First, let me get something out right now. I spend an unusual amount of time thinking about boating. Some people think this is very strange. The folks that know me best understand that for better or worse, rafting and kayaking rivers is a big part of my life. I often wonder why. I know when I first started boating I viewed boating primarily as a way to get out and be a part of moving water; something that has always fascinated me. And of course river canyons are some of the most beautiful places anywhere. And while those early motivations still are important, particularly when I’m rafting, there are times when I know there must be other, stronger motivations for kayaking.

Maybe an example would be helpful. The last 8 years or so I’ve been increasingly drawn to the exploratory aspect of kayaking. That is, trying to find new creeks and rivers to kayak that haven’t been documented. Part of this process is understandably interesting; the mapwork, hiking through the woods, seeing new places. These are things that many normal people like to do. It’s when you decide to bring a kayak into the picture that everything can get a little skewed.

My last exploratory trip with my friend Jason involved hiking through the snow for 4.5 miles or so before getting to the river. After that it was 2 miles of shallow boating with many portages until we ran out of light and had to hike the remaining 2 miles down the river dragging our boats with us. This was probably the most mentally and physically draining trip I’ve ever been on. It took us 4.5 hours to hike the 2 miles. Because we only had small headlamps lighting our way, it was very difficult to judge how far we had gone or how much further we had before we got to the end. This took a huge emotional toll on both of us as our spirits would soar when we thought there was a landmark indicating we were getting close only to have our spirits plunge when another landmark indicated we still had a ways to go.

The author just about ready to give up and spend the night on the creek.
(more…)