Self-Discovery by Canoe Plus: Amazing Whitewater Photos ��

BY BOATERS FOR BOATERS November/December 2007

Asking the Big Questions in Italy A National River Trail? Self-discovery by Canoe Plus: Amazing Whitewater Photos ��

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�� A VOLUNTEER PUBLICATION PROMOTING RIVER CONSERVATION, ACCESS AND SAFETY American Whitewater Journal November/December 2007 - Volume #47 - Issue #6

COLUMNS

3 The Journey Ahead by Mark Singleton 4 Letters to the Editor

6 Safety First: CPR by Eric Nies

12 Mind Over Water: Fear in Kayaking by Doug Ammons

STEWARDSHIP

16 Stewardship Updates by Dave Steindorf, Thomas O’Keefe, Kevin Colburn, Bob Center

FEATURE - Story and Photo Contest Results 22 Photo Contest

38 Stewardship Contest by Terri Bsullak, Kevin T. Miller,

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46 Story Contest by Peter Stekel, Phil LaMarche, Victor Myers �� 62 Humor Contest by David Maurier ��

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Support American Whitewater through CFC or United Way �� All of the Federal CFC campaigns (CFC # 11351) and a few of the local United Way campaigns will allow you to donate through them to AW. �� Also, check to see if your employer will match your charitable contributions: double your giving . . . double your fun! �� Publication Title: American Whitewater �� Issue Date: November/December 2007 Ruth Gordon practicing for Statement of Frequency: Published bimonthly perfection at the Skook Authorized Organization’s Name and Ad dress: �� American Whitewater photo by Klaas van Lil P.O. Box 1540 Cullowhee, NC 28723 Printed on Recycled Paper River Stewardship: EDUCATION: AW shares information with the processes, grassroots advocacy, coalition building, An Integrated Approach general public and the paddling community empowerment of volunteers, public outreach and regarding whitewater rivers, as well as river education, and, when necessary, legal action. Our mission: “To conserve and restore America’s recreation, conservation, access, and safety. This is whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities RIVER ACCESS: To assure public access to whitewater accomplished through our bi-monthly AW Journal, to enjoy them safely,” is actively pursued through our rivers pursuant to the guidelines published in its a monthly e-news, americanwhitewater.org, paddling conservation, access, safety and education efforts under official Access Policy, AW arranges for river access events, educational events, and through direct the umbrella of River Stewardship. The only national through private lands by negotiation or purchase, communication with the press. organization representing the interest of all whitewater seeks to protect the right of public passage on all paddlers, American Whitewater is the national voice rivers and streams navigable by kayak or canoe, Together, AW staff, members, volunteers, and affiliate for thousands of individual whitewater enthusiasts, as encourages equitable and responsible management clubs can achieve our goals of conserving, protecting well as over 100 local paddling club affiliates. of whitewater rivers on public lands, and works with and restoring America’s whitewater resources and government agencies and other river users to achieve enhancing opportunities to safely enjoy these AW’s River Stewardship program adheres to the four these goals. tenets of our mission statement: wonderful rivers. SAFETY: AW promotes paddling safely, publishes CONSERVATION: AW’s professional staff works reports on whitewater accidents, maintains a uniform AW was incorporated under Missouri nonprofit closely with volunteers and partner organizations national ranking system for whitewater rivers (the corporation laws in 1961 and maintains its principal to protect the ecological and scenic values of all International Scale of Whitewater Difficulty) and mailing address at PO Box 1540, Cullowhee, NC whitewater rivers. These goals are accomplished publishes and disseminates the internationally- 28723; phone 1-866-BOAT-4-AW (1-866-262-8429). through direct participation in public decision-making recognized American Whitewater Safety Code. AW is tax exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service.

American Whitewater Journal Staff Board of Directors & Staff TOLL FREE NUMBER Editor Ambrose Tuscano Sutton Bacon 14076 Northwoods Blvd. Truckee, California 96161 866-BOAT4AW e-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Atlanta, GA Assitant Editor Tim Catalano Chris Bell Graphic Design/Production/Photo Editor Christie Dobson Thomas O’Keefe [email protected] Eric Nies Pacific NW Stewardship Director Contributing Writers Asheville, NC [email protected] Ambrose Tuscano, Mark Singleton, Sue Taft, New Paltz, NY Seattle, WA Ben VanCamp, Kevin Colburn, Beth Gaydos, Rich Bowers [email protected] Janet Burnett Cowie, Doug Ammons, Walt Barmmann, Thomas O’Keefe, Scott Weems, Kathleen Burress, Clay Wright, [email protected] Aaron Pruzan Martin Talbot, Dave Steindorf, Andrew Guldman, Bellingham, WA [email protected] Mark Singleton Eugene Buchanan, Scott Winkleman, Mike Buckley, Jackson Hole, WY Executive Director Hank Klausman, Ambrose Tuscano Dave Cernicek Cullowhee, NC [email protected] Norwood Scott Photo Contributors [email protected] Bruce Cowie, Wolf Bauer, Rob Lesser, Ted Acton, Brandon Knapp, Jackson, WY [email protected] Rich Bower, Thomas O’Keefe, Portland General Electric, San Francisco, CA Scott Weems, Kathleen Burress, Jeff West, Jonathan Shanin, Dave Steindorf Christiane Van Dyke, Charles-Etienne Tessier, Martin Talbot, Adam Cramer Sam Drevo [email protected] Charlie Walbridge California Stewardship Director Washington, DC [email protected] Paradise, CA Events / Advertising Coordinator Ben VanCamp Bruceton Mills, WV P.O. Box 1540, Cullowhee, NC 28723 [email protected] phone 828-713-5825 Liz Ferrin e-mail: [email protected] [email protected] BOARD OFFICERS Nathan Fey Goleta, CA President: Sutton Bacon Safety Editor Charlie Walbridge Colorado Stewardship Director Route 1, Box 329F, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525 Vice President: Don Kinser e-mail: [email protected] Jennie Goldberg Secretary: Jennie Goldberg Ridgway, CO [email protected] Treasurer: Chris Bell [email protected] Stewarship Reports Editor Seattle, WA Kevin Colburn, [email protected] AW STAFF Ben VanCamp American Whitewater Magazine Task Force Kristine Jackson Jeff Espy, Dunbar Hardy, Dale-Marie Herring, John Mason, [email protected] Laura Blalock Outreach Manager Tanya Shuman, Ambrose Tuscano Rock Island, TN Bookkeeper Asheville, NC Missing Copies and Address Changes Cullowhee, NC [email protected] [email protected] Andrew Jillings [email protected] [email protected] American Whitewater is printed by The Printing House in Quincy Florida Clinton, NY All rights reserved. Kevin Colburn Don Kinser National Stewardship Director [email protected] Missoula, MT Marietta, GA EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER [email protected] The opinions expressed in the features and editorials of American Whitewater are those of Mark LaCroix the individual authors. They do not necessarily [email protected] Carla Miner represent those of the Directors of American Thorton, NH Membership Manager Whitewater or the editors of this publication. West Valley City, UT On occasion, American Whitewater publishes Evie Locke [email protected] official organizational policy statements drafted [email protected] and approved by the Board of Directors. These Charlemont, MA policy statements will be clearly identified.

2 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 3 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 It’s been three years now since I came projects. Over the past year, in-kind onboard as your executive director. Over support from law firms has been notable. the last three years American Whitewater Alston and Bird, a major national firm, has been through a remarkable transition. provided support to AW through pro bono Today we are on solid financial ground, representation in our lawsuit to restore and more importantly, our regional boater access to the Upper Chattooga stewardship approach is delivering solid River. AW Board Member Adam Cramer results. American Whitewater staff and provided his pro bono legal services in volunteers are successfully building our Upper Yough relicensing negotiations, relationships within their communities resulting in a new summer flow regime to improve the quality and quantity of that includes summer Saturdays. Most whitewater recreation and conservation recently, the firm Morgan, Lewis & in their backyards. Local staff and board Bockius, an international firm based out representation, coupled with empowered of Philadelphia, provided significant grassroots volunteer activists, make pro bono research on navigability and American Whitewater more effective at state-by-state reports on navigability fulfilling our mission, “To conserve and laws for river users (look for these in restore America’s whitewater resources our online stewardship toolkit). And and to enhance opportunities to enjoy finally Patton Boggs, a leader in public them safely.” policy and lobbying, has assisted AW with shaping our strategy on the Chattooga for Our national representation is greatly many years. enhanced through joining forces with other human-powered outdoor recreation The team that has developed over the organizations to form the Outdoor last three years to support the mission of Alliance. The Access Fund, American Canoe American Whitewater is quite impressive. Association, American Hiking Society, As you can see, it includes membership, American Whitewater, International member donors, industry partners, Mountain Biking Association, and Winter coalitions, foundations, pro bono Wildlands are all founding members of legal services and volunteer grassroots the Outdoor Alliance. This coalition is activists—a winning team! We still face aimed at representing human-powered future challenges to achieving nationally recreationists on a national level. Now one consistent river management based on year old, the Outdoor Alliance represents good science and sound public policy. But the common goals of preserving and with plenty of help from our friends, your restoring our natural resources for organization is positioned to address these responsible recreation. Our coalition challenges squarely. approach provides a stronger voice for our interests in Washington, DC and is helping to shape public policy for improved recreational access and conservation on all American public lands.

Support for our efforts comes in large part through membership in American Whitewater and member donations. AW also receives support from the outdoor industry through partnership programs. Foundation support for our river stewardship program is strong, especially in the area of hydropower reform. One area of support that often goes unnoticed is in-kind support. These are professional services that are donated to help us further our mission or engage in important

2 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 3 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 Mind Over Water Mr. John Cleeves U.S. Forest Service 4931 Broad River Road Columbia, SC 29212

Dear Mr. John Cleeves,

I am writing to ask for your permission to is therefore an unsubstantiated reason to see through its unwieldy claims. Make a use the comments submitted by the South decide that boaters should not be allowed decision based on facts and evidence and Carolina Council of Trout Unlimited access to the river. well-formed arguments. Such a decision and Friends of the Upper Chattooga for will be fair and uphold the intentions of my college composition class this fall. Faulty Causation or Post Hoc Ergo Propter the Wild and Scenic River act. You see, I teach Intro to Composition to Hoc. “The Post Hoc fallacy derives its college freshmen, and every semester we name from the Latin phrase Post hoc, ergo To see more explanations of logical fallacies, cover rhetorical forms of argument. In this propter hoc. This has been traditionally see http://www.nizkor.org/features/ section, we examine how everyone from interpreted as ‘After this, therefore because fallacies/. advertisers to politicians appeals to our of this.’ This fallacy is committed when it logic, our emotion, and our character to is concluded that one event causes another Sincerely, persuade us to do something different or simply because the proposed cause to consider new ideas. While we’re covering occurred before the proposed effect.” April Lewandowski classical and contemporary arguments, we 996 Rudi Lane inevitably cover the section on “Logical I see this fallacy most readily with the claim Golden, CO 80403 Fallacies.” This is usually a fun time, when, that because kayakers are on the river they among other things, we analyze Michael will then drop into pools of swimmers Moore’s Bowling for Columbine to see how or tubers and readily injure someone. he commits acts of fallacy by using hasty The action of paddling downstream generalizations, faulty causations, and ad does not automatically lead to injurious hominem attacks. encounters with swimmers and tubers. Such erroneous logic is often the basis of After reading the comments by the groups superstitions. (e.g. The black cat crossed opposing access for boaters to the Upper my path, something bad happened: Chattooga, I can imagine myself switching anytime a black cat crosses my path bad curriculum materials. Instead of using things will happen.) Again, claiming Michael Moore to show how it’s easy to that a kayaker paddling down a river will construct faulty logic in a well-intentioned inevitably cause injuries to swimmers is argument, I might just show how even ill-founded logic. While such a claim is established, well meaning organizations, theoretically possible, the inference that like the USFS, have been swayed by appeals one event always follows the other is made with ill-formed logic. not practical or rational, researched nor substantiated. A hasty generalization is “committed when a person draws a conclusion about The comments I’ve viewed in opposition a population based on a sample that is not to allowing kayakers access to the upper large enough.” section of the Chattooga could supplant my current curriculum with ease. For instance, take the claim that kayakers However, the real goal of this letter has should not be allowed on the Chattooga nothing to do with asking your permission River because they could carry trash in to use such comments as a learning tool their boats and dump litter in the river and for my students. around the river corridor. Such a claim is a fallacy because it suggests that ALL Instead, I urge you, as you act on behalf of kayakers litter. Unless, such a claim can all wilderness users, look at all comments be backed by well-researched evidence, from all sides with a discerning eye. this amounts to a hasty generalization and Recognize faulty logic and choose to

4 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 5 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 Get Recycled !!!

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4 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 5 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 CPR: What’s New, CPR artificially restores breathing and In other words, less breathing and blood flow, to a modest extent, via the more pumping. What Works twin actions of rescue breathing and chest compressions. Usually it serves only as Third, the mantra for compressions By Eric Nies, MD a bridging measure, buying time until is, push hard and push fast. This is more advanced care can be initiated. emphasized in the new AHA literature. CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) has Occasionally though, CPR alone can bring Compressions should be given at a rate been in the press often in the last few years, a dying patient back to life by providing of 100 per minute for adults and children. with some new and surprising guidelines enough oxygen to restore a patient’s own This feels really fast when you do it right. coming from the American Heart heartbeat and breathing. This is most Interruptions to compressions should be Association (AHA) and other sources. likely to occur in cases such as drowning, minimized. Compressions in the adult Recently, one of my paddling buddies when the body is otherwise healthy. should be 11⁄2 to 2 inches deep, and the asked me if anything has changed for us This, in short, is why boaters need to chest wall should be allowed to recoil fully boaters. The bottom line is twofold: first, know CPR. between compressions. there are some new things worth knowing, and, second, if you do good, aggressive Doing compressions is hard work, and CPR you might just save a life. What’s New in CPR rescuers tend to fatigue after just a minute or two. Remind your rescuer to The science behind CPR is clear on one In this article, we’ll review some basic push deep and hard, and try to swap jobs point: if a patient doesn’t have a heartbeat, science behind CPR. We’ll highlight the every 2 minutes (about five rounds of 30 rescuers need to start good cardiac new AHA guidelines for CPR technique, compressions and 2 breaths). Again, don’t compressions as quickly as possible. This and talk about the thinking behind pause to check for a pulse when you swap seems obvious, but studies have shown those changes. We’ll dip into drowning, jobs. Just switch and go. hypothemia, and discuss how CPR should that real-world CPR is often pretty weak be approached in wilderness settings. on this key point—it gets started late, it Lastly, we’ll give some guidelines for when is constantly interrupted, and the chest Compressions Alone? CPR should not be started, and when it compressions are wimpy and slow. Most should be stopped in wilderness settings. of the changes in CPR technique address For rescuers who are unwilling to do rescue this problem. (For complete info, take a breathing (a.k.a. “mouth-to-mouth”), This article also assumes that you already CPR class or check out the 2005 guidelines it is worthwhile to do compressions by know how to do CPR. It is not a substitute at www.americanheart.org.) themselves, with no rescue breathing. for taking a CPR class. CPR is a physical Dr. Gordon Ewy, MD, who published his skill, and is best learned from a qualified First, for someone who looks dead, do study in the Lancet this March, examined instructor in a hands-on setting. So take a not check for a pulse. This step turns out this very issue in detail. While he still class, okay? to be surprisingly hard to do effectively, recommends normal CPR for drowning and often serves only to waste time. victims, Dr. Ewy has concluded that Instead, shake and shout to try to arouse compressions alone (for the first few The Basics the patient. If this elicits no signs of life, minutes) may be better for the classic heart get someone to call 911, then open the patient who abruptly collapses in front of The basis for CPR is simple. The human patient’s airway and spend 5 to10 seconds you. The AHA still recommends normal brain needs oxygen—lots of it—to stay alive looking for “normal breathing.” If it is CPR for all cases, but does recognize that and function well. This oxygen is brought to absent, you need to start CPR. This means compressions alone are certainly much the brain in the form of oxygen-rich blood. rescue breathing and chest compressions. better than doing nothing, and may be as If the heart stops beating (cardiac arrest), good as anything in the first few minutes this flow of blood stops immediately, Once you begin CPR, do not stop to see of an arrest, while the blood still contains leading to unconsciousness in a matter of if the patient’s pulse returns. Just keep some oxygen. seconds. If it is breathing that stops first going until the patient shows signs of (respiratory arrest), the heart can continue life, someone arrives with a defibrillator to beat for a few minutes while the body or other advanced care measures, or you First, the Bad News burns through its oxygen stores. In this case, decide to stop your resuscitation (more on In surveys, people usually think that CPR mental status declines over a few minutes, this later). with a quick progression from confusion brings people back to life about two-thirds of the time. On TV shows like ER, CPR also and weakness to unconsciousness. In Next, the new ratio for all adult CPR is 30 works about this often. In the real world, either case, unconsciousness is quickly compressions to 2 breaths. This goes for the picture is much more bleak. Most followed by permanent brain damage and both one- and two-rescuer CPR (which experts quote a survival rate of between then death. used to be 15:2 and 5:1, respectively.)

6 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 7 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 1% and 5% for out-of-hospital CPR. For Department or even on the table in the people who are already in the hospital, the operating room, the chances of a skilled numbers are only slightly better: most of surgeon saving that life is miniscule—on The “New” CPR the time, CPR just doesn’t work. the order of one in a hundred. In the field, someone who dies from blunt trauma is at -a-Glace This makes sense when you look at the just not revivable. kinds of people who typically receive CPR. In your initial patient assessment, These people are very sick to start with. So, CPR usually doesn’t work, and when do not check for a pulse. Instead, it does, it’s often because a defibrillator is Often they have been battling heart or tap and shout to try to arouse lung disease for years, if not decades. One a few minutes away. I don’t know about day their bodies just give out, whether you, but I don’t carry a defibrillator in my the patient. from a heart attack, or pneumonia, or kayak. Bottom line: if someone drops dead simply from the toll of time. These people in the woods, they’re probably staying that If there are no signs of life, open have a terminal disease, and CPR usually way. By all means, start CPR, but don’t be the patient’s airway and spend 5 can’t change that. surprised when it doesn’t work. to10 seconds looking for normal breathing. If it is absent, give 2 CPR is fairly effective for the classic Now, the Good News heart attack patient who walks down the breaths and start compressions. street, clutches at his chest, and keels over In the wilderness, people do die from dead. This patient is often in ventricular medical problems or trauma from a fall, Occasional gasps are not normal fibrillation, a state of disorganized etc., and CPR probably won’t help in breaths. Treat the victim who has heart contraction that pumps no blood. these cases. However, things change for occasional gasps as if he or she is Shocking the heart (“defibrillation”) can the better when lightning, drowning, or not breathing. be very successful in restoring a normal hypothermia are involved. heartbeat. For this reason, every ambulance The new ratio for all adult CPR and hospital floor has a defibrillator. A lightning strike can cause abrupt Small automatic units (called AEDs, or respiratory and cardiac arrest in an is 30 compressions to 2 breaths. automatic external defibrillators) are otherwise healthy person. If your group This is for both 1-and 2-rescuer commonly stashed throughout airports, gets hit by lightning, your fist–aid priority CPR shopping malls and stadiums. In the should probably be to ignore for the setting of a “V-fib arrest,” CPR can keep moment anyone who is moaning or “Push hard and push fast.” the patient alive for a few minutes until a screaming (they’re alive, and will probably defibrillator can be employed. stay that way for awhile). Instead, find Compressions should be given anyone who looks dead, open their airway, at a rate of 100 per minute for When an ambulance crew comes on a CPR confirm that they have no signs of life, and adults and children. Interruptions scene, they will apply their defibrillator to start immediate and aggressive CPR. The analyze the patient’s heart rhythm. If the to compressions should odds of restoring breathing in such cases be minimized. heart is fibrillating, they will give a shock. are high—probably better than 50%. If the heart is flat-lining, though, it will not respond to the defibrillator. I repeat, it Drowning, like lightning, causes abrupt For 2-rescuer CPR, swap jobs won’t respond. The crew will proceed with respiratory and cardiac arrest in otherwise every 2 minutes (about five other treatments in this case, but these healthy people. If you rescue a drowning rounds of 30 compressions and probably won’t work either. At some point, victim who looks dead, and they don’t the ambulance crew may even call off the 2 breaths). Don’t pause to check start to breathe when you open their for a pulse when you swap jobs. resuscitation. Be ready for this letdown. In airway, your job is to start CPR as soon fact, expect it. The ambulance crew will as possible. If the victim has been out Just switch and go. rarely have a miracle save up their sleeve. for only a few minutes, the odds of this More often, they will have bad news. working are good. Again, probably better If you are unwilling to do rescue than 50%. CPR also doesn’t work in cases of blunt breathing (a.k.a. “mouth-to- trauma. When people die after falling mouth”), it is worthwhile to do off a cliff or crashing an ATV at 50 miles Fast, Fast, Fast compressions by themselves. per hour, they tend to stay dead. If these patients hang on for the ambulance ride In the above scenarios, the emphasis but then lose their pulse in the Emergency is on “as fast as possible.” The data I’ve

6 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 7 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 seen suggest that your chances of a good drownings. Unless you strongly suspect it What you do in this situation is your own resuscitation drop by one percent or so from the events (e.g. a dive into three feet choice. Rest assured, though, that it is hard for every few seconds you delay CPR. You of water) or from the looks of the patient to catch HIV or other bad diseases this can’t do chest compressions on a floating (big head wound, cracked helmet, etc.), way, so long as your own oral mucosa is victim, but you can do rescue breaths. If do not let this theoretical concern slow healthy and intact, and there’s no blood you can safely put a few quick breaths you down. The chances of a spine injury exposure involved. The Center for Disease into someone while you’re getting them are very low, and meanwhile this person Control in Atlanta states: “Contact with to shore, do so. Every situation is different, is dying. They need CPR right now, so do saliva, tears, or sweat has never been but as a rule I wouldn’t spend more than it. If you are truly worried about a spinal shown to result in transmission of HIV.” 10 seconds on this. Patients usually need injury, do simple hands-on stabilization as compressions, not just ventilations. best as you can, but do not let this delay People make out with strangers all the time you more than a few seconds. (or so I’ve been told), and they don’t seem Once on shore, take a few seconds to get to be dropping dead from it. Your biggest situated decently, and to get the victim’s Lastly, in a drowning or lightning scenario, risk for doing unprotected CPR would life jacket out of the way. Opening the do not delay your initial CPR attempts probably be catching a cold, with oral jacket is probably good enough, but the by running to a phone and calling 911. herpes being a very distant second. (For foam under the patient’s back will make Your best chance for a save is immediate more info check out, www.annals.org/ your CPR a bit more difficult. If you can, CPR. Certainly, you should call for an cgi/content/full/129/10/813, “Infections quickly remove the jacket. ambulance as soon as you can. Even if your Acquired during Cardiopulmonary patient wakes up and feels fine, you’ll still Resuscitation: Estimating the Risk and Do not waste time trying to “empty water need that ambulance to take your patient Defining Strategies for Prevention,” by out of the lungs.” Any water that has made to the ER for observation. But if you are George C. Mejicano, MD, and Dennis G. it to the lungs is staying there. It usually alone and have to choose between running Maki, MD). isn’t the main problem, and anyway, to the pay phone or starting CPR, the right there’s nothing you can do about it. Just move is to start CPR. In this setting, the clear the mouth of any obvious debris or AHA recommends doing 2 minutes of Vomiting liquid with a simple tilt of the head to the CPR before calling 911. The real benefit of a mask comes about side, or perhaps a finger sweep, then get a minute or two into CPR, because that’s busy with your CPR. Where’s my Facemask? when your patient usually starts puking. This is expected, and is as unpleasant as (Much hash has been made over “wet” The need for speed also raises the issue it sounds. When they vomit, just turn the versus “dry” drownings, and of salt- versus of using barrier masks while rescue head to the side (or roll the patient as a fresh-water submersion. It turns out that breathing. I’ve done CPR without a mask, unit if you’re worried about the spine) and this stuff just doesn’t matter. Drowning is and it is not pleasant. So I carry a mask, take a few seconds to clean out the mouth drowning. Do your CPR.) and I’d want someone to go fetch it out of as best you can, then get back to it. my drybag while I was starting CPR. But Also, do not let the fear of a spine injury I won’t waste 30 seconds fumbling for a Repeated vomiting might mean that your spook you into inaction. Spinal injury mask when my buddy is turning blue in rescue breathing is too forceful. This is is actually quite rare in wilderness front of me. I would start CPR. common and understandable, given the adrenalin associated with rescue and resuscitation. Remember, your goal is to give a smooth, easy rescue breath over 1 second, and to deliver just enough volume to cause visible chest rise. Also, recheck your patient’s head position and get this as textbook as you can. This will maximize your airway opening, so that more air goes to the lungs and less to the stomach.

One last tip: keep a bottle of water or Gatorade handy for rescue breathers to swish around in their mouths from time to time. As I’ve already said, rescue breathing is nasty work.

8 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 9 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 HYPOTHERMIA: HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE? Cold Water and very gently. Severely hypothermic hearts Hypothermia (again, we’re talking core temps well How long does hypothermia take below 90 degrees F) are irritable, and can to kick in? Dr. Antretter reported toggle from an effective beating rhythm Normally, rescuers have no more than 4 or on a 6 year-old boy who fell into into ventricular fibrillation (ineffective an “ice-cold mountain stream” 5 minutes to start CPR once an arrest has twitching) in response to rough handling. occurred. After this, permanent damage in the Alps, and was rescued 4 usually sets in, with death following miles downstream just over an Next, take 30 to 45 seconds to feel for a hour later. He had no signs of shortly. However, it is well-documented pulse, which may be very faint and slow. If that people have survived immersion life. He was helicoptered to the you can’t find a pulse, start CPR (more on nearest hospital, where he had a in cold water for an hour or more, and this below). have then been revived without brain core temperature of 62 degrees damage or other long-term problems. For F. He received advanced care, Lastly, get your evacuation plan together. was successfully resuscitated, and boaters, this means that it is almost always Severe hypothermia probably buys you worthwhile to try CPR in the setting of a recovered almost completely in a several hours to get your apparently matter of weeks. whitewater drowning. lifeless patient to a hospital. The flip side is that these patients will indeed die without Several mechanisms have been proposed This impressive temperature drop hospital treatment. They cannot be re- is probably as fast as is possible for this kind of “miracle” survival. First, warmed in the field. our bodies may be hardwired to go in a human being: tiny person, immediately into a protective coma-like full immersion, no protective state when we are dunked in cold water. No CPR for Hypothermia? clothing, and cold rushing water. This is the so-called “mammalian dive It’s reasonable to assume from reflex” that stops breathing, slows the It has been suggested that drowning what we know about hypothermia heart-rate, and shunts blood flow to victims with severe hypothermia should that this boy initially maintained the brain. not get CPR in the field. These patients his core temperature for at least may have an undetectable but still effective 5 minutes, and probably more Second, hypothermia can set in during a heartbeat. Starting CPR, it is argued, only like 10 or 15. After this, his temp whitewater drowning, dropping the body’s serves to delay their evacuation to a dropped almost 40 degrees over core temperature from the usual 98.6 hospital. Plus, it can kick the patient out the next hour, or about 10 degrees Fahrenheit into the 80s or lower. A cold of this possible weak-but-good heartbeat every 15 minutes. brain needs less oxygen than a warm one. mode and into ventricular fibrillation, which pumps no blood at all. In other words, he probably got down to 88 degrees F, the start of Pulseless and Cold If you are in a roadside situation with severe hypothermia, in 20 to 30 an ambulance coming, it makes sense minutes. I take this as the limiting Without a rectal thermometer, you can’t to start CPR in a drowning victim case under extreme conditions. tell a simple drowning victim from a even if hypothermia is present. It’s true For “average” whitewater hypothermic drowning victim. They both that you might kick a hypothermic conditions (adults, warmer water, look the same: cold, pale, and lifeless. patient into ventricular fibrillation. If decent paddling clothes), things Remember that true severe hypothermia so, your treatment for this is CPR and would progress much more (temperature well under 90 degrees F) an ambulance, which is what you’re slowly. We can take this as a rule usually takes at least an hour to kick in. doing anyway. of thumb: severe, heart-stopping If you pull a drowning victim out of the hypothermia is not a factor in the water after 10 minutes, that person’s core In a true wilderness setting, with zero first 20 minutes of a drowning, temperature will be normal, even if the possibility of help or evacuation, your best and probably not in the first hour. skin feels ice-cold. Do not worry about choice again is to start aggressive CPR as hypothermia in this patient. This person is quickly as possible for a drowning victim. (From Antretter H, et. al. a drowning victim, and needs CPR. Hypothermia or no, your only hope for [Successful resuscitation in a save is to jumpstart this person’s heart severe hypothermia following If you think your patient has severe with CPR. near-drowning] Dtsch Med hypothermia (very cold water, submersion Wochenschr. 1994 Jun 10;119(23): well over 30 minutes), then you need to The tricky situation is when you are an 837-40. In German.) slow down (think of it as matching your hour from help, with a cold, lifeless patient. actions to the pace of your patient). Then Your options are some combination of: do three things. First, handle your patient (1) starting CPR, (2) gently carrying this 8 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 9 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 person out, and (3) running out to get For simple drownings, always start CPR. situation in a matter-of-fact way. Always some professional help. Unfortunately Most saves happen in the first few minutes make the effort to do this. It always helps. you just can’t do (1) and (2) at the same of CPR, but there are credible cases of time. CPR is a near-impossibility during a good saves that took slightly more than If there are enough people on scene, foot-based evacuation. I’ve done it twice, half an hour of CPR. These victims were someone should deliberately step back, and it was very slow going that required revived at streamside without advanced calm down, and take a leadership role. massive amounts of people. And, it didn’t care. I know of no reports where a simple This person can supervise the CPR to work either time. Based on the new drowning victim has recovered after an make sure it looks okay, and can also look information that’s come to light, I don’t hour or more of CPR. It just doesn’t seem at the big picture—what are the resources think I’ll ever try it again. to happen. If you get to the hour mark, it’s here, how can we get help, what else needs probably time to stop. doing, etc. Remember that true severe hypothermia (core temp well below 90 degrees F) takes If severe hypothermia is involved and If CPR works, great. If it doesn’t, don’t a long time to kick in, usually at least an you have started CPR, you can consider beat yourself up over it. You took your hour of submersion. Once it does kick going well beyond an hour, so long as best shot in a stressful, chaotic, once-in- in, it absolutely needs to be managed in you are also moving this patient towards a a-lifetime situation. Thinking back, you a hospital. Let this guide your decision. If hospital. Otherwise it doesn’t matter how will always find something you wish you’d you think that severe hypothermia is the long you do CPR—these patients will not done differently. This is an absolutely problem (they were under for a long time, survive without advanced care. inevitable part of stepping up and trying they have the weak, slow hypothermia to help. Learn from it, and then let it go. pulse, or you measure their rectal temp I realize that these recommendations are a and it’s well below 90 degrees F) then little fuzzy. Every situation is different, and package the patient in whatever you have no one knows for certain what the right Make the Decision to minimize further heat loss, and make answers are. After reviewing data and In a wilderness setting, with no help gentle evacuation your priority. Otherwise, opinions on this topic, I think that these coming, you‘ll need to decide whether your best shot is probably starting CPR. recommendations are generous. to start CPR or not, and you’ll need to decide when to stop if the patient doesn’t It’s also appropriate to factor in the big Stopping CPR in respond. These are not ordinary decisions, picture: is the scene safe, is the group and you and everyone else will remember the Wilderness going hypothermic, is the river rising, is them for a long time. So make a choice you bad weather moving in? In other words, can live with. If you’re not sure, err on the In the old days, once you started CPR is it becoming dangerous to keep trying side of starting CPR. Go for half an hour you did not stop until the patient woke CPR, and is it time to deal with other if you can, maybe an hour for a cold-water up, the ambulance came, or you became problems before they get out of hand? If drowning victim. “too exhausted to continue.” In wilderness so, consider stopping earlier rather than settings (ambulance more than an hour later, especially for a non-drowning or If an ambulance is coming, let this take the away), you can add one more reason to the non-lightning arrest. list: stop CPR when it is clearly pointless pressure off of you. Just start CPR unless to continue. a clearly fatal injury is present, and keep Take Your Own Pulse going until the squad arrives. First, if someone has obvious fatal injuries, or has died from severe blunt trauma, do Anytime CPR is in play, things will be Fate and Luck not start CPR. If you’re not sure, then by tense and filled with emotion. Maybe you’re in the aftermath of a tough rescue. all means start. (The classic situation is the We don’t like to think that fate and luck Maybe it’s your friend who’s down. Maybe dead person at the bottom of the cliff. Did rule our lives, but they often do. I see this it’s a total stranger, but family or friends this person just fall, or did they just have a at my job in the ER every day. Is that chest are clustered around, watching you do heart attack? Who knows? Start CPR.) pain a heart attack, or just indigestion? compressions. People will be on edge, and Did that bullet hit something important, expectations can be high that CPR will If a patient spontaneously arrests from or just make a nasty scatch? Is CPR going work, even in cases when it has no chance a medical cause, like a heart attack, you to work, or it is just a ritual we perform at at all. should start CPR, but you should be life’s end? Ultimately it will come down to realistic as well. It probably won’t work. fate and luck. Good CPR gives someone I actually take comfort in the fact that In the wilderness, it’s probably reasonable one more chance to be lucky. That’s a CPR usually doesn’t work, and you should to stop after 30 minutes of CPR in chance we’d all be glad to have. this situation. too. It takes off a lot of pressure. You can relax, clear your mind, and approach the

10 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 11 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 Rescuing an Unconscious Swimmer

How do you get an unconscious itself to make a lasso. At this point, your patient. A backboard, swimmer to shore? Rafts make anything goes. scrap lumber, a duckie floor, this easy. Otherwise it often takes anything could work. And a rescue swimmer in the water Can you do good CPR in a raft? remember, you are in for a lot who can grab the victim and get Maybe. It should work fine in of hard work. Keep a big crew some help—either a tow from an oar rig with a table or other handy, and switch your team other boaters or a rope—from platform to work on. In a paddle- in and out of CPR every 2 shore. You could also try towing boat, you can try it across a minutes or so. the victim with the tether from thwart. Remember, even if the your rescue harness (you’ve got raft gives, you will still get a good Use good judgment and keep one of these, right?). The obvious compression if you push hard things safe here. The only place to clip to the victim would enough. It just means more work thing worse than one drowning be the shoulder strap of the for you, and it will be harder to is two drownings. If you PFD, but I would be nervous judge if your compressions are have any stories or thoughts about this in turbulent water, as adequate. I would definitely take on this, please feel free to it could strip the PFD over the a shot at this in the first crucial post on the new AW safety victim’s head. If this happens, seconds of a rescue. All you need forum thread, “Rescuing an any shot you had at a save is is one person doing CPR with unconscious swimmer.” probably gone. everyone else paddling to shore. (This might be the time for a If possible, I would try to clip minute of straight compressions.) the patient’s own rescue harness. If you’re evacuating a patient Clipping tether-to-tether would on a raft while doing CPR, have probably work great. I would someone take a moment to pump even consider wrapping my the thwart rock-hard. You could tether around a wrist or the also flip a playboat across the ankles and clipping it back on thwarts and use it as a table for

10 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 11 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 water without any preparation or practice. could only get over (or skip) that initial Fear in Kayaking: The “He said I’d be fine, gave me some gear, bad experience. Running whitewater is Mechanical Reactions and down we went.” one of the most exciting, beautiful and fun things you can do, and being able to By Doug Ammons Steve was fine … for a quarter mile. “The experience it in a kayak is like having your river was great. The sun was shining and I own private magic carpet. But fear ruins Editor’s Note: Doug Ammons is a Ph.D. felt like I was riding a rollercoaster on top enthusiasm and will ground even the best in psychology, a world class kayaker for 25 of the world.” Then they hit the first rapid. magic carpet. As we will discuss below, in years, and author of the book The Laugh “The waves were huge! Well, I know they many ways it is also the twin of excitement, of the Water Nymph. He contributes this weren’t that big, but they looked like they and whether the experience moves toward regular column to American Whitewater were way over my head. I lost my balance one or the other depends on a variety of as a forum to discuss the psychology of on the first one and fell over. I didn’t know factors, including your basic physiology, whitewater paddlesports. what to do and suddenly I was upside your prior learning, your expectations, down and out of air. I just lost it. I could and what you have practiced. Fear is feel the boulders going past my head and something that most kayakers have to face Introduction it freaked me out. I let go of the paddle at some point, but it also is something and started tearing at the spray skirt and that many experienced kayakers don’t Over the years I’ve written about scary it wouldn’t come off. For a few seconds I talk about at all, leaving newcomers situations on the river only a handful thought I wouldn’t be able to get out, and to work their way through what can of times because so few of my own that scared me even more, until I finally easily become a psychological minefield experiences in kayaking have been fearful. ripped the spray skirt off and tore myself without guidance. When I paddle, I consciously seek out out of the boat.” positive experiences, so dealing with fear It may seem like a paradox, but the same has not been a driving force or a common He was coughing, his nose was full of things that make whitewater kayaking occurrence for me. However, I’ve been water, and he swam to shore while his so incredibly fun also gear it perfectly to asked questions about fear hundreds of friend chased the boat. “I got really cold evoke many simple and powerful fears. times by all sorts of people, so I’m well and was shivering, but I wanted to keep Having the control to engage the river’s aware that it is a frequent and serious part trying.” They set off again, and the same power is thrilling and deeply satisfying. of paddling for some. scenario repeated itself. “I felt good, but Being at its mercy is just the opposite. This every time I got paddling I’d flip in a rapid. yin and yang exchange is the underlying For many, fun and fear in kayaking often I started dreading the next rapid. I wanted dynamic that makes kayaking the greatest appear side by side. While many of us to run them so bad, but I just couldn’t. I sport in the world. remember our river experiences as fun and didn’t know what to do. My balance was satisfying, others have had an uphill battle shot. I lost all of my confidence.” Just think about Steve’s story and make from the beginning, fighting doubts and a list of the things that are potentially fear the entire way, but knowing the sport He swam every rapid for the rest of the fear-provoking for a first time kayaker held much more for them. Understanding day and it was an awful experience. “My on flatwater. There is the fear from lack the interplay of all these feelings requires friend tried to show me how to turn and of control mentioned above—the kayak a lot of knowledge about the physiology, explained how to roll, but I just couldn’t is hard to balance and seems on the verge psychology, and experience of kayaking. get it. Nothing worked. I felt defeated and of tipping over half the time. Even steering As a start, consider a classic beginner’s bummed out.” the boat is frustrating because it wants to story. Probably every reader has heard turn with a mind of its own. Then there is something like this, or (hopefully not) Now, three years later, he was ready to try the fear of being trapped inside the kayak, even experienced it themselves. again. “I hate going to the river and feeling unable to get out, or of being upside down scared. I know if I just learn it right I can in the water and not being able to breathe. A young friend of mine named Steve do it. But when I stand there and think If a beginner goes out in moving water, recently asked me to teach him how about getting in a kayak, my hands start suddenly everything changes again and to kayak. Steve had wanted to kayak shaking. I’m really scared, and I hate that.” all the budding control skills from flat whitewater for as long as he could water can be dismantled by panic. Once remember because it looked like the As Steve’s story shows, fear is an easy the person heads downstream, balance is coolest and funnest sport ever. The thing to experience on a river. While even harder, and there’s the fear of being problem was, several years ago he’d tried some people can bootstrap themselves up swept away into some unknown disaster kayaking for the first time and had become with little or no instruction, most can’t. I by forces he or she can’t control. And to badly scared. An acquaintance of his who sometimes wonder how many people are top it off, when the person tries to get had been paddling for four or five years out there who would be kayakers if they out of the current to take a break, he has took him down a Class III river at high

12 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 13 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 to move against it. Suddenly the water’s your ability to learn and react. Despite As your skills develop, you seek out places power comes alive and prevents him from your gear being space-aged plastic and where the difficulty fits or tests your getting to safety. If you listen carefully to fiber composites, you are playing with ability. Somewhere in the full range of people describing how that feels, you’ll very elemental forces. There’s no rule Class I to Class VI+, from creeks to big even hear the sense of being cornered by a committee and no referee—only God and water, you’ll find an infinite number of living beast that wouldn’t let go. Nature. You are interacting with the forces challenges. Throughout these, the river that made this planet and you are trying will always remind you that this is the Beginners who are not careful—or even to survive and have fun at the same time. real world, and you will find not only the just unlucky—might experience all of So the bottom line isn’t a flyball caught by challenges that you see and come upon these fears within the first few minutes in the second baseman to end the inning, knowingly, but others that come suddenly Class I and II whitewater. The bottom line or telling everybody to wait because you and from unexpected directions. When for a kayaker is, even in simple situations, sprained your ankle catching a frisbee. It’s that happens you can readily tip from the having trouble on a river readily evokes a primal stuff, like being able to roll your most positive feelings into the negative. sense of helplessness, vulnerability, and kayak upright so you can breathe. Or like lack of control that are the very heartbeat touching the powerful chaotic heart of Although you should remember that of fear. the river and moving with it in perfect kayaking is actually a very safe sport, in the synchrony. The river flows powerfully, long term you can bank on having a few In a big-picture sense, fear is a totally whether you are ready or not. It never unpleasant experiences. It goes with the normal and good thing. It’s an essential makes allowances for you. It doesn’t territory. You may flip and get caught on survival mechanism, and without it care if you are struggling or hurt. In it, an eddyline, and suddenly the roll that you humans wouldn’t be around. As a working at every moment, you are dealing with practiced successfully 100 times in a row definition, we can consider it a general real consequences, which is exactly what and were so proud of in the pool doesn’t emotional state that we experience when makes it so much fun. work. As you’re spun down the no-man’s- threatened by present or impending land between the current and the eddy, danger. Its purpose is to improve our Our enjoyment of paddling comes from running out of air, you feel totally at the survival by avoiding the danger, running the balance between the skills we develop mercy of the water. In an instant, out of away, or super-charging us to aggressively and the threat of painful mistakes. The the huge fun rises a feeling that you cannot defend ourselves. river is totally fair and plays no favorites. put chains on or control. If you are finally This creates a powerful enticement to able to roll in the runout, you may feel The problem we face as kayakers is that a learn; the joy of control that has potential empowered or maybe just thankful you fear reaction gets in the way of activities we punishment lurking in the background. hung in there. If you have to punch out want to try. Our evolved sense of survival of your boat and go for a swim, choking crashes head-on into our choice of 21st The first time you run a rapid, all of these on water and smacking your shins on the century recreation. Even if there isn’t any elemental forces come to a boil. It will be rocks is likely to be painful, frustrating disaster looming, that ancient question, the funnest, wildest ride you ever had, the and frightening. The level of control you “Are you sure you should be doing this?” ragged water rushing you along, the bank feel and your attitude toward it make all can echo through our minds and interfere so far away, while you ride enmeshed in the difference. Being out of control and with what we need to learn to have fun in a world of movement and power in the unable to breath is guaranteed to evoke our chosen sport. living water. No amusement park ride can fear, and that fear will be learned and ever be as intense as that experience. The affect your decisions and feelings toward People don’t have this reaction to a sport first time you surf a wave brings it all out rivers and kayaking. like baseball or volleyball. The difference again. It’s been over 25 years since I first lies in the rules of the game. Most sports did that, and I still get goosebumps when I So let’s delve into the physiology of fear in are set up for competition with other recall those vivid memories. more detail. The processes are primitive humans. Humans put the ball in play, and powerful—primitive in the sense control the pace, and there are lots of rules While joy is the positive side of the that they bypass the areas of the brain for what kinds of movements you can do challenge of skill and control that used in rational thinking and instead and when you can do them. To play at all, whitewater presents, fear is the negative follow pathways in the nervous system you have to learn a rulebook that some side. It is the threat of consequences that go directly to the centers that control committee wrote up. But in adventure from the river, either from your mistakes emotions. It’s like a fuse that goes directly sports, of which whitewater kayaking is in skill or judgment, or simply from to a bomb. In fact, a fear response can probably the most demanding, you are forces beyond your control. It may be learned in an instant and last your playing a game with nature. There are also be from completely illogical and entire lifetime. no rules in that game except the laws of unrealistic worries. physics, and the psychology that governs

12 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 13 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 Physiology of Fear could only whisper “thanks.” literally going from whatever senses lit the fuse, right to a small region of the brain called Consider the nuts and bolts of what happens And so let’s think about fear. The kid and the the amygdala, which is the brain center that inside your body when you get frightened. parents didn’t know enough about rivers to controls emotionality. It is sometimes called The first and simplest fear reaction is understand what might happen. Ignorance the “eye-to-amygdala” pathway, or the “low something you’ve probably read about in of real consequences created a dangerous road.” The other route has more input and a psychology class, and is termed the “fight situation. A little fear would have been a takes a little longer because it goes through or flight” survival response. The odds are good thing if it had led to a sense of caution your sensory cortex before it reaches the high that you have experienced it at some about wading out too far. Once something deeper brain centers. However, both routes point in your life. It has been extensively happened, they didn’t have the skills to go to the amygdala and start the fireworks. studied, mapped out most recently using handle it, and their reactions were driven fMRI imaging techniques to determine by that primal survival instinct, which is The response from the amygdala is a which parts of the brain are active when completely ineffective in a river, because surge of reactions that lead to another people experience fear. Physiologically, it’s a water doesn’t act the way a saber-toothed part of the brain called the hypothalamus, complex set of automatic survival responses tiger would. Getting all pumped up with which controls the fight or flight response. that are completely outside of your conscious adrenaline and jabbing the tiger with a spear The hypothalamus activates two parallel control, and which get you ready for major or beating him over the head with a rock pathways, which reinforce each other. One physical action, like protecting yourself by might be effective, but jumping into a river is the sympathetic branch of the autonomic fighting an attacking grizzly bear, or running and flailing only makes you sink. nervous system, which acts through nerve away with super-human speed. pathways and the bloodstream, and the The feeling of helplessness the mother had other is the adrenal-cortical system, which Consider this situation: One sunny summer is one of the most frightening sensations acts only through the bloodstream. It’s a little day I was with my children at a popular possible, as I can personally vouch. When like lighting a stick of dynamite from both swimming spot on the Blackfoot River, my children were small, I had several ends. Both converge to give a double rev-up when I heard a bunch of yells. A six-year old nightmares in which one of them fell into of your body from every angle provided by boy had been wading out at the end of an a swollen, muddy river. I remember the blood chemistry and the nervous system. underwater gravel bar far out into the river feeling of despair—they’ve disappeared, the For the fight response, think of transforming when it crumbled beneath him, and he was water is murky and I can’t see them or even into the Hulk; for the flight response, think swept away by the current. He couldn’t swim find them to save them. Despite all my skills of a terrified jackrabbit. and was frantically thrashing and choking and understanding of the water, my national badly. The young father went into full fight or level swimming and Class V kayaking, I’m When the sympathetic nervous system is flight mode and, with adrenaline pumping, helpless as they drown. Their innocence and activated, the physiological processes that jumped in after his son and managed to grab vulnerability, coupled with my knowledge of aid in fight or flight speed up, while those ahold. But he couldn’t swim either, so they what could happen, was a horrible mix. That that don’t are shut down. Nerve impulses were both choking and sinking as they were was a dream I could have done without. go to the adrenal medulla, a brain region sucked under on the eddyline and pulled that releases stress hormones into the downstream. An entire beach full of people So what happened to the father? The fuse bloodstream, the best known of which is stood there watching; no one moved. I dove gets lit when you perceive a threat. That adrenaline. These stress hormones have a set in, swam up the eddyline, judged where to perception can be sudden and very simple. of effects that cascade through your nervous break out and came up behind the flailing For the father, it was seeing his son disappear and muscular systems. pair. I put the father in a headlock and into the water. For a beginning kayaker it propped him up, talking to him quietly and might be flipping upside down before he Meanwhile the hypothalamus also activates firmly the whole time, right into his ear: or she is able to roll and suddenly groping the adrenal-cortical system. It does this “Everything’s fine, just hold your son’s head for air. There is a rush of sensations and by activating the pituitary gland, a central above the water. I’ll get you to shore. Don’t threats—the sense of being trapped in the control of hormones, and a major center of fight me, relax and let yourself float.” I let us boat, not knowing what to do, water up the the endocrine system. The pituitary in turn float down past the troublesome eddyline, nose, half choking, needing to breath and stimulates the adrenal cortex, where it in turn then got them to shore. Moments later, the not being able to. The first step leads to the activates the release of a literal pharmacopeia mother sat there holding her son, sobbing, “fight or flight” reaction. of several dozen other hormones. while he was lying crumbled in her arms. The father was still coughing heavily and There are two primary fear reactions. Most Almost instantaneously, this torrent of was so exhausted he couldn’t sit up. Laying direct and immediate is a pathway that adrenaline and many other hormones cause there flat on his back with his eyes closed and entirely bypasses your thinking process, massive physiological changes. The whole

14 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org September/October 2007 thing can ramp up in only a second or two, or extra details in mind, as you will know if so essential to maintain your ability to think activating your nervous, blood, respiratory, you’ve ever been really anxious. Remember, and respond appropriately when all hell and muscular systems. It yields a drastically it is an unconscious effect due to the massive is breaking loose and your body wants to increased heart rate and blood pressure change in body chemistry and the nervous make you act like a Neanderthal on speed. (heart pounding), causes dilated pupils, hairs system’s response, and it doesn’t happen on your skin to stick up, veins constricted to without reason. People in this heightened Again, the critical problem is that what leads shunt blood to the active muscles, a flood state face or anticipate a serious challenge to to effective reactions and survival in a river of glucose into the bloodstream from the which they need to respond. But this is also is very different from what works on land. liver, tensed muscles, dilation of the airways, when we get tunnel visioned, befuddled, or Most, if not all of the primitive responses sweating, while digestion is shut down frozen, unable to make decisions. Because that evolved for survival in land scenarios (butterflies and even nausea). The reinforced the emotion comes before rational thought, will only get you into deeper trouble on a response through the two major pathways these powerful feelings hijack your thinking river. Think of the story above about the guy serves to “double up” the effects throughout and drive it. In some situations, people can and his son. the entire body. experience extreme clear-headedness, but this is pretty rare. The fight or flight response evolved for a This is serious business. It’s the biggest small two-legged primate cruising around explosion of the wildest chemicals your body These responses can do some incredible on the savannah where there were a lot can produce, and not something you brush things. You’ve probably heard of the of big predators. The forms of reaction it away or easily control once it’s started. It is a stories of grandmothers lifting cars off of is geared to produce—aggressive defense, whole-body reaction that bypasses rationality somebody in a wreck. Well, my friend Bob running away, or freezing—will not work to prime you for heavy-duty action. The McDougall experienced this himself when a on a river. Instead, your responses have emotions you are aware of may be anxiety, close friend of his was slammed underneath to be controlled to utilize the specialized fear, alarm, but your conscious thought a 1200-pound steel plate that slipped off the skills you’ve learned for moving water, comes AFTER the chemical fireworks have lift gate of a truck. It missed Bob by inches, which is what makes kayaking so difficult. lit up every switchboard you have. crushed the other guy into the ground, but These skills mean the difference between Bob lifted the damned thing right off his quickly and effortlessly getting out of a From our evolutionary history, each of the friend. The friend suffered many broken predicament, or doing something that ruins above changes has a survival value, such as bones, but lived and is currently doing your day. In the most serious of situations, increased oxygen flow from dilation of your some serious rehab. Bob’s a strong guy, but it may even mean life and death. airways. The increases in oxygen and glucose he shouldn’t be able to lift 1200 pounds. in your blood heighten the responsiveness of However, that’s what he did. Score one for All these skills, including judgment, must your muscles, and maximize the force they his fight response. follow a fundamental concept that is can generate. Some additional signs of the expressed well in the martial arts: move fear response are changes in facial expression This whole system probably evolved very with the force, harmonize, and direct it to (tense facial and jaw muscles), higher tone of early in the scheme of animal life, and is your own ends. The bottom line is, when voice, increased talkativeness, stiffer posture. shared with virtually all mammals. Other you’re having trouble in a kayak, you can’t In extreme cases, people can freeze, even animals, such as reptiles and birds, also show fight the river or run from it. You must start crying, losing control of their bladder similar responses, although their nervous always be the river’s respectful partner in and bowels, or collapse into a trembling systems are simpler. So from an evolutionary flow—even when it is pummeling you. The heap. Normally in our sport, we’re dealing standpoint, this is an “all hands on deck” shift away from your built-in responses to with mild degrees of fear where we can still response from a time when all emergencies an intricate set of learned skills leads us to function, but you should keep in mind the were physical. This brings us to the central the psychology of fear in kayaking. continuum of possibilities. I’ve seen most problem posed for river travelers. of them, and if you are around enough In the next issue ,we will take up the different people in enough circumstances, As 21st century kayakers moving down psychology of fear and learning. If you will too. whitewater rivers, the critical issue is you have any questions, comments keeping our heads when all this heavy-duty or responses, please send them to, However, there are two immediate and chemistry is pumping through our bodies. [email protected], Subject: extremely important cognitive effects for us This is what sets kayaking apart from Mind Over Water, and I’ll do my best to kayakers. First, in addition to all the internal many other sports—even other adventure address them. fireworks, our attention and ability to think sports—and makes understanding and narrow drastically. It’s called tunnel vision, handling the effects of fear so important. and it makes it hard to keep complications There is no other sport or activity where it is

www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 15 July/August 2007 to do what they choose with the project. it’s easy! Just log into www.americanwhit Housing Plan for Wilson ewater.org and sign up for your favorite Creek May Lead to The dams no longer generate power on- rivers. This online tool is how we find Protection (NC) site, however, they do deliver water to volunteers, how river managers find you, downstream dams that generate significant how you find river managers, and how power with the water. We feel that if the you can share conservation and access By Kevin Colburn dams are to be used for power generation concerns or opportunities with other paddlers that care about the same rivers. Earlier this year, a large housing then FERC should regulate them, and Think of it as signing up to represent the development was proposed on the banks require modern environmental protections rivers that you care about. You can get of Wild and Scenic Wilson Creek, in at the dams. If the dams are not to be used started by logging into our website, going North Carolina. American Whitewater for power generation, the FERC should to any state page for our National River worked with Mecklenburg Regional require their removal or require transfer of Database, and clicking the little stars next Paddlers to voice concerns about the jurisdiction to the USFS. We chose to fight to your favorite rivers. That is all there is proposed development through letters this FERC decision for the sake of Sullivan to it. You can then go to the individual and phone calls to county commissioners. Creek and the many other rivers across river pages and see your name and others Shortly before the public hearing on the the nation that could be affected by this in the Network under the River Network matter, amidst significant public outcry, precedent. With the superb support of tab. We look forward to growing this the developer withdrew their proposal. the Natural Heritage Institute, and other project in a big way in the coming months While the current threat appears to have members of the Hydropower Reform and years, so get involved! dissipated, it has inspired several agencies Coalition, we filed a legal request for and organizations to explore public rehearing from FERC. The Forest Service purchase options. AW and MRP will and the State of Washington also filed Chattooga River’s Muddled continue to offer assistance in these efforts. excellent requests for rehearing in support It is possible that our work over the past of Sullivan Creek’s protection. Management Continues year to secure congressional support for Paddlers rallied big-time from all across the Land and Water Conservation Fund The dams’ current operation is a mixed the country to speak out against the could help preserve Wilson Creek in the blessing for paddlers. While good bizarre management of the Chattooga this coming year. information on releases is not readily available, it appears water is held back in fall. The USFS scoping document which the spring on Sullivan Creek and released in proposed five alternatives for banning the fall, providing a rare fall creek boating boating and one for allowing it was just The Sullivan Creek Tug of opportunity in the region. With the dam the latest management train wreck to War (WA) owners’ new request for elimination of come out of the Sumter National Forest. FERC jurisdiction, and the end of their It drew hundreds of public comments Paddlers are great at finding and falling license coming up, this management will throughout September. We would like for the most out of the way and otherwise almost certainly be changing. The dam to thank all those that wrote letters, and forgotten nooks and crannies of our owners could conceivably just walk away encourage everyone to stay involved country. Sullivan Creek is certainly a from the project. Perhaps the wildcard in in this important and bizarre river premiere example. The Sullivan Creek this issue is the role of the other agencies management issue. Watershed, in the far northeast corner of involved, which will almost certainly Washington State, is home to threatened require fish passage (ladders or removal) bull trout, lynx, grizzly bears, and a at the dams regardless of the FERC issue. Deerfield River (MA): generally stunning array of wild creatures. Amidst all this regulatory jockeying for Protected, or Not? It is also home to two dams, a powerhouse, position, AW has been the only non- an old flume, and other debris that have government organization directly involved New England Flow’s Tom Christopher been there for a hundred years. Earlier (with help), and is taking a strong river has been taking numerous agencies this year the owners of this hydro project, protection stance. and organizations to task this year which has a 500-acre footprint on Forest for considering a new snow-making Service Land, told the Federal Energy pipeline across lands protected through Regulatory Commission that the FERC Have You Tried the River the Deerfield River Settlement, and for has no jurisdiction to require a license or Networking Tool? the proposed water withdrawal from cleanup of this decrepit project. The FERC the Deerfield system. AW has been disagreed with regards to past jurisdiction, Earlier this year AW launched our online working with Tom in defending the however, in a revolting decision, agreed River Networking Tool, with the help of core values of settlement and land and that next year the power company is free Patagonia. If you have not checked it out, water protections.

16 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 17 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 Snake River Salmon and Steelhead Facts

Snake River stocks have been among the hardest hit in the Columbia Basin. An Upcoming Salmon Plan, concern to everyone who cherishes intact river ecosystems—despite the fact that Four dams buried 140 miles of Shifting Politics, and New high quality habitat is largely intact, wild the lower Snake River and 68 salmon and steelhead populations have Stakeholder Conversations named rapids – like Haunted dwindled since the construction of four House, Slaughterhouse, Offer River and Salmon dams on the Snake River. Penawawa, and immediately Advocates a Critical afterward, the fish populations The Columbia and Snake Rivers were once plummeted. Window of Opportunity home to the world’s greatest runs of wild salmon and steelhead, but a federal system to Restore a River and 1980s: Snake River Coho was of dams has made life near-impossible for declared extinct. Recover Salmon! our fish and the communities that have historically relied on and enjoyed them. 2006: just three Snake River By Thomas O’Keefe When the federal government built the sockeye reached their Idaho four lower Snake River dams in the 1960s spawning grounds. For decades the great whitewater runs of and 1970s, they silenced nearly a hundred the Snake and Salmon River drainages named rapids over 140-mile stretch of 2007: two male and two females in Idaho have provided some of our river beneath four reservoirs, and cut off have arrived at press time. nation’s most spectacular opportunities access for salmon and steelhead to more All remaining Snake River to experience wild rivers. While runs like than 5,000 miles of excellent habitat. For stocks are listed as threatened the Middle Fork Salmon, Main Salmon, years, a broad coalition has been pushing or endangered under the Selway, and Clearwater remain spectacular to remove these four costly dams, restore Endangered Species Act. opportunities to enjoy wild rivers, there’s a river and recover salmon and steelhead. something going on below the surface of While the proposal has been mired in

16 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 17 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 controversy over the years, the debate fishermen, and river, taxpayer and clean public backing from across the country more recently has begun to shift. More energy advocates are gearing up to we will see a future proposal that includes people are starting conversations in search deliver public support to Congress for river restoration as an alternative. of lasting solutions that can restore a river, leadership and solutions that will recover recover endangered salmon, and keep our our salmon. communities moving forward together. Take Action Today! As a member of the Save Our Wild Salmon www.giveadamforsalmon.org Scientific and economic evidence supports Coalition, American Whitewater supports Submit your official comments here! such solutions. We can in fact “have it restoring a wild river and recovering all” – abundant salmon, a free-flowing wild salmon and steelhead to the Pacific river, clean affordable energy, and healthy Northwest by removing four costly and farming and fishing communities without out-dated dams on the lower Snake River the lower Snake River dams. Old urban- and replacing their limited services with rural divisions in the region are blurring alternatives. While these rivers are located in ways that suggest a new opportunity to in the Pacific Northwest, this is a national resolve this contentious issue. issue that impacts the future of our sport’s iconic rivers, rivers our membership has With the release of a “new” draft Federal enjoyed since the early days of whitewater Salmon Plan for the Snake and Columbia boating in the U.S. Rivers ordered by the court from the Administration this fall, conservationists, River advocates have a critical window of opportunity this fall. While the recently released plan does not consider river restoration as an alternative, we are seeing The first drop of the Little Grass Valley stretch of a shift in regional attitudes and more the South Feather support for restoration. With strong

photo by Eric Petlock

18 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 19 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 The California Report recreation releases. Our filing for a trial in Lake Oroville. This low water year will type hearing will enable AW to improve provide us an opportunity to test out this By Dave Steindorf these conditions through a trial process or service on the Big Bend Run of the North direct negotiations with the Forest Service Fork Feather.

Poe Project Oroville/Feather River Rock Creek Cresta Project In June 2007 AW, in cooperation with As part of the settlement agreement for 2007 has been the first critically dry year Butte County, took a bold step in filing for the Oroville relicensing on the Feather since the new license was issued in 2001. a trial type hearing under the new Energy River, American Whitewater staff have It is in these dry water years that the Policy Act rules that were issued in 2005. been meeting with California Department needs of the river are squeezed to their This rule allows interveners to challenge of Water Resources staff to discuss limit in order to meet power demands mandatory conditions that are based on progress on the Oroville Whitewater Park and the other license conditions. AW disputed material facts. The Poe Project Feasibility Study. Phase one of this study negotiated a release schedule that added is the last project in PG&E’s “Stairway is slated to be finished before the end of days on the Rock Creek Reach in August of Power” to be relicensed on the North 2007. Phase one of the study will look at and September. We also agreed to Fork of the Feather River. The Forest the whitewater park opportunities that forgo releases on the Cresta reach due Service released their Final 4e conditions currently exist around the country. In to foothill yellow-legged frog concerns. for the Poe Project in June. While these channel and constructed channel, parks We were successful in getting PG&E to conditions addressed a number of will be evaluated in as part of the study. agree to credit these forgone flows to deficiencies in FERC’s DEA, they were This information will help inform the AW for future releases or other WW unclear on how ramping rates (the rate at different possibilities that exist on the which flows are allowed to fluctuate) for Oroville Project. the project would affect foothill yellow- legged frogs. The ramping rate provisions We will also be meeting with Lake Oroville were also inconsistent in the standard marina operators to begin the process of they set for PG&E and for whitewater developing a shuttle service to provide recreation, allowing PG&E to vary the access on the North Fork Feather and the flows by 6 feet per day while, at the same Middle Fork Feather runs that terminate time, only allowing a 0.2-foot change for

18 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 19 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 Stewardship Updates

recreation measures. Yuba/Bear Relicensing plans that will be used as a primary source for the collaborative development of study California Stewardship Director, Dave Moves Forward plans by these technical working groups. Steindorf, will be working with the agencies and PG&E to find solutions By Bob Center As part of the study plan development, that will balance the needs of whitewater AW and the licensee’s consultant are recreation and the other water resources A sprawling network of projects that working together to inventory and classify on the Feather River. We continue to be spans three watersheds—Yuba, Bear the numerous existing and potential frustrated with some of the agency’s ability and American—is up for Relicensing in boating reaches affected by the projects. to focus so much attention on recreation 2013. The projects divert most of the AW and the consultant are reviewing releases while turning a blind eye to the snow runoff out of the Middle Yuba and helicopter video as a first step in evaluating other significant impacts occurring on South Yuba River basins, never to return, “unknown” reaches (e.g. the Bear River this river (See figure below). While the and has transformed the upper Bear from below Bear Valley to Drum Afterbay) hydro dams are clearly the biggest impact into a series of afterbays connected by for whitewater boating potential. AW will on this river, we have spent little effort bypass reaches at minimum flows. The participate in follow-up hikes along some determining their role in the decline of Relicensing process offers an opportunity of these reaches to make a more refined frogs. In contrast we have spent nearly $10 for improving ecological values and assessment of the class and quality of the million evaluating the relatively small flow recreational opportunities in the reaches potential whitewater runs at various flows. fluctuations from recreational releases. affected by the projects. The plan is that these assessments will lead This inconsistent treatment of whitewater to test flows where necessary over the next recreation is a theme we continue to battle Whitewater within the project includes two or three years. across the country. classics such as Edward’s Crossing to Purdon’s Crossing and Purdon’s Crossing Active participation of AW as a member to Bridgeport on the South Yuba, and of the FWN has laid a strong foundation Fordyce Creek, an alpine creek above South Fork Feather for effective engagement in the relicensing Lake Spaulding. Additionally, there are process. Continued active participation potential runs (likely never explored in the process will help assure Review of studies, results and negotiations before) on the Bear. have occurred throughout 2006 and improvement in the ecological values and 2007. AW has been working closely with recreational opportunities, particularly Since 2005, AW has worked with other whitewater boating. agencies and the licensee to develop flow organizations and individual members in regimes for this project. We are looking the Foothills Water Network (FWN) in for the integration of recreation into the preparation for the relicensing process. ecological flows on the South Feather. It In spring of this year, the formal process will also be important to protect releases started in earnest. on the Little Grass Valley Reach that provides a rare fall whitewater recreation In the past six months the Licensees, opportunity. In addition to providing PG&E and the Nevada Irrigation District great whitewater, these flows also help (NID), have completed and presented maintain this channel by deterring existing and unimpaired hydrology and vegetation encroachment. We expect a water balance model (HEC-RES), FERC to issue their notice that the project and have conducted outreach meetings is ready for Environmental Analysis in the in Grass Valley for the general public, fall of 2007. This will trigger the 60-day providing an overview of their projects timeline for the Forest Service to issue and the relicensing process. Meeting and their draft 4e conditions. We will be working with resource agencies and other commenting on these conditions and the relicensing participants, including AW, FERC documents that are issued in the the licensees have scheduled meetings next six months. of several technical working groups that will collaboratively develop study plans in many areas. AW will participate actively in the aquatics and recreation technical working groups.

Members of the Foothills Water Network, including AW, have submitted four study 20 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 21 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 SF Yuba Hwy 49 to Bridge Port

photo by Eric Petlock

20 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 21 November/December 2007 November/December 2007

2007 Photo Contest

Storms over the Grand Canyon

photo by Brad Modesitt

Cleaning it up at Skook

photo by Klaas van Lil

Josh Parker of Charlotte, NC cools off with a stern stall during a mid-summer run of Wilson Creek.

photo by Jennifer Miehle

This photo of Fisher, my golden retriever, was taken at the Gallatin River, outside of Bozeman, Montana, after an evening paddle with friends. He was a clown, hiding rocks inside our boats when he thought nobody was looking, and patiently watching us from shore without ever complaining.

photo by Sacha Carolyn Mosterd Ben Stookesberry rappelling deep in the jungles of Vera Cruz, Mexico. photo by Darin McQuoid

WINNER Rivers need to be ENJOYED! photo by Bryan Kelsen

The aftermath of a Grand Canyon rainstorm created a rainbow that stretched across the sky. The energy of life brought by the rain was carried by several birds as they soared throughout the cool air.

photo by Devon Brecke

Nick Troutman dropping in on the Rio Alseseca.

photo by Darin McQuoid

River stories around the campfire.

photo by Brad Modesitt

Big drop rafting veterans Jimmy and Davey Grantland on Steinacher Creek.

photo by Darin McQuoid

Rok Sribar paddling the Upper South Yuba in California.

photo by Cathy Howard

32 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 33 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 Fred Coriell and Ed Clark enjoy a bit of quiet water in the midst of Middlebury Gorge, Ripton, Vermont.

photo by Matt Kiedaisch

32 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 33 November/December 2007 November/December 2007

On the fourth day of our eight-day first descent of Rio Huevachi / Charuyvo / Chinipas in Mexico, we had to cross an 80-foot deep chasm to continue. The only way was on these loose logs that some locals had placed across the gap. Here we are pulling our loaded kayak across. We experienced an even greater adrenaline rush when we had to cross ourselves!

photo by Rocky Contos www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 35 November/December 2007

Jeff and Will flailing through the teacups just below Cherry Bomb Gorge on California’s Upper Cherry Creek.

photo by Deanna Hall

www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 35 November/December 2007 Photo: Lane Jacobs Kayak: Nomad 8.5 Creek CA. Photo: Lane Jacobs Kayak: Lakes Five First Decent of of the Cauldron Terror, Rush Sturges,

Official Sponors of Dagger Paddlesports Inc. www.dagger.com

Dagger_Source.indd 1 9/19/2007 1:38:32 PM Photo: Lane Jacobs Kayak: Nomad 8.5 Creek CA. Photo: Lane Jacobs Kayak: Lakes Five First Decent of of the Cauldron Terror, Rush Sturges,

Official Sponors of Dagger Paddlesports Inc. www.dagger.com

Dagger_Source.indd 1 9/19/2007 1:38:32 PM and eat his lunch. We planned to canoe tell him about going around in circles and right past his church on the Maury River wrapping the boat around a rock! I did near Lexington, Virginia. I had paddled explain that I walk with a severe limp, the Rockbridge Baths section several times have trouble with balance, and fall down over the years, but had not yet connected a lot due to a spinal cord tumor. “Is there with the boating world. We did make someone from the club who will paddle in it to the church, but then succeeded in the bow of my boat?” wrapping the boat around a rock. After swimming to shore, climbing the bank, I was scared, but I didn’t think about We All Flip and hiking back to the put-in, I decided it how scary I must have sounded to a trip was time to join a canoe club. coordinator. Here is this unknown woman By Terri Bsullak with an unfamiliar disability wanting Thanks to a friend at work, I found to paddle a river she has never paddled Coastal Canoeists during the winter of before. Without a hint of hesitation, Ken I Flip 2004. Coastals is a statewide canoeing offered to leave his kayak at home, bring and kayaking club that organizes trips his old Grumman canoe, and let me When I was a kid, my dad let my brother on flatwater, whitewater, and the ocean. paddle bow with him. From those first and me paddle his canoe together. We had Now I had people to paddle with—except e-mails, I started learning how much I a blast because we were so good at making things often are not that easy for me. I was didn’t know. At that trip on the Tye, I the boat go around and around. More scared. I didn’t know the people, and they met club members, and they all helped than 25 years later, I inherited my dad’s didn’t know my disability. in so many ways—carrying the boat, boat (a 17-foot Sawyer) and should have getting me from the parking area to the known better than to get in the bow and go Even though the club runs trips year river, and recommending paddles. They downriver with my brother. The river was round, I waited until the weather warmed showed me canoes, kayaks, and gear that up, it was a gorgeous November Sunday, up in April. There was a novice trip on I had never seen. Most people wore PFDs and I couldn’t find any friends to go with. the lower Tye River, but I had never and I brought along something that, at My brother—still as inexperienced in a been there, and my friend wasn’t going. some point in its history, might have boat as when we were kids and still as much She put me in touch with Ken, the trip been called a life jacket. It came with the fun—jumped in the stern still wearing his coordinator. I e-mailed him about some of inheritance. We did not go in circles, and church clothes, proceeded to take pictures, my canoeing experience, although I didn’t we didn’t wrap the Grumman around any rocks. Ken even let me paddle stern for a little while.

Jazzed up to do more, I went on another club trip in July on the Balcony Falls section of the James River. This time I paid attention to all of the different boats. I met a guy named Dave who was paddling a canoe solo. What a great idea—no more getting dizzy going in circles with my brother. I asked Dave, “What’s that thing you’re sitting on? How do you get out? Won’t I get stuck? I don’t think I could paddle that thing.” Dave’s boat had a “saddle” and “thigh straps.” My boat had “tractor seats.” I loved the idea of being independent, but those straps looked scary. With my disability I could get stuck easily if I flipped over. Dave convinced me to try his boat. We went to a flat section; I managed to get in his boat with lots of his help, and he flipped me over. I fell right out without any problems and thus entered the world of whitewater canoes.

38 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org November/December 2007 38 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org November/December 2007 Coastals members let me borrow their point when I was swimming yet again, I WINNER various whitewater canoes that summer. happened to notice that someone else was I kept thinking, “I don’t think I can,” and swimming. I thought he flipped to be nice National River Trail club members kept showing me that, in to me, but he and the others assured me fact, I could. They were teaching me about that he did not particularly like to swim. By Kevin T. Miller everything from PFDs to kissing rocks. “You mean you guys flip over too?” I didn’t They were getting me to and from the think that these able-bodied experts ever Something has been going on these past few rivers, and I was scraping up their boats. flipped their boats. strenuous years which, in the din of war and For a boater with a disability like mine, a general upheaval, has been somewhat lost quarter-mile hike to the put-in is like an The next trip to Balcony Falls on the James from the public mind. It is the slow quiet unportageable dam for an able-bodied I paid more attention not to the other development of the recreational camp. It is something neither urban nor rural. It escapes person. Trip coordinators helped me boats but to the other flippers. At one point, I even started panicking and yelling the hecticness of the one, and the loneliness choose rivers that did not require long of the other. And it escapes also the common to get someone to rescue a kayaker when walks or portages. People from Coastals curse of both—the high powered tension let me follow their lines through new he tipped over, only to see him roll back up of the economic scramble. All communities rapids because it’s too hard for me to get with a smile, and looking cooled off. face an “economic” problem, but in different out of my boat to scout. They encouraged ways. The camp faces it through cooperation me to buy better gear so I could access We All Flip and mutual helpfulness, the others through more rivers (and because a lighter boat competition and mutual fleecing. would be easier for them to carry). That For someone who can’t run and who October I bought my first whitewater falls every time she walks, it was a treat We civilized ones also, whether urban or canoe (a Mohawk Probe 12 II) from a to find an activity where everyone crashes rural, are potentially helpless as canaries club member. John, another open-boater sometimes. As I became more involved in a cage. The ability to cope with nature directly—unshielded by the weakening wall from Coastals, took it home with him and with the boating community, I also learned patched it all up for me. So often those of of civilization—is one of the admitted needs that my friend, Alicia, who turned me on of modern times. us with disabilities are told “You can’t.” to Coastals, was none other than “Queen Coastal Canoeists kept convincing me, Alicia” of local open-boating fame. I have “I can.” —Benton MacKaye, “An Appalachian Trail: to admit to cheering on the one occasion A Project in Regional Planning.” Journal when I saw her swim. Seeing her do what of the American Institute of Architects 9 You Flip I do (swim) gave me the confidence to (Oct. 1921): 325-330. know that I can do what she does (paddle That spring John, Dave, and others took like a queen). Benton MacKaye proposed the creation me back to the Maury, and I paddled of the trail network that later became The my whitewater boat for the first time. I don’t hike much anymore. I can’t keep Appalachian Trail. Accepted—almost I flipped over so many times, I was up, and it’s embarrassing to be the only taken for granted—today, his proposal was thinking I needed to go back to paddling one lying on the ground with her face in derided as ludicrous by many of his time tandem with my brother. But everybody the mud. Paddling for me is like hiking who questioned why anyone would want to kept saying, “You’re doing great.” At one with a group of toddlers: we all fall down. spend their spare time hiking and camping in the Appalachian forests.

While MacKaye’s concepts continue to be as relevant today as they were then, it is worthwhile to revisit his approach to specifically address the issues of the 21st Century. MacKaye’s ideas can be just as pertinent to the development of a River Trail System today as they were to the Appalachian Trail over 85 years ago. As roads become more congested and cities become more crowded, application of MacKaye’s idea to a River Trail System becomes an increasingly attractive solution to addressing the problems MacKaye addressed: providing a growing population with limited spare time opportunities to escape from their daily routines into nature

40 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org November/December 2007 in a manner that benefits their physical, visitors would benefit from increased access economic, and social abilities. to the nation’s rivers.

An Introduction to the Appalachian Trail Even the math is simple: 400,000 miles of The Appalachian Trail was completed in river and shoreline divided by access every 1937. It is approximately 2175 miles long, 10 miles multiplied by two acres per access stretching from Mount Katahdin, Maine to site means 80,000 acres would be necessary Springer Mountain, Georgia. As MacKaye’s to provide the requisite access for a National opening quote implies, it was initially River Trail. With less than one-half of the envisioned in 1921. The Appalachian Trail land utilized to preserve the Appalachian Conservancy states that, along the trail, Trail, ample access could be provided for over 170,000 acres are protected in over individuals and families to enjoy day trips 300 tracts. The success of the Appalachian close to home down every seasonal and Trail illustrates how quickly a grand year-round recreationally-navigable river in vision can be made into reality. It and its the contiguous United States. This relatively supporters continue to serve as one of the small investment would provide paddling finest examples of outdoor recreation and opportunities on waterways equaling nearly conservation efforts working hand in hand. 200 times the mileage provided by the Appalachian Trail. United States Rivers Challenges to and Shorelines Outdoor Recreation The contiguous United States has approximately 300,000 miles of streams Outdoor recreation sports are among capable of being at least seasonally navigated the fastest growing sports in the United by canoe or kayak. In addition to these States, with kayaking and canoeing leading streams, there are no less than 100,000 miles the way. of lake and coastal shoreline bordering these navigable waterways. The vast majority of Benton MacKay addressed what he termed Americans live less than 10 miles from one “the problem of living” by raising the of these bodies of water without realizing question, “Can we increase the efficiency of it. Meanwhile, many paddlers drive long our spare time?” While governments and distances to enjoy far-off rivers because corporations monitor production efficiency those closer to home lack adequate access. as they seek improvements, relatively little is A recreational paddler may dream of having being done to increase the efficiency of our uncontested access to all of these waterways, spare time. Some have suggested that the but may also feel such an Utopian concept is 21st Century may be the first in history in unobtainable. Yet, the idea is no less feasible which transportation speeds slow down as than the Appalachian Trail. we spend more time waiting at traffic lights, sitting in traffic, or adjusting to missed airline connections.

400,000 Miles of Rivers and Thanks to the vision of MacKaye and Shoreline in the Contiguous others, most are within a few hundred miles United States of somewhere they can enjoy his vision on the Appalachian Trail or other trails in A River Trail System parks nationwide. However, energy prices Most recreationally navigable rivers in the and traffic congestion are increasing cost contiguous United States are seasonally and stress required to recuperate through navigable or would only attract local outdoor recreation. visitors. On average, access points spaced roughly every 10 miles would be sufficient A logical solution to the growing demand for most rivers. In most locations, less than for outdoor recreation opportunities is two acres would provide more than ample to create more such opportunities close access for river visitors. Visitors would to where people live. The right to utilize include more than just paddlers—families, recreationally navigable rivers is well picnickers, fishermen, and other river founded in federal law. Many states set a

40 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org November/December 2007 more expansive definition of navigability In many cases, the land provided for access most dams already provide some public than federal law proclaims. It makes may be in flood plains. These areas may benefit either in the area of recreation or sense to capitalize on rivers to provide flood no more often than once in 100 power generation, the public must insist on recreational opportunities in the most years and, while they are inappropriate for access above and below all dams and other economical fashion. development, such sites can be ideal for obstructions as well as the availability of occasional or seasonal river visitors. safe portage. Challenges and Advantages Recreational Advantages to a River Trail System Campsites and Campgrounds The recreational advantages of a River Trail Even though this River Trail System requires System are obvious. There is a decreasing less than half the land conserved for the In some locations, there may not be amount of wilderness and an increase of Appalachian Trail, it could require nearly adequate road access or willing sellers of transportation expense and congestion in 30,000 separate tracts to complete—100 land to provide the requisite access for our country. At the same time, there is an times the number of tracts protected along day trips. Such stretches of river, however, increasing interest in outdoor recreation the Appalachian Trail. Every one of these can become the sites of canoe and kayak and paddlesports. The establishment of a tracts would require finding an individual camping trips, if appropriate campsites can National River Trail System allows the vast seller, negotiating a price, and finding an be established. This would be an ideal use of majority of Americans to enjoy an outdoor agency to buy, own, and maintain the land parcels of land on rivers but inaccessible by escape from the stress of their daily lives for recreation and conservation purposes. road. Such sites allow river visitors to enjoy within a few miles of home. multi-day floats down a section of river that However, there are advantages to this would otherwise be un-reachable. Economic Advantages scenario. Smaller tracts can be more easily negotiated than larger tracts, there are more Dams and other The proximity of parks and outdoor potential sellers, and a single access point recreation opportunities has been is not as critical as establishing a viable Obstructions shown in increased property values and network of access points. Since legally reduced crime. This approach provides navigable rivers are the trail, many more Generally, federal licensing of hydroelectric opportunities to benefit communities miles of trail can be generated per acre of facilities or other state laws provide for safe everywhere, not just those built on the land than with a hiking trail, and two to portage and possibly access above and below outskirts of parks and trails. Increased local three people can outfit themselves with dams or other permanent obstructions recreational opportunities will generate a large canoe and gear for a local, novice on navigable rivers. In many instances, economic growth opportunities, while trip for roughly the same price as a pair of this has not been considered due to lack increasing the economic value of scenic hiking boots. of demonstrated public interest. While river corridors.

42 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 43 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 established, it will be easier for individual organizations to identify where efforts could be best spent. Local organizations can publicize their efforts in a national database, drawing more support to their causes. A National River Trail Many homeowners associations today own Supporting Groups “common grounds” along rivers. Often, A National River Trail System is the best way these areas are flood plains, which can’t be Without support, this project is nothing to address the combined needs of increasing developed but are ideal for river access. By more than an essay. The combination of outdoor recreation and paddling interest in allowing conservation and public recreation support from the general public, combined a world with increased travel congestion easements, these communities can avoid with conservation groups, recreation groups, and struggles to optimize spare time. The associated taxes and tax issues of the and government agencies is as essential to establishment of such a system will require property and often get public funding for the success of a River Trail System as such the support of countless volunteers and enhancements to their community. alliances were to the Appalachian Trail. The organizations. However, the realization quickest method to begin implementing of a National River Trail System is no less Environmental Advantages this vision likely is for existing national valid or valuable than the concept of the river organizations to utilize and enhance Appalachian Trail. Strategically preserving The economic advantages of preserving their existing network and to establish a half the land required to protect the a scenic river corridor will have direct common database for the National River Appalachian Trail would ensure access benefits to water quality, wildlife, and Trails System. This would be more efficient to 400,000 miles of navigable waterways. plants along the river corridor. An than forming a new national organization Today, it is difficult to imagine a world increase in river visitors will benefit public with this single dream in mind. without the Appalachian Trail. Perhaps awareness and concern for riparian issues. in the next century, it will be hard to Development of river trails will give local It could be said that lots of groups are imagine a world without the National River property development projects incentive working independently to generate and Trail System. to enhance property values with access to protect river access and conservation scenic waterways, rather than by developing efforts. However, a single database is as close to the waterway as possible. necessary to identify access gaps. With this

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42 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.orgNRS_AW_Nov.indd 1 American9/11/07 Whitewater 9:03:56 AM 43 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 Advertiser: TEVA Footwear Page Size: Full Page CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Publication: American Whitewater Insertion: CurbsideAd 2007 Advertiser: TEVA Footwear Page Size: Full Page CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Publication: American Whitewater Insertion: CurbsideAd 2007 The

GREENBy Peter Stekel

Maria Noakes doing the Karnali river seal launch in a Bandit.

photo by Nick Williams The

GREENBy Peter Stekel

We were sitting in an eddy at the top of Three Fords Rapid. My breathing was shallow and I had to pee. I don’t get sweaty palms when I’m scared. My stomach doesn’t do laps around the track. But I do have to pee. Like a big dog. It all started with an innocent a canoe trip on the Green enough question. “How about River?” she asked. It doesn’t matter how many rivers she has dragged me down, Deliverance always comes to mind whenever I hear the word “canoe” coupled with “trip.” “I hate water,” I said. “Remember?” “You’ll have a good time.” Her eyes twinkled. “I promise.”

A quiet moment overlooking the Green

photo by Peter Stekel Guys have a habit of not acting in their best any time. always flip.” interests when persuaded by the woman they love. That’s how I got sucked in to “Do we really need all this stuff?” “What?” I croaked. doing Desolation and Grey Canyons of the Green River in a Clipper Tripper—not She smiled. “Come on,” she said. She laughed. “Don’t worry. Don’t you an ideal whitewater craft by any stretch think it’s time you made use of all those of the imagination. Before that trip I had I helped her shovel the glacier into our whitewater skill classes you’ve been been scared by water before, but never so Kevlar canoe. I suppose Kevlar is pretty taking?” She laughed again, which didn’t continuously as on the Green. tough stuff, given its other life as body make me feel any better. She was playing armor, but it’s also a really thin wall of with me. Because she loves me. Because We left home and drove all night. In early material between me and a sharp rock. she feels there isn’t enough excitement in morning light we turned off the two-lane The Clipper is a great boat for puddles my life. Because she loves whitewater. blacktop onto a heinous dirt road, herding and slowly moving water. It maneuvers cattle the whole 60 miles to the put-in well in swift water—like trying to turn a I had taken a series of classes. Several at Sand Wash. After unloading the van, semi-truck in an alley. times, in fact. The instructors insisted I our stacked gear resembled a continental wear a helmet when a dunce cap felt more glacier ready to move downstream at At the bottom of the glacier was my appropriate. Standing beside the glacier, wetsuit. I held it up, questioningly. “This is knowing the demands of a harmonious a desert river, right? No rapids?” relationship required silence, I kept my mouth shut. Using nylon cord, I tied my A quiet moment overlooking the Green She smiled. “You never know. We could wetsuit on top of the other gear piled in photo by Peter Stekel

48 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 49 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 the center of the canoe. We shoved off into she said. the Green’s brown water. Our wake made the only ripples in the river. “You didn’t correct me,” I accused.

The first two days consisted of a lazy float “Watch that rock!” she shouted sharply at on perfectly flat water. The days were hot me and then we were into the next rapid. and sunny; the nights comfortably cool. On day three the whitewater began. “I I kept my mouth shut after that and thought you said there were no rapids,” I concentrated on my bow paddling, shouted as we entered the first drop. trying to remember the lessons learned in various whitewater classes. It was too “Piece of cake!” she replied. late to turn back now. But not too late to convince me our canoe was no match We splashed through some waves and for the Green. All those sharp rocks could narrowly passed a jumble of sharp rocks. punch holes big enough to sink us. Those They looked awfully big and nasty and I knowing smiles at the put-in! I knew they wished they still clung to the cliffs above meant something. us. I felt her turning the boat from the stern and in no time we were through. The Green’s rapids consist of big trains of waves with submerged and emergent “I thought you said there were no rapids!” rocks to be avoided. Each time we punched I repeated angrily once we reached the through a wave our canoe took on water. calm water. She kept yelling, “Duck!” every time we hit whitewater so she could see the river ahead. “Hey! You’re the one who said no rapids,” At the bottom of every rapid we bailed

48 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 49 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 Rob Murphy, Colin Wong, and Phil LaMarche scouting a dropin the Alps

photo by Carol LaMarche

www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 51 November/December 2007 The Italian Incident landed a position on a pro-volleyball team just north of Bordeaux and I supported By Phil LaMarche myself by teaching online writing courses for a university in the States. For our last It all began with an unpleasant feeling in month in the country we packed up, tied my gut. I wish I could say it was a steep our kayaks to the roof of our Peugeot, and rapid or a technical set of waterfalls that headed out. A group of Irish paddlers took brought on the feeling, but really I was us in and had been introducing us to many just standing up to leave the crowd at the rivers and free campsites in the southern campfire. The group of Irish kayakers who French Alps when my bowels decided to had taken us in was a wonderful bunch— mutiny. they had a guitar and they sang songs and told stories and jokes late into the night. When I woke from my wretched night, When we left the fire, they smiled and I had the nail-in-the-temple feeling and bid my girlfriend and I a good night. The the shaky hands that accompany a good French Alps loomed high in the distance case of dehydration. I poured a packet of like ghosts, the snow on their peaks hydration salts in a Nalgene and shook glowing in the moonlight. A creek hissed it until the powder dissolved. I sat in the in the distance. front seat of the car with the door open. I reclined the seat, sipped at the concoction, �� “I’m about to either puke or crap my and thought. brains out,” I said as we walked through the tall grass to our tent. I had a lot on my mind at the time. I was �� fast approaching 30 without a whole lot to “You think?” Carol said. show for myself. I was a writer, but had few �� publications. I was a teacher, but I worked “Yup.” I nodded and rubbed my stomach. sporadically: an adjunct at universities �� here and there, a pinch-hitter for the sick, �� It didn’t take long. Within a half-hour I pregnant, or overworked. I owned a truck �� was hunkered down on hands and knees, in the States, half a Peugeot in France, retching my dinner on the ground. A half some kayaking gear, and that was about it. �� hour after that it came from the other �� end, and every hour or so for the rest of Issues of status didn’t bother me much the night I found myself scampering to through my 20s—I proudly cursed the the tree line to purge myself one way or whole capitalist endeavor—but as I got the other. I got so tired of climbing in and older, in moments of weakness, they out of the tent that eventually I pulled my weighed upon me. In the front seat of that sleeping pad and blanket outside with me. car I thought about success and failure, purpose and all that. I wondered if there When I wasn’t feeling sorry for myself over was something out there, something the shape I was in, I was feeling sorry for bigger, something grander, and if there myself for missing the day of paddling to was, I wondered what the hell it wanted come. The Irish gents had been stewing me to do with my life. Heavy subjects, I over a run just across the border in Italy. know, but like I said, I was parched and a As I wiped my face off on the grass after bit soft upstairs. my most recent bout of dry heaves, my abdominals quivering from the fatigue I was nearly finished with the water and of the workout, I told myself paddling salts when people started to stir in the the following day was out of the question. camp around me. The sliding doors of Then the chills hit me and when I couldn’t vans began to open and faces squinted and still my shivering I headed back to the smiled out into the daylight. Once the tea tent. was steeping—those Irish were nuts for their tea—the talk immediately turned to Carol and I had spent the previous year the plans for the day. The gents lobbied for �� living on the west coast of France. She the trip to Italy. The ladies decided to run ��

www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 51 November/December 2007 the Vallence River. When I was consulted, “I don’t think that’s very smart.” drove the winding pass into Italy. The old I told them about the wrestling match I’d border posts stood obsolete in the midst had with my gastrointestinal system. I told I shrugged. Very smart wasn’t really my of the European Union. I got some fluids them I lost. Miserably. thing in the first place, but I felt compelled down along with an energy bar and by the to go. Suddenly it felt like I didn’t have a time we arrived at the river I was feeling The group around us drank their tea and choice. fair to moderate. The Dora River, I had started pulling down the gear that hung been told, was mostly Class IV with a Class on lines around the campsite. I don’t Carol gave in, knowing what a mule- V gorge. I figured I could hike around the know if it was watching them pack, or the headed S.O.B. I am. She walked over gorge if I had to. hydration salts, or something else, but as I towards the ladies and I jogged off to catch sat there my spirits started to improve. up with the gents. Two of the vans had The others left Brian and I at the put-in left already, but I managed to wave down while they went to drop a car at the take- “You should go with the girls,” I said to Brian in his behemoth Mercedes van. out. I had immediately been struck by his Carol. “I think I might go.” smile and warm character. At the put-in we “Yeh comin’ den?” Brian said. I loved that got caught up on each other’s lives. I told “With the girls?” accent. I nodded and ran for my gear. him what I did. I told him it wasn’t much but I made ends meet. My insecurity from I shook my head. “Italy,” I said. The mountains towered around us as we the morning must have seeped through.

Phil LaMarche in #3 of Triple Drop

photo by Carol LaMarche

www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 53 November/December 2007 “You know,” he said. “I had the stuff. expecting after such a long scout. I looked up the river and saw Whim, a The business, the money: the stuff. But “Where?” I shouted. “Ou?” Belgian in our group, already out of his I found myself coming up on 35 and I boat on the shore up above the drop. I suddenly wondered what I was doing it He held up his hand and made an S turn waved until I got his attention and ran my for. I took a big step back right then. I sold with it. “Agauche et adroite!” he shouted hand across my throat then pointed at my the business. I bought a little piece of land over the din of the river. “Left then right!” feet. I held up both hands and mouthed and told myself I would take the rest of the the words, DON’T GO. He nodded and money and travel and paddle.” He stopped I gave him a hesitant thumbs up and he pointed frantically back upstream. and smiled at me. He put a kind hand on returned the sign. Well, what the heck. I my shoulder. “I could be anywhere I want pulled out of the eddy and came into the A moment later I saw a yellow boat right now and I’m here. And you’re with drop on the right heading left. I rode a coming down the river, upside-down. It me. Don’t worry so much. We’re right tongue into a moderate hole. I let it steal broached on a rock above the rapid and where we belong.” some of my speed so I could have a chance stayed there. It was Brian’s boat. It took to see what was ahead. First, I saw the river me a second to grasp the consequences: The gang arrived back from running the breaking immediately back to my right. he must be swimming. Then I saw the shuttle and we suited up and humped our Then, I felt a jolt of adrenaline enter my throw ropes—one, two, three—sprouting boats down to the river. Our group turned bloodstream as I noted one of the worst from the sides of the river. I started to get out to be a bit big for the character of the strainers I’ve ever seen, just ahead. the fear. water. It was fairly continuous Class IV through boulder gardens. Nothing too The current pushed hard at the toothy, Then I saw Brian’s helmet bobbing in the difficult, but if we weren’t careful, we log-studded mouth of the sieve and it was river below the ropes. He missed them and started bunching up. all I could do to avoid it. My arms burned even before he got to the top of the drop I as I spun blades against the current. I started pointing my arms to river right. A Frenchman named Nico and I took the came much closer to it than I would’ve “Swim right!” I hollered, over and over. lead. The two of us worked well together, liked, with a chance to see the beach-ball But Brian wasn’t swimming. Later I hopping down the river and boat scouting diameter logs jutting out of it. I had drawn learned that he’d taken a beating both in the oncoming rapids. Despite my night, I my bow around and I pulled hard to get and out of his boat in the hydraulic up felt surprisingly strong on the water, and right, into the flow. The river cut back left above. He was spent. we kept a quick pace to keep the group again, down into a chute with a decent hole from getting bound up. at the end. And just beyond that, another He hit the hole at the end of the first log jutted out from the right, leaving little tongue and disappeared. He came up and We dropped into the gorge section and more than a boat-width opening on the I was still screaming for him to swim away came to a fast flume with a sizable hole left-hand side of the drop. About this time from the strainer, throwing my arms in at the end. Nico and I both stayed high I was thinking that if Nico had been within the direction I wanted him to go, but he on the left and punched the hydraulic an arm’s reach, I would’ve had him by the was heading right for it. As the distance without much difficulty. We waited for a throat. Thumbs-up? Are you kidding me? between us narrowed, a small wave-hole few of the folks behind us to clear the drop sent him underwater again, just upstream and then we kept it rolling to make room I just made the gap in the last drop and as of my position. in the eddies at the bottom. I pulled into the eddy at the bottom of the rapid I saw the geyser of water shooting That’s it, I thought. He must’ve been Almost immediately I came upon an out from behind the strainer I had almost sucked into the strainer, lodged somewhere intimidating horizon line and caught a paddled into. I knew immediately that if in the wood underwater and dying a small eddy just above it. I looked back someone ended up in there, they were terrible, thrashing death. I was breathing upstream and gave Nico the sign to hold screwed. I got to shore and pulled my heavily, but my chest felt stiff, like I could up. Then I shrugged and signaled that I spray-skirt, grabbed a throw rope, and hardly draw in the air that I so desperately couldn’t see. scampered up the loose slope. When I got needed. My mind was racing. This is the above the first strainer, I looked down into first time I’ll have to leave a river without Nico’s boat was a leaker and he took the white frothing maw—all that water someone. Boating the rivers I did, I knew any chance he could get to climb ashore seething down through the broken rocks the potential consequences. But that didn’t and empty it. After draining the boat he and the logs that had collected there. I make it any easier. hopped up on a rock and looked down couldn’t help imagining the feeling: a few on the drop below us. He walked back hundred CFS pounding my body into the I got into a crouch as close to the water and forth and gazed down at it for a good thatched logs at my feet. Human strength as I could. I had my throw-bag hanging while. Then he turned and simply gave was nothing compared to that kind of at my side. Just when I was sure he’d been me a thumbs up. Not quite what I was power. An elephant would drown here. down too long, Brian’s face came up right

www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 53 November/December 2007 below me. I’ll never forget it, because he “That was … deep,” I said. up, something sending me into that rapid came to the surface between my feet and I kicking and screaming. Call it what you swear he was looking directly into my eyes. “Spiritual,” he replied. “Downright will, but something put me right where I I dropped him the bag and he got a hand spiritual.” needed to be that day. I was meant to be on on the rope. I pulled him up until I could that rock and Brian wasn’t meant to die. get my hands on his float vest. The lower I nodded. half of his body was being pulled into the I can doubt the rest of it. I don’t know if strainer and it was all I could do to keep “Thanks, again,” he told me. I’m working at the right job or living in hold of him. the right town—or kayaking too much, “You’d have done the same for me,” I said for that matter—but at that one single “Get me out of here.” His voice seemed to and I knew it was true. I’d been on the moment, I know I was exactly where I shimmy and crack at the edges. opposite end of the rope before. Five years was meant to be, and that’s one hell of a prior I got stuffed under a rock on Lake feeling. I had good footing and by then I had him Creek in Colorado in a rapid called The by an arm and a shoulder strap of his vest. Toaster. I was under water long enough to We got off the river and made sandwiches “You got to pull yourself out,” I said. really ponder my situation and question of cheese and ham du pays on fresh the eventual outcome. When I finally baguettes. We had a fierce debate “I can’t.” He looked me in the eye and it flushed out, the throw-rope that came over whether or not it was necessary was then that I realized just how exhausted flying felt like the hand of God himself. to refrigerate mayonnaise. I, the lone he was. I was horrified of losing what American, insisted that, yes indeed, footing I had, and the both of us ending With so much on the line, I’m sure many mayonnaise does need to be kept cold. My up in the water. wonder why the heck we do what we do. nausea was reinvigorated by the sight of And I don’t have a single answer for that, them slathering the warm, off-white goop Spurred by fear, I got my hips down low and certainly not a simple one. Sure it onto their sandwiches. and slowly started pulling, leaning back, could be said that we’re stupid, young and away from the water. I used my weight cock-sure, hooked on adrenaline with a Carol and I spent another week paddling to rock backwards and each time I gave masochistic streak a mile wide—an Evel and camping with the group and when we it everything I had, straining with my legs Kneivel complex, if you will. Sure, yes, finally left for the Tyrol region of Austria, and back, only to see another inch or so of I plead guilty to some of those charges. it had that terrible heart-wrenching feel- his body rise out of the water. It felt like But there’s more than that; it’s not simply ing of leaving family. An empty silence he was 10 feet long. It felt like one of those the sum of my personal shortcomings. settled in the car as we drove through Italy. terrible slow-motion, underwater dreams But as we entered Switzerland, the sheer where you can’t make your body move I do it for the beauty, for the wonderful awe of the Swiss Alps turned us giddy fast enough. When my legs were almost places and people I continue to stumble and talkative again, like kids in a new, straight, I fell back and he came to the upon in my outings. I do it for the grace fairy-tale world. ground with me. For a moment we stayed involved in the mastery of physical there, locked in each other’s arms, gasping, movement. I do it for the joy of being at our wide, blank eyes slowly blinking. one with a body. I do it because it’s one of a small handful of things that I’m any “It got me fookin’ shoe,” he finally said. good at. I do it to be there for the others who do it, to help and support them when I looked down at his feet and saw that one they require it and to feel the warmth of of his booties had been sucked off by the their sustenance when I am in need. I do it current. Finally, we laughed. for the same reasons I would do anything else worthwhile. I do it because I feel called “Yeh fookin’ saved me life,” he said. to it.

“I am so glad to have you here right now.” I feel as though I had little to do with My voice cracked as I said it. We were both being on that strainer at the moment choked up and we didn’t talk for a while. Brian came along. I had the feeling that I was placed there, as if there was something Brian Keogh and Phil LaMarche running #1 of A bit later on, when Brian was back in else at work: something pulling me along Trip Drop his boat and the gang had regrouped, we on that trip despite all the reasons I had floated some easy water together. to stay in camp, something giving Nico photo by Carol LaMarche the crazy notion to flash me the thumbs

54 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org November/December 2007 54 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org 55 November/December 2007 many of us can afford to drop that kind Alaska by Fair Means: of money into a project we aren’t totally However, most were due to the beater car, Every Man’s Footprint sure about? not the vegetable oil fuel. I could have bought a nicer vehicle. I Our first stop was FIBArk in Salida, CO. By Victor Myers could have spent months engineering a We made it there on less than two gallons system. I had neither the time nor the of diesel. Of course, when we arrived we The feelings that inspired this trip have interest in those routes. Instead, waiting had some car issues and had to stay in always been inside so many of us. The until arguably the last minute, I bought Salida for eight days ordering parts and solutions to those feelings have been a 1985 Volkswagen Golf at a junk yard, working on the car. harder to come by. Last summer was a got it home and within eight days had it pivotal experience for me in independence, road worthy. My total investment totaled The auto shop was conveniently a block not only in boating, but from oil and big $1,600, including the vegetable oil system. from the play hole in town and we had money. Most importantly, realizing change friends to stay and paddle with. It was a is possible, it just takes the first step and a I loaded up the car with all the gear I great break from the two weeks of frenzy progression of footsteps towards the goal. would need for three to five months of leading up to the trip. Patience … easier said than done. boating: one creek boat, one play boat, one sea kayak, one surfboard, one rocket box, Overall this first leg of the trip taught We live in an abundant society; we have five paddles, clothes, tools, helmets, and us a lot: first that the trip was going to a lot; we use too much. Moreover, this the rest. When the car was fully loaded, be possible but not easy, second that we behavior is encouraged by those who it looked like some kind of Pakistani weren’t doing this for money saved but make ridiculous sums of money by expedition rig. for concern about the environment and perpetuating our “needs.” I have always a desire to travel without petroleum known this—many of us probably do. My girlfriend and I squeezed in and we products. This was definitely a labor of headed down the road at a reasonable love; at some point it might pay off. For the past few years, I have been trying pace. As I mentioned before, I had little to find alternate fuel sources. I routinely time to set this all up so it worked less than In Colorado my girlfriend left the equation, drive back and forth to Alaska during the perfectly those first few days. The first time which is a small novel itself. I picked my summer and have always hated the cost we went to collect oil I realized the hard way through Wyoming without buying a but moreover felt guilty about the wasteful way that I had forgotten to wire in a fuse drop of fuel. I found myself sitting at the nature of such a monumental road trip. I for my vegetable oil collection pump. The Lunch Counter having some lunch and converted a truck to run on propane but positive wire dropped into the hatchback, watching oil drip through my bag filter. felt that I could do better. I was really grounding itself and starting a small This became my rhythm for a week. Lots curious about using waste vegetable oil as electrical fire. Luckily, I caught it right of park and play, lots of driving back and fuel. Everyone has heard of biodiesel and before it hit the battery. The damage was forth over the pass. I spent some time with I’m no pioneer in the field by any stretch a melt line through two waterproof bags friends both new and old and pondered of the imagination, but I was determined and a splash jacket, a small burn on my the quiet little mission. I had a few days on to undertake a trip that I felt just about hand, and a hole in the windshield washer the Teton and the Snake then continued any dirtbag boater could pull off. reservoir. After replacing some wiring, and on towards Portland, still driving on the

adding a fuse we were back on the road. same diesel I had bought in Kansas. We have all read the stories or seen coverage on TV of cross- country road Our start had been rocky, but within 24 Portland was the same routine. Boat, trips burning vegetable oil. One thing hours we were cruising down the highway think, tinker with the car. I filled the trunk that I noticed was that by and large these on the previous night’s Japanese food. of my little car to the brim with vegetable trips were in $25,000 to $60,000 rigs, had oil from a burrito stand, knowing that I professional installations, ground support, Just the feeling of liberation one gets from had a lot of ground to cover through BC and corporate sponsors. That is all great driving 1,000 miles without stopping at a with minimal collection opportunities. I for publicity and while those efforts are gas station is incredible. We were urban topped off one more time in Bellingham, merited they aren’t an option for most mining, dumpster diving, and grease WA and for the first time opted out of of us. pirating. Mostly, we were driving cross- the Sea to Sky Highway for the faster country without leaving a footprint. route. I was starting to get a little tired Anyone can drive cross-country in a That’s the whole idea. of the drive and wanted to reach my professionally engineered and installed destination. I rattled on down the road to system in a luxury rig. Simple. How I won’t say there weren’t any complications. Prince George, spent the night and filled

56 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 57 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 Go big or go home takes on a twist when you’re living in a Golf down by the river

photo by Marvin Scott

up my belly and the belly of the beast at a ever—overland. The typical park and play characteristics might become terminal in Japanese restaurant, and kept rolling on to session includes a loaded motorboat with the space of 10 minutes. It really comes Smithers, BC. kayaks on the roof and a quick 20- to 30- down to a lot of guesswork, map and mile boat ride. This is the transportation chart reading, and maybe a little Google From Smithers, I took the relatively short method but possibly the least important Earth action. Knowing the timing and drive to Prince Rupert, where I jumped on aspect of the experience. The entire understanding the window of opportunity the ferry. I had to pay for a larger berth for session is totally dependent upon timing. is like having a key. To earn the key one my car because, even though my car was a The tidal features are at the mercy of the has to devote a lot of time getting intimate mere 14 feet long, my sea kayak was 18. Six moon. The big tides bring big water and with the wave, and that’s what I did. hours later I unloaded in the island town big waves. That’s where the fun is. of Ketchikan, Alaska or “The Rock” as we My first mission was a quick paddle out so affectionately call it. Everyone has heard of Skookumchuck. to scope the wave. I took one more trip What most people don’t realize is that via motorboat, had some good beginner’s I came to do some soul searching in the these features aren’t limited to the luck, and hit the wave during the perfect form of some solo paddling trips in the world-famous play wave in BC. There window. As far as I know, I was the first Misty Fiords. I also came for the play are numerous Skooks all along the inside to ever drop onto the pile. It was perfect: boating, just as remote. Previous summers passage in BC and Alaska. I had a date with big glassy green sections, perfect pile, in Ketchikan I had been so busy with one in particular. strong but relatively non-violent, good work and life that I had never found the eddy service (did I mention salt water = time to do some of the trips I always told Often playboating has a very safe more buoyancy?). I caught it one more myself I would make time for. This was atmosphere: roadside features, man- time later that week on the beginning of a my summer. No work, just boating and made waves, big pool drop features, like solo sea kayak tour around Revillagigedo exploring. the Ottawa. Approaching a tidal rapid Island. feels remote and solitary. We don’t always There is no real presence of roads in know how big the features will get and I paddled the first 25 miles with tons of southeast Alaska. If you want to access when and for how long they are going to gear and a surfboard on the back of my sea anything it’s by air or water, rarely—if show up. Holes with the right retention kayak. Then I met some friends who had

56 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 57 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 Eddy at the gate wave was surfable when it was flowing in than-ideal conditions for a week, this turn but I wanted to see how it looked flowing of events provided some much-needed photo by Victor Myers out and peaking. It was a pretty awesome comic relief. display and an excellent hydrology lesson. The next morning I packed up my camp I was feeling OK with the trip. For the first driven out after work. They brought my and headed out in my sea kayak. time ever I put aside pride for the sake of playboat and we had a mini surf session. safety. I had a good time, and made it back We were about six inches off our mark I had seven days before I was to fly to to civilization. Forty hours later I was on with the tide, so it was more of a micro Missouri for a surprise visit to see my a plane to middle America to see the love wave. I tried feverishly to catch it on my girlfriends white coat ceremony for of my life get formally accepted to medical surfboard with little success. medical school. I headed out with a 160- to school. Seeing this beautiful young 250-mile paddle ahead of me, depending woman accepting her white coat made me It started getting late and the posse had on how much exploring I did. wonder where I had been in my past and to go. I sent all my unnecessary items what had made me share my time with back with the crew and set up my camp. I paddled about 200 miles in 5 days in the people I did, namely the ex I spoke of I was determined to monitor the wave one of the worst weather windows of the earlier. I spent one great week with Sri and for 24 hours before heading out on my summer. I lost my emergency beacon, my promised to be back in a few more. mission of paddling every bay and inlet radio failed, and I ended up with diarrhea all the way around the island. The camp and vomiting that cost me 10 pounds. I When I flew back to Alaska, I had my big was high above but within eyeshot of flagged down a boat that by pure heinous date with the Khata Wave. Since I had the wave, and the noise was deafening. coincidence had an ex-girlfriend aboard. been the first person to surf the wave, I I watched and checked it all night. The After being alone in the wilderness in less- decided I ought to name it. I chose Khata.

58 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 59 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 The Khata is symbolic silk sash offering in as a hermit. Unfortunately, it doesn’t interstate. I was determined and I made the Tibetan culture. My Nepalese/Tibetan surf everyday and it is in the middle of it. The car lives. I’ve put a new tranny in girlfriend gave me a Khata that I have nowhere. Those two features also make it along with a bunch of other parts and always kept with me; I had it with me the it perfect. Surfing the Khata is a special I’ve totally redone the SVO system. I don’t first day I surfed the Khata. occasion. No skate-park feel, no man- drive it much anymore. I have converted made play wave complacency. I love this a few more vehicles since then. My mom Back in Alaska, I packed up my gear, spot. Words cannot explain it. has a car that I converted and I’m trying to caught a boat ride, deck loaded my encourage the creation of a vegetable oil playboat on my sea kayak, and hauled it My crew of friends showed up late on the coop in my hometown. to the gate. The next four days held some third day and almost missed the window of the biggest tides of the summer. I was for driving their boat in through the gate. It was a learning experience. I wouldn’t planning on camping at the entrance The fuel pump on their boat had gone out have changed much, if anything. Slowly and surfing the entire time. I would be and one of the guys was hand pumping but surely I’m making changes towards alone until day three, when some friends the engine. If he pumped fast or too slow independence from oil. The summer of planned on showing up. the engine would stall and they would be 2006 was lived on fair means. I propelled in serious trouble. They jumped the eddy myself nearly 13,000 miles either by I paddled my loaded sea kayak to the fence and nearly went airborne. Luckily, recycling trash into fuel or paddling boats rapids and through them, being sure not the boat didn’t stall. on rivers and oceans. What did it prove? It to flip with the playboat strapped on the doesn’t take much, just commitment. back deck. After a solid halibut dinner, we crashed out. The next day was one I’ll never forget. Author Victor Myers spends summers guiding in As the tide was rushing in, I started to set I knew the Khata and we hit a perfect Alaska and winters in Belize For more photos or info up a quick camp. I had about two hours session that lasted as long as our physical visit www.allpointsguiding.com. to get ready for a session. I geared up and condition allowed. The wave dwindled and watched the wave form. It was enticing we stormed out of there like gangbusters, at early levels, but I knew how big the loaded to the brim. Over some beers on tide would be and I waited. It just kept the ride home, I pondered the last three getting bigger and bigger. When I couldn’t weeks as I watched the sun set as it does take any more, I peeled out of the eddy, only in southeast Alaska. paddled hard, and lined up. I caught it solid. A big push in the back and I was The summer didn’t even come close sitting pretty. I just sat there and savored to ending there. I still had about 5000 the moment. It was a perfect moment. The miles of veggie driving to do and some Khata, as big as it was, had unbelievable rivers to run. I left Ketchikan with just retention. The shoulders rocket you back shy of 70 gallons of vegetable oil in the too the middle and with no one there, I little hatchback. That, plus the rest of was riding until I was just too tired to stay the gear, put the little junk box well over in. I started checking my watch before maximum capacity. dropping in. Five minutes, nine minutes, 14 minutes. I was a little conservative Forty miles out of Prince Rupert, I got because I was alone and this thing was big simultaneous sidewall blowouts. Luckily, and intimidating: Grand Canyon-sized the tires didn’t go flat. I cut off the sidewall eddy fences, big whirlpools, boils and at flaps and, rather than backtracking, I one point a huge old growth red cedar tree drove 20 mph all the way to Smithers to rafted through, nearly taking me out. get a set of new tires. I had it coming: they were the same tires that were on the car at I had three more days of this. Surf, eat, the junkyard when I bought it. stretch, watch, listen, take a paddle in the sea kayak. It was perfect. I was literally I made it all the way to Nebraska before euphoric. The wave was getting to be my 5th gear exploded. Me, being the stubborn clock. I knew how many more minutes soul that I am, drove the last ten hours before it was perfect. I wanted to just in 4th gear whining 50 mph down the buy a float house, park it, and stay here

58 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 59 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 chocolate milk from the boat. out. “What is it with this sport that we can’t “What about those rocks down there?” I do something without being scared half to pointed, trying to duplicate her confidence. That night I relived the day’s terror and death? I just don’t get it.” Midway down, and also at the very bottom, didn’t sleep. In the morning I rose with big rocks projected from the river. Surprised the sun, boiled water for tea, and cooked She glared at me for a moment. “You sure at what I could see when I looked, I pointed breakfast. don’t,” she agreed. out more rocks hidden below the surface. Maybe I was learning how to “read water.” For the remainder of the trip our habit was “What’s that supposed to mean?” to make camp in late afternoon. Then, a “Piece of cake,” she said. “Watch that hike to limber up our legs and explore, read She caught her breath. “This whole trip you stick,” she pointed into the river. “See how a little and then have dinner. We would sit haven’t bothered looking at anything further the current takes it to the rocks and then quietly as the sun disappeared, listening away than the tip of your paddle.” around them? The water will carry us the to the Green flow by. After crawling into same way.” my sleeping bag for the night, I’d lie awake “There happens to be quite a lot going on until morning. Sometimes my whole body there,” I said, heatedly. “Piece of cake,” I muttered sotto voce. That shook with fear as I churned over the day’s stick isn’t a semi-truck turning in an alley. whitewater and extrapolated bigger and “And it’s not as bad as you keep saying,” bigger waves. was her abrupt reply. “Do you really think “Now, let’s get back to the boat and tighten I would take you on a river as dangerous as down our load. If we swamp, we could flip Over those next few days we averaged a you’re making the Green out to be?” and we don’t want to lose anything.” rapid every 30 to 45 minutes, and at each one I wanted to close my eyes and just go I grumbled something, not being ready Great. through blind. But at the last moment my to surrender my point of view. I had eyelids would pop open enabling me to nailed myself too high onto my cross of Back in the canoe, before peeling out of the shout out directions and questions. fear and unhappiness. It was too soon to eddy, she called to me from the stern. “You come down. know what to do in case we swim, don’t “Left! Left!” I’d yell and she would go right. you?” My bladder spoke loudly to me even We were silent after that, staring out at the though I had already responded to all its “Are we on route? This isn’t the route!” I’d river. Neither of us ate much. comments and questions. panic as we headed towards, and barely avoided, boulders. We ran Big Falls straight down the middle, “Float downstream in a sitting position with bouncing along the edge of the wave train. my legs out in front of me.” “Is that a wave or a hole?” I didn’t call out any instructions to her. I paddled. I didn’t get a splash of water “Yeah?” “Faster! Faster! Slow down!” on me. “If possible, hold on to my paddle.” More than anything else I kept shouting, We stopped again to scout Three Fords “Watch out!” Rapid, rather than blunder through like “Good. What else?” we had been doing. It was the worst yet. She laughed at me. She ignored me. She The river dropped over a four-foot ledge, “Stay with the boat?” shouted over the sound of rushing water, rode down curling, overlapping waves “Paddle! Paddle!” And laughed some more. through a pourover between import car- “Good idea. But what side of the boat?” sized boulders, then holes and rocks and At Chandler Creek we got out of the boat more rocks and piles of waves. On shore, I tried real hard to figure out what she had above a nasty rapid called, “Big Falls.” The I thought, Now! At last. We won’t run this in mind. If I held on to the boat on the name did a good job of scaring me. Big section. We’ll get out and carry the canoe downstream side, it could easily wash over waves in the middle of the river and bigger and gear on the wet, slimly, green, slippery me and I could very well be stuck there— rocks on both sides of the channel had rocks to a safe eddy far below. under the boat. No air. Bad scene. I could me wondering where we would go. I felt drown. “The upstream edge,” I called out a tugging on my sleeve. “Let’s have lunch No. over my shoulder. before we run Big Falls. I’m starved!” Her voice, very business-like, said, “See that “Very good. We’ll make a river man out of Unhappily, I dragged out the dry bag with breaking wave just after the first drop?” you yet!” I didn’t have time to contemplate our lunch food and joined her on a fallen log We stood on the right bank along little her emphasis on the “man” part because we beneath a large, old, beat-up Cottonwood cliffs overlooking the rapid. “We can easily had entered Three Fords. tree along the river. Our lunch spot was sneak by on the left, cut through that big perfect. It looked right into the maw of Big wave—we’ll swamp for sure—but after We crashed through wave after wave. The Falls rapid. It made me want to pee. that we follow the wave train right down boat glided across the water, not in it. We the middle. We’ll eddy out on the right, or didn’t go with the flow; we were the flow. “Do we have to run every rapid?” I blurted left—whatever—and bail.” She made it all feel so easy, so natural.

60 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 61 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 “Time stands still” is a cliché to anyone who was peace. Not the absence of strife or the cottonwood and tamarisk. The following has never faced danger, imminent death end of war but peacefulness within myself. morning we floated the final 10 miles of (itself a phrase a bit worn around the edges) I felt at one with something. I didn’t know river to our takeout. The Green calmed or confronted fear head on. I looked at my what that something was but I definitely down and oozed rather than flowed. watch when we entered Three Fords. When felt it. we popped out at the bottom with a canoe I spaced out in the bow of the canoe, letting full of water, on route, just as she predicted, We sat on the sand, quietly listening to … the sun’s warmth wash over me. Everything I looked at my watch again. Only 15 seconds to … everything. Sitting there that night felt perfect, as if all the pieces of a puzzle that had passed. I listened to the Cottonwood leaves dry were my life and experience lay before me up and fall to the ground. I could imagine and I could see how each interlocking piece Time hadn’t stood still but, close enough. the leaves crinkling up like the cellophane fit into all the others. I could assemble the During those 15 seconds I had seen cigarette wrappers my mother would throw whole puzzle in my mind but the moment the origin of the species, the rising and into the kitchen garbage. I leaned across the I tried to think about it I lost the answer. I wasting away of mountains, the building small open space between us, found her lips contented myself with the knowledge that I of the pyramids; I had cherished the cry of and kissed her. “Thank you,” I said. knew something that no one else knew, or the Dodo. had figured out. Her arm wrapped around me and she pulled I’ve known some crazy people but at the me in tight. “For what? You knew about At the take-out we loaded the canoe then moment we pushed through Three Fords’s this all the time. You just didn’t know you cruised the town of Green River to find biggest wave, and she shouted out, “Pull knew it. All you needed was a nudge in the lunch and a cheap motel. harder!” I thought, for sure, I’d met the right direction.” craziest. But not stupid. If stupidity existed, A hamburger never tasted so good. it resided in me, not her. She knew exactly Still unable to sleep, I took a walk late that what she wanted, how to do it and was doing night. In the moon’s light I found the tracks A shower never felt so cleansing. it. In any relationship between people, there of a large bird, a goose perhaps, in the mud comes a time when somebody realizes a along the shore. A bat, and then another and A bed never looked so inviting. learning opportunity has presented itself. then others, darted in and out overhead, This was my time. squeaking for their dinner. She stood by the window, looking out. She turned slightly to me. I walked across the At the bottom of the rapid I turned to face Further down river the canyon opened more room, held her, kissed her. She kissed back. up stream. All I could see was a bunch of and the moon illuminated the rock walls little waves, foaming at the mouth in places. giving them weird shapes, almost animistic, It felt good. Maybe that made me the crazy one for not nearly human in their grotesqueries. And seeing the fun and adventure the river held always, always, always, always the Green I like the way a man and a woman out to us. slid by. fit together. Maybe. For the remainder of our trip I noticed She lifted her face to be kissed and I kissed tracks of bear and deer, flocks of Canada her again. The canoe would survive the river and the geese. One night we had several dozen toads rocks without being torn to pieces. hopping through our campsite. I listened We fell onto the bed. to mocking laughter of Canyon wrens Maybe. every day and the chits and chats of little But the moment my head touched the pillow passerine birds, where ever they were. The I was fast asleep. All those sleepless nights, If we capsized, the world wouldn’t end. stars continued so bright the growing moon lying awake, twitching in a mixture of fright couldn’t blot them all out. and excitement, listening to the river roll Maybe. rocks downstream or lap against the side of This world along the river soaked through our canoe had, at last, caught up to me. “Have fun,” I told myself. “The worst that my skin down to the bones and organs. can happen is you get wet and have to take And still, I didn’t sleep, so that I began to Hours later, moonlight streaming through a long hike. You take long hikes all the time. hallucinate sounds, sights and smells in the hotel room’s Venetian blinds woke me. So, what?” the dark. I spoke to people I knew did not exist. But if they answered back—and they She sat there, in the sole chair, concentrating Five miles below Three Fords we camped did—they must be real. Who decides reality on the white light forcing its way into the on a little piece of sand with baby willows or illusion anyway? Who needs artificial room. The air conditioner hummed and and spindly tamarisk trees as the wild realties when the ones I live in are far more choked asthmatically. Green River placidly flowed by. The only intriguing? Far more entertaining? Far ripples in the water were made by a few more real? “I think I get it now,” I said. jumping fish reaching for their dinners. The fish continued long after dark, jumping, Following Three Fords, the rapids She didn’t move. “I knew you would,” jumping, jumping as the stars came out one diminished in intensity. Either that or I was she said, talking to the moon. “It’s a piece by one like tiny town lights in a great big finally cured of the danger. Looking back of cake. Only a matter of time. Now, go toy model of some celestial city. And then, upstream after we ran Coal Canyon Rapid, back to sleep. Maybe we’ll talk about it in dreamlike, the moon rose—a great bright where we took on so much water in the the morning.” white banana. choppy waves that the boat actually floated below the river’s surface, the waves didn’t © 2007, all rights reserved In the wilderness you can read a book by seem so terrible. moonlight. On our last night out, at Rattlesnake The stillness of the night overcame me. This Creek, we slept in a mixed grove of willow,

60 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 61 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 The Casa Machinas area of Rio Saripiqui, Costa Rica

photo by David Maurier

62 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 63 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 A Brief Post IV-V run called the Casa Machinas, which sounds like a Spanish horror movie, but Costa Rica Q & A is, as it turns out, a committing gorge with some significant rapids. Basically, I By David Maurier watched my friend Erick’s line down the left side of a rapid, which looked beautiful, Q: What was the best part of your trip to and I watched a few other paddlers’ lines Costa Rica? down the right side of the same rapid, which looked sketchy, and proceeded to A: It’s hard to say. Either that: muppet down the left, based on these observations. an honorary member of the Costa Rican a. I got to paddle with some awesome Men’s Whitewater Swimming Team people in some ridiculously lush Q: What critical piece of data did you fail seemed like a good option at that point. rainforests. to take into account? Q: What then? b. The crippling illness I contracted didn’t A: Erick has been paddling consistently recur, which means it probably wasn’t for 15 years, and could probably paddle a A: With my right arm out of commission malaria. well-duct-taped piece of cardboard down and my kayak bravely floating downstream the Devil’s Postpile of the San Joaquin and towards rapids unknown, it felt like a good c. My kayak vanished, but only for a little make it look good. I, on the other hand, time to leave the Casa Machinas. while. have been paddling on and off for about eight years, and could probably paddle a Q: How did you get down a gorged-out, or well-duct-taped piece of cardboard, say, continuous Class IV river without the use across a pool. of your right arm and without a kayak? d. The rice and beans were consistently delicious. Q: And so? A: Mostly, I didn’t. Instead, two members of the paddling crew went downstream Q: Hold up. What happened to your boat? A: There were two five-foot pourovers to recover the derelict kayak while I in quick succession at the bottom of the assembled a crack four-man team to begin A: It escaped. rapid. Conklin had indicated them to me hiking back upstream to the put-in, which by way of some fancy hand signals, but I was theoretically only a mile away. Erick Q: How did it escape? wasn’t quite prepared for their magnitude. quickly volunteered for the hiking team, I ran the first one right-side-up, and then as did Conor and Conor, a pair of Irish A: I was busy. Specifically, I was everything went to custard. I got sucked paddlers. When the riverbed turned into simultaneously: determining whether back in and trashed like a piece of junk a cliff on one side, we used throw bags to my arm was broken, trying to grow gills, mail. I subsequently ran the second drag me across the water or ferry a boat maintaining a grip on my paddle, and pourover on my head. back to me. When we encountered jungle, swimming for an eddy. Basically, I was we walked through it. When the river distracted, and my kayak took advantage Q: How did that go for you? cliffed up on both sides, we started hiking of that and effected an escape. The last up the walls of the cliff and hoping there time I saw it, it was bobbing down a Class A: Not super well. I almost immediately was a way down the other side. During the IV rapid. I was pretty preoccupied at the banged the heck out of both my radius process, we took turns carrying the three time, but from what I could tell, the kayak and ulna, leading to the aforementioned remaining kayaks, which, at some point looked happy to be on the run; it had the concerns about the integrity of my bone had magically changed from useful and satisfied look of a rodeo bull that has just structure, and causing me to lose the fun watercraft into awkward, eight-foot bucked its rider. ability to grip with my right hand. I was long, pieces of heavy plastic. Of course, also head-butting a bunch of rocks; at one while we hiked, we kept wearing our large Q: Why were you busted up/trying to point, I was convinced that my helmet had neoprene skirts and our watertight Gore- spontaneously mutate/gripping/swimming? shattered, and that only a thin layer of Tex jackets to make sure that our precious foam stood between me and a concussion. sweat and body heat had no chance to A: I made a poor judgment call on a Class Needless to say, temporarily becoming escape in the insanely humid jungle.

62 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 63 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 Q: Did you get novel and exciting bug bites, Conor and Conor, who, as members of and the rocks” doesn’t go a long way on a rashes, and cuts, possibly including a small the jungle hiking team, had spent their river in Costa Rica. cluster of blisters on your ankle that looked whole day carrying extremely heavy like they could be poison oak but were, in boats through some of the most humid, Q: When did you start to really worry all likelihood, not poison oak and were inhospitable, overgrown, slippery, and about them? more likely to be a heretofore undiscovered generally unpleasant terrain that I’ve ever tropical disease and/or skin condition that seen, began singing drinking songs and A: When they still weren’t back about two develops when you wade through a nearly joking with each other. Which I guess says hours after sunset. impenetrable mat of thick organic material something about the indomitability of for six hours? the Irish spirit, or at least says something Q: What happened? about how much they like drinking songs. A: Yes. A: Apparently, they were unable to find Q: Did the boat recovery team recover my boat, and rather than have the day be Q: Wait, how long did you spend your boat? a complete waste of time, they decided hiking upstream? to hang out with some Costa Rican girls A: They found it half a mile downstream of and a six-pack at the hot springs at the A: Six hours. the incident and stashed it in some trees. take-out.

Q: And how far did you travel during Q: So you got it out the next day. Q: Can you blame them? that time? A: Not quite. The other members of A: Not at all. A: Approximately one mile. the crew had previously booked some transportation to Turrialba for the Q: So what did you do? You said your Q: Making your rate of travel? following morning, which left Erick and kayak vanished but, “only for a little while.” me to hatch a scheme. I was unable to A: 0.16 miles an hour. For those interested paddle, and asking Erick to make a solo A: Well, with my arm all wrecked up, I in comparative biology, snails travel at mission into a remote jungle canyon needed to take a break from kayaking, and 0.03 mph, making our rate of intra- seemed unreasonable, so things were I couldn’t ask Erick and Chamo to go back jungle travel only five times faster than a looking grim. Fortunately, early in the in and keep looking for the boat. Instead, garden snail. afternoon, we were able to rally a local I took a bus to San Jose to get some paddler named Chamo. The rough plan: x-rays taken. Q: That’s pretty slow. Chamo would paddle an inflatable kayak, which they would stash in the stern of Q: Was your arm broken? A: For real. We got out of the gorge just as my kayak once they found it, and Chamo the sun was setting. could then paddle my kayak to the A: Nope. The doctor did mention, take-out. however, that I have a congenital defect Q: What was the sketchiest part? in my right arm, and the little round Q: Did Erick seem sketched-out at the knobby guy where the wrist attaches to A: Actually, the sketchiest part came at the prospect of entering a committing gorge the forearm is maybe a centimeter out of very end when Erick ascended the wall of with an unknown inflatable kayaker late in place. I don’t want to jinx anything, but the powerhouse at the put-in, free-soloing the afternoon? I’m hoping that’s the only time in my life a nearly vertical 35-foot climb using that I’m excited to discover that I (only) questionably-rooted tufts of grass as hand- A: Yes. have a birth defect. holds. Fortunately, shortly afterwards, our hired shuttle driver and the members of Q: What other elements raised the Q: Any other comments on the medical the boat recovery team returned to the sketch factor? system in Costa Rica? put-in, assuming we would be there. A: Neither of them actually knew where A: The private clinic in San Jose is Q: What was the most surreal part? my boat was. The previous day’s boat amazing. A set of x-rays and a brief recovery team had given them some verbal consultation with an orthopedist will only A: During the van ride back to our hostel, beta, but “that one place with all the vines run you about $80, and they have free

64 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 65 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 hard candies. of the kayak at the paddling hostel in Saripiqui instead of absconding with the Q: But you still haven’t explained how you kayak to the other side of the country? eventually recovered your kayak. A: Your guess is as good as mine. A: Right. So about four days later I was in Turrialba, halfway across the country Q: What did you learn from the whole from the incident, hanging out at the experience? Hotel Interamericano, figuring my kayak had somehow gotten back into the river A: I learned a little Spanish. My friend and continued its run towards the ocean, Mauricio taught me how to say, “Can you like some kind of plastic salmon spawning move the pig, please?” I think it’s “¿Puedo in reverse, when Erick came in from the besar el cerdo, por favor?” basement and said: “Dude, how’d you get your boat back?” I had no idea what he Q: I meant more in terms of specific lessons. was talking about, but somehow, my boat was sitting downstairs. It had picked up A: Oh. a pretty heinous nose job, but aside from that, it didn’t look any worse for the wear. 1. I should probably take other paddlers’ abilities into account when I evaluate their Q: So how’d it get there? lines.

A: I spent the next few hours camped out 2. Jungles can be hot and humid. in the lobby of the Hotel Interamericano, trying to figure that out. As people 3. There’s a reason people typically paddle came in and out of the hotel, I basically down rivers instead of walking up them. interrogated them. The conversation usually went: “How’s it going? What’s your 4. Don’t trust men named Gustav (or men name? Do you know anything about the who look like they’re named Gustav). yellow kayak downstairs?”

Q: I see.

A: So Gustav*, the fourth person to come through the door, broke into a totally guilty grin when I mentioned the yellow kayak.

* (note: I can‘t remember his real name, but he definitely looked like a Gustav)

Q: How did Gustav get your kayak?

A: He said he found the kayak by the side of the river, figured it was abandoned, and decided to ghost-boat it out. From talking to him, it became evident that Gustav and his crew had beaten Erick and Chamo to the boat by about two hours.

Q: Why didn’t they try to find the owner

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In 2006, Keen’s contributions will aid American Whitewater’s projects in the Southeast, and the Pacifi c Northwest. In the Southeast Keen’s support will help American Whitewater’s work restoring the Catawba watershed. Additional funding from Keen will support AW’s projects on the Columbia River Basin and the Cascade range in the Pacifi c Northwest.

Class IV Sponsors

At Dagger we love what we do because it’s all about the Wave Sponsors water, and American Whitewater is the organization that helps put water in our rivers. That is why Dagger has long supported American Whitewater and is proud to continue our support of their river stewardship program today.

Wave Sport is American Whitewater’s longest standing and largest philanthropic supporter. Both Wave Sport Throughout the history of the natural and AW are committed to one thing, whitewater. world, water sources have been the centers of life, providing habitat and sustenance for animals and plants alike. As part of Jackson Kayak’s focus on environmental Patagonia is proud to support groups responsibility, the Jackson’s have long supported AW through like American Whitewater that work promotional efforts. In 2006, as part of their commitment to to reverse the destructive effects of 1% For the Planet, Jackson Kayaks will be supporting AW’s damming, development and pollution. river stewardship work.

Class III Sponsor Kokatat remains one of AW’s strongest allies by continuing support of AW’s membership and river stewardship programs. By providing American Subaru always has been, and will continue Whitewater with valuable membership and donation incentives, Kokatat to be, committed to safeguarding the will create the support we need to continue our stewardship of North natural environment that so many of its American rivers. customers avidly enjoy. Subaru is proud to continue this tradition by supporting Teva and American Whitewater have worked together for nearly American Whitewater’s largest event of a decade to protect access and conserve whitewater resources for the year the 2007 Gauley River Festival paddlers and rafters nationwide. Teva and AW have partnered on now presented by Subaru. numerous tours and events over the years, including AW’s 50th Anniversary Gala in 2004.

66 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 67 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 Editors note: In each issue of American Girls at Play: Whitewater we highlight a company that supports American Whitewater’s river stew- Ladies on the Lower G ardship efforts. While some companies in the industry are fortunate enough to have by Anna Levesque the financial resources to simply write a check, other companies are rich in human The Ladies on the Lower G is an annual than 30 women paddling in support resources. Anna Levesque’s company, Girls gathering of women for a day of paddling, of American Whitewater. Led by Team at Play, has been raising money for Ameri- fundraising, and fun on West Virginia’s Dagger paddlers Anna Levesque and can Whitewater for years. In the past she Gauley River. The annual event is Eleanor Perry, and NARR’s very own has donated a percentage of her movie sales organized by Anna Levesque, from Girls Kathy Zerkle, the group included women to AW and for the past several years she at Play, and Brian Jennings, from North ranging in age from 13 to 50-plus. A has run the Ladies on the Lower Gauley American River Runners. few male members of Team D joined program. the ranks to take photos and set extra Participating women pay $30 each for safety (really an excuse for paddling with a trip down the Lower Gauley that a group of attractive women—who can Below is the story of this year’s Ladies on the includes shuttle and lunch. A portion blame them?). The day ended with a raffle Lower Gauley event. American Whitewater of the proceeds is donated to American of apparel donated by Carve Designs would like to thank Anna Levesque and Whitewater to fund their river stewardship (www.carvedesigns.com) and Dagger, as Brian Jennings for making this year’s event programs. This year Ladies on the Lower well as Girls at Play goodie bags! such a great success. G raised over $700! Thanks to all of the ladies who participated Sunny skies and warm weather helped to and made the fun and the fundraising make this year a big success, with more possible. I’m looking forward to next year!

66 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 67 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 Join

Today! s s s s s s American Whitewater has been extraordinarily fortunate in our ability to leverage a strong grassroots Over the years, American Whitewater be sure that everyone you paddle with volunteers have participated in numerous understands the work AW does, and how base—members hydropower meetings as well as you, as an AW member, value that work. instream and recreational flow studies; and other filed comments and assisted with an Membership support is what will volunteers—to uncountable number of filings; appeared determine our ability to continue our river as expert witnesses; lobbied; worked to stewardship work in the years to come. assist our limited fight new dams, remove existing dams, Individual Annual Memberships are only deny licenses, and improve public access $35. If you are a member of your local staff with many to rivers and streams. In nearly every river paddling club and your club is an Affiliate stewardship issue AW has been involved Club member of AW, join as a Club whitewater river with, the outcome has been favorable Affiliate Individual for $25. This is a tank to paddlers. Not only has AW secured of gas or an inexpensive night out. This is conservation and favorable decisions for the paddling certainly not too much to pay to have a community, but we are the only national national organization representing your restoration efforts. organization representing paddlers as paddling interests all across the country. these decisions are being made. Join on-line today at http://www.america A growing membership base is crucial nwhitewater.org/membership, call 1-866- to our ability to continue with our work. BOAT4AW (866-262-8429), or fill out the Some studies show that there are currently form on the back of this page and mail over 100,000 whitewater paddlers in the it to: U.S. American Whitewater currently has 6,300 active members. When considering Membership the amount of whitewater river miles P.O. Box 1540 that AW has had a direct impact on, this Cullowhee, NC 28723 membership number is unimpressive. We need all paddlers to join American Whitewater. If you are a member, please

68 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 69 November/December 2007 November/December 2007

P.O. Box 1540, Cullowhee, NC 28723 • 866-BOAT-4AW s

68 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 69 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 The Affiliate Club Program lies at the very Sierra Club Loma Prieta Ch., San Jose SCSU Outdoor Endeavors, Saint Cloud heart of AW’s existence. AW’s original Sierra Club SF Chapter, Livermore purpose since 1957 has been to distribute Missouri information among its Affiliate Clubs. Colorado Missouri Whitewater Association, St. Louis AW’s relationships with local clubs Avid4Adventure Inc., Boulder Ozark Mountain Paddlers, Springfield have provided the backbone for the Big Thompson Watershed Forum, Loveland Ozark Wilderness Waterways, Kansas City river conservation and access work it Front Range Paddle Asso, Lafayette Kansas City Whitewater Club, Kansas City accomplishes. Over 100 clubs are now Grand Canyon Priv. Boat. Assn., Colorado Springs AW Club Affiliates and they are all Pikes Peak Whitewater Club, Colorado Springs Montana doing great work on your behalf. If Pueblo Paddlers, Pueblo West Beartooth Paddlers Society, Billings you don’t belong to a club consider San Miguel Whitewater Asso, Telluride joining one. University of Colorado Kayak Club, Boulder Nevada Sierra Nevada Whitewater Club, Reno This is the fifth year that Clif Bar has sponsored the Flowing Rivers grants. Florida Clif Bar and American Whitewater are North Florida Wihtewater Assoc., Ocala New Hampshire happy to announce the recipients of the Mt. Washington Valley Paddlers, Franconia 2007 “Flowing River” grants. The Flowing Georgia Rivers campaign, a joint initiative between Atlanta Whitewater Club, Atlanta New Mexico Clif Bar and American Whitewater, puts Georgia Canoeing Association, Atlanta Adobe Whitewater Club, Albuquerque money in the hands of people who are Paddlers4Christ, Ellijay protecting the rivers that are running New York through their backyards.This year’s Idaho ADK Schenectady, Schenectady funding will support initiatives from the Idaho Whitewater Assoc., Boise Colgate University, Hamilton Foothills Paddling Club (SC) and the FLOW Paddlers Club, Rochester Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club (OR). Illnois Housatonic Canoe & Kayak Squad, Ossining The Foothills Paddling Club will use their Chicago Whitewater Assoc., Chicago Town Tinker Tube Rentals, Phoenicia funding to enhance an access area and Zoar Valley Paddling Club, Dunkirk purchase water quality equipment while Indiana KCCNY, New York the Wilamette Club will use their funding Ohio Valley Whitewater Club, Evansville St Lawrence University, Canton to organize a safety education weekend. To Hoosier Canoe Club, Indianapolis read more about the two projects see http: N. Carolina //www.americanwhitewater.org/content/ Iowa Carolina Canoe Club, Raleigh Article/view/articleid/29549/display/full/. Iowa Whitewater Coalition, Des Moines Davidson Outdoors, Davidson Triad River Runners, Winston, Salem AFFILIATE CLUBS, we want to know Kansas Watauga Paddlers, Boone what you are doing. Send your events to Kansas Whitewater Association, Mission Dixie Division ACA, Tuxedo us at [email protected] and we will UNCG Outdoor Adventures, Greensboro include them in the Journal. Kentucky Western Carolina Paddlers The AW Journal Club Affiliates by state: Bardstown Boaters, Frankfort Bluegrass Wildwater Association, Lexington Ohio Alaska Viking Canoe Club, Louisvillle Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, Columbus Fairbanks Paddlers, Fairbanks Keel Haulers Canoe Club, Westlake Maine Outdoor Adventure Club, Dayton Alabama Outward Bound, Newry Toledo River Gang, Waterville Birmingham Canoe Club, Birmingham Coosa Paddling Club, Montgomery Maryland Oregon Huntsville Canoe Club, Huntsville Blue Ridge Voyageurs, Silver Spring Face Level Industries LLC, Portland Greater Baltimore Canoe Club, Kingsville Oregon Kayak and Canoe Club, Portland Arkansas Mason Dixon Canoe Cruisers, Smithsburg Oregon Whitewater Association, Beaverton Arkansas Canoe Club, Little Rock Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club, Corvallis Massachusetts Lower Columbia Canoe Club, Portland California Brian White, Boston North West Rafters Asso, Portland Chico Paddleheads, Chico Zoar Outdoor, Charlemont Gold Country Paddlers, Lotus AMC - New Hampshire Paddlers, Honover River Touring Section, Angleles Chapter Pennsylvania Sequoia Paddling Club, WindsorGold Minnesota AMC Delaware Valley Chapter, Sugarloaf Boat Busters Anonymous, Stillwater Benscreek Canoe Club, Johnstown

70 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 71 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 Join American Whitewater as a Club Affiliate! Canoe Club of Greater Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg 10 Reasons to Join AW Conewago Canoe Club, York Easton Whitewater Parks Commission, Bethlehem Discounted AW as an Affiliate Club Holtwood Hooligans, Lititz Lehigh Valley Canoe Club, Lehigh Valley Memberships for Philadelphia Canoe Club, Philadelphia Affiliate Club Members Three Rivers Paddling Club, Pittsburgh 1. Receive the American Lehigh Valley White water Club, Lehigh Valley by Carla Miner Membership Coordinator Whitewater Journal, the S. Carolina oldest continually published Foothills Paddling Club, Greenville AW offers discounted AW whitewater magazine. Palmetto Paddlers, Columbia memberships to whitewater enthusiasts who are also 2. Join the list of Affiliate Clubs Tennessee members of one of our noted in each bi-monthly Appalachain Paddling Enthusiasts, Gray AW Journal. Eastman Hiking and Canoeing, Kingsport Affiliate Clubs. E. Tennessee Whitewater Club, Oak Ridge 3. List club events in the AW Journal. Memphis Whitewater, Memphis We supply a unique code Tennessee Scenic River Assoc., Nashville Tennessee Valley Canoe Club, Chattanooga that will automatically offer 4. Your Club’s members can University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville the disounted membership become AW members for $25. specific to your club allowing A $10 savings! Texas individuals to receive the Houston Canoe Club, Houston discount on the normal AW 5. Have technical expertise for Utah membership renewal form or your Club conservation and University of Utah, Salt Lake City online at www.americanwhite access committees ‘on tap.’ USU Kayak Club, Logan water.org/membership. Utah Whitewater Club, Salt Lake City 6. Have access to technical and onsite assistance for your Club’s Vermont Both options work equally well Vermont Paddlers Club, Essex Junction and help make life easier for event planning. members of your club. Virginia 7. Enjoy VIP benefits for “Joint Blue Ridge River Runners, Lynch Station Members” at AW events. Canoe Cruisers Association, Arlington Discount codes are in place Coastal Canoeists, Richmond for all AW Affiliate Clubs and 8. Participate in exclusive AW FORVA, Roanoke many members are enjoying Affiliate Club promotions. Float Fishermen of Virginia, Richmond the benefits of joining or Washington renewing their individual AW 9. Post Club information on the Spokane Canoe & Kayak Club, Spokane membership for only $25. AW Website to help paddlers University Kayak Club, Seattle find you. Venturing Crew 360, Snohomish If you are interested in taking The Mountaineers, Seattle 10. Eligible to apply for a spot in the Washington Kayak Club, Seattle advantage of the Affiliate Club Washington Recreational River Runners, Renton discount, please contact me AW 2006 River Stewardship Whitman College Whiteater Club, Walla Walla and I will be happy to let you Institute. know your Club’s unique code. Washington I can be reached at: West VA Wildwater Association, S. Charleston 866-BOAT-4AW or membershi For more information, Wisconsin [email protected]. contact Carla Miner at Hoofers Outing Club, Madison [email protected] NE Wisconsin Paddlers Inc. Appleton or sign-up on-line at: www.americanwhitewater.org/membership Canada, British Columbia Vancouver Kayak Club, Vancouver

70 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 71 November/December 2007 November/December 2007 Please read this carefully before send ing us Those without access to a word pro ces sor American Whitewater feature ar ti cles should your articles and photos! This is a vol un teer may sub mit their articles typed. Please relate to some aspect of whitewater boat ing. pub li ca tion, please cooperate and help us dou ble space. Please do not sub mit articles per tain ing to out. Do not send us your mate ri al without sea kayaking or fl at water. a release – signed by all au thors and pho- Photos may be submitted as slides, black or white tog ra phers (attached). prints, or color prints or electronic, digital pho- If you are writing about a commonly pad- tos, 300 dpi tiffs, Photoshop or high res jpegs dled river, your story should be told from a If possible, articles should be sub mit ted on a minimum 3”x5.” Keep your orig i nals and send unique perspective. Articles about dif fi cult, 3-1/2-inch computer disk. (Microsoft Word us du plicates if pos si ble; we cannot guar an tee infrequently paddled, or exotic rivers are given if pos si ble – others accepted.) Please do not the safe re turn of your pic tures. If you want us special con sid er ation. But we are also inter- alter the margins or spac ing param e ters; use to return your pic tures, include a self-ad dressed ested in well writ ten, un usu al articles pertain- the standard default set tings. Send a printed stamped en ve lope with your sub mis sion. The ing to Class II, III & IV rivers as well. Feature copy of the article as well. bet ter the pho tos the better the re pro duc tion. sto ries do not have to be about a specifi c river. Articles about paddling tech niques, the river en vi ron ment and river per son al i ties are also ac cept ed. Pieces that in cor po rate humor are es pe cial ly wel come. Open boating and raft ing sto ries are wel come. Profanity should be used only when it is ab- so lute ly necessary to effectively tell a sto ry; it is not our intent to offend our more sen si tive mem bers and readers. Please check all facts carefully, par tic u lar ly those regarding individuals, gov ern ment agen cies, and corpo ra tions in volved in river access and en viron mental mat ters. You are legally re spon si ble for the accuracy of such material. Make sure names are spelled cor- rectly and riv er gra di ents and dis tanc es are cor rect ly cal cu lat ed. Articles will be edited at the dis cre tion of the editors to fi t our format, length, and style. Expect to see changes in your ar ti cle. If you don’t want us to edit your ar ti cle, please don’t send it in! Be cause of our dead lines you will not be able to review the editorial chang es made prior to pub li ca tion.

American Whitewater is a nonprofi t; the ed i tors and con trib u tors to Amer i can White wa ter are not re im bursed. On rare oc ca sions, by pre ar range ment, pro fes sion al writ ers receive a small hon o rar i um when they submit sto ries at our re quest. Gen er al ly, our con trib u tors do not expect pay ment, since most are mem bers of AW, which is a vol un teer con ser va tion and safe ty or ga ni za tion.

Send your material to: Journal Editor P.O. Box 1540 Cullowhee, NC 28723 E-mail: [email protected]

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