In March of 2009 myself and a group of 3 other paddlers, will embark on the longest self support journey of our lives. The focus of the trip is to raise awareness of a once free flowing river that currently holds more dams than any other river drainage in the world and to document the impact on the Columbia River from previous ways of life to present day water quality throughout the 1,243 miles of river. The itinerary is expected to take almost 2 months from the source of Columbia River, in Canada, to Astoria, OR at the Pacific Ocean.
The end goal is to raise awareness of hydro electric energy and help reduce the amount of waste and destruction for future projects in the Columbia River drainage as well as providing research for other water sheds around the world. Ultimately, reducing the amount of structures that present day corporations strive to place in the name of human progression

Happy New Year

Jake Sanders, Money Drop, Rock Creek, OR


Ben Stookesbury, Outlet Falls, WA; 1st successful Decent

Outlet falls is a spectacular 70ft spouting waterfall, near the town of Glenwood, WA. I have scouted it many time never seeing it at a high enough flow to consider calling the big hitter crew. When i arrived at the falls with Ryan Scott, there was a feeling that something special was about to go down. This falls has been on allot of peoples minds, mine included, and is rarely high enough to consider an attempt. I could hear the pounding of the falls from the road and knew that meant it would be good to go. There were cars lined up on the road and when i walked down to the classic lookout point i saw that there was a serious crew here. I recognized my friend, Barney Benito and Nate Herbeck, both talented videographers, as well as renowned photographers, Jed Weingarten, Charlie Munsey, and Richard Hallman. They were all lined up waiting for the photo epic to begin. The falls was juicing chocolate water into the cauldron below, spouting straight out from the lip for it was moving so fast. The boil was massive at the base, creating surges and reactionary holes that slapped into the ice covered walls of the canyon . A swim could turn ugly for the ice appeared to be overhung at water level and wrapped behind the falls.

There were 3 people there that were considering running the falls, Eric Boomer LJ Groth, and Ben Stookesberry. All of which are some of the best kayaker's in the world. If it could be done, these were the guys to do it. Eric Boomer was the first to step up to the plate. He otter slid into the river 50 yards upstream of the drop, and eddied out to establish visual contact with the media crews. All systems were go. He peeled out and set up for the drop in the class 3 lead in rapid. Everything looked perfect. He had good position at the lip and maintained great form throughout the free fall and landing. He disappeared for a few seconds and came out from the boil upside down and headed to the river right bank without his paddle. He wrestled with the boils and later with the frozen bank. After 8 or so missed hand rolls he swam and immediately stood up for he was right next to the bank. Though he didn't stay in his boat, it was a hell of a thing to accomplish and my hat is off to him for getting it done first.

Ben Stokesberry signed up next. His line was truly epic in all proportions. He had an almost identical setup as Eric but took an extremely late boof stroke, landing with almost perfect boat angle. It blew my mind, boofing a 70 footer is beyond dangerous, the margin for error is minuscule. Ben is an amazing kayaker it was quite a thing to see him stick the drop so cleanly.

LJ was standing near me when Ben ran the drop. I asked him what the thought. He had a recent back injury on his mind but felt the drop was to good to be true. The safety was in place and if there was a time to run it, than this was the time. He headed up the hill to get his boat. Again, he set up almost identically to Eric. As he rolled over the lip he let go of his paddle and leaned forward, i later found out he employs this technique so he can hold onto his cockpit to protect his skirt and keep himself in the boat. he went deep and was gone for at least a 4 count. When he surfaced he came up straight downstream of the boil. This cleared him of the boils and ice ledge that had hampered Erics hand roll. he rolled after a few attempts and looked around, dazed from the serious hit. All was well, he made it.


Eric Boomer, Giving it on the first attempt of Outlet Falls.

Spring 08

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Little White Race

Todd Anderson, Celebrating his win on spirit. Geoff Calhoun, 2nd place looks on from below.

What a weekend!!! 19 competitors fired up the 15 + minute downriver course on saturday. Racing from the top of gettin bussy, 2 miles to 18 foot wishbone falls. Clean runs with minimal carnage was the trend of the day. Tao Berman set the Pace with a 15:36 second run, with Todd Anderson close on his heals. Ryan Casey coming in 3rd respectably. An impressive huckfest at spirit falls finnished off the day with giant boofs in ferfect conditions.

Thanks to all at Wind River Cellars for the camping and bonfire at the post race party.

Day 2 braught on the giant slalom course. Some tough must make moves dictated the pace of the race. Anderson cleaned it up on both runs earning him 1st place in the slolom and 1sth over all. Mikkel st. Jean Duncan from canada with the upset, also cleaned both runs earning him second place. Geoff Calhoun came in a close 3rd wrapping up the top tier.

For the full race report check out
http://www.gorgehits.com/




John Grace...

Lana Young, Setting the standard!!
The only female competitor on the course.

Tao Berman, the legend and the man. focused on the downriver couse.
5:36, 16 seconds ahead of second place.

Geoff Calhoun, smiling his way to 3rd place on the downriver course.
focus

mikkel, wishbone boof.

Giant Slalom; right of red, left of green.
just add rapids...

Jono and Grace, gates 3 to 4

Jono Ramsey, Sneaking by gate 4.

Todd Anderson, Keeping it clean through the final gates, and takin home the gold.

Looks like Geoff a DC area resident, is right at home in the Northwest. Going big and stylin it!


Joe Stumpfel; 11th in the downriver course in his C1, shows us the advantages of all that reach.

4-19-08
Littlewhite Salmon, downriver race results

WOMEN
1. Lana Young 23:18
MEN
1. Tao Berman 15:36
2. Todd Anderson 15:52
3. Ryan Casey 16:12
4. Geoff Calhoun 16:18
5. Ryan Scott 16:41
6. LJ Groth 17:12
7. Austin Rathman 17:15
8. Matt Gaudette 17:32
9. Keel Brightman 17:36
10. Chris Korbulic 17:46
11. Joey Stumpfel 18:06
12. Bo Wallace 18:08
13. Mikkel St.Jean Duncan 18:31
14. Dan Rubado 18:47
15. Mark Cecchini 19:03
16. Ben Hawthorne 19:29
17. Glen Dagerstein 19:35
18. Jono Ramsey 20:03

4-20-08
Little White Salmon, slalom race results

Heat 1:
1. Ryan Casey 1:20
2. Tao Berman 1:24
3: Todd Anderson 1:30
4. Mikkel St. Jean Duncan 1:41
5. Keel Brightman 1:42

Heat 2:
1. Geoff Calhoun 1:21
2. Todd Anderson 1:25
3. Mikkel St. Jean Duncan 1:28
4. LJ Groth 1:30
5: Matt Gaudette 1:33

After all the results were tallied Todd Anderson walked away with the trophy and the Wind River Cellars giant bottle of wine donated by Wind River Cellars.

OVERALL RESULTS
Women
1. Lana Young
Men
1. Todd Anderson
2. Geoff Calhoun
3. Tao Berman
4. Mikkel St. Jean Duncan
5. LJ Groth
6. Keel Brightman
7. Glen Dagelstein
8. Matt Gaudette
9. Ryan Scott
10. Jono Ramsey
11. Ryan Casey
12. Chris Korbulic
13. Austin Rathman
14. Joey Stumpfel

Back in Washington!!

Will Pruett, Spirit Falls. WA



Nick Urquhart, champagne falls. Canyon Creek, WA

Nick at the takeout of canyon creek.

Kayaking "crowds"

Copper Creek, info coming...

life is good...

A Few Sunny Days

Stevebaugh, Targhee Backcountry

Lincoln Farnsworth; parking lot rocks, Targhee

Cooper Brightman, Targhee backcountry

unknown athlete, Marrys Nipple Targhee

Peaked Mt, Targhee inbounds hiking.

Cooper Brightman, Backside of Marrys nipple in the background.



simon