The Chetco River flows from the heart of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. It is most famously known for it’s clear as glass water clarity and scenic river canyon. It’s most commonly done in inflatable kayaks at low (less than 1,000 cfs) flows. It is quickly capturing the attention of whitewater kayakers and is a wilderness expedition…
J.R. Explored Baldface Creek
In the far Northwest corner of California, the Smith River flows crystal clear through the heart of the Redwood country and is one of the “crown jewels” of the Wild and Scenic River system. Breathtakingly beautiful, this is California’s only undammed, free-flowing river. The river system is entirely protected in California, but some of this…
Smith River: Exploring The North Fork
Did you know the Smith River is the largest free-flowing river in California? This rare gem is a kayakers paradise with 3 runnable forks. From Class 1 to Class 5, the Smith has it all. Even though the Smith is protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, it’s headwaters in Oregon remain unprotected. Team…
The Wild and Scenic Chetco
On June 19, Team Sundance and Northwest Rafting Company launched their most ambitious commercial trip to date – an expedition into the Kalmiopsis Wilderness to float the Wild and Scenic Chetco River. Our team of 7 hiked 30 miles in 3 days, each carrying a total of about 70 pounds of food and equipment into the…
Hagen Gorge, WA
Hagen Gorge is on a small tributary to the Washougal River in southwestern Washington. About 3-4 miles long, this creek can be characterized by class IV boogie-water boofs and slides with various vertical class IV/V drops dispersed throughout. There is no gauge to the creek, so it’s all about proper guess-work. On our trip, the…
Year in Review: 2012
2012 was a pivotal year in the rebuilding of Sundance Kayak Schools. Our goal is always to run the best kayak instruction courses in the world, but we also did some great exploratory trips and training with our instructors. We started out the paddling season with a kayak trip on the Smith River and an…
Self Support on the South Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho
What happens when four lady paddlers are getting married in the same year? You have a Bachelorette Paddle! Earlier this month, 9 ladies from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California and Montana, rallied for a 4-day wilderness self-support on the South Fork of the Salmon River, near McCall, Idaho. Â At 5.25 feet, the South Fork of the…
Taylor Creek – a magical tributary to the Rogue River
Taylor Creek is an exotic tributary of the Rogue River. It flows into the recreational section of the Rogue near Morrison’s Lodge. It also happens to be the place where Sundance’s beginner schools train throughout the summer. While on a boating safari this spring, Zach Collier and I visited the Smith River in Northern California….
Upper Trout Creek, Washington
We are lucky as paddlers to live in the Columbia River Gorge. During the rainy season, within a half hour drive it is possible to be at over a dozen different rivers. Each and every one, unique, and awe-inspiring. The author boofing on Upper Trout Creek (Photo: Bryon Dorr) One of my favorite rivers in…
West Fork of the Hood River
The West Fork of the Hood River, located near the town of Dee is a fun Class IV run perfect for those with an after work time-crunch, or those looking for a fun day on the river. Jesse in his firecracker Diesel 80 One Sunday afternoon Team Sundance decided to mosey over to the…