobi pre-nailing the gut wrenching right line of Kiwi Photo: Tommy H

For all of you who have experienced the sheer beauty and amazing rapids of the Kibbie Ridge Trail and Cherry Creek, you know what im talking about. For those who havent and are ready...my advice is to put it way up there on your list.

Dropping into Cherry Bomb Gorge, preparing for a spine tingling landing. Photo: Tommy H

I cant even start to pick my favorite rapid, probably the Groove Tube/20footer/Double Pothole Gorge.

Exiting my favorite gorge, Double Pothole Rapid Photo: Tommy H

Also an amusing thing to note is at the last big drop before the lake we paddled past two topless girls shooting video. All Toby told me was the drop falls right and the exit is left...as i was coming up on it i had a really hard time focusing on the drop because of the scenery...when i remembered i was at the top of a 15 footer i came back into reality. A fitting end to an amazing trip.

Self portrait post cherry. Ahh, satisfaction.

Since then, school at UNCA has started up and its fully kicking my ass. Statistics is by far my most brutal class (not liking to do homework and not being good at math is a bad combo) but im pushing my way through one day at a time.

In a little Asheville news, as most of you probably know Tommy Hilleke and his wife Polly are having a baby! Thats so awesome. Im stoked for both of them and I cant wait to see how hardcore this little tyke is gonna be. Watch out, Dane. The sad news is they're moving to Colorado. Tommy, just wanted to say that you'll always be my hero and its always a pleasure getting to kayak with someone as driven and as passionate as you. Asheville wont be the same without you bro. I salute you. The great Mr. Hilleke sticking Dead Bear Rapid, Upper Cherry. Photo Pat Keller

Me stomping the Gorilla. Photo Tommy H

The count down has begun....Green Race 2006. For those who arent coming, you are missing out on the most full on race in the world of kayaking. Dont get me wrong, i love all the events out there and every one has its great points but when you hop in a long boat, go balls out as fast as you can to try and catch the Tsunami (Mr. Tommy Hilleke) for nearly five minutes with all the biggest rapids in the last minute or so...dosent get much better than that. I've been second place a few times the past years and i've finally found a Tonado. Coming to get you, Tommy. I cant say enough about the performance of all my Dagger kayaks, but when it comes to the green race...you dont want to jump into a gun fight with a knife. Now i have the Bazooka. The pulled muscle in my ribs has been keeping me from getting the green time i want in the tornado so i cant talk too much shit but thats part of what this race is all about. Im not gonna say im gonna be the guy to beat here or im gonna win it, cause there are plenty of dudes coming that are fast as all get out and you never know whatll go down during the race but i do feel more prepared.
Photo: Tommy Hilleke
Two days ago was my first day back on the green since the rib incident, but i didnt take the Tornado. Instead, i hopped back in my trusty Nomad 8.1...why? Cause im getting ready for something other than green race right now. I cant give any details until i get back but i guarentee you itll be a blast. Cant wait. I've been wanting to do something like this for years and im finally getting the chance. Wahoo!

Myself and my best friend, Scott Harcke entering Jedi Training, Ravens Fork NC (like the trees?) Photo Tommy H

Heres a fun pic, Land Bridge Rapid Toxaway River...Wintergreen is the horizon line in the background. Photo: Tommy H. Tommy was standing unprotected chin deep in water rushing over the bridge rock...thats why Tommy's the man.

This Blog is dedicated to Matt Sheridan, who i couldnt save when the shit hit the fan in July 03. Good lines up there bro.

Photo: Leland Davis

So why are you all sitting in front of this boring old computer again, get out there and go run the shit! (if running the shit is not what you do, do what your passion is...your still sitting...)

Until next time....
Good lines
Pat