Carpooling to Lees Ferry (the put in) my mind was racing; “Do I have everything I need? Will my body agree with paddling 20-30 miles a day? Do I have the mental and physical strength to paddle 280 miles to Lake Mead?” Eight hours later, I realized that all my thoughts would become reality in less than 24 hours. No more questions, time to enjoy the trip and stop planning.
Category Archives: River Running
10 days until the Canyon
I’ve had a fun time getting ready for the trip. Let’s just say I haven’t been completely focused on that goal. I got my list started. I didn’t achieve a very precision attack but I got the basics figured out. A place to sleep. Some things to drink. Clothes to stay warm. A place to put your poo, and trash, but food for 12 days that wouldn’t bore me to tears or stop me up so I couldn’t poo proved the hardest to figure out. Well, I guess dealing with the (unspeakable) opposite problem from being stopped up might be the most difficult situation I have ever dealt with on a long paddling trip. But that isn’t the point of this article. The point here is food. Sorry, I got distracted by reminiscing about Nepal. I never plan food 12 days ahead, so to say that I procrastinated the food buy would represent a serious understatement.
Self Support kayaking with the Liquidlogic Freeride; Westwater UT
I suppose this is long out of order from my travels this summer but I just came across an SD card with all the shots from my trip down Westwater Canyon. It’s crazy that I’ve lived only 3 hours away from this beautiful place most of my life and never took advantage and hopped on a trip until this year. It was the perfect way to wind down after the crazy excitement of the Outdoor Retailer show where we launched the new Liquidlogic Stomper and all the other great products with Legacy Paddlesports. I was pumped to meet up with my good friends from First Descents and share some sun, beers, and good times in the canyon. I mean, truly, that’s what this sport is about. As much as it feels good to push yourself, and seek challenging whitewater. It’s the times spent with your friends on the river that really makes you keep coming back for more.
Self Support Grand Canyon
Next week I will be paddling for 13 days on the Grand Canyon with a fun group of paddlers from Colorado, New Mexico, and Oregon. 10 guys, and 6 badass women! The women are Lana Young-Hood River, Tammy Ritchey-Colorado Springs, Susan Hollingsworth-Portland, Jenn Peterson-Portland, Tina Swan-Denver, and Lisa Marie-Salida.The last few months I have been pondering on what I should bring and how I should pack. 2 years ago I went with the Liquidologic self support crew on the Grand. It was a trip of a lifetime and that is why I’m coming back to the deep ditch for more fun!
As a virgin kayak self support I learned from Boyce, Woody, Ted, Kelly, Will, and Klause the best way to pack the Remix XP, to be comfortable, and enjoy the canyon at its best in Jan. of 2010. Thank you guys!