I picked up the new Mamba Creeker at the OR Show and spent no time in putting it to the text. "The Box", Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River, is one of the most intense, demanding runs in the Pacific Northwest. Three days of of incredible and burly Class V whitewater in the depths of one of the deepest boxed out canyons in the lower 48. I have been paddling my Nomad 8.5 exclusively for over half a decade and jumping into a new yet unproven boat for the first time on this intense of a run was nerve racking. 

The definition of commitment. If you want to put a boat to the test, load it with three days of overnight gear and drop into a run with unportage-able drops and stout must make moves. Sprinkle in a few optional stouts like this one: Balls to the Wall and you'll have the perfect proving grounds for a new boat. Trial by liquid fire:

I have never paddled a planning hull creek boat before and I have admit it took a little getting used to but once I had the feel of the boat under me I was happily charging into some of the biggest drops of run. 

This boat boofs like a dream! The thing I was most impressed with was the ability to keep its bow up in difficult spots while still being able to plug through stout holes. The volume displacement for surfacing and rocker profile help to roost through gnarly spots and carry speed right into the next one is spot on. 

So, If you're in a spot like this:

The new Mamba will treat you right! This is only the second prototype with one more to come so with this good of a start I am confident Dagger has new amazing creeker in the works! 

More soon!