The 2013 season is nearly upon us and what a great year for new gear! We’ve got a ton of exciting new 2013 kayaks, stand up paddle boards, rafts, catarafts, canoes, river & camping gear and tons more at 4Corners Riversports. Here’s a preview of what’s new and exciting in the paddle sports world. For more new boats, boards and gear, visit us online at http://riversports.com or at our store in Durango, Colorado.
 

Kayaks:

Whitewater Kayaks:

Dagger Jitsu:

We’re very excited about the new whitewater offerings for 2013, with great new options in all categories of boats. In the freestyle world, the new Dagger Jitsu has been generating a lot of buzz. The Jitsu is Dagger’s first new freestyle kayak since 2007 and is a fresh and exciting design. Built to be fast on a wave, with plenty of pop for aerial moves and enough sliciness to be able to throw balanced ends, the Jitsu is sure to be a best seller, especially with the updated and super comfy Contour Ergo outfitting.

Jackson Star:

Jackson Kayak has once again updated its extremely popular freestyle lineup, the Star series. Now in it’s 4th incarnation, the Star series is quite possibly the best selling freestyle kayak of all time. The 2013 model features a longer profile for more balanced ends, more volume, a faster hull design with a reworked rocker profile and better volume distribution for more balanced end moves and more pop. Jackson has also teamed up with GoPro and is now adding the integrated camera mounting system on all it’s kayaks (both whitewater and recreational/fishing lines) and SUPs.

Jackson Karma:

The new Karma from Jackson Kayak has been generating a lot of buzz with talk of it’s effortless boofing abilities, its tendency to keep it’s nose up and exit drops with speed, and it’s overall ease of paddling. Available in 3 sizes, the Karma will fit just about any paddler from smaller adults and ladies all the way up to the big boys and those needing a solid self-support boat. The Karma features a slightly more edgy hull than it’s predecessor and boasts better primary and secondary stability. As with all 2013 Jackson’s, the Karma also features the new integrated GoPro mounting system.

Wavesport Recon:

The Recon is Wavesports latest and greatest in steep creek and river running technology. With tons of rocker in the nose, and a displacement hull with recessed chine edge, the Recon is built for boofing down the steeps. It’s highly apparent that a lot of thought and design went into the Recon and it shows in it’s performance. This is 4CRS Team Paddler Chris Baer’s favorite new creek boat and for good reason. Plenty of speed, with excellent stability and tons of maneuverability, with a fast water shedding deck for quick resurfacing, the Recon really starts to shine when it’s bouncing down your local steep creek of choice. And thanks to it’s new CORE Whiteout (the same design as Dagger’s new Contour Ergo) outfitting, the Recon fits more snug and comfortably than most other creek boats on the market.

Wavesport Ethos:

One of the most promising self support / crossover kayak designs we’ve ever seen, the new Wavesport Ethos should be at the top of any self support paddler’s list. A true expedition whitewater boat, the Ethos features a full whitewater bulkhead and footbrace, making it a much more capable craft for anyone wanting to do more than just Class II-III self-support paddling. The hull features plenty of rocker and a forgiving yet responsive chine profile. When the going gets flat, pop the spring-loaded skeg and you’ll be blasting thru those flatwater stretches with minimal effort. A tight fitting rubberized hatch cover and fully sealed rear bulk will keep your overnight gear dry and secure. We’re pretty confident that the Ethos will be the most popular self-support kayak in recent years.

That does it for our new 2013 whitewater kayaks. Remember, we have plenty of other whitewater kayaks so be sure to check out our other offerings. We have every one of these new kayaks (as well as plenty of others) available for demo or rent in all sizes.

Whitewater Inflatable Kayaks:

NRS Outlaw I & II:

The Outlaw IKs are NRS replacement for the discontinued Bandit IK series. The Outlaws are solid performers at a very attractive price. They feature a rock-solid drop-stitch inflatable floor (the same technology used to make inflatable paddle boards) that allows them to be more responsive and provides a solid platform for gear storage. Coming in at a scant 26 and 34 lbs respectively, the Outlaw I makes for a great solo whitewater performer and the Outlaw II is a great choice for tandem paddlers or for solo desert self-support trips.

Fishing Kayaks:

Hobie Pro Angler 12 & 14:

Although we did have a couple of the new Pro Angler 12′s last year, they went quickly and most people didn’t get a change to see them. This year, in addition to the newer 12′, paddlers now get the plush, BOA-system adjustable Vantage seat on both models.  They feature the ultra efficient Mirage pedal drive system, a pontoon-esque hull for maximum stability and speed, and a recessed rudder with the best turning radius of any ruddered kayak we know of. Add to that the ample fishing rod-and-accessory mounting and storage, a solid standing platform for sight casting, and a slew of other features and add-on accessories and you’ve got the best and most popular fishing kayak on the market today.  The Pro Angler is worth every penny for discerning fishermen that wants a relatively inexpensive and easy to transport fishing boat for any type of flatwater river, lakes or inlets.

Native Watercraft Slayer 12 & 14.5

For those looking for a smaller and less expensive, yet fully featured fishing kayak, the new Native Watercraft Slayer might fit the bill. The Slayer comes in two sizes, a 12′ and a 14.5′, and is designed from the ground up as a fishing kayak, not just a touring kayak with some fishing accessories bolted on. Both feature large deck wells for ample gear storage, a large standing are for sight casting with a stable hull that allows you to do so, integrated mounting rails for easy attachment of accessories, an integrated wheel on the stern for transport, and Native’s ultra-comfortable High/Low First Class seat.

Recreational & Touring Kayaks:

Dagger Zydeco:

Dagger’s Zydeco was another kayak that we had for a very brief period of time last season. This one sold so quickly last year that we’ve ordered quite a few more for the 2013 season. The Zydeco 9′ and 11′ models are both great options for beginner or recreational paddlers to get into a very nicely featured kayak for a very affordable price. The beauty of the Zydeco’s is that they feature the ultra comfortable and adjustable CFS-R outfitting that is usually only found on kayaks double the price. The 11′ model features a rear dry hatch for those paddlers looking to bring some gear with them on their day or overnight venture to the lake or calm-water river. Stable yet responsive with a slightly rockered hull and a progressive keel, the Dagger Zydeco is our favorite new entry-level recreational kayak.

Perception Prodigy XS:

The newest addition to the Prodigy lineup is the Prodigy XS, which is designed for small adults and children. This is a great beginner boat for kids, with a sleek and fast hull that still provides enough stability for the inexperienced and a lightweight hull that is easy for them to carry. The Prodigy XS features a comfortable seat, easy to adjust back-band and sliding foot pegs to round out it’s beginner friendly features. If you’re looking for a kayak to get your kids out on the lake or flatwater river, or you’re a small adult paddler looking for for an inexpensive but nimble day-tourer, the Prodigy XS is a great choice.

Wilderness Systems Aspire:

The new Aspire is another high quality rec-tour offering from Wilderness Systems. The Aspire is a great choice for beginners and intermediates looking for a a day-tourer with functional premium features.  The Aspire is easy handling, stable and tracks straight thanks to its strong chine and and retractable skeg. Featuring the super comfortable Phase3 AirPro outfitting, integrated console and a premium latch-sealing hatch cover, the Aspire is a great choice for weekend lake goers and day-tourers.

Stand Up Paddle Boards:

Composite & Plastic Paddle Boards:

Badfish MVP & MVP-S River Paddle Boards:

While the MVP series isn’t new this year, we thought it was worth mentioning again because of its new coating options. For those of you unfamiliar with the MVP series, they are quite simply, the only composite paddle board (that we’re aware of anyway) that is specifically designed for down river paddling. The stability, maneuverability and down river performance is unmatched by any other. If you’re looking to go downriver on a SUP, this is the one. If you’re looking to throw in a little surfing to your downriver paddling, the MVP-S is for you. New for 2013 are the coating options, now available as either heavy duty EPX or with the super durable Sharkskin coating on the bottom and side rails.

Jackson SUPer Charger Stand Up Paddle Board:

The Jackson SUPer Charger is Jackson’s first venture into the world of stand up paddle boards. Built with rotomolded polyethylene, the same process used to make whitewater kayaks, the SUPer Charger is extremely durable and is designed to be paddled downriver. The hull is channelized for speed and tracking, with removable tri-fin setup for different paddling situations. The rounded deck sheds water quickly and allows the SUPer Charger to punch through holes and waves with ease.  The wide platform that pintails makes it stable yet responsive, great for exploring your favorite rivers from a different vantage point.

Starboard Stand Up Paddle Boards:

Stand Up Paddling has become so popular that we’ve not only added new SUPs to our inventory, we’ve added a whole new manufactures’ lineup with Starboard. 4CRS is now proud to offer high quality boards from Starboard, including the 12’6 Touring, 10′ Whopper series in several versions, the 11’2 Blend and the 10’5 NRG Fitness Nikki Gregg Pro Model. Whether its touring, fitness, yoga or just cruising around your favorite lake or flatwater stretch of river, we’ve got a Starboard SUP that will fit your needs perfectly. They also have a number of inflatable paddle boards as well (listed further down).

Boardworks Super Natural Stand Up Paddle Boards: 

The Super Natural series from Boardworks is a new board that is designed to get people into an affordable composite design that performs well and looks great with a high gloss finish. Stable yet quick, the Super Natural is constructed of single-density, stringerless, hand-shaped EPS cores with epoxy resin laminates. The Super Natural is available in two sizes, 10’6 and 11’6, and is a great choice for tourers, fitness paddlers and even for surfing ocean breaks.

Surtech Generator AST Stand Up Paddle Boards:

The Surftech Generator AST series are the most affordable epoxy boards we carry. The core of the AST system consists of a water-tight Fused-Cell Core, with a layer of fiberglass, wood in the standing area, unidirectional glass in the nose, and a fiberglass exterior. At 31.5″ wide, the Generator AST is quick and nimble, while still giving you the stability you crave. Available in both a 10’6 and 11’6, the Generator AST is a great beginner / intermediate board that will also work well for fitness or yoga.

Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards:

NRS Tyrant & Czar Stand Up Paddle Boards:

The NRS Tyrant & Czar are the first inflatable stand up paddle boards that we’ve carried that are specifically designed for surfing river waves. The Tyrant, and it’s bigger 6″ thick brother, the Czar, are short and sporty with a high rocker nose, perfect for surfing the waves at your local whitewater park or play wave. With a super grippy deck and interchangeable fin set for different paddling scenarios, the Tyrant & Czar are versatile inflatable surfers that are at home on the river, at the lake and even on ocean breaks. Both come with fins, a travel backpack, pump, gauge and repair kit.

NRS Earl & Baron Stand Up Paddle Boards:

Updated from the original NRS stand up boards (the Big Baron and Big Earl) the 2013 Earl and Baron get a redesign and makeover, with improved performance characteristics and a sexier look. The Earl, and it’s larger brother, the Baron, are both available in both 4 and 6 inch versions for larger and smaller paddlers. The Earl is the sleeker of the two models, better for smaller paddlers or paddlers looking for a faster, more fitness / touring oriented SUP. The Baron is the bigger of two, with a wider, more stable platform, better for large paddlers, beginners, and fishermen. Both come with fins, a travel backpack, pump, gauge and repair kit.

Starboard Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards:

As we mentioned above, we’ve added the Starboard lineup to our 2013 inventory. On top of their high quality composite boards, Starboard offers a very well built line of inflatables SUPs in various sizes and shapes. The Astro Touring 12’6 is one of the first inflatables to take the shape of a sleeker race / touring design, with a 6″ thick deck for lots of float, narrow profile for maximum speed and glide, and tapered nose and tail for tracking and speed. The Astro Blend 11’2 is a versatile design that will fit the needs of many different paddlers with a mid-sized design, 4″ or 6″ thick deck, interchangeable tri-fin setup, and a sporty yet stable profile. The Astro Whopper 10′ is a great option for beginners, fitness / yoga paddlers, or weekend cruisers with a 4″ or 6″ deck and a wider profile. All Starboard inflatable stand up paddle boards come with fins, a travel backpack, pump and repair kit.

Stand Up Paddles:

Werner Stinger Whitewater SUP Paddle:

The new Werner Stinger SUP paddle is specifically designed for down river and whitewater paddling. The idea behind the new shape is a narrow tip for a soft catch, then it flairs to offer more power through the midpoint of the stroke and to provide a solid and positive bracing feel. Available in 1, 2 & 3 piece fiberglass shafts, and built to the same legendary quality as all Werner Performance paddles, the Stinger is your best choice for a downriver and whitewater stand up paddle.

Starboard Enduro Fiber-Tufskin SUP Paddle:

The Enduro Fiber-Tufskin Paddle is a new quality, yet affordable, addition to our SUP paddle inventory this year. Featuring a foiled ABS blade and one-piece fiberglass shaft, the Enduro is a great choice for budget conscious paddlers or beginners looking to get into the sport without spending a ton. The Enduro is one of the least expensive and best value stand up paddles we carry.

Rafts & Oars:

NRS Clearwater Drifter Inflatable Drift Boat:

A self-bailing inflatable drift boat. Yup, you read that right. The NRS Clearwater Drifter is the first of its kind, an inflatable drift boat that is the perfect solution for fishermen who have always wanted a drift boat, but haven’t had the money or the space. The Clearwater Drifter uses drop-stitched PVC for the hull of the boat, the same technology used in inflatable stand up paddle boards, making it extremely rigid, durable and able to handle shallow water with ease. The modular frame, which uses aluminum support yolks and a LoPro equipped frame, can be easily broken down, and the hull deflated and rolled for easy transport or storage, even on small aircraft, jetboats or commercial shippers like UPS or FedEx. Even better yet, the Clearwater Drifter is self-bailing (up to a point), making it a viable option for Class II-III whitewater, like the Lower Animas, Lower Piedra, and San Juan River stretches. The Clearwater Drifter is available for special order only, so please allow 2 to 3 weeks for delivery.

NRS PackRaft:

Explore places that are impracticable for a larger boat with the NRS Pack Raft. This stable and lightweight craft is built with tough, polyurethane-coated nylon for uncompromising durability. Leave it packed in your car for impromptu paddles, pack it deep into a wilderness adventure or anywhere in between. This light water craft fits into a space 18″ x 15″ x 5″, making it easy to throw in a pack, the back of your ATV or anywhere in your rig.

Jacks Plastic Welding Rafts & Catarafts:

While Jack’s boats are certainly nothing new to 4CRS, we have now added their “full” lineup to our online catalog, including the new 15′ S.B Raft, FatBoy 10′ raft, the ultra maneuverable Culebra paddle cat, versatile Royal Flush 15′ cataraft, the gear hauling 17′ El Tigre, the original 13.5′ Daddy Cat and the packable Cutthroat series. On top of all that (and more), Jack is famous for his custom fabrications and can make just about anything you can dream up. Give us a call to discuss custom options or fabrications.

Sawyer Square Top DyneLite Oars:

The new Sawyer Square Top DyneLite Oars are quite possibly the finest set of oars we have ever carried at 4CRS. Sawyer, long known for their Smoker wood oars and very popular Polecat fiberglass oar, has taken the concept of a wooden oar to the extreme. The new Square Top features a solid laminate Douglas Fir core with a carbon fiber braid reinforced shaft and an integrated DyneLite blade. This one-piece combo gives you the feel and pop of a wooden oar, with the strength and light weight of carbon. On top of all that, the “square top” provides natural counter balance to the oar and makes it the only counter balanced oar on the market that actually floats due to its light weight. If you’re looking for the best oar that money can buy, this is the one.

PFD’s:

Kokatat Maximus & Maximus Prime PFDs:

The new Maximus Prime, Kokatat’s latest Type V rescue vest offering, and it’s Type III counterpart, the Maximus, are a welcome addition to the Kokatat PFD family. The Maximus Prime features all the rescue hardware you’d expect in a Type V pfd, along with oversized suspension shoulder straps (similar to the one’s found on the Stohlquist Descent), a large stowage pocket, a fabric knife sheath flap to prevent the top part of a rescue knife from snagging, an integrated tow tether storage system, and webbing adjustments that sit further forward for easy access. It also weighs in at 17 lbs of flotation and features and easy side entry system. The Maximus is built on the same platform, but is a simpler, Type III design without the rescue hardware, knife sheath and tow tether system.

NRS Zen Type V Rescue PFD:

The new Zen PFD from NRS is a promising Type V rescue design that is roughly based on the popular Ninja PFD.  Like the Ninja, the Zen is low profile and sports an ample 17.5 lbs of flotation. The Zen’s rescue hardware features a quick release belt, reinforced webbing, and large pockets and mesh storage areas for additional rescue gear. Additionally it has padded arm and rib areas for added protection, a Cordura shell and even VaporLoft lined hand warming pockets. It also happens to be the least expensive rescue vest in our inventory.

Astral Greenjacket:

The Astral Greenjacket got a makeover this year, retaining all the features of the older model, but gaining the large clamshell pocket that is also featured on the Seawolf. The new model still features the Tectonic panel system, torso length adjustment, rescue gear storage pockets and arm/torso impact panels. Astral also bumped the flotation up to 16.4 lbs of flotation. Unfortunately, the Greenjacket is still a pullover design, making it more difficult than others to put on or take off, especially in an emergency situation.

Astral YTV PFD:

The YTV is a new low profile Type III PFD from Astral, aimed at playboaters, paddle boarders, river guides and recreational paddlers. Featuring two good sized pockets, independent shoulder straps, 16 lbs of flotation and a simple design, the YTV is a good choice for paddlers looking for a low-frills, PVC-free PFD.

Astral Ronny & Linda:

The Astral Ronny and Linda are two new low-profile Type III PFD’s that are designed for recreational paddlers. The Ronny, and ladies version the Linda, feature a very slim and vented back panel, making it comfortable when sitting against high-backed seats. Both have independent shoulder straps, a large mesh pocket, and 16 lbs of flotation, making it a viable option for whitewater rafters as well.

River Apparel & Footwear:

Kokatat Hydrus 3L Stoke Drytops:

The Hydrus 3L Stoke drytops are Kokatat’s replacement for the very popular Helix. The Stoke features Kokatat’s new Hydrus 3-layer waterproof and breathable fabric that has a tough Nylon outer layer with a DWR finish, a proprietary polyurethane micro-porous coating, and soft polyester inner layer to manage moisture. It is available in both men’s and women’s models and features Kokatat’s legendary quality and lifetime guarantee on materials and workmanship. The new Stoke is sure to be a classic best seller and one of the best value dry tops that we carry.

Astral Brewer & Rassler Water Shoes:

Astral has entered the world of river footwear with the new Brewer Shoe and the Rassler Shoe (pictured, due out this spring). The Brewer is a a low-cut minimalist kayak & SUP shoe that is both durable and extremely grippy thanks to the Stealh rubber sole. The Rassler offers more support with a mid-high cuff and the same Cordura & Stealth construction featured in the Brewer.

NRS Freestyle Wetshoe, Paddle Wetshoe & Shock Sock Bootie:

NRS had revamped their main lineup of paddling wet-shoes this year. The Freestyle Wetshoe replaces the Desperado Sock as a low profile and flexible paddling shoe that is designed to be crammed into tight playboats or as a minimalist SUP shoe. The Shock Sock is a higher cuffed version of the Freestyle Wetshoe. Both feature the newer Hydrocuff system to keep as much water and other debris out as possible. The Paddle Wetshoe is a fuller, high cuffed wetshoe with a more traditional sole similar to the Desperado Shoe.

Cameras:

GoPro Hero 3:

The GoPro name needs no introduction unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past several years. Their latest model, the Hero 3, is quite possibly the finest compact waterproof helmet camera ever made. Available in 3 models (we carry the Black and the Silver), the new Hero 3 is lighter, slimmer and easier to use than the older model. The new models have far too many new features to list here, but both the new Black and Silver editions feature WiFi Smartphone App support, higher photo and video resolution, and more shooting modes. The new Black model features the Ultra HD 2.7K and 4K shooting modes, includes the waterproof WiFi remote, faster video and photo performance, professional audio controls and a much better low light sensor. If you’re wondering which to choose, the Silver will fit the needs of most enthusiasts, while the Black has many more pro features. But, do consider the fact that even though the Black is $100 more, it does come with the WiFi remote (an $80 accessory) and much better low light performance.

Camp & Kitchen:

Coyote 5 Gallon Water Jug:

We’ve started carrying our own line of water jugs with the Coyote 5 Gallon Water Jug. This carboy style jug is easy stowing and works great for strapping to your frame decking thanks to its upright spout.  Made from FDA-certified HDPE plastic, the Coyote Water Jug is rugged and durable with a stout handle that won’t fold or break and features a self-venting AeroFlow tap that eliminates the need for those pesky vent plugs that always seem to get lost. The wide base makes it stable even when its in pouring position and the total emptying design ensures that none of your precious H2O will go to waste.

Coyote Emergency Rescue Signal Panels:

Designed to fit the requirements of private trips thru the Grand Canyon and other trips requiring emergency helicopter rescue panels, the Coyote Emergency Rescue Signal Panels are made from high quality safety orange tarpaulin in 3′ x 8′ panels that are designed to be laid out in an X pattern should you require emergency assistance. They can also double as an emergency shelter or to cover you camp kitchen or other necessities during a downpour.

NRS Big Sky Coolers:

NRS has entered the world of rafting coolers with the new Big Sky lineup. Available in 65, 80, 123, 146 and 175 quart models, the NRS Big Sky Coolers are made with tough, rotomolded HDPE plastic and are built to last. Featuring 2 inches of high-density foam, a one-piece molded-thru hinge, heavy duty latches, and an air tight o-ring gasket, the Big Sky coolers will be giving you outstanding ice retention for years to come.

 
 
That wraps up our 2013 New Gear Preview. Be sure to stop by the shop to check out even more new gear from this year and years past. And don’t forget we have many of these boats and boards as well as tons of river gear for rent in the 4CRS Rental & Demo Center, including whitewater kayaks, stand up paddle boards, inflatable kayaks, rafts & expedition raft packages, recreational kayaks, canoes, Hobie kayaks, PFDs, drysuits, wetsuits, dryboxes, firepans, groovers / portable camp toilets, stoves, sleeping pads, and more!

Part I: Colombia

Chris Baer Scouting the entrance rapid on the Estrecho section of the Rio Magdalena

The original research for this trip put a lot of different possibilities in my head. On the positive side, unexplored canyons. On the negative side, was the always interesting U.S. media. They spoke of kidnappings, Guerrillas, and for me the scariest issue land mines?! As usual my determination for an all out adventure won. I booked a flight to Bogota Colombia.

Collecting my gear in the Bogota Airport

Traveling with a kayak is always a bit stressful. The week before the trip my head was spinning with the possibilities. Was I going to be able to check it onto the first flight, the second flight, into the cab, on the bus, how much will I have to pay for it? International kayak ownership is not for any one that is on a schedule, or expects anything to go smoothly.

To my delight once again the boat got checked onto the flight. The adventure had officially begun. A quick flight from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale, an eight hour lay over, and another smooth flight that was only delayed a few hours to Bogota Colombia.

Upon arriving in Bogota, I was deserving of a good nights sleep; but not until I got a quick walk about. My apprehension of a dangerous community quickly faded as I took few hour walk around the capital. It felt safe, at least as safe as any big city feels. Street food was on my mind, quickly I found myself immersed in the Colombian culture.

Colombia, kidnappings, gorillas, land mines, and amazing white water from Chris Baer on Vimeo.

Classic, HURRY UP! and wait…

Bad beta meant taking a taxi cab to the bus station and waiting ten hours for the bus to arrive. Upon arrival the crowd made an awkward charge. Lots of big luggage was heading underneath the bus. The driver looked at me disgusted with the size of my baggage and waved me over. It took a couple minutes to shift cargo, but we got the kayak to awkwardly fit. Then the drivers hand went out, he was looking for a bribe. I offered a low number and he hit me back with a number that was substantially more then what I was thinking. After a few minutes of bargaining and talking to everyone that could possible be in charge, I slipped the driver more then what I thought fair. The bribe was still distinctly less then what the driver was originally asking for. He smiled at me; I think he truly enjoyed the bargaining process; all I wanted was my kayak to make it to it’s next destination.

Twelve hour overnight bus ride

As the driver speed quicker and quicker into the curves, blasting his horn at every animate and inanimate object, the person sitting next to me stated to snore. It was about that time the child a row behind me let out a freakishly loud scream. I wasn’t going to get much sleep. Arriving in San Agustin I was in full zombie mode. I paid too much for a cab, and too much for a hostel room. I needed to pass out for a couple hours and regain normal human functions.

The local transport, Chiva

San Agustin

This lively little town has a Wild West feel, horses make their way down the main street almost as frequently as motorcycles and the colorful Chivas. The vibe is fairly relaxed with farming and tourism (it is a UNESCO world heritage site) being the main supply of income for the community.

One of the classic stone carvings outside of San Agustin

Feeling small in the steep canyons of Colombia

Rio Magdalena

The second day in San Agustin I meet up with a french gentleman, Amid runs the local rafting company on the Rio Magdalena. A quick conversation with Amid, and he encourage me to join his commercial clients on the beautiful class 3 section of the Rio Magdalena. Por que no (why not) was all I could respond with. Rafts, kayak, two guides, eleven clients, and myself smashed into a pickup; we were on our way to my first Colombian river.

Jared Page wheeling through a sticky hydraulic

Joel Fedak pulling hard

Day 3 and the kayakers arrive, Kees Van Kuipers, Maudy Verb, Giorgio Codeluppi, Jared Page, and Joel Fedak. Plans were made quickly, we would paddle the Canyon section of the Magdalena a.k.a. Estrecho. This section is a classic representation of Colombian white water. Impressively containing walls, with an ever changing rock structure. The river section brought us through basalt, conglomerate, and polished granite. The rapids were fun class 4 with a few mixed in dangers (overhanging, caved out, conglomerate walls, and a couple sticky holes).

Joel Fedak deep in the Magdalena Canyon

The posy loading boats

Chris Baer trying to find that tight line

The Magdalena Valley, yep there’s white water down there

Rio Naranjos

After paddling the Estrecho section, my eyes were wide open. Colombia has kayakable river drainages everywhere. The next section was targeted quickly, it’s a small creek that is viewable on the drive to San Agustin. Rio Naranjos is a tributary to the Magdalena, and has a relatively steep, low volume characteristic that looks promising. Both Keeys and Giorgio had paddled the section before, but it had been quite awhile (5 years). Our beta once again was marginal at best. Keeys even told us not to use the information he had written for the Colombia Whitewater guide book.The water level at the put in looked pretty low. The rumor was there was another tributary that was going to add substantial flow to the river. To me it looked like an acceptable personal first descent level; low enough water to deal with the unpredictability of the run at river level.

Jared finding a fun boof in the upper Naranjos

The section of white water leading to the confluence was filled with conglomerate sieves. After passing a very marginal water quality tributary we found ourselves very slowly portaging our way down the river right side of the creek. We climbed over large boulders, through the jungle, all the while surrounded by garbage and sewage from the up stream community.

Looking for an exit in the Rio Naranjos

By the time we reached the confluence our morale was rather low. The crew could only laugh about our silly selection of white water. From the confluence down the water quality, and rock structure got much better. We routed into one polished boulder garden after the next. The last major rapid is a dark intimidating hallway that ramps off a clean six foot boof.

Classic beauty in Colombia

The adventures are just beginning here, and I am getting more and more excited about Colombia.

Rio Caqueta from Chris Baer on Vimeo.

Part II: Rio Caqueta, two days in a committing canyon

Yea! its walled in, look close that little spec is Jared

The Colombian adventure continues, next on the check list was the third descent of the Rio Caqueta. With some amazingly vague beta, “It should take one or… three days? there is some pushy white water! with a portage… or a few!?” Giorgio Codleuppi, Jared Page, Joel Fedak and myself packed our boats with a little better then an overnights worth of food, light weight sleeping arrangements, and few guaranties. What we could see from maps was that the canyon was covered in a dense jungle, and was very containing.

Middle of no where

We piled into a pickup truck and made our way to the river. Upon arrival the river’s flow looked pretty low, but the general size of the river was huge! An estimated 4,000 cubic feet of water per second was pumping through the canyon. We put on directly below the highway and quickly arrived at a vertically walled section. It’s Beautiful! There are a few small water falls plunging hundreds of feet into the canyon. These falls make the walls glisten with their spray.

House size rocks, and hydraulics to match

Into the big rapids!

Early on day one, receiving a single thumbs up I charged into what looked like the big side of a fun rapid. Coming into the blind bottom section it was one huge feature after the next. A couple strong forward strokes blasting through hydraulics, a quick brace, and a WTF! In front of me was a twelve foot wide six foot deep hydraulic. The bravado in me said to boof over the hole. My attempt was almost laughable. A quick window shade and I popped up just in time to throw a horrible looking loop towards the corner of the hole. One more window shade, and I resurfaced with a single thought, “That can’t happen again.” The group pulled over and took a time-out to reassess our hand signals.

Big and Pushy

There was immense pour overs everywhere! Our group did a fair amount of scouting, wadded through side channels, and peering over house size boulders into the turbulent river. With an empty boat and a solid warm up, I know most of the marginal lines could come together… With a heavy boat and the looming walls of the canyon, skirting and running away from big features was the game plan.

Late in day one the pace was slowing, it was one huge barely scoutable rapid after the next. We spent an hour of scouting a particularly nasty rapid, just to agree upon a cheat line. Climbing out of our boats at the next horizon line we were confronted with an enormous siphon, the entire rivers flow smashes into a couple apartment building size rocks and disappears. After our quick portage the light started to dwindle.

4,000 cfs siphon

(Colombian rivers have been known to rise incredible amounts, last year Mark Hentze was washed away in the middle of the night do to a huge unexpected surge of water.)

We chose an elevated beach and unloaded our boats. The scenery was beautiful; but camping in the jungle has a few draw backs. Sand flies, and constant precipitation, made the small damp fire a little less enjoyable. We ate food and shared stories of near misses with huge hydraulics. As the evening developed the temperature dropped, and I found myself with an inadequate sleeping system. I slept in every layer I had that wasn’t soaking wet.

Day Two we awoke to clear skies and gorgeous views

Once on water we were confronted with more scouting, and more running from huge pour overs. Arriving at yet another large rapid Giorgio charged in and disappeared over a large horizon line… It took him a few seconds to come back into view. When Giorgio looked upstream he once again gave us an awkward hand gesture. Joel was next to paddle into the melee. Upon arriving at the bottom of the rapid, Joel’s hand single was distinctly different. His hand signal portrayed a very well defined get left!
Jared took off into the rapid looking for the left line, unfortunately he found himself disappearing off a large horizon line. From above I could see his boat catch major air twice before relieving itself of the hydraulic. Jared then rolled up just in time to fall into yet another, much larger hydraulic. His beating resumed immediately. Jared was dealing with a heavy decision, and oxygen depravation was working against him. Abandoning craft, sleeping arraignment, clean water, and food, Jared hit the eject button. Thankfully Giorgio and Joel were in great position, and cleaned up the situation quickly.

Giorgio Codleuppi making friends with a local fishing family

 Mid day on day two we exited the canyon. The gradient and pace quickly petered off, and we found ourselves slowly dodging fishing boats. We paddled the last two hours to our take out in the small community of Puerto Limon.

Puerto Limon, looking back at the beautiful Caqueta valley

Part III: First descent of Lower Rio Putumayo and another lap on the Rio Mocoa, Colombia

Come on horses you know you want to drag kayaks into that valley

First descent of the Lower Rio Putumayo, and another lap on the Macoa from Chris Baer on Vimeo.

South West of Villa Garzon is the gorgeous Rio Putumayo

First descents are magical adventures. The opportunity to paddle through pristine valleys and test both judgement and paddling skill is truly… Epic! What most people don’t think about is the leg work that goes into searching out these elusive gems.

Giorgio, Joel, and our motorcycle guides looking up into the Putumayo valley

Fear and respect are often misconstrued. I respect the fact that I have no idea what is down stream during a first descent, there is no reason for me to fear that. White water is simply water, gradient, and obstructions. To understand these features and make solid judgement calls on the accessibility and kayak-ability of a given river takes years of practice.

Just an average day motorcycle scouting

In the case of the Putumayo our team, Giorgio Codleuppi, Jared Page, Joel Fedak, and myself spent three full days scouting from busses, taxis, and motorcycles (three of us on the same motorcycle). After exhausting attempts to penetrate further into the canyon our team reluctantly agreed on a lower then desired put in location. The plan was to paddle for approximately six kilometers to the next accessible exit point: a small bridge in the village of La Mangua.

Joel Fedak, talked like a pirate the entire time

Paddling day we started early, awaking with the sun. Our first hurdle was obtaining a pickup truck to transport us and equipment to the microscopic village of El Carmen. From El Carmen it is approximately three miles to our desired put in location. Wanting to save energy for the unknowns down stream, our group entertained the idea of renting horses. It only took a few minutes of chatting and one of the locals offered up his services.

Wave Sport horse

Look closely, we are bush whacking in there!

If you have ever tried attaching kayaks to horses, you know it’s a struggle. The saddle system our farmer had wasn’t exactly kayak friendly. Our three mile hike took two and a half hours of constant kayak adjustment and prodding of the horses. Once we arrived at the river the farmer told us that we could paddle across, and hike another 20 minutes up the valley to arrive at our originally desired put in location. Daylight hours were burning fast, and we hesitantly gave up on hiking further into canyon.

What Colombian horses are supposed to do

We put on a beautiful river. The Lower Putumayo has clean clear water and the rapids consist of fun class 4+ boulder gardens. There were few blind horizon lines, but all main lines paddled well.

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Chris Baer in an average rapid

Information I was able to attain after paddling the river

The headwaters is large, a heavy rain in the drainage could be disastrous to anyone in the gorge. The mountain the river cuts through has an amazing rock structure. The lowest formations are formed of large granite pieces. This would have the tendency to build large nearly vertical features. The canyon section will be very demanding and deserves more inspection. If you would like to know more please contact me.

Torrential rain at the take out bridge

Rio Rumiyaco and Mocoa

International kayaking usually involves intricate logistics. That is not the case with this quick and easy afternoon lapper.

The river is truly across the street from the front door

Just South of the city of Mocoa, is Hostel Casa del Rio. I would strongly suggest basing here while paddling in the region. On a casual day you can truly walk across the street and put your boat in the local swimming hole, the Rio Rumiyaco. Paddle down and enjoy the local swimming hole culture for about a mile, and then confluence with the Rio Mocoa.

Giorgio with a swimming hole ride along

Unfortunately this river is attached to the plumbing of the bustling city of Mocoa. The water quality is bad. Wearing ear and nose plugs is definitely recommended. The good news is that the river is super fun class four. There are a ton of great boofs, tight slots, and attainment moves hidden everywhere. It can also be paddled from bottom of the barrel low to flood stage. The take out is just outside of Villa Garzon. Catch a truck in the town and zip your way back to Casa Del Rio just in time for happy hour.

Another adventure brought to you by Chris Baer

Raven Fork

Want to learn how to minimize your impacts to the rivers you love to float? Join 4CRS and the Dolores River Boating Advocates for a day of hands-on activities, discussion with other boaters and lots of fun.  Rick Ryan will lead the workshop, designed specifically for whitewater boaters.  Learn practical tips for safer campfires, cleaner kitchens and more.  Rick’s experiences as the Dolores River ranger for 19 years provides him with a unique perspective on making the most of your Dolores trips.
Tune in to “The River Trip” on KSJD, 90.5 FM on Thursday, March 14 at 8:30 AM.  You can also stream it live by visiting www.ksjd.org.  Rick Ryan will be our guest.  Hear some of his Dolores stories and get a preview of the workshop.

Cost for the workshop is just $10 and includes lunch and all materials. Space is limited, so call or email DRBA to register today!

970-799-1475
info@doloresriverboating.org

Can’t quite get it or feel like you need some more help? Check out our paddle school for our various Stand Up Paddle Board instruction and classes.

SUP Forward Stroke-Segment 1 from Werner Paddles on Vimeo.

SUP Forward Stroke – Segment 2 from Werner Paddles on Vimeo.

SUP Forward Stroke: Segment 3 from Werner Paddles on Vimeo.

Segment 4 coming soon!

Please join us in signing this petition to help encourage a Wild and Scenic designation for our beloved Upper Animas.

Sign the petition here:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/private-boater-support-for-wild-and-scenic-designation.html

Lots of gear to be loaded up. No problem in the Ethos 10.

When Team Dagger paddler Tom Janey stopped by the shop this December looking for a boat to take on his mid-January Grand Canyon self-support kayak trip, we figured it’d be a great way to test out the latest offering in cross-over / self-support kayaks from Dagger’s sister company; the Wave Sport Ethos 10. Tom jumped at the opportunity and about a month later, found himself launching from Lee’s Ferry, AZ onto the biggest, longest and most awe inspiring self-support kayak trip in the US, the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. What Tom didn’t and couldn’t know was that his trip would happen to coincide with the coldest temperatures the canyon would experience in the past 37 years. Despite the bitter cold, Tom was able to carry ample thermal gear to make the experience enjoyable thanks to the Ethos 10′s ample storage capacity and large rear hatch. Below are his overall impressions of the Ethos 10 from a self support standpoint:

Fun class 3 boogie

The Wave Sport Ethos 10 is a fun kayak to paddle, with all the weight you can put in this boat I was pleasantly surprised at how well it handled. The bow design on the boat is great, it has more rocker that other crossover designs, which allows the boat to stay on the surface much better than other offerings. The boat is fairly wide which allows for great stability during big pushy rapids, but isn’t too wide to be sluggish.

The other great thing about this boat is the skeg, it’s great on the flatwater and during the rapids. The skeg allows the boat to stay on line incredibly well, I really like how I could power through all the funky currents at the bottom of rapids and not get worked on the eddy lines. For more technical whitewater, you can pull the skeg up easily and the boat responds very well for being 10 feet long.

Dropping into Lava Rapid

Pros:

• Fast and stable, with a high rocker hull that provides great whitewater performance even under a heavy load.

• Tons of room. That is the main appeal of a crossover boat versus a more traditional river runner. It was nice to bring enough gear to stay warm on a winter grand canyon trip where temperatures were the lowest they have been in 37 years. I was able to bring plenty of warm clothes, a tent, mandatory breakdown firepan, and enough food and beer to gorge myself on.

Staying warm on a cold ass day (pic was in the middle of the day at lunch)

• Ease of packing; one of the highlights of self support trips is being able to move fast and not have to mess with loading and unloading rafts.

• The hatch in the back of the boat allows for easy access and stayed completely water tight through the big water of the grand canyon, as well as having great storage just behind the seat.

Camp by the fire

Cons:

• The only part of the boat that I didn’t really like was the elastic tie downs on the back deck, but I think it would be easy to put some rope in for the elastic bungee cord and make it a better tie down system.

Ample room for life’s necessities… like drinking a delicious Ska beer at Redwall Cavern

Overall Impressions:

This boat rocks, it is super fast on the flat water for a 10 foot boat and handles the big, pushy rapids of the Grand very well. You can put more that enough gear in this boat for luxury self support kayak trips and it still handles great and is a blast to paddle.

This is why a cross-over is SO much better than a sea kayak

The BLM has proposed a 66% user fee increase for the Lower San Juan River in 2014 to cover “increased operational costs”. The public comment period for this proposal ends Jan 25th.

If you plan on visiting the Lower San Juan in the future, we would encourage you to read through the plan and submit any comments you may have to the BLM. You may email your comments to BLM_UT_MT_Comments@blm.gov

You can view the plan at: http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/ut/monticello_fo/recreation.Par.10161.File.dat/Draft%20Business%20Plan%20for%20the%20San%20Juan%20River.pdf

The official press release can be found at http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/info/newsroom/2012/december/draft_business_plan.html

Among some of the additional changes proposed in the plan are:

• A permit application fee
• An online permit application
• Shortened permit season (April 15 thru July 15)
• Increased River Patrols & on-river compliance checks
• Increased environmental protection & restoration
• Additional River Rangers
• Improvements to Sand Island and Monticello Field Offices

Some things that are NOT discussed (but we feel should be):

• Future structural improvements to the Sand Island boat ramp or structures downstream of Sand Island, including the Mexican Hat launch site, lower canyon camp sites, or the Clay Hills takeout.
• A combination of the San Juan River and Navajo Nation permits.

Please help us to make the San Juan River an enjoyable and attainable experience for all river lovers for years to come by submitting any comments you may have (positive and/or negative) to the BLM in regards to this Draft Plan.

Working on getting the nose back down after slipping through the Notch

Racing usually allows the participant to push their personal envelope on a relatively safe course. No matter how many ropes, spectators, cheering fans, and Frog Men there are The Green River Narrows is NOT a safe course.

I love this race!  …..
Well, actually I don’t like racing,
Why would I want to go as fast as I can through such an amazing canyon?
It’s an entirely different rush, trying to challenge the stop watch and the river at the same time.

Practice, Makes Perfect?

The Green River water flow is seriously augmented by a damn that is located just a few miles upstream of the race venue. During the week leading up to the race, competitors were greeted with an interesting and unstable two hour dam release. The release water ran at a moderate flow of eight inches.

Race day, the generators were cranked up. Twelve inches was splashing on the gauge. Most of the competitors, weren’t ready for such a step up. Competitors from out of town, internationals, and the folks that thought they might be able to make it down at 8 inches with safety set up everywhere, were about to get handled.

The Starting Line

The starter looked down at me,

“Chris you got 10 seconds”

Quickly I responded with a huge grin and a solid

“WHOOOOOP! this is so scary”

5    breathe
4    chuckle
3    splash water in face
2    breathe
1    laugh out loud

GO!

as Brad McMillian puts it, “the scariest words I hear all year”

Sliding towards the finish line

30 seconds later I muck up my line. Instantly I realized that I wasn’t going to succeed in my goal of finishing in under five minutes. Then another small bobble, I had to sneak Go Left, someone had already created some spectacular carnage there. A racer had pinned their boat in the drop (a week later parts of the kayak where recovered). Next, I got loose coming through Zwicks, and pulled off an amazing side ways boof over a sticky ledge. Panting hard, I spot 100 of my best friends, along with 700 random yelling people, I was about to enter Gorilla (the big one). A quick gasp for air, a precise stroke, and I flew through the Notch. Skipping around the 90° left hand turn, and flying off the 18 foot fall, I hear all 800 of them cheering. The following slides, where a mess. Spinning through eddies I continued to pant. The last couple strokes sprinting towards the finish took every thing I had. All of the bobbles, spins, and a week of training at a vastly different water level lead to a personal best race time of 5:33. I could have done significantly better, but that’s racing. It’s not what you can do, it’s what you do, that second, when they say GO!

800 friends, and a lot of vertical to cover to the finish line

Five years of racing the infamous Green River Narrows has produced some entertainment for me and the crowd,

2008   7:52    actually got lost on the race course and had to ask for directions
2009   6:03    tried to go fast
2010   6:14    stopped at the Notch eddy and blew a fun whistle all the way to the finish line
2011   6:30    stopped below Chiefs and set off a Roman Candle attached to my helmet
2012   5:33    first race in a long boat, tried  to go fast

After some analysis of my race times, I might just go back to silly antics instead of trying to go fast.

Post Race

Wandering back up to “Gorilla” hooting and hollering for my friends, I received the information that more then a couple good boaters had crashed. “WHAT? Hale swam?”  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It wasn’t just me that had blown some lines, the entire field was crashing.

Frog Men

Bill Clipper came over to ask me to join him in the “Pit” (the base of Gorilla) Bill said, “we need to relieve some frogs down there” The pit is a cold place, covered in spray from the falls, and slick as snot. There, we the Frog Men, assist racers that tomahawk off of Gorilla. We had our hands full.

Competitors getting crushed during the Teva 8 Ball Race

The ultimate mix between Kayaking and American Gladiators. Creating maximum crowd enthusiasm, this race has multiple ruthless concepts entangled together. First there are four kayak racers unleashed onto the course at the same time. Second there is up to a dozen “8 balls” on the creek, kayakers with the sole purpose of changing the finishing order. Lastly put all of those people on an amazingly cozy creek with a thousand screaming spectators.

Awaiting the next victim

Clay Wright gave the pre-race talk. I found it hysterical. “There are a lot of obstacles down there, and they are all there to slow or… stop your down stream progress. If you get hit by one of them it is your fault, it is going to hurt. You are stupid.” Clay also gave the 8 Ballers a pre-race talk, CRUSH THEM!

Smiles and disaster everywhere

The Coliseum

Directly in front of the finish line lies the “Pit”, with embanked walls covered in spectators, a bridge in-front and behind. I had the feeling of being in an old Roman coliseum. Sitting with my stern across the right side of the finish line I awaited the lead kayaker to make their entry into my domain. I predetermined there fate. Leaving what looked like a great escape on river left and a horrible tight exit river right. Racer after Racer made the easy decision to go left and that was my domain. Six quick paddle strokes, my bow flying straight across their cockpit, crushing into their chest, dragging them across the river… leaving them inches away from the finish line.

The crowd laughed, booed, and screamed for more as I took out local favorite 8 year old Henry Hyde. Thirsty for more the crowd cheered as I took out one leader after the next. We were causing NASCAR style crashes every five minutes. Changing the finishing order for hours on end is absolutely exhausting. During the battles I received more than a few wild paddle slashes and a few choice words by the competitors. By the end of the day it was all hugs and high fives, as competitors and 8 ballers were joking, telling stories of being run over and trounced.

Smiles this big only come from one thing… Crushing!

Another adventure by Chris Baer