tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-348338202024-03-13T09:37:03.095-06:00Small World Adventures--Kayak EcuadorSmall World Adventures runs week-long whitewater kayaking adventures in Ecuador. We are there November through March, and we've got it all from steep creeking to big water play runs. Class II through Class V. If you want a week of amazing kayaking, call us!Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.comBlogger209125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-85176078341378117152013-03-14T09:11:00.004-06:002013-03-14T09:11:41.732-06:00The Chaotic Weather of the Amazon Basin Lends Itself to Great Kayaking in EcuadorEnjoy this great blog from Larry on the various natural forces that play out to create the erratic weather we see in Ecuador's Amazon Basin:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEUnZPDMr7_uMv_X73jTNacb3janUn6TIFSBxwuJL1GKO-iiveHEUBTdAPodZMGxiKPlp4eRSpw53FHX6kP0uQZuZbAoJRFwES4rdoJTeetcVI6P1_UcrZTewA4yNvbssY4qP/s1600/greg+boof.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEUnZPDMr7_uMv_X73jTNacb3janUn6TIFSBxwuJL1GKO-iiveHEUBTdAPodZMGxiKPlp4eRSpw53FHX6kP0uQZuZbAoJRFwES4rdoJTeetcVI6P1_UcrZTewA4yNvbssY4qP/s1600/greg+boof.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Greg (aka Colorado) boofing the last rapid (aka Fonzarelli) of the Oyacachi at a nice, medium level.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One of the most common questions about this area is “what
will the weather be like.” Since there is no reliable forecast and not much of
a trend week to week the answer is easy, “no one knows”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want to try to understand some of the
variables that occur in the crease between the Andes
and the Amazon basin where we paddle here are some of them. <br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=34833820" name="mesothermic"></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjUrd8ESO0bxx175QzwVuu-zK1eJS6xpqM2lMRIG-pGNIRd1L5Ifm1T9MJgVLMdRw74IiQd7frs1UAy5kuZJkRyF9wblcsGn8aEMD_SMMy8MN31BjxdaB3uuNegZcmpeL5e4J/s1600/chingual.jpg" height="213" width="320" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Darcy and Shannon playing amongst the giant boulders of the Chingual River. This is a low flow for this run. It's defi<span style="font-size: x-small;">nitely "game on" when the water is high and those big boulders a<span style="font-size: x-small;">re giant pour<span style="font-size: x-small;"> overs!</span></span></span></b></i></span></div>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">There are two
opposing marine currents that influence the climate of Ecuador’s Andes
and coast. From December to May, the warm current of El Niño coming from the
north occurs in the Pacific Ocean and for the
rest of the year, the cold Humboldt current comes from the south. When one of
these currents becomes stronger and persists longer than normal, there are
variations in precipitation in the western half of Ecuador. If the El Niño current is
stronger and lasts longer than the Humboldt Current, the rains on the continent
increase. If the Humboldt is stronger the rains decrease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This fascinating effect can be felt as far
away as the western USA
influencing our winter snowpack.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> The entire Quijos Rivers squeezes through this canyon--amazing!</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Oddly it doesn’t have a huge direct effect of the rain in
the upper Amazon basin since the high peaks of the Andes
combine with the prevailing eastern winds to keep that moisture away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wanted to explain that although El
Nino occurs off the coast of Ecuador
it isn’t the driving rainfall factor where we kayak.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So where does the rain that rules our rivers and paddling
lives in Ecuador
come from?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZTz-NSBI2zuKZBKsY-eFuYeTlyyqTqamN1omGVydqutpZ9XcuJ27ix_UtyzhQcvn355NhOQrDy5RDFVC1wi6TWC51RolYFdYXnE3kk4R3hbk7yYPEeLGZTQYZpikTb2RJ-C4/s1600/oya+boof+sunshine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZTz-NSBI2zuKZBKsY-eFuYeTlyyqTqamN1omGVydqutpZ9XcuJ27ix_UtyzhQcvn355NhOQrDy5RDFVC1wi6TWC51RolYFdYXnE3kk4R3hbk7yYPEeLGZTQYZpikTb2RJ-C4/s1600/oya+boof+sunshine.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Werner boofs "Da Boof" on the Oyacachi at a healthy medium flow</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">About half of the precipitation is brought to the upper
Amazon basin where we kayak by eastern trade winds, while the other half is the
result of evapo - transpiration from the vast forest that covers the basin.
Warm days often are followed by convectional rainfall but there is more to it
than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those eastern winds bring
lots of moisture from long distances so although locally hot sunny days have an
effect they don’t rule the weather entirely. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKXKqzWWYhSzd4Fyev-KescL4VnhytkMPAkioHMhVDCJ9g6Zd6hgFJHA-Aeu6x9lDYEr1dO_ljeUWtmcO9t-PWusUF9mfi_Ellevrk66n4fNtL-jgaiyZHI3xpPZSs4fY9CZB/s1600/dog+and+monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKXKqzWWYhSzd4Fyev-KescL4VnhytkMPAkioHMhVDCJ9g6Zd6hgFJHA-Aeu6x9lDYEr1dO_ljeUWtmcO9t-PWusUF9mfi_Ellevrk66n4fNtL-jgaiyZHI3xpPZSs4fY9CZB/s1600/dog+and+monkey.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Dogs and monkeys playing together in Puerto Misahualli. This has nothing to do with water levels...but it's cute!</b></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Orographic
lift</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> occurs when an air mass is forced from
a low elevation like the lower super- humid Amazon basin to a higher elevation
like the Andes (remember those eastern trade
winds). As this humid air mass gains altitude it cools down, which can raise
the relative humidity to 100% creating clouds and, under the right conditions,
rain. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wet orographic climate is definitely found on
the eastern slopes of the Andes
Mountains. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWa49pQM7sU9FD4tM3qF8GF4HNsRLLwl1bGCjRkLK_3kxMJPu8A98iW3Fq4xQUPdsDnB3D5kLAcomoXGzWUVLoBzuBZa_zIITtrc_sYzqUQ7qXXWD9FQyejZLP-sbOwbUlhhJ8/s1600/greg+big+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWa49pQM7sU9FD4tM3qF8GF4HNsRLLwl1bGCjRkLK_3kxMJPu8A98iW3Fq4xQUPdsDnB3D5kLAcomoXGzWUVLoBzuBZa_zIITtrc_sYzqUQ7qXXWD9FQyejZLP-sbOwbUlhhJ8/s1600/greg+big+water.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i> Greggy enjoying some big water on the Rio Quijos. It's amazing what 3 centimeters of rain overnight can do to the river!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, the rain here is usually caused by both hot days
creating convectional rain and orographic lifting from the trade winds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is kind of a one/two punch that ensures
both water in the Ecuadorian rivers and an almost full time job for SWA guides
figuring out which run will be the best for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The locals have lots of sayings and superstitions
about the weather and most of them mean change is on its way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rainfall and topography create unique
mega-diverse forests found in the drainages where we kayak and of course lots
and lots of great rivers.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14cjdCBqPrgMaSa6smdbv1rF020gpyiQP312-tZBbuEkesnRFKSmViUA4a9Gnjl-nTm5HjfVfykhDjfbKEGz2nMtidLyN-Ci5CWoj8gmwHRy_PsqAr232iEUV8v070c5XgV2M/s1600/guy+cosanga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14cjdCBqPrgMaSa6smdbv1rF020gpyiQP312-tZBbuEkesnRFKSmViUA4a9Gnjl-nTm5HjfVfykhDjfbKEGz2nMtidLyN-Ci5CWoj8gmwHRy_PsqAr232iEUV8v070c5XgV2M/s1600/guy+cosanga.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Guy enjoying a spla<span style="font-size: x-small;">shy </span>big water day on the Rio Cosanga.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And, to bring it all full circle, the best answer to the
question, “what will the weather be like,” is the only certainty with the
weather in Ecuador
is that nothing is certain!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSji7PqNzNAiItf51c680gkb_yFFIq2PUCMxXFRVbnfShUtdMMRxbvQ_CMnjrg7mvqdC-i0sRzhooErQR5pz01wmUgQcQq7UgIYlSgdb64Gd2SXv7hXIG8oRfXFK58EshmePkk/s1600/liam+juicy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSji7PqNzNAiItf51c680gkb_yFFIq2PUCMxXFRVbnfShUtdMMRxbvQ_CMnjrg7mvqdC-i0sRzhooErQR5pz01wmUgQcQq7UgIYlSgdb64Gd2SXv7hXIG8oRfXFK58EshmePkk/s1600/liam+juicy.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Liam gets in his big water groove as he starts to be one with the push of a high water Oyacachi</b></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We’ve been keeping track of the weather trends and a great
example of this is:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Last year--2012, our last week of the season, February 25<sup>th</sup>-March
4<sup>th</sup>, we had dry weather (less than 2 centimeters of rain for the week), low water
levels and the average level on the gauge rock outside of our lodge was 10.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-kGUx6IKSpvnpA685LeTHa8J6RLl93Yfjz9mxhVDnF0N7bCz1eTB66C-GXl1EJlbXcsb5DC2UhOxIB5tL0h0HxxSHwivdxMtODtW9HNaic0ZTv4-6BVMd8P5-Uf9SwTMmbZH/s1600/low+water+sunshine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-kGUx6IKSpvnpA685LeTHa8J6RLl93Yfjz9mxhVDnF0N7bCz1eTB66C-GXl1EJlbXcsb5DC2UhOxIB5tL0h0HxxSHwivdxMtODtW9HNaic0ZTv4-6BVMd8P5-Uf9SwTMmbZH/s1600/low+water+sunshine.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i> Damian, showing the advantages of low water--the boofs are pretty sweet!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This year—2013, our last week of the season February 23<sup>rd</sup>-March
3<sup>rd</sup>, we had incredibly wet weather (19 centimeters for the week),
high water levels and the average level on the gauge rock was 18.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDoZDG40c4rDBcioQHNbwhU6Gq8Kdmwg2JfXrdz8os-3mAlw-RAozoAwCtoCWS8oGroNdQ-a9t1Ar3dOyhQbAP7s4I61eobsJjEPhsWqlpw0hzhwSfnoYA5qSWSEnfUSTnw8N/s1600/miguel+piatua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDoZDG40c4rDBcioQHNbwhU6Gq8Kdmwg2JfXrdz8os-3mAlw-RAozoAwCtoCWS8oGroNdQ-a9t1Ar3dOyhQbAP7s4I61eobsJjEPhsWqlpw0hzhwSfnoYA5qSWSEnfUSTnw8N/s1600/miguel+piatua.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Migual (aka Pilsiner Kitty) boofing the Recon <span style="font-size: x-small;">on</span> a perfect Piatua day<br /></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But that’s all part of the adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On both trips, we paddled great rivers every
single day, but, hey, that’s what SWA guides do!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfXdM-8sUWr_roY6wW1lna9DJSn2wLEFZRCEZvLBy1B6BflqsTDzz1hn3GNuRkdKzDOkuN8gucB4QW-n1bKLa53N5BjF5xvgwjnnG78uoNTK2PhTX2yvviQAZkRDzt5Mk1jpM/s1600/will+chingual.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfXdM-8sUWr_roY6wW1lna9DJSn2wLEFZRCEZvLBy1B6BflqsTDzz1hn3GNuRkdKzDOkuN8gucB4QW-n1bKLa53N5BjF5xvgwjnnG78uoNTK2PhTX2yvviQAZkRDzt5Mk1jpM/s1600/will+chingual.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Will lost in an array of holes on the Chingua<span style="font-size: x-small;">l. </span></b></i><i><b>It doesn't <span style="font-size: x-small;">necessarily</span> take huge levels to make munchy holes...</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank">Small World Adventures</a></div>
Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-5812163877707497212013-02-21T08:07:00.001-07:002013-02-21T08:07:26.218-07:00Review: How does the Recon 83 hold up to Ecuador's Rivers?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.wavesport.com/product/index/products/north_american_products/creeking_us/recon_series/recon_83_na1" target="_blank">Wavesport Recon 83 Review</a><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Miguel dodging the massive hole at the bottom of Aspen Extreme</b></i></span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>and putting the Recon to the test in big water</b></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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While Michael has been paddling with us in Ecuador this past month he's been cultivating his alter-ego--Miguel--as well as cultivating what I see as a long-lasting relationship with his new Recon 83. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Check out what Miguel has to say about the boat:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had the pleasure this winter to spend a month in Ecuador with
<a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank">Small World Adventures</a> and my good friend Liam Kirkham. I purchased a new Wavesport
Recon 83 to fly down to Ecuador
for this trip. It is the Green Hornet color which looks awesome on my living room for, but proved to be the same color as mossy rocks in
the jungle. Perfect for stashing your boat in the jungle for unexpected hike outs,
but quite vampirish when</div>
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people are trying to take photos of you.</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Typical scene these last few weeks. Everyone kept trying to steal Miguel's boat from him to give it a test drive</b></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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The Recon comes with a great assortment of custom foam for
outfitting. Along with the normal shims it has extra seat padding for those that
want to raise their center of gravity and brilliant Velcro backed wedge shaped
foam blocks that go into your bulk head in seconds. It has some of the most comfortable outfitting on
the market including aggressive thigh braces that keep your knees away from the
sides of your boat for those occasional pitons. It comes with a seat lifting ratchet
that adjusts the front of your seat upwards pushing your thighs into your thigh braces. While I
was leery of this feature at first, it soon became one of my favorite elements of the new
outfitting. Ratcheting it up as high as I could, I found I didn't need to put
as much pressure on my bulk head to keep my knees locked in. The seat and thigh
braces are fully adjustable and it took me only 30 minutes to outfit the entire
boat.
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzY6vEYkbHt21xR8uZj1QX77aq8l48-MR1_ic9Kqx22mUPPqsNvhhkV70KK2SkIcAXDZZgg9kBWheROCTqTswrMY-Qi8H3qrmEJSxgxKmkko1H_8wMCldxhiWCAYoGhOIBIqE/s1600/nice+trim.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzY6vEYkbHt21xR8uZj1QX77aq8l48-MR1_ic9Kqx22mUPPqsNvhhkV70KK2SkIcAXDZZgg9kBWheROCTqTswrMY-Qi8H3qrmEJSxgxKmkko1H_8wMCldxhiWCAYoGhOIBIqE/s1600/nice+trim.jpg" height="213" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Nice trim! Figuring the boat out on the Oyacachi--a pushy, yet creeky river</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Moving the seat forward made the boat lightning fast on edge
transitions, but hard to hold a line in big water ferries. Moving it all the way back made
it hold a line like it was on rails in big water, but a bit sluggish on edge transitions.
Since moving the seat was a snap, slight adjustments can be made until you find your happy
place that matches your style.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the water, I ran a full battery of river tests on it. From
the super tight and technical low water Jondachi to the huge water of the Coca.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Designed with many of the new school characteristics of
modern creek boats, it's forgiving, yet carves like a dream on edge. With its
continuous rocker, it boofs effortlessly. It has a sleeker bow and puffed up stern,
which makes it a nimble and fast creeker. It punches holes well and rarely stern squirts.
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTadPs6L3dmhN5pDAWVr5OqQw-ivItrb7DB6sdR0SYlUryBzbozsqbpqvhcWIr_-lbUqOQqU5kIxM_w1GV2caULGswbRTEWMoQ_czrUB98nH3XNfZuYU1mmiQRB9plHunx9ga/s1600/wave+punching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTadPs6L3dmhN5pDAWVr5OqQw-ivItrb7DB6sdR0SYlUryBzbozsqbpqvhcWIr_-lbUqOQqU5kIxM_w1GV2caULGswbRTEWMoQ_czrUB98nH3XNfZuYU1mmiQRB9plHunx9ga/s1600/wave+punching.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Miguel about to see how the Recon punches through breaking wave holes!</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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I never was a big fan of the Wavesport Habitat, but they
have come back screaming into</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the market place with what I consider their best creek boat
to date.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It comes with lots of well thought out bells and whistles.
If I had one thing negative to say about the boat, it would be its weight. Coming in at 50+
pounds without any gear it it, it is one of the heaviest boats on the market. Wavesport
claims to have more plastic in its mold then its competitors and with current models of
creek boats lasting a month to barely over a year. It would be worth the extra 5 or so
pounds to have creek boat that would last a few years.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Overall I would give the Recon 83 two thumbs up and would
recommend anyone looking into a new creek boat give this one a try.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8UZCy5VaC75f4szQ6uA1Q0XQKEKA5EOwLSnAdiEESi_DYeOHbSm3AN3s4rjWkEvv_QmlOWmbYNBgctLHfFRLa1mUKX22UIdmfLxUn-ztJpATp4bpsOe2UAvjhJW1bUPmgH1y/s1600/where%2527s+miguel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8UZCy5VaC75f4szQ6uA1Q0XQKEKA5EOwLSnAdiEESi_DYeOHbSm3AN3s4rjWkEvv_QmlOWmbYNBgctLHfFRLa1mUKX22UIdmfLxUn-ztJpATp4bpsOe2UAvjhJW1bUPmgH1y/s1600/where%2527s+miguel.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Donde estas Miguel? That's the one problem with the new "hornet" color scheme, you can't find that boat anywhere. It's like the boat designers all got together with these silly "black ops" colors to make us lose more boats and therefore buy more boats! It's a conspiracy I tell you...</i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be safe and have fun out there,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cheers,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Michael "Miguel" Williams</div>
<br />Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-91972239638873005712013-02-16T13:37:00.000-07:002013-02-16T14:19:02.058-07:00The Kayaking Learning Curve--Find Your "Zone"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgbqm5SztrOuyrF-XMtQiKGoghmHaoPOgsTwsvOAg0hgNjvOmFuspr-IY-99LlR7-WtjhXqHr1RbNv9CXdpUJ4wc4pHiahgGsFytszEFoMSsjG5qQNGgJLWsrwsQaYc6zgHnH/s1600/darcy+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgbqm5SztrOuyrF-XMtQiKGoghmHaoPOgsTwsvOAg0hgNjvOmFuspr-IY-99LlR7-WtjhXqHr1RbNv9CXdpUJ4wc4pHiahgGsFytszEFoMSsjG5qQNGgJLWsrwsQaYc6zgHnH/s1600/darcy+.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Darcy <span style="font-size: x-small;">sl<span style="font-size: x-small;">iding a f<span style="font-size: x-small;">un boof on the Cosanga</span></span></span></span></b></i></div>
<br />
Blog Miester Liam is at it again and he's come up with a doozy on finding your perfect learning zone in kayaking.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyL3wyJT4J1SCDe-WGgp5cv29_LOsjZv7jCAHl6PLkd2VP3pJ-39OHtwBpQGF2x9jca1IgnuMUZY2ZoM3jFTIF80UqzMeBNG2a83dKakIhqMBwpz6yyOVJ0nF_2m3v4VKbA63f/s1600/josh+oya.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyL3wyJT4J1SCDe-WGgp5cv29_LOsjZv7jCAHl6PLkd2VP3pJ-39OHtwBpQGF2x9jca1IgnuMUZY2ZoM3jFTIF80UqzMeBNG2a83dKakIhqMBwpz6yyOVJ0nF_2m3v4VKbA63f/s1600/josh+oya.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i> </i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Josh enjo<span style="font-size: x-small;">ying a sunny day</span> on the Oyacachi</i></span></b></div>
<br />
<b> " Make the easy stuff hard and the hard stuff easy"</b><br />
<br />
This is a great mantra to help you improve. Try practicing catching tiny eddies, small
boofs, controlled lines, etc...on a rapid/drop that your very comfortable on. Then
when it comes to the harder stuff just focus on getting down the rapid. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCX2Bm8ozvppqq6t5Zl1n0YlwmWFdq3Rsf16uC8WLvmCMPIIdW3axcLX5CEfdJ2-NKcRGxETSYWeemXKDivjqDW9UF9BZvmHQKHxUdDEyoMFMNrf4cOKlm0Jesx7meD1Fdm95X/s1600/comfort+zone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCX2Bm8ozvppqq6t5Zl1n0YlwmWFdq3Rsf16uC8WLvmCMPIIdW3axcLX5CEfdJ2-NKcRGxETSYWeemXKDivjqDW9UF9BZvmHQKHxUdDEyoMFMNrf4cOKlm0Jesx7meD1Fdm95X/s1600/comfort+zone.JPG" width="313" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>For optimal learning<span style="font-size: x-small;">, you need to <span style="font-size: x-small;">discover your own comfort zones, learning <span style="font-size: x-small;">zo<span style="font-size: x-small;">nes <span style="font-size: x-small;">and panic zo<span style="font-size: x-small;">ne<span style="font-size: x-small;">s on the river</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></i></span></div>
<br />
In your comfort zone you are able to think a lot more clearly then when your in a state
of a anxiety/fear. You've probably experienced that things "really slow down" when you finally get comfortable/familiar with a rapid or a stretch of river. Conversely, everything is moving almost uncontrollably fast when you are out your comfort zone. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_C7tOynG4UCJGQctBeV4isHYggMV6ag3uXlDr9uiTJynJc1_Kv6G-YLucIx1Bz03VC8fwBYe-c9lnHQby3j2Q5BItm9NN3pGliLlpGomo59B22yfRhHZKugGylxfFo4snyj2D/s1600/beth+on+roof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_C7tOynG4UCJGQctBeV4isHYggMV6ag3uXlDr9uiTJynJc1_Kv6G-YLucIx1Bz03VC8fwBYe-c9lnHQby3j2Q5BItm9NN3pGliLlpGomo59B22yfRhHZKugGylxfFo4snyj2D/s1600/beth+on+roof.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Jackson Family <span style="font-size: x-small;">M</span>ini <span style="font-size: x-small;">C</span>ooper has nothing on Beth and the Sprinter!</span></b></i></div>
<br />
How does this work in practice?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqX5pvF1FL6PSCiqPbDIt3mLjP6I8xNNtmWyeotUVEP0V7D2GNcu8llF9ymHX3xU9OkOiLMg3DkNDi-qfiH_Igo6z4iIgjJJY3wtu8EAtY4aqN664bhrldTfx5PDBzHHTMb3f/s1600/go+pro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqX5pvF1FL6PSCiqPbDIt3mLjP6I8xNNtmWyeotUVEP0V7D2GNcu8llF9ymHX3xU9OkOiLMg3DkNDi-qfiH_Igo6z4iIgjJJY3wtu8EAtY4aqN664bhrldTfx5PDBzHHTMb3f/s1600/go+pro.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Alex with a nice self-portr<span style="font-size: x-small;">ait on the last rapid of the Oyacachi</span></b></i></span></div>
<br />
Fine tuning your boof on a two foot clean ledge with a large calm pool you may
well be in your comfort zone and allowed the luxury to think this:<br />
<br />
* I'd
like to aim at that dip in the water.<br />
* I'd would like to crank the boats
over onto a hard edge as I approach the lip<br />
* Reach with my right arm
towards the "fall line"<br />
* Extend my left arm <br />
* Bring both legs up towards
my stomach.<br />
* Transfer my edge so I land flattish<br />
* Drop my left blade
into the water as to stabilize myself on landing.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcfmxh1vpwihrGa1D-SfteBQPalKPvxxCOKTAibGPaF_nNJ0Q_xSFgLE0LMvMJdKXYAOHseWoi0PxEkaBojqSaFRmd5erda50d2eFiZvcLUDL53ycGqJs1cB7XaOpHnVIl7HO/s1600/devan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcfmxh1vpwihrGa1D-SfteBQPalKPvxxCOKTAibGPaF_nNJ0Q_xSFgLE0LMvMJdKXYAOHseWoi0PxEkaBojqSaFRmd5erda50d2eFiZvcLUDL53ycGqJs1cB7XaOpHnVIl7HO/s1600/devan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcfmxh1vpwihrGa1D-SfteBQPalKPvxxCOKTAibGPaF_nNJ0Q_xSFgLE0LMvMJdKXYAOHseWoi0PxEkaBojqSaFRmd5erda50d2eFiZvcLUDL53ycGqJs1cB7XaOpHnVIl7HO/s1600/devan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Devan enj<span style="font-size: x-small;">oying week 2 of paddling in Ecuador!</span></b></i></span></div>
<br />
Now compare this to a must make 8 foot boof over a sticky hole with no
collection pool below. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisei3o-s-fsHQ7Q9YAVkaMkk6-AZJeXWfPoL1bWCzpsJhJoL9Dms5jqNjfJ-eXHEPqXRoPL-o4H7PwvRcvNB-3TLKUCJcicOYXcoNsyPqawmimXnu8Pta8Wvd3P3_tyoO5j9OU/s1600/werner+aphro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisei3o-s-fsHQ7Q9YAVkaMkk6-AZJeXWfPoL1bWCzpsJhJoL9Dms5jqNjfJ-eXHEPqXRoPL-o4H7PwvRcvNB-3TLKUCJcicOYXcoNsyPqawmimXnu8Pta8Wvd3P3_tyoO5j9OU/s1600/werner+aphro.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Werner on the entra<span style="font-size: x-small;">nce of Aprodesia. He's <span style="font-size: x-small;">lining up <span style="font-size: x-small;">the approac<span style="font-size: x-small;">h so he can nail the bo<span style="font-size: x-small;">of <span style="font-size: x-small;">over the nasty hole at the bottom.</span></span></span></span></span></span></i></b> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>You want to be spot on here as there is only a 15 foot long pool and then another stout rapid below.</b></i></span></span></div>
<br />
Fear and Anxiety might take over and you are left with a less useful response
that most likely sounds like this,<br />
<i><br /> <b> </b></i><b>"shit on a stick I
need to make this boof or I'm going to swim!" </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRC0tVpKCGBiWPl1MYbu3e7_1yNZHjKlfRC5bRI5Q9xNGmuki9OX8aw82CgkkjmZuExN214bLejlAFHnIejRRnAzrwBRWK1lhxZVZxCk6MdXhSDTBPDeRCVz4VLCcGet1U1JHm/s1600/natascha+oya.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRC0tVpKCGBiWPl1MYbu3e7_1yNZHjKlfRC5bRI5Q9xNGmuki9OX8aw82CgkkjmZuExN214bLejlAFHnIejRRnAzrwBRWK1lhxZVZxCk6MdXhSDTBPDeRCVz4VLCcGet1U1JHm/s1600/natascha+oya.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Natascha practicing on a tricky lead in to boof on the Oyacachi</span></b></i></div>
<br />
Your brain now responds to this challenge by looking back into its catalog to
find the information it needs to make this boof. Your best hope the information
is there! <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnodhjU7BTi5rOXJzL3LBBJSvI6bj2wGm6Ot5ft00hGox3yK1mSvgkFz3wzdIRXkvK08YhBv08-aI1EsDbaUWP2uPAsxtP0QfORVBDiJP35DEDjLZD9Iwg6Az0HrxeHHg1-xV/s1600/jessica+oya.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnodhjU7BTi5rOXJzL3LBBJSvI6bj2wGm6Ot5ft00hGox3yK1mSvgkFz3wzdIRXkvK08YhBv08-aI1EsDbaUWP2uPAsxtP0QfORVBDiJP35DEDjLZD9Iwg6Az0HrxeHHg1-xV/s1600/jessica+oya.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnodhjU7BTi5rOXJzL3LBBJSvI6bj2wGm6Ot5ft00hGox3yK1mSvgkFz3wzdIRXkvK08YhBv08-aI1EsDbaUWP2uPAsxtP0QfORVBDiJP35DEDjLZD9Iwg6Az0HrxeHHg1-xV/s1600/jessica+oya.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Jessica looking calm and collected as usual</b></i></span></div>
<br />
By practicing on the the smaller, less consequential drops we can build up a
resource of information for our brains and bodies to store and for us too call upon when we
need it. Our responses to the environment (in this example the boof lip) will
become more natural. The mechanical motions your body needs to go through will
no longer be in a cognitive stage but autonomous. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKTmnbUY2ovuZ-eGvRfAZRzWUhdNYKVGFVRLdhPEBPBseo2oCPL3phZWs2zDd41ZfHgZPIH8LOTnkjpp-orFBhbvyxtsCeiPOdVmYGx4KYF4jQ4DvSV8tHoZplfVFeLie0XUu/s1600/manfred+cheese.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKTmnbUY2ovuZ-eGvRfAZRzWUhdNYKVGFVRLdhPEBPBseo2oCPL3phZWs2zDd41ZfHgZPIH8LOTnkjpp-orFBhbvyxtsCeiPOdVmYGx4KYF4jQ4DvSV8tHoZplfVFeLie0XUu/s1600/manfred+cheese.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i> Manfred, maintaining his focus on the Cheesehouse section at a pushy level</i></b></span></div>
<br />
Enough rambling! <br />
<br />
January 12th-20th brought us an Intro to Creeking IV- trip and an Advanced Creeking IV+ trip so there was plenty of opportunity for learning in Ecuador this week!<br />
<br />
After a week of Class II/III instruction Klaus made a last minute decision
that he didn't want to leave quite yet and so on Sunday he joined the new group
to step it up a notch. We kick started the week with a stretch that's sits on
the door step of our lodge.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Throw bag games. Little did Liam know that his own creation would later cause him some sore balls...</i></b></span></div>
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With so many people keen to learn this week we planned clinics/discussions for
before or after the water. So on day two we kick started the day with a throw
bag clinic. To add some fun we had a throw line obstacle course competition,
The top prize was free beer so as you can imagine it got quite heated. Alex,
Devan and Joshua won their round but I was quite unwilling to give Devan his
beer as he managed to tag me in the nuts with quite a spectacular under arm
throw line shot. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> The construction workers wondering what the hell the crazy gringos are doing now</b></i></span></div>
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After a couple days more paddling in the Quijos valley both groups headed over to Tena.
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We sat on the porch with a cold beer as larry led his land based
discussion. I snuck into the group for this one. Larry's been boating hard stuff
longer then I've been alive so I'm trying to sponge as much info, knowledge and
experience out of him as I can. I wouldn't be surprised if I got a invoice for
coaching on my last day.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Emma enjoying the calm before the storm on the Rio Quij<span style="font-size: x-small;">os</span></b></i></span></div>
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I owe a big thanks to the group who were very very cool
about twice getting to the Piatua to find it too high to paddle. They were
solid paddlers who went with the flow and appreciated that there are no
certainties when it comes to jungle paddling. So after a longer than
normal bus ride—that we took advantage of by having a snack and nap like little
kayaking toddlers—we headed to the bypass section of the Quijos.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Damian trying to thread the needle on the Cosanga</b></i></span></div>
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In a crass attempt to work her way into TWO of our blogs Jessica joined us for
the day. We named a rapid on this trip "mad dogs and Englishmen." Not one to
duck out of a challenge, I told fellow Brit Alex that the most exciting line was on
the left. 30 seconds later he was grinning wisely but swimming to the side after
'his deck popped'. All credit to him though as he front crawled to the side fast and
immediately suggested his own punishment of a bootie beer.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Alex paying his dues</b></i></span></div>
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More cracking days of unfamiliar hot weather in the Quijos valley helped us wrap
up the week.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>A nice view of the city life in Quito's Old Town</b></i></span></div>
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As always a big thank you to the team.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i> Nice jungle AWAY from the city life!</i></b></span></div>
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Meanwhile, the Advanced Creeking crew was busying themselves with ticking off many of the classic IV+ runs of Ecuador--Upper Jondachi, Cheesehouse section of the Quijos, Oyacachi and Bridge to Bridge. They busied themselves with running rapids multiple times, fine tuning "advanced boof strokes" and enjoying porch side talks each evening.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>The Advanced Creeking crew scouting on the Upper Jondachi</b></i></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank">Small World Adventures</a></div>
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Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-67054620523255801482013-02-03T15:20:00.001-07:002013-02-03T15:20:55.358-07:00Too Busy Kayaking, No Time for Blogging! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9PPT1lTNHnHxivPayOvAeqpGpJ1CLNHgM4HwuFzDisJfKrNXUxMqFITjM7pIqfGtPpK8OnIYslxptbhwzP7SGHcV2gY8BJT82vXTgcw_Xg8aOK1-QmfCm8WOyBBqNBcVLNVJ/s1600/typical+scene+upper+mis.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9PPT1lTNHnHxivPayOvAeqpGpJ1CLNHgM4HwuFzDisJfKrNXUxMqFITjM7pIqfGtPpK8OnIYslxptbhwzP7SGHcV2gY8BJT82vXTgcw_Xg8aOK1-QmfCm8WOyBBqNBcVLNVJ/s1600/typical+scene+upper+mis.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Tarquino enjoying typical scenery on his home river, the Upper Misahualli. This photo was taken December 31st. Not a bad way to end 2012</i></b></div>
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We've been so busy kayaking in Ecuador that we haven't had anytime to blog about kayaking in Ecuador. I'm averaging 29-30 days paddling per month since November, I think Don has everyday under his belt since Christmas Day and Guy, Larry, Tarquino, Liam and Greg are well on their way to personal records as well. And all this paddling has meant not so much time to sit in front of the computer. Oh well, there are worse things in life I suppose! </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3fWtedPMpjsanzro0MvvoUvXpEypnQGA2jKW2JXAhc0Rp66qOVggFDWu2yTeT2Zy5N14tenxryXC_w9Ehc4Lnn9JO6iqGO3YXay9upVXVJYzuK_AVyQlnoO0g_f9YxZee33V/s1600/alex+da+boof.jpg" height="213" width="320" /><br /><i><b>Alex showing the crew how it's done on "Da Boof" Christmas Day</b></i><br /></div>
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This blog is more of a photo dump than anything else and I'll tell the story through the captions. These photos are all from Christmas week and New Year's week. I love paddling the last day of the year and the 1st day of the year--good way to end things and begin things! </div>
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At any rate, I hope you enjoy the photos.</div>
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<br /><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNb4dAHM6iQpQOULVuyBBRCtIRLPQlwf9-kk1RquAdsllYslonfEA7RiK0KtdNPJ5REhuZEsyes83R4GPeTVGZKVq3biWncSmUMq-Hdvm3o25wwVS8xBWF5LXK1BYhwgMe-e7/s1600/maddi+boof.jpg" height="320" width="213" /><br /><i><b>Madison boofing her way down "Breakfast in Bed" on the Piatua River. While all her friends were spending New Year's day hung over and skiing in Salt Lake City, Maddi was getting "freshies" of her own on the Piatua</b></i><br /></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdM6UB9d6Ugj29UL4JGhyphenhyphenh1L_IjfKthUXkD8KeZBTRrPW0Fhvd5mXmg9gsW12Jcw1r7H97a0r9GdHQOGPqoYV8YLCpbHPC66MDAJteay1Ggj_1b9U-1EyUqV4Hi35yQEmY2f6/s1600/ian+oya.jpg" height="320" width="262" /><br /><br /><i><b>Ian, who is an excellent photographer (unlike us) takes a moment to be the subject on the Oyacachi</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Fresh Granadilla fruits after paddling. Even though they look like "snot fruit" they are very delicious! </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Pat of SLC enjoying some warm water paddling on the Upper Mis. I'm not sure if Pat loved the paddling in Ecuador more or the night out on New Year's Eve wearing some awesome masks he picked up in town and dancing in the town square with the locals.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Craziest bug I've ever seen! I thought it was some weird fungus until it starting walking down this plant stock. You never know what you will find in the Amazon!</b></i></div>
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<i><b> The Brother's Beveridge (well at least one of them) boofing da crap outta "da boof." The Oyacachi was a whole different animal 1 week later when both Beveridges, Griff, and I went back and this boof rock was making a massive wave. That's why I love Ecuador, things change so much day to day, week to week, hour to hour, that it's always interesting!</b></i><br /></div>
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<i><b> Tim finishing a stout rapid on the Oyacachi as the rest of the crew looks on. At least there is a pool below this one!</b></i></div>
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<i><b> Tarquino, SWA's star guide, and Rodrigo, SWA's star shuttle driver, having a chat on the bridge as the boaters get ready to go </b></i></div>
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<i><b> Kerrie nails a great boof on the Piatua. She rocked the Jackson Zen all week and damn did she make that boat look good! </b><b>She was cool, calm and collected all week until it came time to cross the Piatua bridge. Being a structural engineer, she was not thrilled with the state of the bridge we were crossing...but we made it!</b></i></div>
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<i><b> Scott, brother of Kerrie, bobsledding it on the Upper Mis. This bro/sis combo was a great kayaking pair. Both solid boaters hailing from Florida of all places!</b></i></div>
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<i><b> Our wonderful lodge staff--Lauro, Liliana, Jhimena. Love these guys, couldn't do it without them!</b></i></div>
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<i><b> Madison, Brad and Pat playing with some kids. The kids gave us some great jungle fruit in exchange for the rides on the kayaks</b></i></div>
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<i><b> Brad boof baby boof. Brad was hard to photograph since his boat blended in with the water so well, but HA! We got you here Brad.</b></i></div>
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<i><b> "Widows" aka men dressing up like women and dancing in the streets to raise money for their New Year's party. Memo was giving this girl (I mean guy) a hard time for just asking for money without dancing, so he ended up doing a nice butt grind on the side of the van. Oh baby! New Year's in Ecuador!</b></i></div>
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<b><i> Josaphine going for the gold! Sometimes a slightly botched move ends up looking pretty damn spectacular. Nice move J!</i></b></div>
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<i><b> Kids messing around at the put in</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Jared, showing us how it's done</b></i></div>
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<a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank">Small World Adventures</a></div>
<br />Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-10527145114893222752013-01-18T14:16:00.001-07:002013-01-18T14:16:14.072-07:00The Flora and Fauna of SWA's Kayaking Lodge<!--[if !mso]>
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Kevin has been Small World's resident horticulturist for the past few weeks and he wanted to post up a blog about some of the things he's seen around the lodge.</div>
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Kevin says:</div>
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While I’ve been staying at Small World Adventures lodge, I
anticipated being in the heart of some of the best Ecuadorian kayaking;
however, I didn’t anticipate that one of the best parts of my stay is the lodge
and the surroundings themselves. This is really a beautiful and tranquil place.
Many of the flowers are blooming in full force.</div>
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The flower bordered path from the lodge leads down to the
new Yoga Shala. Surrounded by the beautiful subtropical mountain forest with a
great view of the Quijos
River, the Shala is very peaceful
and serene.</div>
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The trails are awesome with beautiful bromeliads, feathery
cycads, twisting guyaba and towering balsam trees, ginger flowers, and even
orchids all around.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The gardens around the lodge and the trail allows for some
great bird watching and as an avid birder, it is quite exciting to have such
great birding right out the front door. The Andean Cock-of-the-Rock frequents
the property as well as a number of other ornate birds.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The Inca Jay is a frequent visitor</div>
<br />
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The White-tailed Hillstar frequents the bird feeder and
numerous hibiscus flowers on the property</div>
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<br /></div>
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I love the colorful tanagers in Ecuador. The blue-necked tanager is
the most frequent and colorful tanager found around Small World Adventures.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Like you escaping the Northern Hemisphere cold winters, many
birds are also quite smart and want to enjoy the warmth year round. Don’t be
surprised to see some familiar faces, like the Swainson’s Thrush</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Or Blackburnian Warblers</div>
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Of course, even one of the most common birds in the area has
a bright rufous collar (the Rufous-collared Sparrow).</div>
<br />
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Of course, the birding is just a great bonus to the great
kayaking right out the door. I find it also awesome that the take out for the
Lower Cosanga and Quijos
River run is a stairway
and path up to the lodge…with beers waiting! Love this place!</div>
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Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-22258827305156543912013-01-11T05:40:00.001-07:002013-01-11T05:40:05.755-07:00Twas the Week Before Christmas and...all the Kayakers Were Kayaking...?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLrahl7XgpP9QF4OAvMgqsiDZgWbcvyuZSh22oQDkQ1vvcIweX4lHX2xdcf89WIz_UC3bZbwg5Ew62FvOTr9A5sAsSGHqsTgRHX8zNMS2ahVXrE54Y5NakydluEJyiBavqMrF/s1600/katherine+boof+piatua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLrahl7XgpP9QF4OAvMgqsiDZgWbcvyuZSh22oQDkQ1vvcIweX4lHX2xdcf89WIz_UC3bZbwg5Ew62FvOTr9A5sAsSGHqsTgRHX8zNMS2ahVXrE54Y5NakydluEJyiBavqMrF/s1600/katherine+boof+piatua.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Katherine nailing her boof with perfect timing and stroke placement--you go girl!</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Liam Says: <br /><br />Coming up to Christmas I began to miss home a little. A good cure for being a
touch home sick is warm weather, cold beer, great kayaking and a bunch of new
people to spend it with.<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1trp4iH9EgDJe_8K2Qn9Ox9zFzWjkmgzlj2u9u8BLpUUovmkHsqW3AhJkyp3A_vyKTSyeg7-x_nxC2POb2uRwuLtijgFuHuIVbuhC50834aZvYtbeZ7Mgfjc-QgeUuamuS9N/s1600/clear+water+pool+piatua.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Brien, Rene and Tim standing out against the ultra clear waters of the Piatua</b></i></span></div>
<br />
So asylum can imagine, this really took my mind of
being home sick . So I blame Small World Adventures for my forgetting to send my
mum a card. So mum if your reading this .....it was Darcy's fault. <br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxbuJ19gRxmlRi89JpGHoHuelsGXLBuMHVrcJdg6roOCiQuWewElkaHc301dZG9UTcLFMIiVBQSR03fSBvsVDTKrDxaqjoFGvicyTIkyEIQlKhgzfahexwWS_adzJYs303YtR/s1600/dana+brien+liam+piatua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxbuJ19gRxmlRi89JpGHoHuelsGXLBuMHVrcJdg6roOCiQuWewElkaHc301dZG9UTcLFMIiVBQSR03fSBvsVDTKrDxaqjoFGvicyTIkyEIQlKhgzfahexwWS_adzJYs303YtR/s1600/dana+brien+liam+piatua.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Dana, Brien, Liam and Rene enjoying the "boogie water" on the Piatua. Gotta love the boogie water!</b></i></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Our torrents trip was made up of: Sandra, Brien, Dana, Katherine, Steve, Tim and
Rene who both joined us for 2nd week. Sometimes that happens--the kayaking in Ecuador is just so good that people often can't go home. I really can't blame them!<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0s8ZW2fwSPh-9RQmrwRt2m4L7hKOtakuVDXzG_Fbvd5RcAHesGvU22lmyr-47JrLjD8ZSO1QMXkJQ-E2R9Xp3GbM3azBAmX3lHlhDDq1gj7kXy3QCjYrn3cF0PYsDksqF92io/s1600/group+curvas+canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0s8ZW2fwSPh-9RQmrwRt2m4L7hKOtakuVDXzG_Fbvd5RcAHesGvU22lmyr-47JrLjD8ZSO1QMXkJQ-E2R9Xp3GbM3azBAmX3lHlhDDq1gj7kXy3QCjYrn3cF0PYsDksqF92io/s1600/group+curvas+canyon.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Guy, Sandra, Steve and Katerine entering the amazing basalt canyon below Curvas Peligrosas on the Quijos. </b></i></span></div>
<br />
I've been teaching kayaking for a long time now and I one strange habit I have
picked up is to give people nick names to help me remember them in years to
come. This crew had some good character and thus good nick names (read on to find out people's new names...)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNH_FYd51hej1MV_9GricKItyg_IO_IPUufbzQNxgyl_y8AzwmzcAoGhai0AOt6eS_T2vgXTJa4mdw9No4O1S8MUSBS1mr7MHRWhheLpCyuZj4n771c7NeRViNE6U-mZkfpPqN/s1600/guy+animal+crackers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNH_FYd51hej1MV_9GricKItyg_IO_IPUufbzQNxgyl_y8AzwmzcAoGhai0AOt6eS_T2vgXTJa4mdw9No4O1S8MUSBS1mr7MHRWhheLpCyuZj4n771c7NeRViNE6U-mZkfpPqN/s1600/guy+animal+crackers.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Guy and Rene super stoked the animal crackers. But Rene wants to know, "doesn't it come in a bigger bag?"</b></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
We kicked off the torrents with the Upper Cosanga. Luckily, Chibolo didn't live up to
its name (bump on the head) but it did manage to give Sandra a bumpy welcome to Ecuador. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBktycWYavg4hhcAR9LxGJM_cAdlo43dGXQwmW08Yb8PgffO5v3rjdqvpcEMWctfPBujZ7eqYDCxafpYlIs6aMTDQWcwT7DDeQqmY5JMvDVggz8rQ_dMDT5VfivKKgudlhGjcX/s1600/rene+chibolo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBktycWYavg4hhcAR9LxGJM_cAdlo43dGXQwmW08Yb8PgffO5v3rjdqvpcEMWctfPBujZ7eqYDCxafpYlIs6aMTDQWcwT7DDeQqmY5JMvDVggz8rQ_dMDT5VfivKKgudlhGjcX/s1600/rene+chibolo.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Rene--master baker (not to be confused with something else...)--having a great line through Chibolo. </b></i></span></div>
<br />
Our second day we paddled the bottom of the Oyacachi and carried on through 2 more sections of the Quijos--we put in some serious river miles today!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipBk665E5Vgt6jhQEIZdhB__plyebnUCXaAHZCxjqRZ-lcRCOUMkfg0D3Wa5LrlPUZmYh8ArtC85kDDgYEwnfDcQi_C6Z9DW2Gd7yZ7uJRGwJ8nab__sA2Wf1N3Tct4jtUme4/s1600/dana+oya+ejector.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i> Dana boofing her way down Ejector Seat on the Oyacachi</i></b></span></div>
<br />
I don't think I mentioned it to Steve but, after seeing him boof on the Oyacachi, I started
referring to Steve as the Boof Master General. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp90L3nLGGSNZyVoct-hN6lzgwxn27NPvnXKzuTG_2LMQSkO7lnpuG2DeN3Cvw-8VyNtFuTcg2-X9KtqBb5sqE-vQOgh6KABY27vAHSnpIAHd2nBSTFLXjqzVBZKGxJ86iUJhy/s1600/tim+oyacachi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp90L3nLGGSNZyVoct-hN6lzgwxn27NPvnXKzuTG_2LMQSkO7lnpuG2DeN3Cvw-8VyNtFuTcg2-X9KtqBb5sqE-vQOgh6KABY27vAHSnpIAHd2nBSTFLXjqzVBZKGxJ86iUJhy/s1600/tim+oyacachi.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i> Tim on the last rapid of the Oyacachi. This r<span style="font-size: x-small;">iver be<span style="font-size: x-small;">came Tim's favorite over his 2 weeks of kayaki<span style="font-size: x-small;">ng in Ecuador. And for good reason--th<span style="font-size: x-small;">is river is <span style="font-size: x-small;">unparalleled</span>!</span></span></span></span></i></b></span></div>
<br />
On the last rapid of the Oyacachi
Katherine caught an edge and was forced to roll in some pretty bumpy water, a
few attempts but no luck. I was pretty sure I was going too see a swim; however,
Katherine held in tough even as she bumped off rocks and then rolled up in the
eddy. In my head I rechristened her as Iron lungs Katherine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm67Z6WNDKZegVoUldf8TLxqtd21UdflRSNI6xUHDvO3y1E9ei3-Hs87qS_epfhpKAPxxw-aK2UIogp1jAq-S7pnT6NuPpl90rl2ukYSaWEVNP4ZtjRd1yqHkPM0cHC2j2U8EK/s1600/liam+serpentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm67Z6WNDKZegVoUldf8TLxqtd21UdflRSNI6xUHDvO3y1E9ei3-Hs87qS_epfhpKAPxxw-aK2UIogp1jAq-S7pnT6NuPpl90rl2ukYSaWEVNP4ZtjRd1yqHkPM0cHC2j2U8EK/s1600/liam+serpentine.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Liam lining up to take a big last stroke at the bottom of Serpentine on the Oyacachi</b></i></span></div>
<br />
This is a great section that suits the 'torrents trip' as it starts creeky on
the Oyacachi and then transforms into hole dodging, welcome-to-the-jungle fun
big water fun as its meets the Quijos. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hJ0SYuOFPJM85C2hKxzRhZJRUoym2x0eNyFgGNvRLwFJkBvtM1CS3byH_hkxKv6BSDUyDBOdXgfQa07uELIGv71eqkU1fJ-lYXquEADkaAk774OjifVoDhhc6ErUIThiUnWW/s1600/liam+kat+swimming.jpg" height="213" width="320" /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Liam and Katherine trying to be like the otters at a lunch break on the Piatua. They both got pretty good at attaining. But then they found a pour over that acted like a natural massage-bath and got distracted!</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One of the highlights of the trip was the infamous Gringos Revueltos (Scrambled White Dudes). With tidy
lines and powerful strokes everyone managed to get through without being
scrambled. <br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0YLa2EeHUJDnBdb5NeBNJaLulM-9OAAt_qI37EcJ7bl4g1yUGOPoIc9WToW0ciDeLO0HJ_l75iQuMtxMEIt4dE48E2IraJ7Wuv75_AU67U9v2A4UzAh483WnpgJeO9qdFI_X/s1600/piatua+boogie+water.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0YLa2EeHUJDnBdb5NeBNJaLulM-9OAAt_qI37EcJ7bl4g1yUGOPoIc9WToW0ciDeLO0HJ_l75iQuMtxMEIt4dE48E2IraJ7Wuv75_AU67U9v2A4UzAh483WnpgJeO9qdFI_X/s1600/piatua+boogie+water.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Liam, Rene and Tim enjoying short sleeve paddling tops, clear water and big boulders</b></i></span></div>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvYYPACa_BISVluFVRljDm-hWFNgEsWIXtLICUINwR99E2sLd0SdzGb8YpY64ULdJ-SN4aQ_FIVM0YcYmY5rzOCGtxpWdrw6DcrJQACdiooebhyphenhyphen9RiHYnUKg1XI9IzbesoswJ/s1600/monkey+and+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
The rest of the week we were lucky enough to paddle the Piatua, the Lower Cosanga, El Chaco Canyon on the Quijos, and Bridge 2 to the lodge at a healthy flow on the last day!<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFf7e8iNpN9tvFePrbN6Tlhf7suDdPf27tRu6mii3133CRElvBQ5xCQRoHR4HmcyeNJvo3d_5MElGcOTtpTorA_RnfEo97GQWpGs5XYJMJu2jC1wEnOQiMGvjMdxtygL6DWnC/s1600/napo+province+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFf7e8iNpN9tvFePrbN6Tlhf7suDdPf27tRu6mii3133CRElvBQ5xCQRoHR4HmcyeNJvo3d_5MElGcOTtpTorA_RnfEo97GQWpGs5XYJMJu2jC1wEnOQiMGvjMdxtygL6DWnC/s1600/napo+province+baby.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Kayakers preparing for a sweet run down<span style="font-size: x-small;"> the Cosanga </span></i></b></span></div>
<br />
It's not all about the paddling though. Some of the dry land activities really
make the holiday for people.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvYYPACa_BISVluFVRljDm-hWFNgEsWIXtLICUINwR99E2sLd0SdzGb8YpY64ULdJ-SN4aQ_FIVM0YcYmY5rzOCGtxpWdrw6DcrJQACdiooebhyphenhyphen9RiHYnUKg1XI9IzbesoswJ/s1600/monkey+and+baby.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvYYPACa_BISVluFVRljDm-hWFNgEsWIXtLICUINwR99E2sLd0SdzGb8YpY64ULdJ-SN4aQ_FIVM0YcYmY5rzOCGtxpWdrw6DcrJQACdiooebhyphenhyphen9RiHYnUKg1XI9IzbesoswJ/s1600/monkey+and+baby.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Baby Monkey!</i></b></span><br /></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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One of my highlights of the week, and I know Tim felt the same, was visiting the
town of Puerto Misahualli. A riverside town near Tena that is home to a gang of
tame(ish) monkeys. I was glad of Tim's company as he seems to find them quite as
hilarious as I do. He was also a good deal braver than me and I got to watch as
he wrestled a over a piece of duck tape with a boisterous young monkey. This
was the moment I started referring to Tim as Tim the monkey whisperer. As a side note: I have met this monkey a couple of times since and now refer to the monkey simply
as'Tim'. <br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LiIvSByTiFAKBoctV70qMn8CRR5zY6n-gWJtIEGG2kkoXLdG3S2dut7r88XFeZssAPVR85r0qTiFbOFBKgtsV8XbjGYRikCepFBdCiVXqFFbjq7OFHwtpiJa4tByn7RvrW1B/s1600/sandra+poop+shoot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LiIvSByTiFAKBoctV70qMn8CRR5zY6n-gWJtIEGG2kkoXLdG3S2dut7r88XFeZssAPVR85r0qTiFbOFBKgtsV8XbjGYRikCepFBdCiVXqFFbjq7OFHwtpiJa4tByn7RvrW1B/s1600/sandra+poop+shoot.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Sandra dropping into the "Poop Shoot" on the Piatua as Darcy and Tim look on</b></i></span></div>
<br />
Another great week for me here at Small World so I owe another big thanks
to:<br /><br />Tim the monkey whisperer<br />
Sandra--Princess of the Ottawa<br />Yoga Dana<br />Seven Summits Brien<br />Rene the Swiss Master chef or 'dad'<br />Iron lungs Katherine
<br />And Steve the boof Master General<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmWcS3qqW-MFfJKeT_75yIAv-DWcD62WqOhZqBag-GNkkKzOL7k3PaH1aoZ_zGiAu55Am7VGcMumM6ChHh2FvZ7v4iv4M-cqpKldsAyLpMwpOQTpDcadjkww2lTZ_ESkQQrig/s1600/shuttle+drivers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmWcS3qqW-MFfJKeT_75yIAv-DWcD62WqOhZqBag-GNkkKzOL7k3PaH1aoZ_zGiAu55Am7VGcMumM6ChHh2FvZ7v4iv4M-cqpKldsAyLpMwpOQTpDcadjkww2lTZ_ESkQQrig/s1600/shuttle+drivers.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Giovanna, Fabian and Marco (our friends and taxi drivers) watch at the kayakers start their journey down the Piatua. </b></i></span></div>
<br />
Now, kick back and enjoy the rest of the photos from an incredible week of boating.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQG4s3B4xxSQMJokaU8PK9Xm33Vy1zG1uMX-XUOVmVqhHB6f2EZgDdZw6pdhybPQRisOr5BCFJIHMKyUZ_O7uOf_viXvgqsCvTtuN4G3X_ZnLQo4dgfQhFGxAXgVSP8QkXo5R/s1600/liam+leading+amongst+big+boulders.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQG4s3B4xxSQMJokaU8PK9Xm33Vy1zG1uMX-XUOVmVqhHB6f2EZgDdZw6pdhybPQRisOr5BCFJIHMKyUZ_O7uOf_viXvgqsCvTtuN4G3X_ZnLQo4dgfQhFGxAXgVSP8QkXo5R/s1600/liam+leading+amongst+big+boulders.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Liam explaining the best line in "Breakfast in Bed"</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp90L3nLGGSNZyVoct-hN6lzgwxn27NPvnXKzuTG_2LMQSkO7lnpuG2DeN3Cvw-8VyNtFuTcg2-X9KtqBb5sqE-vQOgh6KABY27vAHSnpIAHd2nBSTFLXjqzVBZKGxJ86iUJhy/s1600/tim+oyacachi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczY-ph4YESiy37gTmlhZSFGscUhg255vei0EPv_59P1irw7VnHQ0NBR-9RXognmj-3gE31IK_H_uKYK4xt6vPMmDT5PNlDwu-DPQVnmN5MRA7BIxK360YVtZeki-xZR1MZwep/s1600/lodgestaff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczY-ph4YESiy37gTmlhZSFGscUhg255vei0EPv_59P1irw7VnHQ0NBR-9RXognmj-3gE31IK_H_uKYK4xt6vPMmDT5PNlDwu-DPQVnmN5MRA7BIxK360YVtZeki-xZR1MZwep/s1600/lodgestaff.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Our incredible lodge staff--Lauro, Liliana, and Jh<span style="font-size: x-small;">i</span>m<span style="font-size: x-small;">e</span>na</b></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdG7HLk2N-uGdkApz2uIhEhEFS-O2JZZsRrjmvBd3Yp2pdoaVSZii0JPTmAFA0ZCV3NZeTK8kbcCwri84ELxDiEraJ3XNPRsR28FJIq3yNKInICpBQbChNlKTtgwdcBdY6Bzun/s1600/steve+cosanga+boof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdG7HLk2N-uGdkApz2uIhEhEFS-O2JZZsRrjmvBd3Yp2pdoaVSZii0JPTmAFA0ZCV3NZeTK8kbcCwri84ELxDiEraJ3XNPRsR28FJIq3yNKInICpBQbChNlKTtgwdcBdY6Bzun/s1600/steve+cosanga+boof.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Now you know why Liam calls him Boof Master General</b></i></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Small World Adventures</b></span></a></div>
<br />Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-52500600486119810262012-12-24T10:20:00.000-07:002012-12-26T04:35:38.454-07:00Can You Boat Scout? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7pAtsonHGazSNQAaRyZIFIe4N2fhohBgGf98klGSJWkRw4T5PWIMiQhJp0FyT-JiE3qs0RjgX3krpyqBXOXywdkSPFmlu5BYESsp2femOsHPQCVO94xUXrjEH8-lPNVR9NGt/s1600/midge+boofing+TSOOI.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Midge boofing like a banshee on the Oyacachi</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Introduction to Creeking—the importance of boat scouting
skills. <br />
<br />
Boat scouting—<i><b>figuring out a rapid from in your boat rather
than getting out on shore to actually scout</b></i>—is a highly over-looked, but all
important kayaking skill.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
If you are in a group on a new river that no one knows, it
can be crucial to the success of your day that the crew is good at boat
scouting.<br />
<br />
Take Ecuador’s
Upper Jondachi for example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s only 10km long (6 miles) but is
jam-packed with rapids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the
rapids are boat scoutable for the skilled boat scouter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On average, this run takes groups where no
one knows the run 3-5 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
weren’t confident at boat scouting, you would literally be getting out of your
boat 70+ times on this run and it would take you days to finish.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But learning the difference between being good at boat
scouting, and being reckless and foolishly charging downstream is just as
important, if not more so!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCbYPjpf1ufiWMI2ulkJ4FpWArL8teChVuKNYcdn-KbxF1KhrbAOVRHvb1RdSGz9XikbfVcJsCxzM_ajs3l4OmO-iDCUgNDHX01_-BOHgI9mY97Wt5fVeIUExe9MH3Ofj8TZx/s1600/don+hiking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCbYPjpf1ufiWMI2ulkJ4FpWArL8teChVuKNYcdn-KbxF1KhrbAOVRHvb1RdSGz9XikbfVcJsCxzM_ajs3l4OmO-iDCUgNDHX01_-BOHgI9mY97Wt5fVeIUExe9MH3Ofj8TZx/s1600/don+hiking.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<![endif]--><i><b>Don taking in a little jungle scenery at the take out</b></i></div>
It’s a common complaint that people can’t practice boat
scouting because they are always running the rivers with someone who knows them
well.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But this just isn’t true!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rene, Keith, Steve, Midge and Matt got in some awesome boat scouting
practice on their Intro to Creeking IV- course in Ecuador this past week.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can always practice any skill on any river whether it’s
boofing on a big volume run (off the tops of waves), hole escape techniques on
low volume runs, or boat scouting on a river that you or your friends already
know.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvTpgabwWtZZQcBrNxKvlz3IRNUGZ0ungOGoa6_4SHqRM-0Tby-uQY2plLro0pgdkMttYGayj6HwzWslbvbBgLw5F-ctc7pm_6wUwcNvrYg5MThuZvhFr_5mLx3malVlgfovK/s1600/steve+wwwjf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvTpgabwWtZZQcBrNxKvlz3IRNUGZ0ungOGoa6_4SHqRM-0Tby-uQY2plLro0pgdkMttYGayj6HwzWslbvbBgLw5F-ctc7pm_6wUwcNvrYg5MThuZvhFr_5mLx3malVlgfovK/s1600/steve+wwwjf.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Steve boat scouting his way down the Oyacachi wondering to himself, "what <u>IS</u> wrong with just fun?"</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are Small World Adventure’s top tips for boat scouters:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.75pt; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span>Always see your next eddy <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and know you can catch it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b>This is a perfect skill to practice
on a known run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go for really dodgy
eddies on a run where you know there won’t be consequences if you don’t catch
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Find your personal limit on catching
small and/or sketchy eddies on a run where it won’t matter if you fail to catch
the eddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, when you are in a “real
life boat scouting” situation where it really might matter if you don’t catch
the last eddy above a drop, you’ll have a better understanding of your own
skills and tolerance for risky eddies.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGlcspIkWJkcqVeE8Cx5UhGI-Kmejtjw_TTZh6BD5RN7dIau4lGkkvv8N2yB93YlXBmNmTdjQvgCQm256flcKDJLJT5gvLgqKuRXumC7goJ1k-CSoNlfFAgkxy9Vzk_GsFyEP/s1600/rene+chibolo.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Rene enjoying a sunny day on the Cosanga River, weaving his way through the massive boulders of Chibolo rapid</b></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br />
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<span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span>Be prepared to be the decider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once you are in that eddy, have the
confidence to make the right call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
usually can’t confer with your boating buddies, so you need to make the
decision for yourself and for the group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Is it time to scout because you can’t see enough to safely run the
rapid?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you see 90% of the rapid and
guess at the rest based on what the water is doing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there spray coming up because of a rock in
the landing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you deduce where the tongue
might be based on where you see outflow?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCZeATfks3OiQnWYLh-X7EjoOJZiZa3WUMzb83nKX-KMOHwcVIQCkbfaXmfA8OCILU-zErO7-ZH54Z-UDkOn7Z7HUJeU2Bui4VpibJJ7SUXnkxtIqFwFla09EmoSVDl2cSmFv/s1600/tena.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCZeATfks3OiQnWYLh-X7EjoOJZiZa3WUMzb83nKX-KMOHwcVIQCkbfaXmfA8OCILU-zErO7-ZH54Z-UDkOn7Z7HUJeU2Bui4VpibJJ7SUXnkxtIqFwFla09EmoSVDl2cSmFv/s1600/tena.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.75pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<i><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span>Sunset over the bustling city of Tena where we spend 2 nights on each trip. The Llanganate Mountains add the perfect back drop for this adventuresome town.</b></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.75pt; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></i></b>3.) Don’t leave anything to “luck.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some things you want to be sure of when boat
scouting: Am I sure there are no logs in this drop?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can I safely make it to the bottom of the
rapid?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will the rest of my team safely
make it without scouting?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there an
eddy at the bottom of the rapid <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that I can catch?</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.75pt; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span> 4.) Communicate!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once
you’ve run the rapid you are boat scouting be sure to communicate with the
people behind you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t make them
repeat all the same boat scouting steps that you’ve just taken—this won’t save
anyone any time or energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give them
feedback, tell them it’s ok, or tweak the line if you didn’t like yours.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOjGaeXZF_f3V7lG-WQmnCe7cI0_4O6hZkGGxNbtpwURRq3xSQLjrIyyaB5u9DiB40BhgkFt0-0roDjxWVN_szZRRES4T3Vjvw3sKcIqvQKypl4sqORbzfZ4inoJVa8HC5ztL/s1600/the+jefe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOjGaeXZF_f3V7lG-WQmnCe7cI0_4O6hZkGGxNbtpwURRq3xSQLjrIyyaB5u9DiB40BhgkFt0-0roDjxWVN_szZRRES4T3Vjvw3sKcIqvQKypl4sqORbzfZ4inoJVa8HC5ztL/s1600/the+jefe.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span><i><b> The Jefe doing what he does best--playing on the river!</b></i></div>
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5.) Patience and support from your team make for successful
boat scouting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are the 2<sup>nd</sup>
boater, don’t pressure the lead boater out of their eddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure you are close enough to see them,
so that you can see the line and help if they get in trouble, but not so close
that you are pressuring them to go faster than they might like, or leave their
last eddy before they are ready.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOiczicKuTwGDLlUEZIgnsTr94NrQbqVNBzG0xffvlQIyi-fbxUnjX_TF0_ELZ-JpU_k2bAV-Y3qUd5g4uds_OBuH5Uc74zQrUmz9XMKDg5gapEcpafAgIiTto-PA_YS7Awpd/s1600/keith+piatua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOiczicKuTwGDLlUEZIgnsTr94NrQbqVNBzG0xffvlQIyi-fbxUnjX_TF0_ELZ-JpU_k2bAV-Y3qUd5g4uds_OBuH5Uc74zQrUmz9XMKDg5gapEcpafAgIiTto-PA_YS7Awpd/s1600/keith+piatua.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b>Keith enjoying the sunshine and clear water on the Piatua </b></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></i> 6.) Back
up is key.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the 2<sup>nd</sup> boater,
your main job is watching and supporting the lead boater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the lead boat has gone into an eddy where
no solo escape is possible it’s imperative that your last eddy have an escape
route (easy access to shore) so that you can scout for the lead boater or
extract them from their inescapable eddy if need be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(On a
side note, it’s not usually a good idea as the lead boater to go into an eddy
where you can’t easily get out and scout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It does sometimes happen though and your 2<sup>nd</sup> boater needs to
be able to support you if this happens).</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHX5uwtAN4IX6NNMeicWFL4QlVXkjjIrKdtc7JHzUcj0diBRitvgDJjsFrtjPE1Yn6I-KVlG9-GmI4opGQSQDlf-1XMfm_cO60iAxFJUpNGgUKnVyjcQTbRFfm2IBGdaTpkEK8/s1600/monkey+factor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHX5uwtAN4IX6NNMeicWFL4QlVXkjjIrKdtc7JHzUcj0diBRitvgDJjsFrtjPE1Yn6I-KVlG9-GmI4opGQSQDlf-1XMfm_cO60iAxFJUpNGgUKnVyjcQTbRFfm2IBGdaTpkEK8/s1600/monkey+factor.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Keith and Midge measure Steve's "Monkey Factor" to find how well he'll be able to use those long arms to catch sketchy eddies...</i></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></i> 7.) Work
as a team!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the 2<sup>nd</sup> boater,
communicate the beta that you and the lead boater are finding back to the rest
of the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are looking for a quick
and safe flow on the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If each
individual is having to boat scout for themselves, that won’t be of any use to
the group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take turns leading,
communicate well, always be in line of sight with the person in front of and
behind you to facilitate a nice flow of information.</div>
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<i><b>Matt entering the last rapid on the Oyacachi</b></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></i> 8.) When
in doubt, scout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you ever have any
doubts or misgivings whatsoever, get out and scout!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though it will take extra time, it is
worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if your kayaking friends
think you are a “dork,” it’s worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think very few people have regretted getting out of their boats to scout, but
many have regretted not scouting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXY7cRN9w9t_gS_2HvFqBRovIS5XWE9saY5vxcXA-HxeEb7JalGRwBnw8UNFdPQS70s0Gw8WZEnIF-_eN_48KmJcp-lGT7Ui0tikeG7zSZsFGsUyXYPK9C1LxwcjXPM4fbwfW7/s1600/veggie+market.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXY7cRN9w9t_gS_2HvFqBRovIS5XWE9saY5vxcXA-HxeEb7JalGRwBnw8UNFdPQS70s0Gw8WZEnIF-_eN_48KmJcp-lGT7Ui0tikeG7zSZsFGsUyXYPK9C1LxwcjXPM4fbwfW7/s1600/veggie+market.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<i><b> Shopping for lunch supplies in the Tena market. </b></i></div>
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In our Intro to Creeking Course the 2<sup>nd</sup> week of
December, we had ample time to practice boat-scouting, communication,
decision-making and sketchy-eddy-catching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These are all skills you should work on on a regular basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if you think you’ll never have the
occasion to be the lead boater scouter, all the skills are still worth
while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, it could help make your home
stretch that you are bored of exciting again! </div>
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If you need new runs to come boat scout, come on down and
see us in Ecuador!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the perfect training ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyrHsye_y7RFdnjzqcOxB6qT640Lz6pzC55Mhq7y7y8Uti17LNiBbnpTU5jHK_pSdqZSCMELgMB-DGhxN62jMqnZqBQeO1C-PB_d4IQFblTV9KCw92m-be3MSOOcGrTVhzejH/s1600/4+successful+weeks!.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyrHsye_y7RFdnjzqcOxB6qT640Lz6pzC55Mhq7y7y8Uti17LNiBbnpTU5jHK_pSdqZSCMELgMB-DGhxN62jMqnZqBQeO1C-PB_d4IQFblTV9KCw92m-be3MSOOcGrTVhzejH/s1600/4+successful+weeks!.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Liam and Midge enjoying a gin and tonic on the porch after 4 successful weeks of paddling in Ecuador with SWA. Way to go Midge!</b></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Small World Adventures</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Thanks Chris Emerick for the great photos</i></span></div>
Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-14755365950218872302012-12-17T05:54:00.000-07:002012-12-17T06:07:35.898-07:00Patch's World Tour comes to Ecuador!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfMPtx5gC88nDG3OTI6ILg1sj7cv2q0Gba44QDYnM2e5LC3YANIK5aguzLuTjTbxM3XyMDtfc6JkGvdR4sHJH-WRfcVh7AYY_RLO4Omxop0zJE1ONSOzyn0Uej0LGLV7PkxFllw/s1600/IMG_3110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfMPtx5gC88nDG3OTI6ILg1sj7cv2q0Gba44QDYnM2e5LC3YANIK5aguzLuTjTbxM3XyMDtfc6JkGvdR4sHJH-WRfcVh7AYY_RLO4Omxop0zJE1ONSOzyn0Uej0LGLV7PkxFllw/s400/IMG_3110.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Commuting to the river, Ecuador style</i></td></tr>
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December found us boating with Patch, Midge and Derek on one of our "Torrents" trips. We name these trips after the rapid-loving Torrent ducks that frequent the same rivers we do. They have an unfair advantage when in comes to boofing - the wing assist. But we try to keep up with them as best we can. It sure must be nice to be able to fly away if you decide you don't like your line.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8gv7Pk0QEE5ZLEFUR1xKl2-RfBbSq_bVE6il_A16t9N2sHiRsgrdLAubJiLa7KNEsnRImC0gjQm9ksZ28CunJbsVbkXMr-BYPebXw-0nrFZh4tSSB4mr7cWZBjKWd8i1tquxTg/s1600/IMG_2834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8gv7Pk0QEE5ZLEFUR1xKl2-RfBbSq_bVE6il_A16t9N2sHiRsgrdLAubJiLa7KNEsnRImC0gjQm9ksZ28CunJbsVbkXMr-BYPebXw-0nrFZh4tSSB4mr7cWZBjKWd8i1tquxTg/s320/IMG_2834.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Patch enjoying the sunshine on the Oyacachi</i></td></tr>
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Patch took a little extended time off work to get in some serious traveling and boating. Last week he joined fellow Brit (and fellow extended vacationer) Midge, and Derek for a week of tropical kayaking. (Derek is American, and was the short timer on this trip - only one week of vacation!)</div>
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It's been a good couple of months to be Patch. He's just about halfway through his "World Tour," and getting in his share of great kayaking. He just came from Nepal, and he stopped in at Small World Adventures and Ecuador on his way to Chile. Ecuador should be on everyone's list of "must go" countries. Great paddling, warm weather, friendly people, jungles and monkeys oh my. While the jury is still out, I'm pretty sure Patch is going to rate Ecuador up there near the top of his list of favorite kayaking destinations. I know it's on the very top of my list.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wX-9Upk1ZZGwbMJN56a8LgMoccrWduOPSUwu14WQWykKaswdJ5YOG4ZNTnlXWVbNbB1qHBF0WYeYqdUoGTq1DSjhDdWRJZAFCJDwh4LuePwpIAnT99FBcw7qSIVwvBUInwA20Q/s1600/IMG_2880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wX-9Upk1ZZGwbMJN56a8LgMoccrWduOPSUwu14WQWykKaswdJ5YOG4ZNTnlXWVbNbB1qHBF0WYeYqdUoGTq1DSjhDdWRJZAFCJDwh4LuePwpIAnT99FBcw7qSIVwvBUInwA20Q/s320/IMG_2880.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><i>Midge heads downstream for another day of paddling</i><br />
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Midge also has some enviable vacation time. In exchange for agreeing to check in with the home office via email, he gets to be in Ecuador for a whole month! He's been boating six days a week, and I think maybe even has looked forward to the occasional "office day" to rest up a bit after all the paddling he's been doing.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnkl9B39Ga4f_84pvvzh5ncNsqxWZxDIa9Xr6oi7H_o-rDWxDE2WUw9lCq_kuJEjWsdPGNLq_iMUxtEzb4vYl1zsDF3R7f_XXiVp8cWC9HjXtkZjsuynZqIqDiqnVrP-4B8y0Rw/s1600/IMG_2859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnkl9B39Ga4f_84pvvzh5ncNsqxWZxDIa9Xr6oi7H_o-rDWxDE2WUw9lCq_kuJEjWsdPGNLq_iMUxtEzb4vYl1zsDF3R7f_XXiVp8cWC9HjXtkZjsuynZqIqDiqnVrP-4B8y0Rw/s320/IMG_2859.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><i>Derek on the Oyacachi</i></td></tr>
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Derek on the other hand was here enjoying a more typical vacation - one week. But that still gave him time to get on five different rivers and seven different sections before heading back home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVaydZ7osiFb3ycVav8sBwBRSnI50Ob5CiAE6dnaA23_NxH_ZJ9MRSqyTNjUteMzZqy9nBP_xJ2Fk6CujkCTy0mUiWSXKXrzkgKSdrTHmp0k2s0r4S5hYb-Q61VbVWB94yqnl3Q/s1600/IMG_2932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVaydZ7osiFb3ycVav8sBwBRSnI50Ob5CiAE6dnaA23_NxH_ZJ9MRSqyTNjUteMzZqy9nBP_xJ2Fk6CujkCTy0mUiWSXKXrzkgKSdrTHmp0k2s0r4S5hYb-Q61VbVWB94yqnl3Q/s400/IMG_2932.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Derek, last rapid of the Oyacachi</i></td></tr>
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The three of them joined Darcy and myself for a week of fun and sun. We had great weather, good water and good times.<br />
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As usual we spent part of the week at our lodge on the Quijos river, and part of the week on the rivers around Tena.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTUyY3p3ZBAyrPT-dam2JhXqNqWkYKBtp-_ajaB5OL3x1RcPKgejxWedT6wjhA27H8nK1ML_U9BRI1ZSSpM5yxWBWIVht1OjU2ldrLzshQ6ffT7JF5JjpXdSbfFoc9b0fEguRsQ/s1600/IMG_3069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTUyY3p3ZBAyrPT-dam2JhXqNqWkYKBtp-_ajaB5OL3x1RcPKgejxWedT6wjhA27H8nK1ML_U9BRI1ZSSpM5yxWBWIVht1OjU2ldrLzshQ6ffT7JF5JjpXdSbfFoc9b0fEguRsQ/s400/IMG_3069.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Darcy gets ready to uncork a Sweet boof</i></td></tr>
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On the Piatua we ran in to the ultimate vacationer. An American who came to Ecuador to study Spanish and stayed - for 22 years so far. He and his wife have built a house up near the put in to the Piatua. It's an awesome location, but no wi-fi so Midge couldn't stay there. Also no refrigerator, so I guess I couldn't stay there either. (I have an arrangement with my work that I get to have a cold beer every day...)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9Bu_9A_2E_y6Nc7HffU58-zYBDa5MRt4I6uq35DCNhO0CafmjNxjCFIqebK846e5X4nS7CdrB28AaoqGvIQu-hd80uwJL6VIIuXQsXDlevZi-RulGuos9J0fp4npOGmn9CcDOg/s1600/IMG_3076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9Bu_9A_2E_y6Nc7HffU58-zYBDa5MRt4I6uq35DCNhO0CafmjNxjCFIqebK846e5X4nS7CdrB28AaoqGvIQu-hd80uwJL6VIIuXQsXDlevZi-RulGuos9J0fp4npOGmn9CcDOg/s400/IMG_3076.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Amongst the boulders on the Piatua</i></td></tr>
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Even if cold beer does get to the Piatua, I still like coming back to our lodge. The climate around our place is just a bit friendlier. I like to go visit the heat, but it's great to come back to our place and enjoy a cool evening on the porch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAgR7Tsq6xBCjrKVxMh9_zOYQK_AVV0LefndU-_p2chjQQ2XpXvw6FbEQYxyxVR-yDxsjqbj-4ExP8uMZ6_WqFIOy0ORBG2y11j_KppKQLhJLjD1d62I_AhcS3naenhMUVwONtA/s1600/IMG_3004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAgR7Tsq6xBCjrKVxMh9_zOYQK_AVV0LefndU-_p2chjQQ2XpXvw6FbEQYxyxVR-yDxsjqbj-4ExP8uMZ6_WqFIOy0ORBG2y11j_KppKQLhJLjD1d62I_AhcS3naenhMUVwONtA/s640/IMG_3004.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Don heads towards a fern wall on the Jondachi</i></td></tr>
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Christmas is just around the corner, and here I am talking about enjoying cool evenings and beers on the porch. If you're tired of the cold and snow, and want a taste of warm tropical boating, come on down. Stay for a week, stay for a month, heck maybe stay for 22 years. We'll keep a beer in the fridge and a boof on the river for you.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnDOc3wcVXa6pia-qAeoHGUNPJnRhUpN4-eZVdn4dUI8G32gyWiCn7Kx5G5C-zKy2ayeX06zY9OHT7BWRRqCgqPeLASfqnm_kt1ILl82hy4sf5hhAwrLGKCcPpt1lGnU3iiPXqA/s1600/IMG_3030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnDOc3wcVXa6pia-qAeoHGUNPJnRhUpN4-eZVdn4dUI8G32gyWiCn7Kx5G5C-zKy2ayeX06zY9OHT7BWRRqCgqPeLASfqnm_kt1ILl82hy4sf5hhAwrLGKCcPpt1lGnU3iiPXqA/s640/IMG_3030.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The boys, wishing you were here</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/">Small World Adventures</a></span></span><span style="font-size: 180%;">
</span></div>
Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887906437501943313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-38443174495844265062012-12-11T10:51:00.000-07:002012-12-11T10:51:09.722-07:00Zen and the art of boofing<br />
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMsHsI1zGWwQifRC3pQefcqsKMPFtknuhefKTc5X3MM_IY1Z8_D-j4hXUgWKi8QN9tYUpjrrM3vv2HSV6n45g394UXnhjsqSBMmy1V2M5rQHKHwxdYMPMGeHmdA7lPU2_ritO/s1600/steve+cosanga+boof.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMsHsI1zGWwQifRC3pQefcqsKMPFtknuhefKTc5X3MM_IY1Z8_D-j4hXUgWKi8QN9tYUpjrrM3vv2HSV6n45g394UXnhjsqSBMmy1V2M5rQHKHwxdYMPMGeHmdA7lPU2_ritO/s1600/steve+cosanga+boof.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMsHsI1zGWwQifRC3pQefcqsKMPFtknuhefKTc5X3MM_IY1Z8_D-j4hXUgWKi8QN9tYUpjrrM3vv2HSV6n45g394UXnhjsqSBMmy1V2M5rQHKHwxdYMPMGeHmdA7lPU2_ritO/s1600/steve+cosanga+boof.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Steve grooving on a new boof on the Lower Cosanga--day 1, nice warm up eh?</b></i></span></div>
<br />Good news fans, guest writer Liam is back in action! Check out what he has to say about the best week of kayaking he's had in Ecuador so far! Liam, the floor is all yours:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzrCDK_1yBxNV8_GXBuiZWGU30jhfyqQC3vRg2VyKHx6xGcyrquPc6g3ne6xyHPDErCz2qYm_CjcM-5Xb7uuOOMvU_MrYsky1_w-KDOPCywt6Q7cphZIsIGfbJATTPnxQNsBi/s1600/pretty+jondachi+small.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzrCDK_1yBxNV8_GXBuiZWGU30jhfyqQC3vRg2VyKHx6xGcyrquPc6g3ne6xyHPDErCz2qYm_CjcM-5Xb7uuOOMvU_MrYsky1_w-KDOPCywt6Q7cphZIsIGfbJATTPnxQNsBi/s1600/pretty+jondachi+small.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Liam leads Steve and Anders through one of many (too many to count really) rapids on the Upper Jondachi. Nice ferns on the wall behind them!</b></i></span></div>
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A round up of our advanced creeking clinic interjected with some of my personal,
inane and sometimes inconclusive thoughts about improving your boating. <br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifg-uRV6PnxH2Wjv0vIW5xfBl6ePpe67kaWo7ouidM8WgfKCKtANkJyENMx9bX0XI1hgpuWKBrWl6WolPyHb_Hzfx-GNv1TBhA62M7Da1W96TdeLoRMuGO3SxKEJv1IEsnG18f/s1600/anders+bbw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifg-uRV6PnxH2Wjv0vIW5xfBl6ePpe67kaWo7ouidM8WgfKCKtANkJyENMx9bX0XI1hgpuWKBrWl6WolPyHb_Hzfx-GNv1TBhA62M7Da1W96TdeLoRMuGO3SxKEJv1IEsnG18f/s1600/anders+bbw.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Anders getting jiggy with the "Best Boof in the World"</b></i></span></div>
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Last week we were in safe hands with Steve the Doctor and Anders the Paramedic
joining us for a week of advanced creeking clinic.<br /><br />Both Steve and Anders
had kayaked with us in Ecuador before and both were fit, confident kayakers. So
we needed something special to keep them on their toes. So the day before our
new group arrived Captain Darcy cracked open a beer, busted out her note pad,
carefully re-organized her highlighters and concocted the ultimate seven day
dream itinerary for the advanced boater. <br /><br />Just writing this list makes my
boof muscles ache. <br /><br />***Warning reading this may result in severe
jealousy, side effects include drooling and impromptu air ticket
purchases***<br /><br />Day 1.) Lower Cosanga <br />Day 2.) Oyacachi from the upper
most get on<br />Day 3.) The Upper Jondachi<br />Day 4.) The Piatua<br />Day 5.) The
Cheesehouse section of the Quijos.<br />Day 6.) The Upper Jondachi. <br />Day 7.)
Bridge to bridge on the Quijos. <br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_S5t2FF8h8nX9Dpjb8cfhTSubBfAj4u34ncKGnbyJQjYeXk_Jr6y9nPKA6-edmnIpqZxz9OhdW4evsMXAkKPqgHUZYAu-ht23xGV6h9aA23NKgH1LjwoBjpVt5OK0FRVFNFg/s1600/liam+jungle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_S5t2FF8h8nX9Dpjb8cfhTSubBfAj4u34ncKGnbyJQjYeXk_Jr6y9nPKA6-edmnIpqZxz9OhdW4evsMXAkKPqgHUZYAu-ht23xGV6h9aA23NKgH1LjwoBjpVt5OK0FRVFNFg/s1600/liam+jungle.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Liam--aka "Jungle Superman"--<span style="font-size: x-small;">getting up close and personal with <span style="font-size: x-small;">Ecuador's jungle</span></span></b></i></span></div>
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I get a real kick from watching people's learning styles. In my opinion Steve
and Anders had different approaches to reading rapids and learning. It was good
fun to watch them and they were great people to be on the river with.
<br /><br />After a boof or punching a hole I would often see Steve re-enacting the
movements in the eddy or gentle flow below. Especially when seeing someone else
uncork a good boof Steve would often immediately imitate the actions, training
his body.<br /><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Our little chameleon friend from Tena</b></i></span></div>
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Every time Steve nailed a boof one he'd be grinning before the boat landed.
Those moments came more and more as the week went on. In Particular I remember
the last rapid on the bridge to bridge section on the final day. I watched Steve
take of with perfect technique and just boof the crap out "Esquina." It was awesome to watch, and with that in mind I over thought the boof,
waited too long for my stroke, did absolutely nothing and slid over the edge like
an overweight penguin. <br /><br />Luckily I was the sweep boat and no one saw how
ungraceful it really was. <br /><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Liam crushing "P-Cubed" on the Cheesehouse section of the Quijos</b></i></span></div>
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I really believe that over thinking rapids or boofs, etc can be detrimental to
the outcome. However, the other end of the spectrum is that the paddlers'
performance suffers due to not looking at the water ahead of them or a lack of visualization when scouting. They miss key strokes and get disorientated as all
their attention is on reacting to the immediate. Somewhere there is a happy
medium and your strokes will become fluid, effortless, focused. In short, you'll be in the 'zone.'<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Steve looking small amongst the Jondachi's giant boulders as he exits Aphrodesia</span></b></i></div>
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Anders is a very solid kayaker and, from what I can guess, a shit hot skier. (I
understand more Ancient Latin Than I did of his ski terminology) and his
approach to improving was a much more subtle to watch and I imagine he was not
consciously trying to improve. But, alas, of course he did. <br /><br />If Anders
didn't quite nail a drop I saw the quickest flash of him assessing what just
happened and then carry on. That moment's reflection was him quickly assessing
what just happened and how to improve on that. Years of skiing have allowed him
to become very aware of how to make his muscles do what he wants. (kinesthetic
awareness). Anders has a pool of knowledge gained from skiing he can draw from
to improve his paddling. Those who practice yoga, Pilates, gymnastics, downhill
biking, surfing as well as paddle will often be able to improve themselves by
making analogies from other experiences in sport.<br /><br />I really hope this is
true because maybe my experience in kayaking will prevent me from being terrible
when I try skiing. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i> Steve and Anders running some "stout boggie water" on the Oyacachi</i></b></span></div>
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The great thing about this job is that I constantly get to improve my paddling.
In fact it's one of the great things about this sport. You can always look to
improve your performance even on your local run. <br /><br />It is also a sport that
is relatively friendly on the body allowing a long time to improve and hit your
peak. It doesn't rely completely on physical fitness but much of what makes a
good paddler is technique and experience. I'm 26 now and I hope to be a whole
lot better than this in my mid thirties. I might not be paddling as hard stuff
when I'm 56 but I reckon I'll make a lot less mistakes. <br /><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Anders, <span style="font-size: x-small;">basking</span> in the glory of having just styled 3 Huevos on the Upper Jondachi</i></b></span></div>
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I do make a constant effort to improve. It's not just down to time in a boat;
it's a mixture of time in a boat and constantly giving myself new tasks and
reflecting back on what worked etc. This is often referred to as varied
practice. <br /><br />A recent example of this is; I tried to run the Piatua this
trip with no reverse strokes. Reverse strokes aren't necessarily bad but by
giving myself this tasking made re-think my paddling and try new things.
<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu32BOG8EJZ_hnM0-EtN845Hu2DvTV2xe2DsXMEghsSNp9TDxcTU8Wgd7PdtC8-vDxO4JkXkNTBfww5LzE1cgaYmMYBJem8eFOx9fElKqRUqU7MW-n8U9S3YV2wVbTazkEATDD/s1600/focused+steve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu32BOG8EJZ_hnM0-EtN845Hu2DvTV2xe2DsXMEghsSNp9TDxcTU8Wgd7PdtC8-vDxO4JkXkNTBfww5LzE1cgaYmMYBJem8eFOx9fElKqRUqU7MW-n8U9S3YV2wVbTazkEATDD/s1600/focused+steve.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Steve, maintaining his focus. He's 1/2 km into a 10 km run and knows he needs to save some energy and mental powers for what lays ahead</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Let's sum this up by destroying a cliche.
<br /><br /> <i><b> Practice makes perfect.
</b></i><br /><br />Unfortunately this isn't true 'practice makes permanent' is a more
accurate phrase. For example if you keep trying to boof with a bad forward
stroke and leaning right back then your going to keep getting the same poor
results and unfortunately every time your making it hard wiring it in to your
muscle memory and in the long term making it harder to learn proper technique.
<br /><br /> A common scenario in paddling is when you meet someone who says they
are class three paddler, you join them on a class three paddle and they are all
over the place. Speaking later they inform you <i>"I don't know whats going on,
I paddle my local class three all the time."</i> In short they know how to paddle
that particular class three run but they are not a class three paddler. <br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzrCDK_1yBxNV8_GXBuiZWGU30jhfyqQC3vRg2VyKHx6xGcyrquPc6g3ne6xyHPDErCz2qYm_CjcM-5Xb7uuOOMvU_MrYsky1_w-KDOPCywt6Q7cphZIsIGfbJATTPnxQNsBi/s1600/pretty+jondachi+small.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYs0Rm3YCyWvNfNMfbCzRbyly-sgaFHryVGitqWDhRoDNCBVSevkyskt3_bc3AxXOnGYRfDap10chajzQlpunzMTK65xr5C6PL0r7G89KJvfAzG2U5h750c0iV3NL68OjZlUG/s1600/liam+3+huevos.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i> Liam signing "boof baby boof" all the way down 3 Huevos</i></b></span></div>
<br />
Variety is a great tool to help improve yourself as a paddler. Try new things,
new strokes, new boats, new lines, new paddling buddies, new roles in the group
and new rivers.<br /><br />Well that's quite enough from me, would love to know your
thoughts, time to go paddling!<br />Liam<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank">Small World Adventures</a></div>
Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-48351430768375627542012-12-05T16:18:00.000-07:002012-12-06T16:10:38.406-07:00Kayaking = The Melting Pot Sport!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaY3c2KdcEBpAxWNKSn6fbp5LtGU68W7E3Zj2h1slaZFzjNqxOwQn0r83LUjPGnREGERtzNmB4WQuLDqAu9tnjM542aeaE7bIMn5QVfYRF0B84XKcNk2TgtQlmCsk6P57nAXuG/s1600/kids+kayak+jatunyacu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaY3c2KdcEBpAxWNKSn6fbp5LtGU68W7E3Zj2h1slaZFzjNqxOwQn0r83LUjPGnREGERtzNmB4WQuLDqAu9tnjM542aeaE7bIMn5QVfYRF0B84XKcNk2TgtQlmCsk6P57nAXuG/s1600/kids+kayak+jatunyacu.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>David documents the situation as Nick and Pam paddle a 5-year-old around the take out of the Jatunyacu. A few other kids <span style="font-size: x-small;">commandeered</span> kayaks and were out on their own. But then all hell broke lose as the Pyranha kayak carrying 3 (Pam, Nick, young child) capsized. The funny thing, the 5-year-old swam the Large Burn to shore while Pam and Nick saved themselves! Ok, ok, it didn't quite go down like that; but, to the observer, that's how it looked! It was pretty awesome.</b></i></span></div>
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The 3<sup>rd</sup> week of November brought us paddlers with
levels, personalities and backgrounds spanning all across the board!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don and Greg led a Mucha Agua trip (IV+/V-) with Nathan and Jeff; Larry and Tarquino had a
Class III+ trip with Nick, Cliff, Sharron and David; and Darcy and Liam had a Tropical Tune up Class II/III trip with Pam and Ken.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkIv7DDJOv4VsScTnn_C8qVROFdaWc0PZakAaYEoLNGdWzdkyVgQaYm9idn3I5cwAuBNpcTEHPxYPk1o6zVu7MqJqxhkGeOcFZaxuVQ54Qr4Ii5jJCVQ7NN4L9uv_i7mx2eat/s1600/pam+liam+pica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkIv7DDJOv4VsScTnn_C8qVROFdaWc0PZakAaYEoLNGdWzdkyVgQaYm9idn3I5cwAuBNpcTEHPxYPk1o6zVu7MqJqxhkGeOcFZaxuVQ54Qr4Ii5jJCVQ7NN4L9uv_i7mx2eat/s1600/pam+liam+pica.jpg" height="187" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Liam leading Pam through Pica Piedra, a solid Class III+ drop on the Rio Quijos. This was the site of Pam's 2nd successful combat roll of the day AND of her kayaking career--you rock Pam!</b></i></span></div>
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<br />
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This week was a fun reminder of kayaking’s ability to bring
together people who otherwise would have no reason to gravitate towards each
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sport of kayaking is made up
of an amazingly eclectic group of people; and it’s always been fun for me to sit
back and think, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“wow, I can’t imagine
another situation where I would be throwing horse-shoes with a top level New York banker in the middle of the jungles of Ecuador…”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATvWTcvpGqKRiGWZviDCVQbOktg9G-ovmsdIxNAatRdwQ0FNCvJsNV-L847cDF_tXIhVk-dK4iQdb8nIdat7FvKLy7I0DEJ9yMx3hI2atIKKKbyBCKdy-oxQ4CRAswfCCs4uo/s1600/soccer+game+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATvWTcvpGqKRiGWZviDCVQbOktg9G-ovmsdIxNAatRdwQ0FNCvJsNV-L847cDF_tXIhVk-dK4iQdb8nIdat7FvKLy7I0DEJ9yMx3hI2atIKKKbyBCKdy-oxQ4CRAswfCCs4uo/s1600/soccer+game+group.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Left to right--Pam, Nick, Greg, Lucho, Liam, Jeff, Nathan and all the kids in Borja! We had a sweet futbol (soccer) match up in Borja. Tons of local kids came out to play and we split up the gringos and the kids and had a solid match!</i></b></span></div>
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<br />
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Throughout various times in my life, I’ve been a member of
the climbing community, ice climbing community, skiing community, and mountain
biking community, but none of these, in my opinion, even comes close kayaking
in terms of a true hodge podge of people!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqJYaTkoawB2mLtnvc0hS9w1OAQvSzKT8XOAX4_acHwHYlKxk_Y8IrojhtqFpFUoufmUqcTvlssYypy-R0Ew6XDES9IbJme6pHDLhJ9Z52I4ZEqxDS2Psk4noipBwrTjk2GIL/s1600/cliff+and+jeff+soccer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqJYaTkoawB2mLtnvc0hS9w1OAQvSzKT8XOAX4_acHwHYlKxk_Y8IrojhtqFpFUoufmUqcTvlssYypy-R0Ew6XDES9IbJme6pHDLhJ9Z52I4ZEqxDS2Psk4noipBwrTjk2GIL/s1600/cliff+and+jeff+soccer.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Jeff gets control of the ball, but Cliff is hot on his tail. Cliff scored 2 goals in the game after sand-bagging us<span style="font-size: x-small;"> all <span style="font-size: x-small;">afternoon</span></span> telling us he couldn't play soccer.<span style="font-size: x-small;">..</span> </b></i></span></div>
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<br />
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How odd can it really be you may ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try this one: when else could you imagine a
23-year-old aspiring pharmacist from Wyoming
and a 61-year-old P.A. at the University
of West Virginia giggling
together as they ride a crazy water slide at the “rolling pool” in the middle
of Ecuadorian rainforest?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> All this while the taxi driver is taking photos and nearly peeing his pants as he is laughing so hard at the crazy gringos screaming their way down the slide. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjrA60Wb9Pb5rUzpYrXzi92cBshSOnV3-IdiyRvFIhrKfoPx1YIcl74ONan4weQKIaJDRMbehfr2dAch45hfFOsh16Wppr3e_479OM-e3m9Xe-8VuTd4IVkpIWj-265aOJVi2/s1600/ken+liam+pica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjrA60Wb9Pb5rUzpYrXzi92cBshSOnV3-IdiyRvFIhrKfoPx1YIcl74ONan4weQKIaJDRMbehfr2dAch45hfFOsh16Wppr3e_479OM-e3m9Xe-8VuTd4IVkpIWj-265aOJVi2/s1600/ken+liam+pica.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Liam leading Ken through the Class II+ rapids below Pica Piedra on the Quijos. Ken ripped it up in Ecuador. He came to Ecuador as a total beginner kayaker, paddled 7 days in a row, ran some sweet rivers and rolled like a banchi in the pools of El Chaco and Tena. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Great work</span> Ken!</i></b></span></div>
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<br />
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This same 61 year old had left the United States for the 1<sup>st</sup> time to go
kayaking in South America—this sport really
does drive people to do crazy things!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Then we have the London
police officer fraternizing with a real estate agent from Montana and the list goes on and on...</div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVpfz2woU7RsSeVFjigXN4oF7ByZIpZYWgbXv01d702R4r51x5wBWP6esZo-Hll14lfiqsXv_mSGbQcjD_PzhyRe7B7K-naxoxAHKSIaf9tFrSDuOZhhORaA7NspsdIFOxAr1/s1600/oya+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVpfz2woU7RsSeVFjigXN4oF7ByZIpZYWgbXv01d702R4r51x5wBWP6esZo-Hll14lfiqsXv_mSGbQcjD_PzhyRe7B7K-naxoxAHKSIaf9tFrSDuOZhhORaA7NspsdIFOxAr1/s1600/oya+bridge.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Nathan and Jeff en route to an incredible day on the Oyacachi</i></b></span></div>
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The point, though, is that kayaking, aside from being a
great and fun sport, also gives us opportunities in life that I don’t think we
would otherwise have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve made very
interesting, but certainly life-long connections with people through this sport
that I know wouldn’t have happened in "normal life situations."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErgJHoMBHtyeH8okVHeU2mAqmOYC0eeISwtqw38dNmwu6cRK-jABRsWYKBI32Y7dFtDDQsxwACitmc97SAXvg-iDkGRzYaoicInPB49064dqQYozV0EHOb_S8Ld3-FL-MvpKQ/s1600/water+slide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErgJHoMBHtyeH8okVHeU2mAqmOYC0eeISwtqw38dNmwu6cRK-jABRsWYKBI32Y7dFtDDQsxwACitmc97SAXvg-iDkGRzYaoicInPB49064dqQYozV0EHOb_S8Ld3-FL-MvpKQ/s1600/water+slide.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Los Yutzos pool, Tena, Ecuador--Napo Province. This pool is "the shit"! When you get tired of rolling, go for an <span style="font-size: x-small;">exhilarating</span> ride down the slide! Sharron leads the way with Pam close behind on this ride. Luckily Liam is setting shore <span style="font-size: x-small;">safety</span> and Darcy is in the water in case "live bait" is needed.</b></i></span></div>
<br />
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Kayaking really is a great equalizer in the sense that it
allows people to forget about cultural norms (yeah, dropping trou (pants) in
the middle of the street, no big deal), social stipulations (yes, it’s ok for a
Ferrari-owning Republican to have a drink with a dirt bag democrat kayak guide and play with a plastic cow), and just
let their inhibitions drop for the time they are on their kayaking holiday.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnTbRRypH__dRexng5HEzjcHmh02gUY1Qi3DGz3J9U76uyhmwaKmt0JdJRiH2Wq4QfWPccKR4tRBLVLWTvTTrMHlkRnzWXHyd6BoTOYkyqj-H1Uvd1LunVfd-yMd-j8VLxvOO/s1600/don+jondachi.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><br />Don enjoying a little scenery on the Upper Jondachi. Even though Don and the whitewater look crappy in this photo, I had to <span style="font-size: x-small;">include</span> it <span style="font-size: x-small;">because</span> the fern wall in the background <span style="font-size: x-small;">l</span>ooks so amazing. The Jondachi truly is a beautiful river. People always focus on how kick ass the whitewater is (which i<span style="font-size: x-small;">t is)</span>, but the jungle is darn purdy there too.</i></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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It’s incredibly fun to watch this happen, watch odd
relationships being forged, and just watching people have a good time together.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIDpEZdV0rVVa906K7UTASh59_hbQZIdXe4mLXHAPwMVnbIyKe-Q3H8bM2KSwsnzdVEDqqzxPaeiSzV_0kiLgU3gjR14MOokC2iRzgzLU00gRtYCNvlcSoh4j4SkHIcRuN5Br/s1600/ecuador+shuttle+for+mtnbuzz.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIDpEZdV0rVVa906K7UTASh59_hbQZIdXe4mLXHAPwMVnbIyKe-Q3H8bM2KSwsnzdVEDqqzxPaeiSzV_0kiLgU3gjR14MOokC2iRzgzLU00gRtYCNvlcSoh4j4SkHIcRuN5Br/s1600/ecuador+shuttle+for+mtnbuzz.bmp" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>The ultimate shuttle vehicle!</i></b></span></div>
<br />
Ok, this one is really unparalleled anywhere in the world, in any universe--hands down, no arguing! 1 oil engineer, one chemical engineer, 1 life-long dirt bag kayak guide, and 1 18-year-old Ecuadorian aspiring kayak guide all riding on a gigantic mobile caterpillar with kayaks, in full kayaking gear, down the streets of Ecuador. Now tell me, it just doesn't get any better than this, does it? <i> (well, ok, maybe it gets better--they could have served beer on the bug--but it certainly doesn't get anymore unique)</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytz7fYvFeUVY5_Pply7CV3n7guV2Pd0hbdYeEq7Q1SP-zExqtJG2ivOSzFerKLmjDI16rhTYxUNSQjuCEQULhzWGI8SUxlBwUul8m9faY9PoGC5djN6vcxV_YrOJMylzlH-x_/s1600/back+of+bug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytz7fYvFeUVY5_Pply7CV3n7guV2Pd0hbdYeEq7Q1SP-zExqtJG2ivOSzFerKLmjDI16rhTYxUNSQjuCEQULhzWGI8SUxlBwUul8m9faY9PoGC5djN6vcxV_YrOJMylzlH-x_/s1600/back+of+bug.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>It has a cute butt too</i></b></span></div>
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Because, as different as our backgrounds may be, most of us
can agree upon Don’s thought—<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Small-World-Adventures-kayaking-Ecuador/208766816973?bookmark_t=page" target="_blank">“What’s Wrong With Just Fun?”</a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8S9yEvOXBZzUhrIRooPrgg9MNYOp5s8CO9cs3dQv_GRiMdJ4S5GA8FGD_JV0hwjdyHp2QKJLv8ySNDwpvjLhi6Rq1e2HGlpZ0e4Yn_bebMeRBM1w_5eWNHH5QOf4SpcC1SM5/s1600/leaf+cutters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8S9yEvOXBZzUhrIRooPrgg9MNYOp5s8CO9cs3dQv_GRiMdJ4S5GA8FGD_JV0hwjdyHp2QKJLv8ySNDwpvjLhi6Rq1e2HGlpZ0e4Yn_bebMeRBM1w_5eWNHH5QOf4SpcC1SM5/s1600/leaf+cutters.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Leaf cutter ants on the trail to Pimpilala waterfall</i></b></span></div>
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So the moral of this blog?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grab a kayak, hit the river and see what kind unique, life-lasting, yet
totally off the wall relationships you can build!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVQp8S7yGRspBquFGMWtSfhrWXxPf4uKSUHOI6Kutkusk5vZBtFyc3ShL4hKHM1NV-b29M5nOV6KNOIDWFJSnWNNMg1kkGnpOsf3zmH-KikyIASKXVF2AfreonfPGnQ8Q46uX/s1600/monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVQp8S7yGRspBquFGMWtSfhrWXxPf4uKSUHOI6Kutkusk5vZBtFyc3ShL4hKHM1NV-b29M5nOV6KNOIDWFJSnWNNMg1kkGnpOsf3zmH-KikyIASKXVF2AfreonfPGnQ8Q46uX/s1600/monkey.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Monkeying around at Puerto Misahualli</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Small World Adventures</span></a></div>
Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-87994301764411129402012-11-28T10:05:00.003-07:002012-11-28T10:05:24.725-07:00Kayak away the "not quite summer, not quite winter" blues in Ecuador<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZIglwJgVpXJZe_MdEzH_6O0dqdTm1Z2on7Iu2iSlFZXhumWtif-rrke_LfdOHeRPDR2VYgRvPo3NPUyEaz068cWxeXhHLNauqOI-AnCrT8YCLpaOgB3hD1uyBoqgW5Y4Hxaq/s1600/liam+ejector.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZIglwJgVpXJZe_MdEzH_6O0dqdTm1Z2on7Iu2iSlFZXhumWtif-rrke_LfdOHeRPDR2VYgRvPo3NPUyEaz068cWxeXhHLNauqOI-AnCrT8YCLpaOgB3hD1uyBoqgW5Y4Hxaq/s1600/liam+ejector.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">New SWA guide Liam showing the gang how it's done on the Oyacachi river. I love the up swell of water just in front of him. And now he's about to show us how it's <span style="font-size: x-small;">done in the world of blogging!</span></span></b></i></div>
This week, new SWA guide--Liam--has written a fabulous blog. He was so inspired by Chris, Steve, Kim, Todd and Paul that he just couldn't hold it all inside any longer! I've put "American" translation in italics when need be. Here's what ol' Liam had to say about his 1st week of kayak guiding in Ecuador in 2012: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBW_z9d_64Gajojf_H_Udeb9bI_ULgaW2rR9OMQ-Mof9ga5FmSZRPeGuIf1FsjThWde2aPDCi2L2tqfbUy28qTkrSTV6WKBIkT_MrHXqSbfILKnU6rtHF8glHTn7mrgQDOeqY/s1600/chris+manana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBW_z9d_64Gajojf_H_Udeb9bI_ULgaW2rR9OMQ-Mof9ga5FmSZRPeGuIf1FsjThWde2aPDCi2L2tqfbUy28qTkrSTV6WKBIkT_MrHXqSbfILKnU6rtHF8glHTn7mrgQDOeqY/s1600/chris+manana.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Chris punches the last hole in Manana on the Quijos River as his trip mates look on. I would like to think they were cheering him on, but knowing Steve, I'm sure it was only heckling coming from behind that rock!</b></i></span></div>
<br />
Our "Torrents" week is all about variety and showing our visitors some of the
best rivers Ecuador has to offer. This week certainly lived up to it; from big
water on the Quijos in dry cags <i>(dry tops)</i> to technical beautiful blue water in shortie
cags <i>(shorty tops)</i> on the Piatua. The paddling is only part of the trip--albeit a very important part--But at SWA we strive to give you an incredible week of paddling combined with Ecuadorian culture and a wee bit of sight seeing as well! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6zRqeLNCS7mbKezmmezzKSVcX2ezzfSZWX48_H_LU_nyaiMp_PDh0xSQFQwMJaejydLOBidRi8qWRQoM4pKB3UffGQw_oRMxmk3x_ulwmBqTY8VQbps6JTu4F7Di1HA-d-iy/s1600/group+below+rapid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6zRqeLNCS7mbKezmmezzKSVcX2ezzfSZWX48_H_LU_nyaiMp_PDh0xSQFQwMJaejydLOBidRi8qWRQoM4pKB3UffGQw_oRMxmk3x_ulwmBqTY8VQbps6JTu4F7Di1HA-d-iy/s1600/group+below+rapid.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>The Crew feeling good at the bottom of a tricky rapid on the Oyacachi</i></b></span></div>
<br />
No matter what trip you book on, we create a great blend of adventure and ease.
Remote jungle runs, exotic wildlife, fun cultural experiences, great white water complimented by seamless
logistics, comfortable transport, a great selection of boats and most of all the
SWA riverside lodge. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlFNvblbXyUt8ZybE3SDTxqp2pBO6lq1E-_kjVJcHywS9QRRhs60KXmdpQ4Hhf5g9t7Zj6BvDPNz5OKdJYeAUY-YU23HrYtLZPxJi_oqozC0tYkISCGpzMAfNE1XLiRs0jljn/s1600/cabin+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlFNvblbXyUt8ZybE3SDTxqp2pBO6lq1E-_kjVJcHywS9QRRhs60KXmdpQ4Hhf5g9t7Zj6BvDPNz5OKdJYeAUY-YU23HrYtLZPxJi_oqozC0tYkISCGpzMAfNE1XLiRs0jljn/s1600/cabin+2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>One of the guest cabins amongst the beautiful gardens at SWA's riverside lodge</b></i></span></div>
<br />This was my first week guiding for
Small World Adventures and I had a blast! So I owe a big thank you to Todd, Paul,
Chris, Steve and Kim. We bagged seven grade four <i>(Class IV)</i> runs in seven days. Though we don't focus on tuition <i>(instruction)</i> on our Torrents trip it's hard not to improve when you have seven quality days
in a row on the water. For one paddler this was his first time paddling more
than two days in a row and it was a real treat for me to see a significant
improvement in his paddling. <br /><br />Team torrents also got to paddle with
almost the whole SWA team. Larry, Tarquino, Don and Darcy all spent a couple
of days with the group. Only I had the severe misfortune of being in Steve and
Chris's company for the entire seven days!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUuUdzOHG6vk2alId-7hvqFKGWCTzxVLX1gPj1-Lbkf0_KtZqponvNmi8Klq24g5atxyj6kSPzUUt0BV9YEYP_6iDzcrute9ImsOeWvKMzWi1ut_bWNHis5GEW77Ubl2NvyT_/s1600/paul+last+rapid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUuUdzOHG6vk2alId-7hvqFKGWCTzxVLX1gPj1-Lbkf0_KtZqponvNmi8Klq24g5atxyj6kSPzUUt0BV9YEYP_6iDzcrute9ImsOeWvKMzWi1ut_bWNHis5GEW77Ubl2NvyT_/s1600/paul+last+rapid.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Paul looking good through "The Last Rapid" on the Oyacachi River. Now his only challenge is to face "The Thing" and "Son of Thing" on the Quijos.</b></i></span></div>
<br />
For the Torrents team here is a list of what we paddled and my personal
highlights of the week. <br /><br />Day 1.) Bridge 1 to the lodge on the Quijos. Todd
surfed harder than Swayze in point break in the middle of Pollo Sin Rival. But he hung tough and endered out with a nice story to tell!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0U99qHky8oah9dqTQ90QhfogTmeT6SWmFGISong54LM6PnYmJX8LCwQ-Grv0kFB19U9XsMBZ66Bmv7QMRG_-ZZeWQXmApJtm2RDLVd7IK4lRgYPHOKOE6Zq2gKKsX_4BLapN/s1600/kim+pollo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0U99qHky8oah9dqTQ90QhfogTmeT6SWmFGISong54LM6PnYmJX8LCwQ-Grv0kFB19U9XsMBZ66Bmv7QMRG_-ZZeWQXmApJtm2RDLVd7IK4lRgYPHOKOE6Zq2gKKsX_4BLapN/s1600/kim+pollo.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Kim lining up for the boof in "Pollo Sin Rival" on the Quijos</b></i></span></div>
<br />
Day 2.) Bottom of Oyacachi to Bon Bon. Steve nailed a sure fast roll resulting in his avoidance of a sure scrambling in Gringos Revueltos. Paul and Kim successfully unlocked a
tricky entrance to a good play wave and enjoyed a good surf. Later, while drinking beers on the porch back at the lodge, we were treated to
a impressive humming bird fight.<br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciQZzktVLM9pcre85rhBSZArf3W9mMVrXhTiKmMxFGnAhcs_ZHCykOgGtH6eHzLGqAioP8T1cgo7c3t8miTBqEd3HLOljWeUBCCFKEk7EhlQ1nqYkIaltwG_aLtBAbbHIBFLN/s1600/don+ejector+seat.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Mr. Don Don looking good in "Ejector Seat"</i></b></span></div>
<br />
Day 3.) Oyacachi. This was one of the harder runs but the group was in that
perfect state of being warmed up but not too tired yet and, on the whole, styled it. Then we
made the journey over the pass to the warmer Tena Valley. The whole group was
in good spirits from a fine day on the water and we spent most of dinner telling
stories and laughing. A Particularly good story about a kabutz, 2 girls and some
....sea food is still making me laugh.<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMTMNE35WI7SqhH39X9rftD7mzL50dOkWwanpZetP0shyrDusbAZQaDCRUeOlsop1UZtunEslB0k2Phezdfo4bFd8qHUOIxy-X5yEZeomjyJFmpSABPBNCWy9oBeWl1tTquRi/s1600/road+block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMTMNE35WI7SqhH39X9rftD7mzL50dOkWwanpZetP0shyrDusbAZQaDCRUeOlsop1UZtunEslB0k2Phezdfo4bFd8qHUOIxy-X5yEZeomjyJFmpSABPBNCWy9oBeWl1tTquRi/s1600/road+block.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>The Road Not Taken: "2 roads diverged in a 'green' wood. And I'm sorry I could not travel both, </i></b></span></div>
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<tr><td><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>And be one traveler, long I stood</i></b></span></td><td><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=34833820" name="3"></a></i></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>And looked down one as far as I could</i></b></span></td><td><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=34833820" name="4"></a></i></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>To where it bent in the undergrowth..."</i></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>(well, sorry Robert Frost, but actually I wasn't sorry at all because my taxi driver knew that the left fork was blocked by a giant tree. Don's driver did not know...so we had a good laugh at their expense). </i></b></span></div>
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Day 4.) Piatua. A river made up of round boulders, boofs, and blue water this is
one of my top three rivers off all time. We explored Tena that evening and
stumbled across a volleyball match. The atmosphere was great on the sidelines
and the teams themselves were getting pretty heated. I think I'll go watch a
match every week to make up for missing the premier league (soccer league) at
home. <br /><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1i_ZhSxfiNJ9HTuwIE1Obn2DJt_4TM9IjjdpnTn-cFl7mcJcDLIF0AD2XS8DudgnzRkUPjHYof1-3ix5Pgqir_Intsb6J4QMCe0V9ltogT5-CHl-MVpmMMcNUoPo3o6OaVbJx/s1600/steve+boulder+hallway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1i_ZhSxfiNJ9HTuwIE1Obn2DJt_4TM9IjjdpnTn-cFl7mcJcDLIF0AD2XS8DudgnzRkUPjHYof1-3ix5Pgqir_Intsb6J4QMCe0V9ltogT5-CHl-MVpmMMcNUoPo3o6OaVbJx/s1600/steve+boulder+hallway.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Steve navigates the hallway of giant boulders</b></i></span></div>
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Day 5.) This day we were lucky enough too see tarantulas and monkeys both
before we'd even had breakfast. The team spent the day boofing in shortie cags <i>(shorty tops)</i>
on the Upper Misahualli. We got out at a quaint jungle lodge which is an excellent place
to relax and cool down with a drink. <br /><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Don doing "Da Boof" on da Oyacachi (thanks for the photo Paul)!</b></i></span></div>
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Day 6.) we tackled the Lower Cosanga. With Chris not on the river Steve thought
the time was right to have a little dip. I thought that it might shake him but
half way through the next wave train he became a man possessed as he drove
through every stopper<i> (hole) </i>and wave he could see. <br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3beTEDqnZVxg_LVt7kO0k2Yr0IpGTlqKesWtpphdXaYS6nbYvRkYcujGfSZu1fSb5Z2-OSNeTVibSWj-4boyskodMPP3tH-ihR9qHVKYlFA2Ep5jKwKlt7e3-HLiOvRwaWLg/s1600/todd+post+pollo+surf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3beTEDqnZVxg_LVt7kO0k2Yr0IpGTlqKesWtpphdXaYS6nbYvRkYcujGfSZu1fSb5Z2-OSNeTVibSWj-4boyskodMPP3tH-ihR9qHVKYlFA2Ep5jKwKlt7e3-HLiOvRwaWLg/s1600/todd+post+pollo+surf.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Todd, recovering well after having a massive surf, but the bad ass dude still managed to pull it together and be perfectly on line here!</span></i></b></div>
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Day 7.) The final day: we ran the el Chaco Canyon from the lodge. This stretch is
the home to the rapid El Toro (the bull) and we all stood up to the challenge
of taming the rapid. We spent time playing on a wave trying to pull off old
school moves in our creek boats, Chris gets the award for best pop out.<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCs8tBthTZ2zzcSPRWAztxKMJjp0UZagU6vO6ER-nwH6LBg0LRPrJOgfnaYCe-tP3Q8bt3C5OTk3GIX52f5leLd32XFlPYiDrCQO-oBTxz-RN_zKPzMkB80WWFHGHSIWIjbhRC/s1600/nice+jungle+quijos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCs8tBthTZ2zzcSPRWAztxKMJjp0UZagU6vO6ER-nwH6LBg0LRPrJOgfnaYCe-tP3Q8bt3C5OTk3GIX52f5leLd32XFlPYiDrCQO-oBTxz-RN_zKPzMkB80WWFHGHSIWIjbhRC/s1600/nice+jungle+quijos.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>The gang enjoying some typical Ecuadorian jungle greenery just upstream of SWA's riverside lodge</i></b></span></div>
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Seven days of great boating done! <br /><br />Stay classy!<br /><br />Liam <br /><br />
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<a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank">Small World Adventures</a></div>
Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-45808753248386798332012-11-22T08:11:00.000-07:002012-11-23T06:56:40.444-07:00Three, Three, Three trips in one!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2F8DkpuI-CR2_QusR5T1HSdo9QiDUhMjsiP0uAa-Mlh-Yc58KnpMNbrT0wAIyYZXEKVMoRpL16P40S5gY62wQbdBBVWqj8qF9asq3kjITGhta8fsRzfJBtMCWdTyIgBh37TJB/s1600/_jon_butt_boof_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2F8DkpuI-CR2_QusR5T1HSdo9QiDUhMjsiP0uAa-Mlh-Yc58KnpMNbrT0wAIyYZXEKVMoRpL16P40S5gY62wQbdBBVWqj8qF9asq3kjITGhta8fsRzfJBtMCWdTyIgBh37TJB/s400/_jon_butt_boof_small.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jon demonstrating some advanced boofing techniques.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: left;">Our 2012/2013 season started with a bang as we ran three trips simultaneously. I guess we needed to find a way to put all these guides to work and boy did we! Our staging area was awash with boats, gear, guides and guests with transport and drivers heading to all points of the compass. All the trips came off like clockwork and we are off to a great start.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3QzfSPG3TDSNJbeMhxiG9I2O8iTS6lFjsMlxTJaoZdqCo234fmzMRdRqbOYF_n4zDhk6q0ESqLnzxr66Dnw5xOqSi1q53VfGfEdihvLcSqfjxLKWKNriPd22o-8zqQsPYF8T/s1600/karl_preelection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3QzfSPG3TDSNJbeMhxiG9I2O8iTS6lFjsMlxTJaoZdqCo234fmzMRdRqbOYF_n4zDhk6q0ESqLnzxr66Dnw5xOqSi1q53VfGfEdihvLcSqfjxLKWKNriPd22o-8zqQsPYF8T/s400/karl_preelection.jpg" height="301" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karl and the Dog Cow before the election results came in.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Karl and Dave were on a private trip and tackled a wide range of rivers ranging from the Oyacachi to the Piatua and most everything in between. As is generally the rule these days Dave ranged forward with his signature hand paddles and singular style. This guy is more accomplished with those little dinner plates then many people are with a full size blade. It might be tough to build speed for the boof but there is always room for a little finesse.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6S_9BCfIxqW8xCigUIaU5saxh6cfZJiNUiGa36IeDcsm529xwaz5eu-OsaWXK3svLVXSD3Cgub2e-0DXuTufte_xsxa7d1lxvYWMOPL7ucRHSuzbaCGHA-DSLoOJXCknEZFdb/s1600/IMG_1965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6S_9BCfIxqW8xCigUIaU5saxh6cfZJiNUiGa36IeDcsm529xwaz5eu-OsaWXK3svLVXSD3Cgub2e-0DXuTufte_xsxa7d1lxvYWMOPL7ucRHSuzbaCGHA-DSLoOJXCknEZFdb/s400/IMG_1965.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karl leaning into it.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Karl spent a bit more time inspecting the bottom of the river but balanced it all out by displaying a huge amount of chutzpah, that guy can hang in there and keep it all together like no other. When necessary, this man can take a licking and keep on ticking, he always has a huge smile and a big laugh to carry the day.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave smoothing down the river.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Couple these two with Don and Greg as guides and you have a dream team ready to tackle just about everything there is to offer down here.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jon lining up the launch.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jon and Kevin joined forces to do an Advanced Creeking Clinic with Darcy leading the lines and Guy on the sweep. These two fine boaters did a great progression through the week with any cobwebs quickly falling away and rising to greater challenges each day and excelling at them. Jon brings a great Eastern boater style to the scene as he swoops and hops from eddy to eddy while Kevin displays a classic strong hard charger approach as he maneuvers and plays the water in a direct assault. Both of these gents had great runs on all of the rivers from the Cosanga and Oyacachi to the Upper Jondachi. As each challenge arose these guys rose to meet it. Teamwork and camaraderie abound as we worked our way down these creeks.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin showing his stuff when the chips are down.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Molly and Brooke did a Class III+ trip with Larry and Tarquino as guides. They were joined by Kim for a couple of days making for one incredibly awesome group of paddlers. These ladies were fun on and off the river and we found ourselves hard put to keep up with them. Always quick with a smile and a laugh, seemingly never needing any sleep or rest they were the energizer bunnies of Ecuador. Our dog cow had an instant affinity with this group and put up with more than one indignity to hang with them. We hope to see this group of ladies again soon.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brooke and Greg seriously outgunned.</td></tr>
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It was a great first week and we couldn't have been more pleased with the group and the rivers. Looking forward to many weeks to come!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLTSCp8EvAkVAL5w02tkhVUuWHn5qZ1ZhdUZqqgUtAsiSgj5QPlxyAL5_7y_VhHR64b6a7FMPykaDoJStj6-fR2glxXzskBgF0DgjpAM55PCZg5rAl4NQ-i-uCQlyFZFxPMCA/s1600/IMG_2168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLTSCp8EvAkVAL5w02tkhVUuWHn5qZ1ZhdUZqqgUtAsiSgj5QPlxyAL5_7y_VhHR64b6a7FMPykaDoJStj6-fR2glxXzskBgF0DgjpAM55PCZg5rAl4NQ-i-uCQlyFZFxPMCA/s400/IMG_2168.JPG" height="302" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post election celebration with Dave and Molly. Karl is sulking.</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-73166530655038783572012-11-10T14:23:00.001-07:002012-11-10T14:23:22.672-07:00Stoked on Ecuador! SWA is back baby.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsA021Nrd0iIAKYOabMmON1sL4w40j_72Ayz3ABdrRVrEeaXL66YSKP4lYFDKynsXiWRaA_ecERThNjT6rc4dvhswob4BuQ0p1fIydxadm-aUwlddjmmLio4PChEHDCbdvGji/s1600/don+hole+punching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsA021Nrd0iIAKYOabMmON1sL4w40j_72Ayz3ABdrRVrEeaXL66YSKP4lYFDKynsXiWRaA_ecERThNjT6rc4dvhswob4BuQ0p1fIydxadm-aUwlddjmmLio4PChEHDCbdvGji/s1600/don+hole+punching.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Don punches the hole at "Darcy's Rapid" on the Chingual River in Ecuador</b></i></span></div>
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The Small World Adventures crew is fully assembled and ready for the 2012/2013 season. Tarquino flew back in early October, Greg, Guy, Don and Darcy flew down on October 18th, Larry came the 21st, and Liam got in on November 6th. We is back baby and ready for action!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7omJpzdhf8_jL6M9KQqS06HuiaWdfx-pkV76rkb11Dke1kYZZBJchGtpc3sj-zjMRrA_N1EalgOOd5uTu-JAN8wO-J2J8QGW01fxOLyR5httZFtwo4kZZVD5zJaZWG_gLS8t/s1600/guy+due.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7omJpzdhf8_jL6M9KQqS06HuiaWdfx-pkV76rkb11Dke1kYZZBJchGtpc3sj-zjMRrA_N1EalgOOd5uTu-JAN8wO-J2J8QGW01fxOLyR5httZFtwo4kZZVD5zJaZWG_gLS8t/s1600/guy+due.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Guy, learning the ropes of life in Ecuador. Not bad, eh? Shorty, sunshine, good water, good friends.</b></i></span></div>
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Liam missed the initial weeks of exploring because he was chuffed about his jumper or something like that; but he will have the next 4 months to catch up! Meanwhile, the rest of us were busy trying to paddle every section that we guide on our trips to see which rapids have changes, which accesses have been improved or fallen into disrepair, AND, of course, just to have fun.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMFJ5TB7VCjCUwDGYdT3bmnWidk4XlYwbptK8SXbd9SSBjTTWvLnv0tsgWkU15oi9RalQ_LKi2mAZLMLU33M0q6-GndmVq3aIuzjdmqoaEG5vozGpfxMnW9UbXtkIn7rObVMa/s1600/Don+greg+road+trip+prep.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMFJ5TB7VCjCUwDGYdT3bmnWidk4XlYwbptK8SXbd9SSBjTTWvLnv0tsgWkU15oi9RalQ_LKi2mAZLMLU33M0q6-GndmVq3aIuzjdmqoaEG5vozGpfxMnW9UbXtkIn7rObVMa/s1600/Don+greg+road+trip+prep.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Greg and Don stocking up on road trip supplies</b></i></span></div>
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We figured, why F around when we arrived and started out straight away with the Oyacachi, Cheesehouse and then a ROAD TRIP!</div>
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<br /><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XuaFNX-1WXB7vkj7uY8v_vI5HcwJ2ZedMISwXrz7t-JbCzVUc1Zs_ZP0Ojj45JWe_HvNWGEz5KRF43-9sEm7fdUM0DllBOZ4bxlNFs1ZPt8FFu422q3H6dPShXIKTLBlUnwg/s1600/darcy+piatua+kids.jpg" height="300" width="400" /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><br /> Darcy meeting some new chica friends</i></b></span></div>
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We had a grand time seeing old friends, getting reacquainted, meeting new friends and catching up with all our favorite rivers. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKeDw_BfMljLzHcTwNkSo3sxUobuVw00E5r6YYOAe5xe7kuRLR1MkW-5hyphenhyphenCbxcpKYd3vGREWh8Mg4saWKaLrT1bftLP6Qfyp0xx8do92UIy8-Gz7H24sdmAJNUPiFki6Lb_HW/s1600/larry+mis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKeDw_BfMljLzHcTwNkSo3sxUobuVw00E5r6YYOAe5xe7kuRLR1MkW-5hyphenhyphenCbxcpKYd3vGREWh8Mg4saWKaLrT1bftLP6Qfyp0xx8do92UIy8-Gz7H24sdmAJNUPiFki6Lb_HW/s1600/larry+mis.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Larry, SWA master mind, enjoying a sweet run down the upper stretches of the Upper Misahualli</b></i></span></div>
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There was, of course, a small adjustment period getting back into the Ecua-way of living. First of all, we have to adjust to having awesome fresh fruits and veggies. Then we have to re-adjust to listening to rega-ton. Next is watching Greg invent 10 new hand shakes with each shuttle driver we have and, oh yeah, gotta re-adjust to paddling in a shorty top. Life is rough down here!<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyncQYREPR0guyU0Y0FYbvx29-JZ7WQjJa9I6gkM7VkrfliiSuSv-J-5gR4XpC-8xBl6AO9WJAKkWrrQ0F8rEOjUkYEhV-tGiIFzeuIrpdphkXbT9jpkGakMJHeGFIq-6izIb/s1600/greg+frothy+oro.jpg" height="266" width="400" /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><br />Greggy punching holes in Oro Pendula Island on the Chingual</i></b></span></div>
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On the rivers, it seems there must have been mega high water in the Quijos Valley while we were gone. Many rapids have changes on the Cosanga, Quijos and Oyacachi rivers. Plus, logs that have been beached on giant boulders for a decade are GONE. Pretty exciting to think about what was going on while we were gone!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcpWQUe4JauNKx-RkuHEnFNJxCnYhpjTeGdGbZMjW0Wunlqkpwa7ELXgtHafgqk5n6WEJvRRg72rOk79UBA_T-1_b9GUOMhcP21YPuTPdXKXmYTCFoymj6DSIfDVw4-rGFEl-/s1600/don+greg+big+boulders.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcpWQUe4JauNKx-RkuHEnFNJxCnYhpjTeGdGbZMjW0Wunlqkpwa7ELXgtHafgqk5n6WEJvRRg72rOk79UBA_T-1_b9GUOMhcP21YPuTPdXKXmYTCFoymj6DSIfDVw4-rGFEl-/s1600/don+greg+big+boulders.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Don and Greg dwarfed by boulders up North. This is saying a lot as Don is 6 feet and Greg is 6'6!</b></i></span></div>
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Over in Tena seems things to have changed less (except for a few logs and access points). The Jondachi, Piatua and Misahualli are rather prone to changes in big floods, but all those rivers are more or less the same.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWTvZA-v8iYZx0Y-eVrDQhS4isEZFukpFJvxUskUBSMz9ImS_Bvbg3EI3jcTqN1zojBj5ul_lqBEInbhBJYh7sBNDczcbleIWLnB_3yyGesU4h1BlvlWrp32gwL5z1GwRKLIT/s1600/road+work.jpg" height="266" width="400" /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b><br />The boys doing their community service road improvement project</b></i></span></div>
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For a more detailed account of the river changes, check out our <a href="http://kayakersguidetoecuador.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kayaker's Guide to Ecuador Blog</a>.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQjhPq7FiR0tX2Cq-Nr5x_Gqs4v4E5ieh3MsK8HvgkjJwq2hrFwOZBsqgB_UHHF91COHQF5uoUv3QBJBZjsw4lLetVtYsEdv2epye71jTOS7W65XstheBu1kXU2P7tj6atBgL/s1600/lucho.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Mi Hombre Lucho on one of the countless rapids on the Topo</b></i></span></div>
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A highlight of the early season this year for me and Don was a run down the Topo river with local paddler Lucho. We hadn't paddled the Topo for almost 5 years and it was great to get back. They are currently building a hydro project on this river so access is a little tricky, but with Lucho, it was no problem!<br />
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Sorry I could only take 1 photo, but Lucho was flying down the river and I had to concentrate on keeping up, not on taking photos;-)<br />
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Look for Lucho on the future SWA guide roaster--this guy is the MAN!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2lgFSiyD-DphdLfN8l0acWmzRNbwl5Q8UOLEcz2EvdEJxpRsPWplNbe6FlaeLE6H6AMh7PjILThZdtPZ9F6_oCmJ3A1vo93_l1mJSoiMvueHlNpbvKoXIWqmiKIPtvlWGJIL/s1600/greg+at+darcy%27s+hole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2lgFSiyD-DphdLfN8l0acWmzRNbwl5Q8UOLEcz2EvdEJxpRsPWplNbe6FlaeLE6H6AMh7PjILThZdtPZ9F6_oCmJ3A1vo93_l1mJSoiMvueHlNpbvKoXIWqmiKIPtvlWGJIL/s1600/greg+at+darcy's+hole.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMFJ5TB7VCjCUwDGYdT3bmnWidk4XlYwbptK8SXbd9SSBjTTWvLnv0tsgWkU15oi9RalQ_LKi2mAZLMLU33M0q6-GndmVq3aIuzjdmqoaEG5vozGpfxMnW9UbXtkIn7rObVMa/s1600/Don+greg+road+trip+prep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Greg working hard to find the tongue on "Darcy's Rapid"</span></i></b></div>
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Our group road trip was up north to some of our favorite rivers up there. We were lucky enough to see Toucans, hawks, and color tanagers. The bird watching contingency should definitely move their tours to Northern Ecuador! That place rocks for the birdies (and the kayaking).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboDUav442zw_q9jE2MUDhrQvDBJ04cI791Si2P1Oh5ge1BjsdjAi46jaICwUYkwOCsO8THqTneoG1cxLEm5qJPGWxF37P_ITrOxRB3Ci9JY-hdKikmLybUjhEXoLYn4F1MFH_/s1600/greg+due+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboDUav442zw_q9jE2MUDhrQvDBJ04cI791Si2P1Oh5ge1BjsdjAi46jaICwUYkwOCsO8THqTneoG1cxLEm5qJPGWxF37P_ITrOxRB3Ci9JY-hdKikmLybUjhEXoLYn4F1MFH_/s1600/greg+due+bridge.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Greg, enjoying a classic Ecuadorian bridge over the Rio Due</b></i></span></div>
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In other news, Larry is busy training up our awesome new cooks--Liliana and Jemana. He is also working on new guide housing for Greg and Liam. Guy is busy planning and plotting the new SWA hot tub, and Tarquino is a loco as ever!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T2b55XpGrehkyHpSnTt5baTIgLyD2H0EzPPj29acZsaVXFmczd8CPfOK8VjCcyR6koez-FKlmp-A1aeom3wq-vo00r54G-lEtBNYYACa2e2I5vFEsxbklVFGtm2UjMwe6Nhs/s1600/guy+oro+pendual.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T2b55XpGrehkyHpSnTt5baTIgLyD2H0EzPPj29acZsaVXFmczd8CPfOK8VjCcyR6koez-FKlmp-A1aeom3wq-vo00r54G-lEtBNYYACa2e2I5vFEsxbklVFGtm2UjMwe6Nhs/s1600/guy+oro+pendual.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Guy, checking the Chingual. I think he's loving his new office.</span></b></i></div>
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We have just completed our first trip of the season and all the guests are in route to Quito with Memo and are as happy as can be. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZvfiKThXERusTl90ttjYGcriPNUKhgMA_QBZDD3PTQAeXs0l4M54HJ-ktC6DBZQgVP22g0M3-Dmty9dAY85LXtjLwsXnjT0SGmbXsm4fYkYFjX_KASJmQ6CK51rU8H3Sd9yN/s1600/larry+rolling+piatua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZvfiKThXERusTl90ttjYGcriPNUKhgMA_QBZDD3PTQAeXs0l4M54HJ-ktC6DBZQgVP22g0M3-Dmty9dAY85LXtjLwsXnjT0SGmbXsm4fYkYFjX_KASJmQ6CK51rU8H3Sd9yN/s1600/larry+rolling+piatua.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Larry, <span style="font-size: x-small;">getting bubbli<span style="font-size: x-small;">cious</span></span> in the clear waters of the Piatua</b></i></span></div>
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We've also started doing daily water level and weather updates. Weather prediction is nearly impossible here in the Amazon Basin so we figured we'd at least tell you what happened and what is currently happening with the water levels and weather here. Check it out, yo: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EcuadorWaterLevelsAndWeatherUpdates?bookmark_t=page" target="_blank">Ecuador Water Levels and Weather Updates</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank">Small World Adventures</a></div>
<br />Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-36411662021188811452012-10-13T15:24:00.000-06:002012-10-13T15:33:02.567-06:00Grand Times on the Grand Canyon with SWA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Oh, damn, perfect conditions and we forgot the water skis! An amazingly calm morning in the heart of Marble Canyon.</b></i></span></div>
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Small World Adventures just got off the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River, and we couldn’t have asked for a better
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>The Crew chilling out below Vasey's Paradise. From left to right: Eric, Oliver, Ina, Thomas, Rudi, Rae, Guy, Darcy, Valentine, Dave, Paula, Nina (Ursula is off to the right doing her own thang)!</b></i></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
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Our amazing group was comprised of all kinds of fun and
interesting characters; all super nice people and all willing to pull their weight
(and more) around camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Sunset over camp below the Roaring 20's. Yet another sweet, sandy beach to kick back on for the evening.</b></i></span><br />
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<br />
We had a crew of 8 from Austria,
2 from Montana, 1 from L.A.,
1 from D.C., 1 from Norway
and 1 from Colorado.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, we were a diverse group who
came together to help each other celebrate the trip of a lifetime!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQlSUikGuPs_VzaO01UF9R3CslQcbk26swbP_GMm0ZQD_4GNktJ7YnTOnu2BWcJOH9DRdFumdSvxGwrDiRswJ3gxclcHiCDimlipAsV2cl6RARiS0bvpULZzL645QQrd9IgD-/s1600/brad,+ursula,+nina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQlSUikGuPs_VzaO01UF9R3CslQcbk26swbP_GMm0ZQD_4GNktJ7YnTOnu2BWcJOH9DRdFumdSvxGwrDiRswJ3gxclcHiCDimlipAsV2cl6RARiS0bvpULZzL645QQrd9IgD-/s1600/brad,+ursula,+nina.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Brad, Ursula and Ina taking advantage of the shade after hiking up the steep trail to the granaries at Nankoweep</b></i></span><br />
<br />
It’s hard to put down in words what a 225 mile trip through
the Canyon is all about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an
unforgettable experience that I’m sure changed each and every one of us (yes,
even those who have been down many times) in some way.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SZUo2wv6Z-h0rHFqdok2rgRW0w7tEQh2cgKvkoGgELrkpl22UMsukgBeBhcktnHYHrAO6qIY4skl8KcuQuySFwLMiLWf3F5xu-Obr6YK93egmdbOX9sXpjbnvdr4gslFr2EM/s1600/good+sue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SZUo2wv6Z-h0rHFqdok2rgRW0w7tEQh2cgKvkoGgELrkpl22UMsukgBeBhcktnHYHrAO6qIY4skl8KcuQuySFwLMiLWf3F5xu-Obr6YK93egmdbOX9sXpjbnvdr4gslFr2EM/s1600/good+sue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Sue enjoys the calm before the storm </b></i></span></div>
<br />
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For me, the most special part of a journey down the G.C. is
just getting away from it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>14 days
without a cell phone, without a computer, without newspapers, Television,
Facebook, etc…is just pretty damn awesome in my opinion!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iPP5K6ofc29s3t2GVQmpy4brfv_hys6rWrlb_HIdtsebeqi8ju17cqjPnvxPSC7zfR_W0boXaq6oR6-givarscSckBUJICYN6EyqT1gznJ-FfUn6rCF4NA1TYS3XfIO0BkQP/s1600/ursula+family+happy+times.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iPP5K6ofc29s3t2GVQmpy4brfv_hys6rWrlb_HIdtsebeqi8ju17cqjPnvxPSC7zfR_W0boXaq6oR6-givarscSckBUJICYN6EyqT1gznJ-FfUn6rCF4NA1TYS3XfIO0BkQP/s1600/ursula+family+happy+times.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> The family that drinks gas-powered Margaritas together, stays together! Ursula and her 3 kids--Ina, Paula and Valentine enjoying life and each other at the camp below Lava Falls.</b></i></span></div>
<br />
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On all of Don and my other travels with a kayak, I constantly
feel the need to “check in” and so we spend countless hours looking for
internet cafes, or places where our phones work all so I can read a few emails,
write some blogs, and post some crap on Facebook!</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Eric, Sue, Rae and Nina enjoy a tranquil morning with awesome sights like Vasey's Paradise and Redwall Cavern </b></i></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is certainly liberating to be “stuck” at the bottom of
the Big Ditch with no hope whatsoever of getting online.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All the stress of office work just melts away as we shove off from Lee’s
Ferry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AM9g-SuGFnRPDFltTXdqjkXk2PONbnisP0YyBvNAt4Xee6Dtf_oPzHBbDHc0LVsZKduqacMflIPo2jYi_eOlBMbZwcl7uJonoBbBhN6rssDdKlZM1kLe60_Z8hkr5HaiTCp5/s1600/rudi+oli+thomas+hermit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AM9g-SuGFnRPDFltTXdqjkXk2PONbnisP0YyBvNAt4Xee6Dtf_oPzHBbDHc0LVsZKduqacMflIPo2jYi_eOlBMbZwcl7uJonoBbBhN6rssDdKlZM1kLe60_Z8hkr5HaiTCp5/s1600/rudi+oli+thomas+hermit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Even though the light sucks in this photo, I love it! Rudi leads his sons--Oliver and Thomas--through their 2nd lap of Hermit. Rudi is looking good, Oliver is catching big air off the top wave, and Thomas is grinning big as he drops in behind his big bro. </i></b></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
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By the time we’ve hit House Rock rapid I’ve forgotten all
about emails, blogs and Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And,
by the time we are in the middle of Lava
Falls, I can’t even remember that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">anything</i></b>
exists beyond the Grand Canyon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aJ0zmJhqIwxB6Vp9Paprm4zRVOXjSiMzfmWxcYLc4Dl2QDCiypbQD5iiuAvFnjjK98Hq3pMaVQDrjXpP69i_O7RUriYf7xacTYsGMDVoma66NzvGF3z2lE2dukXBkTIwNskK/s1600/valentine+paula+checking+the+rocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aJ0zmJhqIwxB6Vp9Paprm4zRVOXjSiMzfmWxcYLc4Dl2QDCiypbQD5iiuAvFnjjK98Hq3pMaVQDrjXpP69i_O7RUriYf7xacTYsGMDVoma66NzvGF3z2lE2dukXBkTIwNskK/s1600/valentine+paula+checking+the+rocks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Valentine and Paula move in for a closer look at the "Desert Varnish" </b></i></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a great exercise in letting go, disconnecting and truly
just living for the moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
pretty easy to do when life is simplified such that it is on the G.C.—eat,
kayak, eat, kayak, hike, eat, sleep, wake up, repeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEJYfOi1oyUDxPcZzetr1_qdpP1JDJ2K7YVg0pWrM_j8yaPDtc1Iwnhyphenhyphenm1txl_xN3O2OrnVyd4TpCrTx9kapNiYgzmpv_MdeoNpAgsy8futBfA9IAXaktgWjefY_GuSsQwdwV/s1600/thomas+shower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEJYfOi1oyUDxPcZzetr1_qdpP1JDJ2K7YVg0pWrM_j8yaPDtc1Iwnhyphenhyphenm1txl_xN3O2OrnVyd4TpCrTx9kapNiYgzmpv_MdeoNpAgsy8futBfA9IAXaktgWjefY_GuSsQwdwV/s1600/thomas+shower.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Thomas is not afraid to dive head first into a cool "douche" in 3 Springs </b></i></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The act of disengaging with the cyber world also creates the
opportunity to ENGAGE with your fellow humanoids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It allows us to sit down and have real conversations
with people when we aren’t distracted by incoming text messages, or the TV on
the background.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKh8KGN4xaJcnhTgQkRWtkW8o2o5AlEcNvUpCQGtSW4BeGAMUMmuCopjG45uJjj3rXvvVSDCXH3GIyuPhAxm8UfDo5tGKdhf4tLHcZpxKDgwviesVJLAekUyuQ8nGAsKuiyRDt/s1600/jay+the+piarate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKh8KGN4xaJcnhTgQkRWtkW8o2o5AlEcNvUpCQGtSW4BeGAMUMmuCopjG45uJjj3rXvvVSDCXH3GIyuPhAxm8UfDo5tGKdhf4tLHcZpxKDgwviesVJLAekUyuQ8nGAsKuiyRDt/s1600/jay+the+piarate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Arrrrrg. Beware of Jay the pirate </i></b></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s amazing the things you can learn about people
(including yourself) when you just kick back and listen to someone!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHUTEkrIG-D-LXGC1yPt2ynugPKfLylR70bQ06Cu-CK3cKo3lQA8zeU8tejAY4GHQ-iDIV9cKkuwklpH4n6UweCanz62LbR96WUF3J3VNrgfkBhZiohJu3GATEe521M17jtMi/s1600/dave+surfing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHUTEkrIG-D-LXGC1yPt2ynugPKfLylR70bQ06Cu-CK3cKo3lQA8zeU8tejAY4GHQ-iDIV9cKkuwklpH4n6UweCanz62LbR96WUF3J3VNrgfkBhZiohJu3GATEe521M17jtMi/s1600/dave+surfing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Dave definitely claiming the best; and BY FAR the longest surf of the day. And, he did it without a paddle to boot. Well, someone had to show those youngsters in their playboats what was up!</b></i></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think for many people on the trip, this whole concept of
being cut off from the rest of society was a new feeling—or at least being cut
off for 14 days straight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But everyone
dealt with it extremely well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhyNmaLHCEsY0Ky_5oGO0tZ0mRlWop6GUa7ULGodscxr1uQCQXSgaSgP-9NG0o8TaANgq8O1tvjuRr2Jbkd58xvUAAkk52x0ZHTS6MnNEE7SWwleGiJ8FAEQSCYRScb_T3me-/s1600/deer+creek+falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhyNmaLHCEsY0Ky_5oGO0tZ0mRlWop6GUa7ULGodscxr1uQCQXSgaSgP-9NG0o8TaANgq8O1tvjuRr2Jbkd58xvUAAkk52x0ZHTS6MnNEE7SWwleGiJ8FAEQSCYRScb_T3me-/s1600/deer+creek+falls.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Getting up close and personal with Deer Creek Falls. Once they got their GoPro situated, the Austrian boys dove right in for the UBER DOUCHE directly under the falls</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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It wasn’t until the last day of the trip as reality was
starting to creep back into the minds of the paddlers that I heard few comments
like, “I wonder what’s happening in the outside world.” And, “I wonder how many
emails I’ll have waiting when I get back to the office.”</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSoHHWOHxbTf8yW3VCqWabHscr5eM1HzEHH1hiNzJ1RPQlDYGd-lAnnZERuoNNwD9U-amFbInyvcyjdvM3e_tZQYxCgDLVTmzFl0vsBUPOxCA7Fpy-ufjEz07mXoyf8nCbb7B/s1600/don+nanko.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSoHHWOHxbTf8yW3VCqWabHscr5eM1HzEHH1hiNzJ1RPQlDYGd-lAnnZERuoNNwD9U-amFbInyvcyjdvM3e_tZQYxCgDLVTmzFl0vsBUPOxCA7Fpy-ufjEz07mXoyf8nCbb7B/s1600/don+nanko.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Don feeling at peace since he's forgotten to worry about whether he has more friends than Larry on Facebook</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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The ability to forget all this and just focus on the canyon
is a gift that I don’t think any of us appreciated fully enough until we got
back to our “real lives.”</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Eric telling Ina to stop trying to eat the Great Pumpkin</b></i></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Now, not everyone may have enjoyed being cut off as much as
I did, but I know the trip was immeasurably special for every one of us in some
way.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Dan and the gang enjoying the views from the Havasu trail</b></i></span></div>
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For some running the huge whitewater was a highlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few people told me that they’d never run
anything THAT BIG before in their lives and likely wouldn’t again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an amazing feeling to battle the
seemingly endless breaking wave trains in the Roaring 20’s, ride the humongous
waves at Hermit, or punch the formidable lateral at Lava!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Party time! Jay entertains "the kids" while Sue and Katrina kick back and enjoy an icy cold margarita!</b></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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For others, seeing the Canyon’s geology was the
highlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ever-morphing but always
impressive shape of the canyon kept us captivated throughout our days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One great thing about the trip is that the
canyon itself is constantly changing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
2 days look alike as you move through Sandstones, Limestones, Shales, Granites,
Basalts and much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPWJyB9taGAQTbqgmjhZVx1-jbLn7TrTTSHxw9GB3czUslTnhzx_3OQcov6W9cCEEPe2EmLJSVpFiy61iGdnnWoG-X10-ELFyhOmTd2rcvXqC4oq5-2bBMKLb7bh4BZUUOS3C/s1600/LV+nako.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPWJyB9taGAQTbqgmjhZVx1-jbLn7TrTTSHxw9GB3czUslTnhzx_3OQcov6W9cCEEPe2EmLJSVpFiy61iGdnnWoG-X10-ELFyhOmTd2rcvXqC4oq5-2bBMKLb7bh4BZUUOS3C/s1600/LV+nako.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Best Trip Leader ever--Larry! Best Baggage Boatman ever--Dan! Best New Kayaker ever--Katrina!</i></b></span></div>
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Just before Lava
Falls, boaters can start
to see evidence of a massive lava flow that poured over the canyon rim filling gullies,
capping rocks and crossing the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
places, it looks as if the lava were literally frozen still in a split second
as it now stands suspended in mid-cascade down the canyon walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYieF9AIk5Ri9Z7MO42QlXrfdgyuromstJuTE6S9k-c5XUPjAhu83YMKuK_0rqP9ny3-JcNcYf-TbjcpvOBDvdpDdkwiJABJ_xP5woSRon6ru_rXBdtWhKMnxH2qA9w9-qilwv/s1600/havasu+hike.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNz8ylBr6g0wDRYlc2PZaVEljekzK1r2jWuVbt0ktejMKRmFvgg0V04vK0_BUpTd04TEEbzRKaiyboJuFeY-Fek8SWOuwWpbUrleattZ8U6vT0Huc1XNXaXYSByUuoh2sYjEu1/s1600/kayak+lessons.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNz8ylBr6g0wDRYlc2PZaVEljekzK1r2jWuVbt0ktejMKRmFvgg0V04vK0_BUpTd04TEEbzRKaiyboJuFeY-Fek8SWOuwWpbUrleattZ8U6vT0Huc1XNXaXYSByUuoh2sYjEu1/s1600/kayak+lessons.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Lunch time kayaking lessons</b></i><i><b>. Guy teaching Katrina everything there is to know about the wet exit</b></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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As John Wesley Powell wrote in his journal at the part of
the canyon—“What a Conflict of Fire and Water it must have been!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day dreaming about the forces of nature at
work to create the landscape we now float through is a worthy reason to do the
G.C. in and of itself!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGkXp2wNNPH-u7vZiRFYmes12oEaLWWGBvvy2rGqcW1lejEk3iZVxquPF_XjQoDWoSNsRAAgnqKvUdnTPHjBi9DsAO1I-OSHmoy-thi3t5q3ZxUn1zSoJFJKCGHqtym6d7YTX/s1600/oli+havasu+confulence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGkXp2wNNPH-u7vZiRFYmes12oEaLWWGBvvy2rGqcW1lejEk3iZVxquPF_XjQoDWoSNsRAAgnqKvUdnTPHjBi9DsAO1I-OSHmoy-thi3t5q3ZxUn1zSoJFJKCGHqtym6d7YTX/s1600/oli+havasu+confulence.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Oliver admiring contrasts as Havasu Creek joins the main river</i></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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And for some, the highlight of the trip was pulling into any
one of the perfect sandy beaches that we called home each night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the rafts were unloaded, people could
set their minds to relaxing alongside the river and waiting for Jay’s “Supper
time” call, wondering what kind of magnificent food he and Don cooked up
tonight?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WszPFIydSkgona405k_9oKSYD4L4EIkGpDYDNTdpzL92PiOFeitoR44cEiPfunvneix8lW08X6hsDT39AvzERMC1dhbaCUF6DZLHl-kx1Upe7DcciMtxh5IjDTWM1GGEkoj0/s1600/oliver+bow+stall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WszPFIydSkgona405k_9oKSYD4L4EIkGpDYDNTdpzL92PiOFeitoR44cEiPfunvneix8lW08X6hsDT39AvzERMC1dhbaCUF6DZLHl-kx1Upe7DcciMtxh5IjDTWM1GGEkoj0/s1600/oliver+bow+stall.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Perfect place for a bow stall!</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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I know a few of us loved throwing away our watches and just living by the sun. Get up when it gets light, go to bed shortly after it gets dark. And, yes, I'm only 34 years old, but I fricking LOVE going to be at 7:45pm! </div>
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<br /></div>
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And while I know that Valentine, Ina, Paula, Thomas and Oliver didn't necessarily love the whole "live by the natural cycle of the day" thing, I do believe the highlight for them was Jay’s
“chain saw blender,” or being able to share such a special trip with their families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYieF9AIk5Ri9Z7MO42QlXrfdgyuromstJuTE6S9k-c5XUPjAhu83YMKuK_0rqP9ny3-JcNcYf-TbjcpvOBDvdpDdkwiJABJ_xP5woSRon6ru_rXBdtWhKMnxH2qA9w9-qilwv/s1600/havasu+hike.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuui6eUkDsURMD9Za71s5yyhgy_gby5Skhy21nKxqgUXW1bWB2FIorIjP7jdczUmomlY6PqAUtMoDyazqOiHzp1_rIVdWOMAGjeGPqsM7YpFEKc5perkGGJngnNvr-F8bj_Fnf/s1600/nina+pres+harding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuui6eUkDsURMD9Za71s5yyhgy_gby5Skhy21nKxqgUXW1bWB2FIorIjP7jdczUmomlY6PqAUtMoDyazqOiHzp1_rIVdWOMAGjeGPqsM7YpFEKc5perkGGJngnNvr-F8bj_Fnf/s1600/nina+pres+harding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Nina and the "Devil Boat" make their way through President Harding Rapid</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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For Jay, the highlight (besides impressing everyone with his
blender) was probably the fact that everyone started to call their solar
showers “douche bags.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not really as bad
at is sounds, it all came about because they learned that “douche” means shower
in Norwegian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, from that moment
onward, Jay had the pleasure of yelling each day, “Get your damn douche bags
off my raft!”</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYieF9AIk5Ri9Z7MO42QlXrfdgyuromstJuTE6S9k-c5XUPjAhu83YMKuK_0rqP9ny3-JcNcYf-TbjcpvOBDvdpDdkwiJABJ_xP5woSRon6ru_rXBdtWhKMnxH2qA9w9-qilwv/s1600/havasu+hike.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTODf000GYdKjuP2-9Oe5YsEmte8-gcsJKoyWcBL8apaXuQGRslET3D_GCP23TnohgPmZWE1w7gZEYUs2wRFHRmkiqlLH03BqINP8jajgfYbXlZAahyphenhyphen3-IqXDt0GOl4ffyUq0m/s1600/teacher+larry+in+the+flatwater.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTODf000GYdKjuP2-9Oe5YsEmte8-gcsJKoyWcBL8apaXuQGRslET3D_GCP23TnohgPmZWE1w7gZEYUs2wRFHRmkiqlLH03BqINP8jajgfYbXlZAahyphenhyphen3-IqXDt0GOl4ffyUq0m/s1600/teacher+larry+in+the+flatwater.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Eric, Paula, Oliver, Rae, Ursula, Dave, Nina and Darcy gather around Larry's raft to hear about the Marble Canyon Dam Site. But, thanks to David Brower and the Sierra Club, Marble Canyon ain't no lake!</b></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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Each of us has different reasons for loving the canyon and
for fighting not to loose our wonderful memories from this trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Grand Canyon will
impress upon us for many years to come, and we are all thankful for that!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">I can't wait until the next time I can watch the sunset on the Grand</span></b></i></div>
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Now, the SWA crew is heading back to Ecuador to
begin the next adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See you south
of the equator!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Small World Adventures </span></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYieF9AIk5Ri9Z7MO42QlXrfdgyuromstJuTE6S9k-c5XUPjAhu83YMKuK_0rqP9ny3-JcNcYf-TbjcpvOBDvdpDdkwiJABJ_xP5woSRon6ru_rXBdtWhKMnxH2qA9w9-qilwv/s1600/havasu+hike.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-53287856673026130862012-10-10T18:06:00.000-06:002012-10-10T18:06:26.987-06:00Can't Wait to Get Back to Ecuador!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81jn3OFlH-fud4ZZussVHi0i8xUaTMDlnMXvuC-WCMWTJ42OjSWu6Vtj7qqkf_OJoFWlde1dsKutzlrERTWRrJenA2MIo9pJdcSuWZ5qccAL66r8J-gLc8TQJW749FLO9Jo56/s1600/chrisoya.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81jn3OFlH-fud4ZZussVHi0i8xUaTMDlnMXvuC-WCMWTJ42OjSWu6Vtj7qqkf_OJoFWlde1dsKutzlrERTWRrJenA2MIo9pJdcSuWZ5qccAL66r8J-gLc8TQJW749FLO9Jo56/s1600/chrisoya.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Chris T. Enjoying an "fluffy" run down the Oyacachi River</b></i></span><br /></div>
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Don and I leave in 6 days for Ecuador, and instead of packing,
I’m blogging!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After getting over the initial home-coming from the Grand
Canyon and realizing that, “oh crap, we leave really soon and I have SO much to do,” I’m now super
stoked to be getting back to Ecuador.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofwxcdXGvNSWkX6AIy2Jy52zx5w7x3YefZgOk-Kx4eW_-br0lMaGQJfGhipVsA4CX3UBZuMNdjALiX8LYpEg9GM3UyC0owyvjJVRfgsNtQX0qfHQfBu8jPu7DsEbROtv_LlYU/s1600/its+a+jungle+out+there.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofwxcdXGvNSWkX6AIy2Jy52zx5w7x3YefZgOk-Kx4eW_-br0lMaGQJfGhipVsA4CX3UBZuMNdjALiX8LYpEg9GM3UyC0owyvjJVRfgsNtQX0qfHQfBu8jPu7DsEbROtv_LlYU/s1600/its+a+jungle+out+there.JPG" height="400" width="266" /> </a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Don't under estimate the Ecuadorian jungle--it's thick out there!</b></i></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Mrt679z9X_vQNsKTuKL1M9LCzJiJClA9DKneYxUWoQfrYMoHo_e4-OIh-zXXCc0uPwHLfa2S82v44oIgMu6rxR2AEIHIcDZ7KQ91J3wJOFTByt8zuwTF7SAw0nkwkW3bAXYw/s1600/tarquino+menag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=34833820" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> </div>
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I’ve been lucky enough to travel all over North America and
the World in the pursuit of paddling; and sure, there is excellent whitewater in other places in
the world—California, Washington, B.C to name just a few—but none have the
complete package like Ecuador does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ecuador has
great boating, a super friendly and laid back culture, monkeys, rainforest and
just all and all good living.</div>
<br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pA6gr8ohW7DCSR-MHXL9OXQyaYRJnATODK1-NPXdqeriiXOdOB4Uc8QZekgSKE-W8t1ug2g7Lv7VKBOJYMOCJXNGdywykQVQvzUNNtspueHj1eX2hpzC5WzXnZwm5gO3BKSw/s1600/tarquino+menag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pA6gr8ohW7DCSR-MHXL9OXQyaYRJnATODK1-NPXdqeriiXOdOB4Uc8QZekgSKE-W8t1ug2g7Lv7VKBOJYMOCJXNGdywykQVQvzUNNtspueHj1eX2hpzC5WzXnZwm5gO3BKSw/s1600/tarquino+menag.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=34833820" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Mrt679z9X_vQNsKTuKL1M9LCzJiJClA9DKneYxUWoQfrYMoHo_e4-OIh-zXXCc0uPwHLfa2S82v44oIgMu6rxR2AEIHIcDZ7KQ91J3wJOFTByt8zuwTF7SAw0nkwkW3bAXYw/s1600/tarquino+menag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Tarquino leads a crew into "Menage-a-Rodeo" on the Cosanga River. The take out for this run is at SWA's riverside lodge, so even if you get a little rodeo action, you won't have to wait too much longer for your take out beer!</b></i></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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Just a quick count of Ecuador’s awesomeness:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
In the Borja
Valley alone there are
more than 150 kilometers of whitewater spread between 6 major and “classic”
rivers and a handful of lesser known rivers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Borja, site of Small World Adventures’ riverside lodge, has seen quite
a few changes since Larry first recognized the valley as the boating Mecca of
Ecuador, but all and all retains its sleepy farming town charm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heaviest traffic on the road to the lodge
is still farmers walking down to tend the cows and the biggest “noise
pollution” is all those damn Inca Jays and Oro Pendula birds singing their
distinctive songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still haven’t
gotten tired of a lap down the Oyacachi, then a quick stop in the town of El Chaco to stock
up on beans, rice, fresh tomatoes, avocados, pineapples, bananas, and berries,
then back to the lodge in time to enjoy a cold Pilsiner on the porch while
watching a myriad of brilliantly colored hummingbirds compete for the flower
nectar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HaoJbnaOzyYcluc7h0eOaOk_IcyY2ZcTP_mGRvb78ZSugtZ_arelbw0XkWRCIChUAVd7sxT2HZCp6oH9-2OPKpQJQZVs1-oH0l3ZeqIq69BQoVr98Ni6JUjyTmoQhC5Oo-Dt/s1600/IMGP0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HaoJbnaOzyYcluc7h0eOaOk_IcyY2ZcTP_mGRvb78ZSugtZ_arelbw0XkWRCIChUAVd7sxT2HZCp6oH9-2OPKpQJQZVs1-oH0l3ZeqIq69BQoVr98Ni6JUjyTmoQhC5Oo-Dt/s1600/IMGP0477.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Larry doing a little silhouette art during the Fiestas de Borja</b></i></span></div>
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</div>
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Then, branching out to Tena, where we spend at least 2 of our
days with all of our trips, you bring the count up to over 300 kilometers of
whitewater spread amongst Class II, III, IV, and V rivers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those heat-seeking people in the world will
love Tena!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The air temperature is a
pretty constant 80-85 degrees (that’s roughly 25 degrees Celsius) and the water is
warm enough to break out the shorty paddling top (you can get away with just a
rash guard if you don’t mind the extra water in the boat)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While our lodge is in the transitional forest
around 5,000 feet in elevation, Tena is true jungle and will have you thinking
of <span class="st">Bagheera the Panther and Baloo the Bear in no time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSf77dvdEpJtUWC5Bfh3VMcK4fAVFr2AoFyQWS7QPmwka0bmaIiZn26KqaqRP3ji-CjAJD3xvwdog6di03kFXUNlUlddHoS3ByRmpbHfDcD-aO3wz4qWD-U7L_gsaoXt2H-W_/s1600/don's+S.F.+hike+and+then+some+164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSf77dvdEpJtUWC5Bfh3VMcK4fAVFr2AoFyQWS7QPmwka0bmaIiZn26KqaqRP3ji-CjAJD3xvwdog6di03kFXUNlUlddHoS3ByRmpbHfDcD-aO3wz4qWD-U7L_gsaoXt2H-W_/s1600/don's+S.F.+hike+and+then+some+164.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Jason has blurry vision in Tres Huevos on the Upper Jondachi</b></i></span></div>
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You don't always get to choose which kind of day it will be, but Ecuador offers the chance for a chill, "controlled" ay on the river, or an epic adventure. Adventure-seekers, you'll have no problems finding your thrills in Ecuador. And, for those of you who choose the normal outing on the river, you'll more often than not get it; but don't be too surprised if Ecuador throws a bit of craziness at you every now and then just to keep you on your toes! </div>
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<br /></div>
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Whichever kind of day you get, once you are done paddling all this amazing whitewater, Ecuador offers you a laid back, warm and welcome lifestyle I’ve found
no where else in the world.</div>
<br /><br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4YiiPzpfL4F1XU4jrdKd282eYPQnHXtU_vgQtjrgOU3kPHJiXTBy-gz1y5EBERqeEPdPemy7GQQxLTKPFVd_deQAMwJHl_pnJZzQkhtIs7ubdfRnq9wnZZtCPrniH8_OvyHY/s1600/coca.chingqual+don+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4YiiPzpfL4F1XU4jrdKd282eYPQnHXtU_vgQtjrgOU3kPHJiXTBy-gz1y5EBERqeEPdPemy7GQQxLTKPFVd_deQAMwJHl_pnJZzQkhtIs7ubdfRnq9wnZZtCPrniH8_OvyHY/s1600/coca.chingqual+don+013.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Darcy stares into the maw at the "Tunnel" #2. Adventura Maxima!</b></i></span></div>
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Want to drink a cold 20 ounce Pilsiner or a Coca-Cola out of the bottle with the locals at a
roadside bar?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or an Orange Fanta with
the kids?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No problem!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if you don’t speak Spanish, they’ll love
communicating with you in whatever means possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charades-like sign language is a favorite and
you are guaranteed to come away smiling.</div>
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<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQlbxBU_w9WZzGaHn7VgdspBRV8ikJ3hYQ-6J0aE9N-uvE2_ijabUUSLT3MSGHZyqJ9OU0jzVAa06L87JsMVqjV3JBFWpTXadnxdK2pamzIGhCfA8oWBAOu5ZEOsk_EWVd-uq/s1600/pica+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQlbxBU_w9WZzGaHn7VgdspBRV8ikJ3hYQ-6J0aE9N-uvE2_ijabUUSLT3MSGHZyqJ9OU0jzVAa06L87JsMVqjV3JBFWpTXadnxdK2pamzIGhCfA8oWBAOu5ZEOsk_EWVd-uq/s1600/pica+.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Larry watches on as the "Sheriff of Nottingham"styles Pica Piedra Rapid on the Quijos</b></i></span></div>
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Or perhaps a solo walk at dusk is more your style, watching
the innumerable bird species get active.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceTZg_X3xEI2hVdZd-1GCnbe3_zxn9ba04PFROTlWyAnIyO2wnHeT0LPp0It6C7bLrRopjWAg5Q35tiDg8LShkvlu5G6xGnbKK0_2JYriE0l3f3ZHUD94EsqAHVtymC-Fu5AO/s1600/IMGP1673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceTZg_X3xEI2hVdZd-1GCnbe3_zxn9ba04PFROTlWyAnIyO2wnHeT0LPp0It6C7bLrRopjWAg5Q35tiDg8LShkvlu5G6xGnbKK0_2JYriE0l3f3ZHUD94EsqAHVtymC-Fu5AO/s1600/IMGP1673.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>There are awesome, curious animals in Ecuador too. This guy was trying to hitch a ride on our Sprinter.</b></i></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Need a break from kayaking and want to climb a 20,000 foot
peak, hit some hot springs, go surfing in the Pacific Ocean, look for Pink River Dolphins in the jungle
or visit the Galapagos?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also no
problem!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ecuador,
while only the size of Colorado (or just
slightly smaller than Germany), it pretty much has it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Pda2QF8QWUwDR15id0Qn2OzV5UjHqagXxo9KkM8OcXsQLX7Vp_6JfxnnFS50_HK8KjshE4t4DLaN5mqj4ofqjA9Iicr8EpX4LslJ9Iw69wMllrrdukD966cumO2xsep_pU4n/s1600/IMGP1742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Pda2QF8QWUwDR15id0Qn2OzV5UjHqagXxo9KkM8OcXsQLX7Vp_6JfxnnFS50_HK8KjshE4t4DLaN5mqj4ofqjA9Iicr8EpX4LslJ9Iw69wMllrrdukD966cumO2xsep_pU4n/s1600/IMGP1742.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">The kids love to play on the river too</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So, I asked myself throughout our travels, what’s not to
love about Ecuador?<span> </span>It’s kept Larry happy for 20 years now, Don
for 17, me for 11; and the country captivated Guy so much in his few weeks of
traveling here in 2010 that he just couldn’t hold back and had to have a piece
for himself!</span><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></b></i></div>
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">A crew of solid boaters hiking into the Cheesehouse section of the Quijos River</span></b></i></div>
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So, even though life is frantic now and I’m rushing around
answering emails, buying solar lights for the lodge, packing my personal gear,
I know that in less than a week, I’ll be chilling on the front porch of Small
World’s lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll probably just have
paddled the Papallacta or Cosanga and I’ll be basking in the knowledge that I
still have 5 more months of the good life!</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsCyJDgwd3YfDkQ0n89TcAYSRb2Ewwdg_ClAP8RbbnJXV5Zu4tWhKDZDHP2onMIAlLSXG9kgsyYWZK24emA8kITle46egcEXkqtzzZxkQ-ng7xn6PtQ6m6yYrO97MQwUzJTNi/s1600/cindy+and+stacey%27s+photos+117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsCyJDgwd3YfDkQ0n89TcAYSRb2Ewwdg_ClAP8RbbnJXV5Zu4tWhKDZDHP2onMIAlLSXG9kgsyYWZK24emA8kITle46egcEXkqtzzZxkQ-ng7xn6PtQ6m6yYrO97MQwUzJTNi/s1600/cindy+and+stacey's+photos+117.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b> Ecuador is so pretty, you can get stellar photos out the window of the moving van!</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Small World Adventures</b></span></a></div>
<br />Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-28195992489557790632012-09-25T12:04:00.000-06:002012-09-25T12:04:00.170-06:00Win a Jackson Zen October 1st!
<br />
<h4 class="post-title">
Win a Jackson Zen on October 1st through Small World Adventure's summer gear giveaway!</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static1.jacksonkayak.com/2012/05/zen-from-back.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29704" height="355" src="http://static1.jacksonkayak.com/2012/05/zen-from-back.jpg" title="zen from back" width="533" /></a></div>
<h4 class="post-info">
You could be the proud owner of a brand new Jackson Zen on October 1st. To enter, visit <a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/">www.smallworldadventures.com</a><span id="goog_673323170"></span><span id="goog_673323171"></span>, scroll down the page to click the "win" link, fill out the form and you are good to go! If you want extra chances to win, like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Small-World-Adventures-kayaking-Ecuador/208766816973?bookmark_t=page" target="_blank">Small World Adventures</a> on Facebook and comment on one of our photos; OR, better yet, donate to the Ecuadorian Rivers Institute. For every $5 you donate to them, you'll get 1 extra entry into the contest. All details are on our <a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/winatrip.html" target="_blank">sign up page.</a></h4>
<h4 class="post-info">
Now want to hear a little about the Zen itself? Here is what you could win!</h4>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static1.jacksonkayak.com/2012/05/darcy-thor.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29705" height="355" src="http://static1.jacksonkayak.com/2012/05/darcy-thor.jpg" title="darcy thor" width="533" /></a></div>
I was stoked to test out my new Jackson Zen in the Pacific Northwest
this April. Some Portland-area paddlers who had been kayaking in
Ecuador with us last winter wanted to show us the goods in their own
backyards, so we got quite the tour.<br />
We hit the East Fork Lewis, Canyon Creek and Opal Creek all within a 2-day span which gave me a lot of time with my new Zen!<br />
My impressions? All good!<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static1.jacksonkayak.com/2012/05/darcy-big-ugly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29706" height="355" src="http://static1.jacksonkayak.com/2012/05/darcy-big-ugly.jpg" title="darcy big ugly" width="533" /></a></div>
The most striking feature is the Zen’s speed. This boat really goes
awesomely fast, which came in handy on Opal Creek. The water was pretty
high and there were a few holes to punch and I was happy to have the
extra speed.<br />
The boat also edges well, is super stable on its edge, rolls
incredibly easily and, despite being pegged as a “river running” boat,
it boofed great too! I didn’t have any trouble getting the nose up and
launching the Zen!<br />
I’m am really looking forward to guiding out of this boat next season
in Ecuador. It’ll be the perfect boat on Ecuador’s continuous, medium
to large volume rivers. And it’s super comfy so I won’t mind sitting in
it 5 hours a day, 7 days a week!<br />
Small World Adventures will definitely be adding the Zen line to our
fleet of boats in Ecuador, so if you want to try one out next winter you
can!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://static1.jacksonkayak.com/2012/05/darcy-hole-.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29707" height="355" src="http://static1.jacksonkayak.com/2012/05/darcy-hole-.jpg" title="darcy hole" width="533" /></a>Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-33007690203084805912012-09-12T13:59:00.000-06:002012-09-13T08:30:51.089-06:00Win a Werner Paddle on September 15th!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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The entire SWA Team uses Werner paddles and we think you
should too!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5oNURhbdutU2HHpMKNDYIttSJ2wqw4zI87mW_enoL5TTNJdeFHo_SzOUXtJB5_UuLVu0dJ4FQve7-VIDrwvg0PM9dtWQa8qgN5SwbNgR4Ol37mj3bEIZAok6Wwircryf6_6a/s1600/couples+boof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5oNURhbdutU2HHpMKNDYIttSJ2wqw4zI87mW_enoL5TTNJdeFHo_SzOUXtJB5_UuLVu0dJ4FQve7-VIDrwvg0PM9dtWQa8qgN5SwbNgR4Ol37mj3bEIZAok6Wwircryf6_6a/s1600/couples+boof.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Don and Darcy dashing down bountiful boulder gardens. </b></span>Werners are good for "couples boofing" down the Papallacta</b></span>! </div>
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That’s why we are giving one out on September 15<sup>th</sup>!</div>
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We’ve found them to be the lightest, most durable paddles on
the market and have been happily guiding with Werner paddles and playing with
Werner paddles for decades now!</div>
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Werner Paddles are handcrafted in the USA, which is also a big plus.</div>
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Werner says, “We produce the lightest, strongest paddles
available. We design every aspect to work together to increase power and reduce fatigue.” </div>
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SWA guides have tested these paddles heavily both in Ecuador and all
over the world and we couldn’t agree more!</div>
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Enjoy some photos of the SWA staff using their Werner’s in Ecuador:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1buGJLQe91gpLoNLGmCTg7zcyhD6JksqE1hYlQFEsL8Jad4mt6PNGxgMyiXM9sGKGcdvWedMnYcCa-1HJvvlH32-zG8oy3yZuwcpw33KcKgkAd76QUVj9evPxs16caR5fFLSg/s1600/larry+hollin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1buGJLQe91gpLoNLGmCTg7zcyhD6JksqE1hYlQFEsL8Jad4mt6PNGxgMyiXM9sGKGcdvWedMnYcCa-1HJvvlH32-zG8oy3yZuwcpw33KcKgkAd76QUVj9evPxs16caR5fFLSg/s1600/larry+hollin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Larry loving how the Werner blade grabs the water to help pull him through the crux of "Wafflera" on the Hollin River</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bwlHU4nEdVGTqsnOHVn1zXJGwFykE1iMPa-m6UByOx_7rQWhXFgKdny0FO6APumCvBWT5WtgSKWkQqadavMfDMykDGqoJgyn6IyGxzIW_rPR-O2UX1XL7yRXa8AFOul4AUFk/s1600/don+bracking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bwlHU4nEdVGTqsnOHVn1zXJGwFykE1iMPa-m6UByOx_7rQWhXFgKdny0FO6APumCvBWT5WtgSKWkQqadavMfDMykDGqoJgyn6IyGxzIW_rPR-O2UX1XL7yRXa8AFOul4AUFk/s1600/don+bracking.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> Don discovers that Werners are good for bracing...</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodrXCxGGWrkLNlH1Uf44komNlSLCgCV1gfupLOZJ3mZrzwmj-JcOAP7chEYDaOxqIP2xD9qlwsXKnwVPqnVCsqEloblwtMU6btar7bX8RA8mEKLOpkXgINw0bAGCgC9DxMEfY/s1600/don+boofing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodrXCxGGWrkLNlH1Uf44komNlSLCgCV1gfupLOZJ3mZrzwmj-JcOAP7chEYDaOxqIP2xD9qlwsXKnwVPqnVCsqEloblwtMU6btar7bX8RA8mEKLOpkXgINw0bAGCgC9DxMEfY/s1600/don+boofing.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> And for boofing!</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapKhkbmGv_gINVrFEKplZgbZU9luRdvp5AH4fNtkJzGruTAfugG0hrZD4aPSKWM64-Riye1E-6QAHRsdssEyF52csLPJZ-bbW9mh6NfqGYhyphenhyphenHGsSPgYu1oCkTgGGwnoOURyIx/s1600/greg+cosanga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapKhkbmGv_gINVrFEKplZgbZU9luRdvp5AH4fNtkJzGruTAfugG0hrZD4aPSKWM64-Riye1E-6QAHRsdssEyF52csLPJZ-bbW9mh6NfqGYhyphenhyphenHGsSPgYu1oCkTgGGwnoOURyIx/s1600/greg+cosanga.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> Greg grateful for the power of his Shogun on a high water run down the Lower Cosanga</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fCDVJsFupKVo2lKa5LeKPEPuOpozHC9bvPbGUXgt3yzBIEcQfMWO-QfomovzzGYHZfa9CvXOAuAsKiYGDq3TvQnDKxGgOpo4B0RBso_cjDZYfFHesTEFMylOObfznIW2gTCj/s1600/tarquino+hollin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fCDVJsFupKVo2lKa5LeKPEPuOpozHC9bvPbGUXgt3yzBIEcQfMWO-QfomovzzGYHZfa9CvXOAuAsKiYGDq3TvQnDKxGgOpo4B0RBso_cjDZYfFHesTEFMylOObfznIW2gTCj/s1600/tarquino+hollin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Tarquino titillated by the ease in transition between draw and forward stroke on one of his favorite home runs--the Lower Jondachi/Hollin combo</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOoSiVlX-svzviXNavIJza8B6rKMh9juoCBpNdFNZF_bBt_doDSVpvCY0nmQlcHuSdslLo9e4aFniG14Q_Cvwmy5cxvz4VBSpZVoItOoY9Ly4MUYlGBX44zxPAStTkF9gH_NP/s1600/liam+quijos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOoSiVlX-svzviXNavIJza8B6rKMh9juoCBpNdFNZF_bBt_doDSVpvCY0nmQlcHuSdslLo9e4aFniG14Q_Cvwmy5cxvz4VBSpZVoItOoY9Ly4MUYlGBX44zxPAStTkF9gH_NP/s1600/liam+quijos.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> Liam laughingly faces the power of Gringos Reveultos at lavishly high water levels because he knows his Werner will carry him through the<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--></b></span><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>humongous hydraulic</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSrytMgbNBwJ1G26LrQV-BWslkqYkT6pnzMKG9o3bm2WCOGvVzVkV7wJcYY7bDZ5nfGFqHhy03xk6gvHiimzV6dHY6fuiqzD9gi-PAHGNStGx4Z93WTF2NvxNoDnb2ad3r66u/s1600/guy+piatua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSrytMgbNBwJ1G26LrQV-BWslkqYkT6pnzMKG9o3bm2WCOGvVzVkV7wJcYY7bDZ5nfGFqHhy03xk6gvHiimzV6dHY6fuiqzD9gi-PAHGNStGx4Z93WTF2NvxNoDnb2ad3r66u/s1600/guy+piatua.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Guy gracefully grabs water with his Werner to carry him over the hole in Disco-Tech on the Piatua </b></span></div>
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</b></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc39lJJXkq-wWI30W_TDJRYiZH98dBdmC6ZUx6H11bgJL7CUT4aOK5RSN8PSmWpBY27eBhxhQb6BnJvxq60avsdxfqf6NUfDwW_Kq2MXSspb_gmmNW1hm26SmRLpAcS-Rjnmle/s1600/darcy+no+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc39lJJXkq-wWI30W_TDJRYiZH98dBdmC6ZUx6H11bgJL7CUT4aOK5RSN8PSmWpBY27eBhxhQb6BnJvxq60avsdxfqf6NUfDwW_Kq2MXSspb_gmmNW1hm26SmRLpAcS-Rjnmle/s1600/darcy+no+logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> Darcy Dumb Dumb for covering up her Werner logo. But hey, at least it was a cool sticker to cover it up with!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">And, don't worry, just because you paddle with a Werner does NOT mean you must use alliteration...that's just what happens when I drink too much coffee while blogging!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">For your chance to win a Werner paddle, visit <a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank">Small World Adventures</a> to enter. You'll need to read our homepage to get the answers to 4 easy questions, then click the "win" link, answer the questions, hit submit and you are good to go! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">We'll draw the winner on September 15th.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Good luck!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b> </b></span></div>
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Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-36247884594212135402012-09-10T14:59:00.000-06:002012-09-10T14:59:32.745-06:00Class III boaters do, INDEED, belong in Ecuador!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Class III kayaking in Ecuador!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjMqRYF1C6jHGbFPrcDyZ3AycsCNgYCjgXtzP19h2wwm5_xCYTXsteVLzvUA01Zg2VOVdYTjtEduer0vqx2S0ePdIa897cHH-in19Wy4TQ-K7VtYAAfoCbAUdqFqFttIV3pDt/s1600/Tarquino+lower+jondachi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjMqRYF1C6jHGbFPrcDyZ3AycsCNgYCjgXtzP19h2wwm5_xCYTXsteVLzvUA01Zg2VOVdYTjtEduer0vqx2S0ePdIa897cHH-in19Wy4TQ-K7VtYAAfoCbAUdqFqFttIV3pDt/s1600/Tarquino+lower+jondachi.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Tarquino admiring the beauty of his homeland on the Lower Jondachi </b></span></div>
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For years people have had the misconception that kayaking
in Ecuador
is only for people who want to run the “gnar.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This myth is constantly perpetuated by spectacular photos of hard
whitewater coming from the jungles of the Amazon Basin
(we are guilty of this ourselves).</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66hH0Zjdm2gbJWKD4fNjTNYgrzXOUWycwbx31NX2kOuAv56p8IZtgzHrNaIqyeDxqNxDk5kJuh65VCVR3itKs3FMbaCtmTOZtbXjYc7Wa_E7Qr1ZiqRIf4H5mqZNbaagen-6w/s1600/josephine+iii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66hH0Zjdm2gbJWKD4fNjTNYgrzXOUWycwbx31NX2kOuAv56p8IZtgzHrNaIqyeDxqNxDk5kJuh65VCVR3itKs3FMbaCtmTOZtbXjYc7Wa_E7Qr1ZiqRIf4H5mqZNbaagen-6w/s1600/josephine+iii.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Doesn't get any better than the smooth granite boulders and clear waters of many of Ecuador's creeks</span></b></div>
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But this couldn’t be further from the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ecuador is a kayaker’s paradise no
matter what level of paddler you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is an ideal place to learn kayaking as the rivers and air are warm, access is
easy and there are a plethora of runs in the Class I and II level.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> Devon Barker surfs a sweet wave in the sunshine on the Rio Quijos not too far downstream of SWA's lodge</b></span></div>
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Moving up to the Class III , III+ and even IV- range, you
can base yourself in the bustling jungle town of Tena and have a handful of world class rivers
at your disposal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rios Jantuyacu, Misahualli,
Anzu, and the Lower Jondachi are all perfect
training grounds for the Class III boater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What’s more is that you’ll probably see monkeys, parrots and maybe even
a toucan while paddling these gems!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> A monkey chilling out at the take out of one of Tena's great Class II/III runs the Upper Napo </b></span></span></div>
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Then, once you’ve warmed up in Tena, you can move on over to
the Quijos Valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Basing yourself out of Small World Adventure’s riverside lodge you’ll
lack in nothing pertaining to your daily comforts and can focus on the new
challenges of the Upper Cosanga and the Quijos Rivers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Upper Cosanga
is a technical boater’s delight as you make you way through boulder gardens set
down in a beautiful basalt canyon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bird
watchers from all over the world come to the Cosanga area to look for rare bird
species so keep your eyes open as you make your way downstream.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Paddlers stoked on the Class III boulder gardens around Tena</b></span></div>
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Then, when you are ready for the Pica Piedra run on the
Quijos, you can just wake up at SWA’s lodge, have coffee and breakfast and then
put in right in front of the lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
medium volume run has a great variety of character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It starts out technical and also has a few
constricted places to give you a super fun, big water feel!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Beautiful skies and scenery are the back drop to the exciting, pool-drop rapids of the Jatunyacu</b></span></div>
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After a few hours of Quijos fun, you can come back to the
lodge and celebrate your amazing Class III kayaking vacation in Ecuador
with a beer on the porch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIF9Bjd27iw4kHv9Yu06lDPUwnReiW_gqvX-nvXBg7UTgHrdn7UNvtzlGgBABeIgPcI9tBdo1tVQyDnQBg-wiFj4gpuu8VWoB6eRRLYzekp6SNXiIwM5xzyNC_1BgRaxh9axf8/s1600/mishualli+class+III.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIF9Bjd27iw4kHv9Yu06lDPUwnReiW_gqvX-nvXBg7UTgHrdn7UNvtzlGgBABeIgPcI9tBdo1tVQyDnQBg-wiFj4gpuu8VWoB6eRRLYzekp6SNXiIwM5xzyNC_1BgRaxh9axf8/s1600/mishualli+class+III.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> Larry and Jennifer enjoying hot weather on the Misahualli. Please note the shorty tops!</b></span></div>
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So, all you Class III boaters out there, toss your mistaken
beliefs behind and come see for yourselves all that Ecuador has to offer you!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpV45TIfmP0oeeHeoaosI6MNbj6A2fiCSGDFj1pxtiHWnP3zVYvSF3kzmzgZb_miFRkwvSC5SRBXMRTsl-qYwlcZ0FM1Y-vavVAwB19L2oEeT2DwL7zQd6jHOzh9HH2H_hQEHo/s1600/butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpV45TIfmP0oeeHeoaosI6MNbj6A2fiCSGDFj1pxtiHWnP3zVYvSF3kzmzgZb_miFRkwvSC5SRBXMRTsl-qYwlcZ0FM1Y-vavVAwB19L2oEeT2DwL7zQd6jHOzh9HH2H_hQEHo/s1600/butterfly.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> Everywhere you look in Ecuador there are vibrant colors and cool critters!</b></span></div>
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Your “gnar” friends will all be jealous when you bring home
photos of spectacular waterfall-ridden canyons, awesome Class III rapids, and
smiling faces of the Ecuadorian kids you meet along the rivers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62vDAE9wVyR6PVGvOd_73b77xuwzuJimwZLAFRI3SKY4dWuokKoNjC7pWerAdXZ0UrM1RvwEkQrvx_SttmMK5LMrlAgFrsOwnGqJah1q13x-ZJuZj0Q6dFeRaZtP5w6V6gSzr/s1600/vanbeers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62vDAE9wVyR6PVGvOd_73b77xuwzuJimwZLAFRI3SKY4dWuokKoNjC7pWerAdXZ0UrM1RvwEkQrvx_SttmMK5LMrlAgFrsOwnGqJah1q13x-ZJuZj0Q6dFeRaZtP5w6V6gSzr/s1600/vanbeers.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Here's to a great week of paddling in Ecuador!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>We brought both creek boats AND playboats for this crew's last day on the river so they could do it all before heading home.</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Small World Adventures </span></a></div>
Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-52129417826020838162012-09-05T14:48:00.002-06:002012-09-05T14:48:29.536-06:00Big Water, Steep Creeks, Jungle, Mountains, and Rain--What More Does A Kayaker Need?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cr8VvYjeOXj33aTBpuyVtHAMkv-HB-ZjMkJJgpS1Z_MnfyOIoQ_4la04Adl3NAUT0w0BzWS7j_0o3Ln_EV-12RmcIcorAxVyFKQopreARoGBJSjyriO_FVMQJUb1M5D1w1ja/s1600/darcy+papallacta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cr8VvYjeOXj33aTBpuyVtHAMkv-HB-ZjMkJJgpS1Z_MnfyOIoQ_4la04Adl3NAUT0w0BzWS7j_0o3Ln_EV-12RmcIcorAxVyFKQopreARoGBJSjyriO_FVMQJUb1M5D1w1ja/s400/darcy+papallacta.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Darcy running the confluence rapid on the Papallacta River</span></b></div>
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Since April 15<sup>th</sup>, Don and my travels have taken
us over innumerable miles and down many amazing and memorable rivers throughout
Colorado, California,
Washington, British
Columbia, Alberta, Norway, Italy,
France, Switzerland and Austria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we’ve had many wonderful experiences,
one feeling continues to prevail—I miss Ecuador!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter what shapes and forms of
awesomeness we encounter out in the world, so far, none have captivated me as
much as life in Ecuador
has.<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyqUlMuRvYSHfEwHOTCqxNbr-gFgLci0okpWzYreXQLoo5BYDL2G_J41UruvaL_IBLpRDXQSLonLxHFb9CBkFftDBOFXTgGOt8umJE0Gx39mg3XJpi8geWlYFAcJuSDhLlulu/s1600/chris+t.+upper+oyacachi+by+darcy+gaechter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyqUlMuRvYSHfEwHOTCqxNbr-gFgLci0okpWzYreXQLoo5BYDL2G_J41UruvaL_IBLpRDXQSLonLxHFb9CBkFftDBOFXTgGOt8umJE0Gx39mg3XJpi8geWlYFAcJuSDhLlulu/s400/chris+t.+upper+oyacachi+by+darcy+gaechter.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Chris on the Upper Oyacachi</span></b></div>
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Over the past 11 years of guiding in Ecuador, the
country has become home to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I not
only mean that in a cheesy, sentimental, "home is where the heart is" kind of way; I also mean it literally!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, it’s the only home I’ve got
(unless you count my red pick up truck and a few rental cars here and there).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what all this traveling has made me
realize is that I couldn’t have asked for a better home.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6WTNVGc0uaH2Y6YzoPIH3IA0Q2BxiYmte3ETfqqsed9lp78Nn9WjMmIj-sBk26tJfZBHdQINyDWv4HXYfF6VF-2P9kaEzFnQL8vWgCmdRQDLxaoPPdTT01l-CGid6SGinwp0/s1600/always+culture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6WTNVGc0uaH2Y6YzoPIH3IA0Q2BxiYmte3ETfqqsed9lp78Nn9WjMmIj-sBk26tJfZBHdQINyDWv4HXYfF6VF-2P9kaEzFnQL8vWgCmdRQDLxaoPPdTT01l-CGid6SGinwp0/s400/always+culture.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Close behind the boating, the fresh fruit and veggies are one of the things that make life so good in Ecuador--especially when you are a vegan!</b></span></div>
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As our season approaches, I often catch myself daydreaming
about being back in Ecuador
living out my perfect day:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Get up with the sunrise and a myriad of tropical birds
making a ruckus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy the cool and
quiet of morning while I drink coffee, organize my boating gear and wake
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have a hearty, traditional breakfast
of plantains, garlic, beans, avocados, and rice and then head out boating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9OFMnj284oZz-kdCyAQU41nbwdRZX0n81I7NZguL6BbdhrNkLEAj0ZwRBhbHKTqOA0f0fE2RcA_asCw-nWX5A2UTC6IMYZG1mLNvljcFkbza7V3SeJ3KzhH4eTXLFf39ELwH/s1600/big+water+bridge+to+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9OFMnj284oZz-kdCyAQU41nbwdRZX0n81I7NZguL6BbdhrNkLEAj0ZwRBhbHKTqOA0f0fE2RcA_asCw-nWX5A2UTC6IMYZG1mLNvljcFkbza7V3SeJ3KzhH4eTXLFf39ELwH/s400/big+water+bridge+to+bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> Don leading a crew down the Bridge to Bridge section on the Quijos</b></span></div>
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My ideal day of boating in Ecuador would
be a high water day on the Oyacachi—the higher the better for that river!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the feeling of being rapidly swept
down a steep creek with the volume of a big river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although there are holes big enough to eat an
Ecuadorian chicken bus at high levels, the river just flows well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you can relax into the power of the river
and the main flow, you’ll more often than not find yourself just where you
needed to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj571IPBOB0o5-AP_pWmUmS3JrX_M4VEKbA7yzWmkPFnuu90ZBsKR7bCZxjB337jD_Q_cGYsxanPUI2XpnAw5ce_FYIKec-0Olrfj0vSlZIzQKBWcUH7nvYqUEmjIVdA3PAkLqT/s1600/katherine+big+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj571IPBOB0o5-AP_pWmUmS3JrX_M4VEKbA7yzWmkPFnuu90ZBsKR7bCZxjB337jD_Q_cGYsxanPUI2XpnAw5ce_FYIKec-0Olrfj0vSlZIzQKBWcUH7nvYqUEmjIVdA3PAkLqT/s400/katherine+big+water.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> Katherine enjoying one of those awesome big water days on the Oyacachi</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7gq3HNJ3sL1eeqyYE-L2iq1MuMNEtPW4qsaNiRV93D5Ty2fpynTUFZ1NuTVfpK_aeXJ5-i7C_Vc21Po2Q7qrrjRihhb9L3Ho5uhslw_VlXWdpAbofO8lXTGBWjvTmcZaHm8q/s1600/devon+big+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7gq3HNJ3sL1eeqyYE-L2iq1MuMNEtPW4qsaNiRV93D5Ty2fpynTUFZ1NuTVfpK_aeXJ5-i7C_Vc21Po2Q7qrrjRihhb9L3Ho5uhslw_VlXWdpAbofO8lXTGBWjvTmcZaHm8q/s400/devon+big+water.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> Devon Barker enjoying some big water fun. Luckily she grew up paddling in Idaho so she is used to this sort of thing!</b></span></span></div>
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Or, if things are medium or low, I can always “settle” for a
Papallacta/Cheesehouse combo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>10 miles
of continuous Class IV/V boof-filled, boulder-gardens is not a bad plan B mind
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll feel it in the ol’ kayaking
muscles after this one!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVM1YQFp6TaOn-4CtzytcxOI4FDRpleggHWzYoZpDgBXNtRRjJm2EEJ2JbRcais1WGGRnlX2PVzp1wrqckHoVL0yMj0xwnG5eJmFB3svYAv23Ppxa_u18Pisohq60Y9q5gi3o0/s1600/cheesehouse+boof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVM1YQFp6TaOn-4CtzytcxOI4FDRpleggHWzYoZpDgBXNtRRjJm2EEJ2JbRcais1WGGRnlX2PVzp1wrqckHoVL0yMj0xwnG5eJmFB3svYAv23Ppxa_u18Pisohq60Y9q5gi3o0/s400/cheesehouse+boof.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> Darcy boofing down the Cheesehouse section of the Quijos</b></span></div>
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Then, I’ll head back to Small World Adventure’s riverside
lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once home, my favorite activities
are to take a hot shower, then settle into the porch with a cold Pilsiner and
relax my way into nice post-boating-buzz as I watch hummingbirds dart around
the gardens and watch the intense Amazonian sun set behind the Andes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> You can always find a good adventure in Ecuador if you are willing to look</b></span></span></div>
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Knowing I get to wake up and do it all again tomorrow makes
it easy to drift off to sleep hearing nothing but the soothing hum of the Quijos River.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_c4MeLr_QqpZhI4A88tMdXjbFTBG204uyZtuNfYVfQRbuo_4ksHdEayiWQAbtTtPc3bhkom7lbwTukbYHiEJcKdL9m6q8c4Rrgssez33SExqJ5xG01cr_xNommxN3E8C05YB/s1600/always+mountains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_c4MeLr_QqpZhI4A88tMdXjbFTBG204uyZtuNfYVfQRbuo_4ksHdEayiWQAbtTtPc3bhkom7lbwTukbYHiEJcKdL9m6q8c4Rrgssez33SExqJ5xG01cr_xNommxN3E8C05YB/s400/always+mountains.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> Antisana, headwaters of the Quijos River</b></span></div>
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I will have to suffer through some mountain biking in
Colorado and a trip down the Grand Canyon before my day dreams become my
reality; but I will be back home soon enough…</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuRj_j0W1OIXdXmy69yPRHd4Bpvui9yK45XcR36A9Tn6fEy1Yd_emXIeQLvjJ4H2puDoSl6mvysLovf6lwXl1SZQsxbInG3QDWiYRzotWIhT-7W1T6GxVomoVel4i7_wrM-Tr/s1600/chris+cheesehouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuRj_j0W1OIXdXmy69yPRHd4Bpvui9yK45XcR36A9Tn6fEy1Yd_emXIeQLvjJ4H2puDoSl6mvysLovf6lwXl1SZQsxbInG3QDWiYRzotWIhT-7W1T6GxVomoVel4i7_wrM-Tr/s400/chris+cheesehouse.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Chris enjoying an afternoon run down the Cheesehouse section</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank">Small World Adventures</a></div>
Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-76260048510011611772012-08-22T17:21:00.000-06:002012-08-22T17:21:56.754-06:00SWA - Norway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVPh5NtMtguaZwE4mP_FaEjq4B9bZrDbzEDyK3YK6etPSBdIw9HqIqsy6f-OfseoKbymwAAsfGSsq6nv93a6YCYbq_uVaVf0mLqs79O6ew8EB_NjEdNa2hna4SRWAixh8wEzrLg/s1600/IMG_1064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVPh5NtMtguaZwE4mP_FaEjq4B9bZrDbzEDyK3YK6etPSBdIw9HqIqsy6f-OfseoKbymwAAsfGSsq6nv93a6YCYbq_uVaVf0mLqs79O6ew8EB_NjEdNa2hna4SRWAixh8wEzrLg/s320/IMG_1064.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How we spent our summer vacation...<br />
loving the weather in Norway</td></tr>
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Rain, rain go to Norway...whoops it already did.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuLu70FC_bnK3lIBZ6VLUaE5x4zJkG8FtAiDW3YP82B535SA5K-gpH-TLKc9Lqojkafj0EeU7FnEvQUnadyUg_UpeVHULbs8SknLV-o868ly55cle3EI6CYvqldEcdMTrE6cVzQ/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuLu70FC_bnK3lIBZ6VLUaE5x4zJkG8FtAiDW3YP82B535SA5K-gpH-TLKc9Lqojkafj0EeU7FnEvQUnadyUg_UpeVHULbs8SknLV-o868ly55cle3EI6CYvqldEcdMTrE6cVzQ/s320/IMG_0399.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darcy on the Brandset<br />
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Darcy and Don finished Small World's European vacation with month in Norway. We went straight to Voss, found unusually high water, and got our last glimpse of the sun. Had we known that this was the last time we would see blue sky for a month, we might have stayed up enjoying the sun all night.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PmhI_Nh5olYOu0A_QeZL2lbHV0p8NaEvbBZ4-9tbxlXSGC5aOYDeQfD35LEP3NtOmJqD4qlHwpDEgXekcwMrGF8ynHb_RqNA1uBFOrBKsS76L9z0b8PMw5NlRsmLFS6GazoDwA/s1600/GOPR1148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PmhI_Nh5olYOu0A_QeZL2lbHV0p8NaEvbBZ4-9tbxlXSGC5aOYDeQfD35LEP3NtOmJqD4qlHwpDEgXekcwMrGF8ynHb_RqNA1uBFOrBKsS76L9z0b8PMw5NlRsmLFS6GazoDwA/s320/GOPR1148.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look, blue sky!</td></tr>
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Some of the "classic" Voss runs were too high, but we had a blast with juicy levels on the Brandset, and did a few of the runs that could handle higher water. The rain just kept coming, and it was time for the Sjoa festival, so we headed to the Sjoa where guess what, it was high there as well!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowUyeVuh6Ll8OV6mzguTM2V_lw0VcSNSTYbFrtnEf3Aetxda7_bms0z9ABIH7Znje77LTUmD9foVzHJJaKQbXrKgxrxw47SlcSOC7cxvieY9uvAmwWdmgSYc0fIScb_3aLEByXQ/s1600/IMG_0508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowUyeVuh6Ll8OV6mzguTM2V_lw0VcSNSTYbFrtnEf3Aetxda7_bms0z9ABIH7Znje77LTUmD9foVzHJJaKQbXrKgxrxw47SlcSOC7cxvieY9uvAmwWdmgSYc0fIScb_3aLEByXQ/s320/IMG_0508.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SWA's newest guide, Liam, on the Ula slides</td></tr>
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The high water was a good thing for the Ula Extreme race. Pretty much the more water the better for the slides where they hold the race. One of the best parts of the Sjoa fest for us was getting to hang out with our buddy Liam Kirkham and the rest of his English buddies. Liam is going to be working with us in Ecuador this winter. He'll bring his great enthusiasm and river sense to the job, and will help us with the language barrier between American and English.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy007K0OprX6v68RQCLmc4TT_A82AXgx9WO7w4EiMm0Xd_6SfHqlviEz4hsy8YuSMRg_yIIl_w1QiLWj7JevCY9zrjCP1dgT7QJyZn3V-5uLjeDi2IBVUUnU_ubKRTfdUsSbtgWw/s1600/IMG_0513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy007K0OprX6v68RQCLmc4TT_A82AXgx9WO7w4EiMm0Xd_6SfHqlviEz4hsy8YuSMRg_yIIl_w1QiLWj7JevCY9zrjCP1dgT7QJyZn3V-5uLjeDi2IBVUUnU_ubKRTfdUsSbtgWw/s320/IMG_0513.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darcy sliding on the Ula</td></tr>
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We also got to hang with Goran and the folks from Sweet. They were big sponsors of the event, and of course of Small World's summer giveaway as well. Thanks, Sweet, for all the support, and for making great gear.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMz_y7LvZfho2RqS0zGbFcvr6LqnmwRx0LQqfa5eZ3LBcJxIiDlIgzw5QYl_apGLKYYHIckz5AEda2WFMZtJUwgioT8OEDk_TSir4Hpc-55D21G_5LtQhE8F9Q_LKO3iOFac2ihw/s1600/IMG_0872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMz_y7LvZfho2RqS0zGbFcvr6LqnmwRx0LQqfa5eZ3LBcJxIiDlIgzw5QYl_apGLKYYHIckz5AEda2WFMZtJUwgioT8OEDk_TSir4Hpc-55D21G_5LtQhE8F9Q_LKO3iOFac2ihw/s320/IMG_0872.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don on the Stavasselva</td></tr>
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With the high water making so many of the normal runs a bit stout, we decided to seize the opportunity to get off the beaten track. Less explored (but getting popular) parts of Norway are up North near Hattfjelldal and Mo i Rana.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPZJhuQb5-oEUiyUjtvMqYwQL_naCiZSZY2OPIszjUmxgO8PrE_5w1hTfOu9HE5I6GWit3DUlEe3PgwEOE-BEU9pgMJlOLS6HWVHT8ccBWtNiSgdNCIWYOFwodzxkLt6Mg0s-7w/s1600/IMG_1207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPZJhuQb5-oEUiyUjtvMqYwQL_naCiZSZY2OPIszjUmxgO8PrE_5w1hTfOu9HE5I6GWit3DUlEe3PgwEOE-BEU9pgMJlOLS6HWVHT8ccBWtNiSgdNCIWYOFwodzxkLt6Mg0s-7w/s320/IMG_1207.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Token fjord photo</td></tr>
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It was a bit of a drive, but we were inspired by the possibility of paddling North of the Arctic circle. And it was raining so much it was nice to sit in the car anyway.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLf6f8jAJCpQ1clyY6OU5jGyMDJK0VAllKSKa_5iHIO2p9vu19irqBbe_f0wjn8_h-kHaUCCtmkyNBobUxaTySC1Aohg6-yXwj9IJyN4fTEF-V7yQnQHATYJLh5lJ57P_5LB-cQ/s1600/IMG_1011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLf6f8jAJCpQ1clyY6OU5jGyMDJK0VAllKSKa_5iHIO2p9vu19irqBbe_f0wjn8_h-kHaUCCtmkyNBobUxaTySC1Aohg6-yXwj9IJyN4fTEF-V7yQnQHATYJLh5lJ57P_5LB-cQ/s320/IMG_1011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darcy entering into the "Boof Shower," Susna River</td></tr>
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Possibly my favorite rapid of the trip was the Dusj-boof on the Susna river. Yeah, I'm pretty sure "dusj" means shower in Norwegian. Besides being in a pretty mini canyon with great rocks on either shore, the move itself is really cool. You drive off a hump into the middle of a flume of water and well, get showered.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunyGfXTDQ5jdBOqzXoqtSIEHHwDwAO8SucJ_DrRkkJCE5lIks9qMcZddQ5jLrDU8CIdhqyR144T6LHi7sf9xpBSiVQPiLfQzbNvY8pPyBSC1ocTbs3oy8cBTrh0VsP5mkZ-jtAw/s1600/IMG_1023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunyGfXTDQ5jdBOqzXoqtSIEHHwDwAO8SucJ_DrRkkJCE5lIks9qMcZddQ5jLrDU8CIdhqyR144T6LHi7sf9xpBSiVQPiLfQzbNvY8pPyBSC1ocTbs3oy8cBTrh0VsP5mkZ-jtAw/s400/IMG_1023.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don dropping in for his boof shower</td></tr>
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One of the coolest camp spots in Norway was by a lake called Rossvatnett. Cool because it had a COVERED picnic table! Cooking in the rain is not as fun as I remembered. This spot was next to a rest area that also had heated bathrooms! Covered rest areas should be standard issue in Norway, but surprisingly we found very few. People told us that it was an unusually rainy July even for Norway, but the added bonus of a heated bathroom makes me suspicious.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-z5duBSmIWZFy4oVggEdz2SrIdsko1Tyq65mswqLn-oV9gf7UUu4QoFV1WDB-j5YCWpDEYRju1mvys579y_Mc5gzegcZnqBtAisC_83JWwsPd0MPMGylXM05x5GLmLVlLXzLnBw/s1600/IMG_0988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-z5duBSmIWZFy4oVggEdz2SrIdsko1Tyq65mswqLn-oV9gf7UUu4QoFV1WDB-j5YCWpDEYRju1mvys579y_Mc5gzegcZnqBtAisC_83JWwsPd0MPMGylXM05x5GLmLVlLXzLnBw/s320/IMG_0988.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from camp at Rossvatnet</td></tr>
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North of Mo i Rana there are rivers to paddle that are North of the Arctic Circle. We thought it would be extra cool for people who spend their winters paddling on the Equator to paddle where the sun don't shine (in winter) and where it's still sunny at night. The Land of the Midnight Sun. Or at least, lit up clouds. While the Arctic Circle marks the southernmost point on Earth where it's possible to see the sun at midnight on the summer solstice, we think the cloud cover interferes with that phenomena pretty often.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHhJNhoHl-7aPIhofLit1KF2yjcRRG_ce0LPpg4POcnJ61YUTIvYcaRvrQjzW-GxNTsdHD9-BWPFXJaU8u7IHjTQdHTHTvXYsCBhVuctyPiB_r1cwbfqsG48XPsOHTZvW6LGSUg/s1600/IMG_1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHhJNhoHl-7aPIhofLit1KF2yjcRRG_ce0LPpg4POcnJ61YUTIvYcaRvrQjzW-GxNTsdHD9-BWPFXJaU8u7IHjTQdHTHTvXYsCBhVuctyPiB_r1cwbfqsG48XPsOHTZvW6LGSUg/s320/IMG_1141.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North of the Arctic circle on the Lonndalselva</td></tr>
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Our favorite Arctic river was the Lonndalselva, which flows to the North in the Arctic Circle. It had great granite and falls and slides, and it didn't rain so much! Of course we found out that when the rain stops, the bugs come out. Now we know why Reindeer migrate.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darcy boofing on the Valldola</td></tr>
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On the way south we stopped to paddle around Oppdal and Valldal, but then it was time to head back to home. Being in Norway was great, but it sure did make me appreciate what we've got going in Ecuador. We have infinitely less bugs, and even though we're in the rain forest, it doesn't rain nearly as much as it did on us in Norway - and it's warm anyway. Besides, at our lodge, we've always got a place to eat that's out of the rain!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SWA's idea of a covered rest area<br />
Cabanas Tres Rios</td></tr>
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Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887906437501943313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-77112968379484828802012-07-10T07:31:00.001-06:002012-07-10T07:31:14.377-06:00Our last weekend of kayaking in the Alps (Alps part due)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kAy_DUhpvNU/T_wTaW6HWcI/AAAAAAAAEgY/rsVqV84ELPw/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%25252029%25252C%2525202012%2525208%25253A25%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kAy_DUhpvNU/T_wTaW6HWcI/AAAAAAAAEgY/rsVqV84ELPw/s500/Photo%252520Jun%25252029%25252C%2525202012%2525208%25253A25%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1341926037814.07" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a><em>Castle Finstermuenz on the Inn River, Switzerland</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><br></em></div><p style="text-align: left;">Our last weekend in Europe found us back in Switzerland. We paddled Thursday and Friday on the Inn River while waiting for our weekend-warrior paddling buddies to be free to join us. The Inn has multiple sections and is "roadside" which made for good hitchhiking for us. Once we launched on the river though, we rarely saw the road, and the canyons seemed quite remote. Don hitched a ride with a couple in a converted 4x4 firetruck RV, and was coveting their ride. (Perhaps until we never got over 45 kmh going up the hills. Maybe our rented 2.0 liter VW TDI is a bit more appropriate for driving the roads in the Alps, but they had a nice mobile house)</p><p style="text-align: left;">One of the highlights of the Inn was the Finstermuenz section, which flows from Switzerland into Austria (yes, carry your passport) and besides having great big powerful rapids, ends with a float under a the Finstermuenz castle bridge. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l729F1s1WP4/T_wY5z7ylbI/AAAAAAAAEg0/BTsDb5suSlY/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%25252030%25252C%2525202012%2525207%25253A48%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l729F1s1WP4/T_wY5z7ylbI/AAAAAAAAEg0/BTsDb5suSlY/s500/Photo%252520Jun%25252030%25252C%2525202012%2525207%25253A48%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1341926037830.7244" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a><em>Darcy on the Valser Rhein, Switzerland</em></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">The weekend came around and we reconnected with Philip and did a run on the Valser Rhein. It was very short, but felt like a full day after we were done (there were a ton of rapids packed into only a few km). It was up there as one of our favorites in Europe. </div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2_QKQfenn9Y/T_wY9PPucmI/AAAAAAAAEg8/S_DnTtCOizM/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%25252030%25252C%2525202012%2525207%25253A47%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2_QKQfenn9Y/T_wY9PPucmI/AAAAAAAAEg8/S_DnTtCOizM/s500/Photo%252520Jun%25252030%25252C%2525202012%2525207%25253A47%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1341926037830.8464" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="356"></a><em>Phillip leading the way on the Valser Rhein</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">The Valser Rhein is one of those rivers where you don't want to miss any eddies. A couple of innocuous looking entrances led to some big drops.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NukoDwSi_E8/T_wZBg8lX0I/AAAAAAAAEhE/0C1S8g_dcak/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%25252030%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A12%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NukoDwSi_E8/T_wZBg8lX0I/AAAAAAAAEhE/0C1S8g_dcak/s500/Photo%252520Jun%25252030%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A12%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1341926037897.2927" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="356"></a><em>Darcy preferring the smaller falls on this one...</em></div> <br/><br/>Happily the crux falls has a kick ass eddy above it. I suppose it's runnable, maybe the Bomb Flow boys would go...but it looked like a high likelihood of reconnecting HARD towards the bottom. The portage was fun though, and you can slide off the shelf and catch the last part of the drop. Very pretty canyon as well.<br/><br/>On Sunday Peter caught up with us again, along with Fredy and another Phillip, and we paddled the Reuss River. They all said we were quite lucky to find it with water in it, as it has a few dams on it and rarely runs. Philip #2 has been paddling in Switzerland for 30 years, and it was the first time he was able to get on it!<br/><br/> <br/><br/><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KoT7oValo74/T_wYQxXX-II/AAAAAAAAEgo/Pjq-h774x9Y/s2048/Photo%252520Jul%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525204%25253A36%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KoT7oValo74/T_wYQxXX-II/AAAAAAAAEgo/Pjq-h774x9Y/s500/Photo%252520Jul%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525204%25253A36%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1341926037866.2524" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Old Roman bridge on the Reuss River, Switzerland</em></p><p style="text-align: left;">We have been very impressed with the bridge and tunnel building throughout Switzerland. I guess they've been practicing since Roman times...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7MMao6mAnAQ/T_wepY60lRI/AAAAAAAAEhU/aNsUq2mzpYM/s1365/Photo%252520Jul%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525201%25253A12%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7MMao6mAnAQ/T_wepY60lRI/AAAAAAAAEhU/aNsUq2mzpYM/s500/Photo%252520Jul%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525201%25253A12%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1341926037847.1619" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="750"></a><em>some "California slides" on the upper </em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><br></em></div>Everyone else had to go back to work, but we had Monday free before we had to catch our flight out of Milan. We thought since the Reuss was so fun, and rarely runnable, we would camp out nearby and paddle it again while we had the chance. There was even a upper section starting at the "Devils Canyon" that had some amazing slides between portages that looked really interesting from the bridge. <br/><br/> But while we were camping it rained a bit that night...<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TLUSprx5BGc/T_wes0CCWII/AAAAAAAAEhc/Nd9mLwl0tvA/s1530/Photo%252520Jul%2525202%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A51%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TLUSprx5BGc/T_wes0CCWII/AAAAAAAAEhc/Nd9mLwl0tvA/s500/Photo%252520Jul%2525202%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A51%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1341926037832.1514" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="669"></a> <em>Where have the California slides gone?</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">We had a bad feeling about the water level as we drove down to the canyon, but as we got out of the car at the scenic overlook and got sprayed by the river while standing in the parking lot...we figured it was just a "tad" above optimum. You could smell the dirt in the river and a couple of the fun looking slides under the bridge were now horrible holes. At least we got a good run in on Sunday. I guess we can add "way to high" to "too low" on the list of reasons why it's hard to get a chance to paddle the Reuss. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lJGmzCij06g/T_wewByG6DI/AAAAAAAAEhk/ZSrZ5_vV1pM/s2048/Photo%252520Jul%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525201%25253A31%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lJGmzCij06g/T_wewByG6DI/AAAAAAAAEhk/ZSrZ5_vV1pM/s500/Photo%252520Jul%2525201%25252C%2525202012%2525201%25253A31%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1341926037854.909" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a><em>Sunday parts of this were runnable...</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cC9qQWTY9bk/T_wey5NDgnI/AAAAAAAAEhw/gA3ER8YHyTk/s2048/Photo%252520Jul%2525202%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A51%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cC9qQWTY9bk/T_wey5NDgnI/AAAAAAAAEhw/gA3ER8YHyTk/s500/Photo%252520Jul%2525202%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A51%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1341926037902.1104" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="374"></a> <em>Monday. Oh well. Off to Milan</em></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; "><em><br></em></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">Overall it was still a great weekend and a great end to our time in the Alps. We're off to Norway now. Thanks to all the nice folks we met on our travels that made it all so fun.</div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">And you all should remember to sign up for our gear giveaway. Next week we are giving away an IR drytop, subscription to Kayak Session, and a Sea to Summit drybag.</div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">Go to our website for more info and to SIGN UP!</div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">www.smallworldadventures.com</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a-9PgZr7vCU/T_wqa25XZ_I/AAAAAAAAEiA/UU_2z3wddo0/s2048/Photo%252520Feb%25252021%25252C%2525202011%2525209%25253A38%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a-9PgZr7vCU/T_wqa25XZ_I/AAAAAAAAEiA/UU_2z3wddo0/s500/Photo%252520Feb%25252021%25252C%2525202011%2525209%25253A38%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1341926037837.573" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a> <em>all this traveling has made me miss hanging at the lodge in Ecuador...</em></div>Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-9664484692938761182012-06-25T13:33:00.001-06:002012-06-25T13:33:11.355-06:00Kayaking in the Alps part Uno <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;clear: both; ">R<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pcMg-gra7e4/T-hC1yptWwI/AAAAAAAAEfQ/V0CycjZ9sAY/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%25252017%25252C%2525202012%2525204%25253A43%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pcMg-gra7e4/T-hC1yptWwI/AAAAAAAAEfQ/V0CycjZ9sAY/s500/Photo%252520Jun%25252017%25252C%2525202012%2525204%25253A43%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1340652773818.4712" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><address> <strong><em>Darcy dropping into to the 3rd drop of the 3 Stufes on the Medelser Rhein in Switzerland </em></strong></address><address><strong><em><br></em></strong></address><address>It has been very difficult to keep up with the blog here in the Alps. In these small villages we have been traveling through, the people are much more concerned with their stone architecture, their wine and their pizzas than they are with wifi. Honestly, I can't say that I blame them!</address><address><br></address><address>And for us it has just meant that we have had to spend more time kayaking and less time sitting in front of computers. But alas, we are now in Campertagno, Italy at a campground with wifi and it is time to get to work! </address><address><br></address><address>By the way, if you ever come to Val Sesia, Italy to go kayaking, stay at il Gatto e la Volpe Campground. This place rocks. It is kayaker friendly, has a bar with the best ambiance I've ever experienced, a pizzaria, hot showers, and a great location (oh, and super friendly owners).</address><address><br></address><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-91oSFJsH-UI/T-gw0DVCBOI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/mcbUida_6mc/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%25252017%25252C%2525202012%2525203%25253A19%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-91oSFJsH-UI/T-gw0DVCBOI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/mcbUida_6mc/s500/Photo%252520Jun%25252017%25252C%2525202012%2525203%25253A19%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1340652773853.3325" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Yes! Now we feel like we are kayaking in the Alps--view from the put in of our 1st river in Switzerland.</em></strong></p><address><br></address><address>But our blogging woes weren't yet solved as we learned that the <em><strong>bleeping</strong></em> iPad can't use the "upload" function on websites....so now we are learning how to use Blogsy and Picasa and are trying to navigate the 67 steps it will now take us to upload photos. Ah, technology!</address><address><br></address><address>But you probably didn't open this blog to read about computer problems so let's get on with the kayaking in the Alps.</address><address><br></address><address><br></address><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;clear: both; "><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gBTHZZdpUIg/T-hHVysXTOI/AAAAAAAAEfc/nAbmtkZ1GgI/s1536/Photo%252520Jun%25252018%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A15%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><strong><em><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gBTHZZdpUIg/T-hHVysXTOI/AAAAAAAAEfc/nAbmtkZ1GgI/s500/Photo%252520Jun%25252018%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A15%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1340652773870.8186" class="alignnone" alt="" width="384" height="512"></em></strong></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em> Don paddling past a very old church on the Verzesca River, Switzerland (almost Italy)--something we don't often do in North America.</em></strong></p>Our kayaking tour of the Alps has, so far, been an amazing whirlwind tour of various countries, amazing old villages with stunning rock architecture, crazy mountain roads and fun paddling. <br/><br/>On day 3 of being in Europe we met up with Philip and Catherine, 2 SWA alum who currently reside in Switzerland. The took us down the Medelser Rhein which, to date, still has our favorite series of rapids in Europe, the 3 Stufes (3 steps). Then, through some serious effort and phone calls on their part, they hooked us up with a German and Swiss paddler. Philip and Catherine didn't know either of them, it was a friend of a friend of friend situation, but we ended up hooking up with these guys and having a great 8 days of paddling with them. Kayaking just works that way sometimes!<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P3GxtmQkY_M/T-g9flw5SRI/AAAAAAAAEew/eaorjlhg2Os/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A17%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P3GxtmQkY_M/T-g9flw5SRI/AAAAAAAAEew/eaorjlhg2Os/s500/Photo%252520Jun%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A17%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1340652773836.6064" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="329"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>Darcy entering the "Moat" of Chateau Queyras on the River Guil in France</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">We have, since June 14th, paddled 13 new rivers and seen a ton of awesome scenery! We have 7 days left in the Alps before flying to Norway and we hope to see some more great rivers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">The Guil in France was one of the highlights so far. We put in just above the Chateau Queyras and paddled through the very narrow canyon that used to constitute the "natural moat" to defend the castle on one side. It was a 500 meter long canyon, not too hard of whitewater, but fun and fast! All the while we tried to think of what life must have been like when that river canyon offered up a more or less impenatrable barrier to their castle.</div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;clear: both; "><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t-H7RXLzGzk/T-g9-ZZkBQI/AAAAAAAAEe4/_3rXb4Sr11U/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%25252018%25252C%2525202012%2525204%25253A00%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; "><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t-H7RXLzGzk/T-g9-ZZkBQI/AAAAAAAAEe4/_3rXb4Sr11U/s500/Photo%252520Jun%25252018%25252C%2525202012%2525204%25253A00%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1340652773829.7747" class="" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a><br></div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em> Don halfway through the "California Section" on the Rovano River in Switzerland</em></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>Over the next week, Flor and Peter, our German and Swiss paddling guides led us through crazy mountain passes, back and forth between the border of Italy and Switerland (one day we even paddled from one country to the next on the Melezzo Canyon which starts in Italy and finishes in Switzerland) and all and all gave us a sweet tour of Alps paddling. They taught us what "creeking" means in the Alps which is VERY low volume paddling. But I can't fault them, as many rivers we paddled went through gorges no wider than a paddle length (in fact, at one point while taking photos that didn't turn out I had my paddle across my lap and got "pinned" by the canyon walls. Luckily is was just flatwater in there). In many of those places, you don't want much water!<br/><br/><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YRSFbz-IG08/T-hHtm5mH7I/AAAAAAAAEfk/8b1lyZVb29I/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%25252020%25252C%2525202012%25252011%25253A54%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; "><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YRSFbz-IG08/T-hHtm5mH7I/AAAAAAAAEfk/8b1lyZVb29I/s500/Photo%252520Jun%25252020%25252C%2525202012%25252011%25253A54%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1340652773807.975" class="" alt="" width="500" height="334"></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em> Monte Blanc, the highest peak in Europe (please note the crane on the right side of the photo...I've never seen more cranes in my life than they have in Europe, and in Italy in particular. You can hardly open your eyes here without seeing at least 2 cranes)</em></strong></p>They also took us to the Dora Baltea river which flows from the glaciers on Monte Blanc (or Monte Bianco in Italian). It is a cold, fast and furious river, one of few with actual volume that we paddled, and reminded us of a shorter and easier North Fork Payette with a few wiers and dams thrown in the mix. We camped at a rafting base there just feet from the cold river feeling its mist and hearing its roar all night long. After going to sleep in the rain, we woke up to find clear skies and a stunning view of the mountian looming over the river valley. The vistas here continue to impress us; and we've seen a lot of pretty places in our travels so that is definitely saying something!<br/><br/><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xwiIZ-kFqjg/T-g8u4UCEVI/AAAAAAAAEeo/XCZ6B1xar6o/s500/Photo%252520Jun%25252018%25252C%2525202012%2525209%25253A01%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1340652773827.183" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em> Don enjoying incredible geology--what the Alps does best--on the Verzesca River</em></strong></p>They also taught us to drink warm German beer at the take out when you have no cooler. Now, this really was a hard one for Don to swallow--literally--but in the end we had a nice "Prost" with the warm beers.<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;clear: both; "><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aJVxkYKyFwI/T-ikoRNyKtI/AAAAAAAAEgI/6gB_KUK3YUk/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525208%25253A09%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aJVxkYKyFwI/T-ikoRNyKtI/AAAAAAAAEgI/6gB_KUK3YUk/s500/Photo%252520Jun%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525208%25253A09%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1340652773857.8645" class="" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <strong><em>Darcy on the Guil Gorge below the dam and normal take out</em></strong></p>After paddling the Guil River in France from the Chateau Queyras down to the lake, we were driving to our next camp on the Ubaye River when the boyz noticed that there was more water than normal in the gorge below the dam on the Guil. So we hiked on in to check it out. There were a few fun rapids down there and 1 portage and some great scenery. A great bonus round to the already fun day.<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0TFAuW9Un3o/T-hJd2INGFI/AAAAAAAAEfs/ANuo2Bz4ib0/s2048/Photo%252520Jun%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A19%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0TFAuW9Un3o/T-hJd2INGFI/AAAAAAAAEfs/ANuo2Bz4ib0/s500/Photo%252520Jun%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A19%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1340652773828.732" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Don in "the moat"</em></strong></p> So far we've had a great trip! It's the first time to Europe for both of us and we are seeing a lot of new territory.<br/><br/>Part due coming soon! Hopefully we will find internet again soon before too long...<br/><br/>In the meantime, don't forget to sign up for our summer contest if you haven't yet. We continue to give away awesome prizes every 2 weeks! What's left? <br/><br/>--1 week of kayaking in Ecuador with <a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com" target="_blank" title="">SWA</a><br/><br/>--<a href="http://jacksonkayak.com/jk-kayaks/whitewater/zen/" target="_blank" title="">Jackson Zen</a><br/><br/>--<a href="http://www.wernerpaddles.com/" target="_blank" title="">Werner Paddle</a><br/><br/>--<a href="http://www.sweetprotection.com" target="_blank" title="">Sweet helmet, Shambala pants and Prodigy boating fleece</a><br/><br/>--2 dry tops from <a href="http://www.immersionresearch.com" target="_blank" title="">Immersion Research</a><br/><br/>--Spray skirt from <a href="http://www.snapdragondesigns.com" target="_blank" title="">Snap Dragon</a><br/><br/>--<a href="http://www.smithoptics.com" target="_blank" title="">Smith</a> sunglasses<br/><br/>--Dry bags from <a href="http://www.seatosummit.com/products/cat/3" target="_blank" title="">Sea to Summit</a><br/><br/>--1 year subscriptions to <a href="http://www.kayaksession.com" target="_blank" title="">Kayak Session Magazine</a><br/><br/>--Copeis of Wildwater from <a href="http://www.forgemotionpictures.com" target="_self" title="">Forge Motion Pictures</a><br/><br/>So, get off your butt and sign up now!<a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com" target="_blank" title="SWA"> Small World Adventures</a><br/><br/><a name='more'></a><p> </p> <br/><br/> <br/><br/>Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-63961238008806287352012-06-06T13:19:00.002-06:002012-06-06T13:19:18.560-06:00Opal Creek, Oregon. Small World Alumni Reunion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOEwAXBhien54kdZ4bQYHLQQjvMi5EilSs00QWs64v2sYXjcDOv6ToW7tYohhLImtDUR5tYZlOYpeXT4l6OgKW5zCHn-z4w5m8Jby0lZ_vRVet_4-7l90cc4FMiQorJ_jDt3d/s1600/michael+staying+focused.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOEwAXBhien54kdZ4bQYHLQQjvMi5EilSs00QWs64v2sYXjcDOv6ToW7tYohhLImtDUR5tYZlOYpeXT4l6OgKW5zCHn-z4w5m8Jby0lZ_vRVet_4-7l90cc4FMiQorJ_jDt3d/s640/michael+staying+focused.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><b>Michael staying focused on a tricky lead in above a juicy hole</b></i><br />
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Ah yes, just over 1 month behind in the ol' blogging world. But, better late than never! Back in April of 2012, Don and I joined up with a crew from Portland to have an Ecuador reunion paddle on one of their favorite backyard runs--Opal Creek.<br />
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<i><b>Megi (representing Newport) running a sweet slot just below "Big Ugly"</b></i><br />
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Opal Creek is actually the Little North Santiam River, and is an incredibly beautiful run. Reportedly, this is one of very few drainages in Oregon that has not been logged. Consequently, the soil and nearby forests are still in tact and when this run is flowing its waters are crystal clear.<br />
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<i><b>David styling the line at Thor while Joey looks on capturing it all on GoPro</b></i></div>
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Since the river was flowing at ideal flows (ok, maybe a schmigen higher than ideal), Michael and Shannan rallied a crew from Portland and Newport; all but two of whom had been kayaking with us in Ecuador this past winter. <br /></div>
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<i><b>Darcy, just a blur, since she is going so damn fast in her Zen</b></i><br />
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We had sunshine, 80 degree weather, beautiful water, fun rapids, and a great crew. You really can't ask for a better day of paddling than that, now can you?<br />
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<b><i>The gang enjoying sunshine and clear water! From left to right it's: Darcy, Craig, Joey, Shannon, Michael</i></b><br />
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I've tried to do my best to get the names of the rapids right, but those of you who know better, please feel free to correct me if I've messed them up! You can also check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9BGsJ2wzRY&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Joey's Video</a> of the day to see some more action.<br />
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<i><b>Craig boofs his way towards a cold take out beer as Darcy and Joey look on </b></i><br />
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In other news, Small World's Summer Gear Giveaway is still on. We are giving away kayaking gear and goodies every 2 weeks through October, and the prizes are just going to keep on getting bigger! <br />
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<i><b>Joey--da boof! I can't remember the name of this rapid...</b></i><br />
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On June 15th, 4 lucky people will each win one of the following prizes: 1.) a spray skirt (Whitewater EXP) from <a href="http://snapdragondesign.com/" target="_blank">Snap Dragon Designs</a>, 2.) a Thin Skin from <a href="http://www.immersionresearch.com/store/#ecwid:category=1630065&mode=product&product=6811439" target="_blank">Immersion Research</a>, 3.) a one year subscription to <a href="http://www.kayaksession.com/" target="_blank">Kayak Session Magazine</a>, 4.) a copy of Wildwater from <a href="http://forgemotionpictures.com/" target="_blank">Forge Motion Pictures</a>.<br />
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<b><i>Shannon dropping into Thor. You can see Thor's hammer in the background </i></b></div>
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So, enter now! To enter, go to <a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank">Small World's</a> website. Go ahead and read through our homepage because you are going to need that information to answer a few easy questions. Then click the "win" link. Answer the questions, hit submit, and then kick back, relax and wait to see if you've won. You can keep tabs on us and the contest via our<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Small-World-Adventures-kayaking-Ecuador/208766816973?bookmark_t=page" target="_blank"> Facebook Page</a> as well.</div>
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<i><b>The gang at the take out celebrating a successful day: Shannon, Michael, Darcy, David, Joey, Don, Megi, Craig</b></i><br />
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Thanks to the Portland/Newport crew for an awesome day on the river. I think many of you are coming back to Ecuador this winter so that we can have many more incredible days of boating together. In the meantime, happy paddling and safe travels to all!<br />
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<a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Small World Adventures</b></span></a></div>Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-51389511867127816652012-05-23T09:17:00.002-06:002012-06-06T10:54:33.894-06:00Solar Eclipse on Fantasy Falls, CA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i> Darcy dropping into the actual Fantasy Falls</i></b></div>
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Last weekend Don and I met up with an awesome crew which consisted of
Macy, David, Chris and Nathan. We headed for the Fantasy Falls run on
the North Mokelumne River.</div>
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<b><i>Don running a tricky falls on day 1. It was hard to avoid the right wall at the bottom, but both he and David made it look good!</i></b></div>
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We spent 2 nights and 3 days on this beautiful run, and as a bonus, we got to watch the solar eclipse from our 2nd camp.</div>
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<b><i>Chris, looking for the tongue through a good sized hole just above camp #1 (he found it)</i></b></div>
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Fortunately for us ill-prepared types, Macy's wife--Amanda--was smart enough to send him out into the wilderness with a sweet pair of Made In China sun-watching glasses. That way, we didn't have to totally ruin our eyes to see the eclipse.</div>
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<i><b>View upstream from camp number 1. Gotta love the California weather. Definitely a BIG change from the 48 degrees and raining that we experienced on our last day of paddling in Washington!</b></i></div>
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However, due to some improper care of said glasses by a kayaker who will remain nameless, the glasses did not make it to camp 2 in mint condition. They were full of scratches; and even though the warning label advises against using scratched glasses, we all had to take a few peaks at the unique astronomical event. Even though we were too far south to actually see the "Ring of Fire" we did get to see about a 5/8 eclipse and it was pretty darn cool.<br />
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<i><b>Darcy dropping into the slide in "Big Boy Pants Canyon" There is a pretty nasty hole in the middle/river right on this thing that you definitely want to avoid</b></i></div>
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Much to our delight, we all woke up the next morning still having our vision! Bear Trap, Fantasy Falls, Island Drop and The Thing sure would have sucked had we not been able to see them! But the lake paddle out might have been better if we couldn't see how far we still had to go...</div>
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<i><b> Don looking good and staying left on the slide</b></i></div>
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I'm not going to do a blow by blow description of this run because there is already a great one on <a href="http://www.kayakphoto.com/darinmcquoid/fantasyfalls.html" target="_blank">Darin's site</a>. But the photos are in order of the drops so you can a good idea of things from that. Our photos aren't quite as pretty as Darin's...we are still working on our photography skills<br />
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<i><b> Nathan avoiding the giant rooster tail at the entrance to the slide, which will also help him avoid the very sticky hole in the middle of this slide</b></i></div>
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But I will tell you that Don was super stoked to be carrying the camera! Especially on the long portages.<br />
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<i><b>Nathan on Big Boy Pants. Sadly, I forgot to pack my Big Boy Pants so I portaged and volunteered to take photos</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Macy boofing the Mushroom boof while Nathan finishes the run out</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Don, Mushroom boof with sweet granite hill sides and blue sky in the background</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Darcy entering the "crux" rapid of Rifleman's Gorge</b></i></div>
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<i><b>David finishing the crux. The final move around/over the rooster was pretty hard to "nail" but we all had descent lines and came through with no problems as David is doing here</b></i></div>
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<i><b>The gang in the middle of Rifleman's. Nice scenery, eh?</b></i></div>
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While you are enjoying our fine photos, I'll take a minute to remind you to sign up for <a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/winatrip.html" target="_blank">SWA's summer gear </a>giveaway. We've only just begun to give out sweet kayaking gear so you still have the rest of the summer ahead of you to win great stuff!<br />
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<i><b>Macy launching yet another sweet boof a little ways below the "I Want My Mommy Gorge"</b></i><br />
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Coming up on June 1st, you can win: 1.) A pair of Smith Sunglasses. You'll get the <a href="http://www.smithoptics.com/products/#/Sunglasses/New+Releases/Tactic/view/" target="_blank">Smith Tactics</a>; with these glasses you can look cool and still get your business done! 2.) a $50 gift certificate to<a href="http://www.coloradokayak.com/" target="_blank"> Colorado Kayak Supply</a>. Need do to some spring shopping, this will help you out! 3.) a 1-year subscription to <a href="http://www.kayaksession.com/" target="_blank">Kayak Session Magazine</a>. Stay up to date on what's happening in the whitewater kayaking world. 4.) a copy of Forge Motion Pictures' <a href="http://forgemotionpictures.com/films/wildwater/" target="_blank">Wildwater</a>--the best damn kayaking movie out there!<i><b> </b></i></div>
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<b><i>Macy was super pissed that we were making him take a group photo while he was watching the eclipse. In the end, he agreed to sit with us but refused to take his eyes off the sun.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Star Gazer--oops, I mean Sun Gazer Extraordinaire, David Taylor Maurier</i></b></div>
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<i><b>Day 3, after a quick portage around the "Untouchables Gorge" Macy, David and Don fired up Bear Trap. Here's Macy boofing the crux hole just before charging to the right side of the Bear Trap feature itself.</b></i><br />
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<i><b>Don about to launch over the Bear Trap. It's a really sweet rapid! It was especially sweet watching the boyz style it!</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Chris enjoying a little air time on Fantasy Falls</b></i></div>
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<b><i>Nathan, David, Macy found a natural couch for a nice lunch break below the falls</i></b></div>
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<i><b>David, probing The Thing. This photo isn't too awesome but I think you can get a sense of the complete chaos that he is dropping into</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Don following on this crazy, big rapid</b></i></div>
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<i><b> Don in the middle of The Thing about to go flying down the ramp into a very sticky hole</b></i></div>
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<b><i>This is all we saw of Don for the next 60 seconds or so as he battled it out with the hole at the bottom of the rapid...I'm proud to report that Don prevailed in the end and made his way out of this hole still in his boat. It was a damn impressive ride!</i></b></div>
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<i><b><br />Macy, thinking that he didn't really feel like revisiting his old rodeo days decided not to try to top Don's ride </b></i></div>
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Thanks to our awesome crew for such a great trip. I couldn't have asked for a better group of dudes to paddle with.<br />
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<i><b>Who knows, if you win the Smith Glasses, you just might end up looking as cool as Darcy. It's hard to do though, so don't get your hopes up too much!</b></i></div>
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<a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank">Small World Adventures</a></div>Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34833820.post-26840197605040043792012-05-17T13:26:00.001-06:002012-05-17T13:26:43.555-06:00Canyon Creek, Washington<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><b> Andy dropping into Terminator on Canyon Creek. The thing looks super mean from this angle!</b></i></div>
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Waaaaay back around the end of April, Don and I finally gave up on Colorado's skiing. We gave it our best though, suffering through 3.5 weeks of skiing slush in 70 degree weather, jumping over dirt patches, all the while thinking "it's really time to go boating."<br />
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<b><i> There is a little added entertainment at the Terminator rapid. Between watching your friends drop the rapid, you can watch strangers fling themselves off the bridge...crazy people!</i></b></div>
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So we finally packed up the truck and headed to the Pacific Northwest. We were just in time for the Northwest Creeking Competition. We got out to the festival, had a nice, quick run down the East Fork Lewis and then headed over to Canyon Creek to check out that gem of a run.<br />
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<b><i>Don coming through the first big curler and getting ready to punch the hole at the bottom</i></b></div>
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We had run it the previous year at a somewhat ridiculous flow. It think it was over 3,000 CFS, and while it really was an awesome day, the run didn't have the characteristic boofs and creeky feel that we'd heard about. It just felt like a big water flush all the way through the canyon.<br />
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<b><i>Jenn digging deep to ensure she doesn't get a hole ride</i></b></div>
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This year we got on a "good high" flow of about 1400 CFS. We got our sweet boofs and defined moves and it was great. Canyon Creek, while short, truly is an exceptional run for the Portlanders to have in their back yards.<br />
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<b><i> Andy dropping the falls. There was a nice shoulder at this level that acted as the perfect launching pad for a sweet boof into the pool below</i></b></div>
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We were lucky enough to paddle with Jenn, Willie and Andy who had come down to Ecuador last winter. Plus we met 3 new paddlers and all and all had a good crew.<br />
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<b><i> Willie dropping the falls. Despite his quickly sinking Scud, he styled the run!</i></b></div>
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After Canyon Creek, we enjoyed the festivities at the NWCC and then woke up early the next morning to go paddle Opal Creek with more Ecuador alumni from the Portland area (blog on Opal coming soon) </div>
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<i><b>Don and Jenn almost got the double boof timing right at Champagne and Hammering Spot</b></i></div>
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The party at NWCC was a rockin' one and so as we were packing to leave at 7:30am the next day, there weren't too many people stirring. But the sun was shining through the thick Northwest forest and it was shaping up to be a beautiful day!<br />
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<b><i>Nice morning light at the creeking comp</i></b></div>
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Now onto a little business...As hopefully most of you know by now, the Small World Adventures' summer gear giveaway is already underway for this summer. Our next drawing is June 1st and here's what you can win: 1.) A pair of Smith Sunglasses. You'll get the <a href="http://www.smithoptics.com/products/#/Sunglasses/New+Releases/Tactic/view/" target="_blank">Smith Tactics</a>; with these glasses you can look cool and still get your business done! 2.) a $50 gift certificate to<a href="http://www.coloradokayak.com/" target="_blank"> Colorado Kayak Supply</a>. Need do to some spring shopping, this will help you out! 3.) a 1-year subscription to <a href="http://www.kayaksession.com/" target="_blank">Kayak Session Magazine</a>. Stay up to date on what's happening in the whitewater kayaking world. 4.) a copy of Forge Motion Pictures' <a href="http://forgemotionpictures.com/films/wildwater/" target="_blank">Wildwater</a>--the best damn kayaking movie out there!</div>
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<i><b> Beer wasters! These people couldn't even finish their fine Ninkasi beer, such a shame...</b></i></div>
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So, get your entries in ASAP! Go to our <a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank">website</a>, click the win link, fill in a few answers to easy questions and you are good to go. <br />
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Good Luck to everyone!<br />
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<a href="http://www.smallworldadventures.com/" target="_blank">Small World Adventures</a></div>Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10983596221655040223noreply@blogger.com0