So you want to go to Ecuador?

Big boofs on the Papallacta

It's that time of year again. When temperatures drop and you begin dreaming of far-off paddling destinations with warm water!  If you're thinking of heading south this winter, you should definitely consider Ecuador.

So you want to self-support kayak? Kayak camping tips and instructions to make a hobo fire...

A foggy morning on the Rogue - Photo by Megan Kelly

Going Rogue on the Rogue!

The Wild & Scenic Rogue River!

Back in October, just after the close of permit season, two friends and I headed to the southwest corner of Oregon to hit up the classic Wild & Scenic Rogue river.  We were self-supporting the classic 35 mile stretch from Grave Creek to Foster Bar.  It's a beautiful place which offers fantastic scenery and abundant wildlife and is mostly class III, with just a few harder rapids.

Self-Supporting the Lower Deschutes... July 2012

I was just a week away from leaving for my California family vacation and looking for a fun Oregon adventure to fill up the few days before I was due back in Seattle.  A friend offhandedly mentioned running the Rogue river (and no, permits were not yet acquired and no, I was not invited), but the idea of doing a multi-day was borne.

The Jackson Rogue: How to Support Thyself in the Grand Canyon

At the end of January 2012, I took a Jackson Rogue 9 down the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River for a ten day self-supported trip. Here is my review of the boat and the details of how I packed for this adventure.

Support Thyself: Part 3 of my Grand Canyon Adventure

The last days on the river were fantastic, even though there weren't rapids like day 4. We were just living our nomadic life, moving downstream, taking in the beauty of the canyon. Discussing our plans to return to this awesomeness next year.

Support Thyself: Part 2 of my Grand Canyon Adventure

Typical scenery from my boat

So by now, we're getting into the expedition groove. We have our daily rituals of breakfast, taking down camp, packing our boats. I tape my hands. "Hey Carl, where's the groover wrench?" (Carl was the only one to bring a wrench.) We usually made it out of camp sometime around 10:30 or later, getting a little more efficient with each day.

 And here we begin day 4. Day 4 is the best day I have ever had on a river, and I'm not sure life gets any better this.

Support Thyself: Part 1 of my Grand Canyon Adventure

The get on at Lee's Ferry

I flew to Salt Lake City from Seattle and rode down to Lee’s Ferry with Nick and Ben. We showed up the night before our launch, met everyone, packed our boats, and later tested out the fire pan, which worked great. On the morning of launch day, Ranger Peggy gave us our orientation and checked our gear. She checks everyone to make sure we have PFDs, breakdown paddles, groovers, hand sanitizer, stove, and other kitchen items.

Fear and Loathing prior to the Grand Canyon Journey...

I might have mentioned I'm the only female, of a group of 10.  I only know two people on the trip, and only one is considered a good friend.  The majority of the group is from the east coast, and I live in Seattle.

These are merely minor concerns.

The real fears revolve around my Lyme disease.  Me telling you that doesn't mean much of anything.  And frankly, it feels a little weird to be telling you all this.  But, this is my life.  And these are the things I think about while planning and preparing for this trip.

Grand Canyon 2012: Pre-Trip Report

Wanna go?

Where?

Grand Canyon. 10 days. Self-support. 1/29/12.

Hell yeah!!!  It's only the "trip of a lifetime!"  This message came early December, leaving about a month and a half for planning, packing, and wrangling any additional gear needed for the trip.

Self-supporting the Selway... August 2011

Paradise put-in on the Selway River, Idaho

In August, I got the chance to do my first multi-day and first self-support river trip on the Selway in Idaho.  The Selway is known as a tough river to get a permit for, but due to the record snow melt of 2011, the water kept flowing after the permit season closed on July 31st. Some other folks planning to join us bailed, so it was just Tom and me.