A Year of Rivers

mattvogt7

Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2012
Messages
108
2015 was a banner year in terms of sheer number of rivers run. What was not expected was the list would include a number of gems.

From the Iconic (places I've long since given up floating because permits are near to impossible to obtain):

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To the lesser known:

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To the classics:

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And though each river unique, each canyon with its own character, there are congruent themes that seem to emerge.

Including big places (and small boats):

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And fun whitewater:

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We also made camp in some pretty neat spots:

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Hung out in riverside hot-springs:

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Ate some amazing food:

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Partook in a shared embrace of the large molecule (some more than others):

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Shared the warm glow and unhurried conversations found at the campfire:

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We christened a new boat on its maiden voyage:

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And we smiled. A lot:

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One the human side of things rivers seem to instill the best.

Including team work:

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Quiet contemplation:

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Inspiration:

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We looked on, in awe at that skill of others:

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We practiced not being so damn serious:

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We took advice from those wiser than us, and worked on relearning poignant knowledge often only found in youth:

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We reveled in warm glow of friendships new and old:

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We were reminded what it means to be a family:

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Some of us marked another trip around the sun

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For the kids (minus one seemingly missing younger brother) we were able to give the gift of three new rivers to parents who first instilled in us their magic:

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And we were able to look on as the sticks were passed to a new generation:

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As 2016 awakens from a wintry slumber and rivers start flowing I reflect on how lucky I am to be born into a family of river runners and to have friends and family to float these wild places. A huge thank you to all - you know who you are. Here is looking forward to a great year.

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To find a visual representation that does a much better job of imparting what I've tried to do, see the video made below:

 
River porn! So hot.
You nailed some of the Greatest Hits. Helluva year you had! Cheers.

Debating accepting a Middle Fork Salmon invite in September, they want a few plastic maggots along to add some color. The debate just intensified.
 
hell yes.

I'll visit this one a few more times. The impending child makes me think of rivers much more.
 
You've inspired me to plan some river trips out west ! This is one of the best posts I've seen on these forums, and that's saying a lot given all of the mind-blowing adventures that fellow posters share.

We're river rats as well, though our trips are in the Ozark waterways (which are quite beautiful in their own right). We start our kids out on the river at 3 years old, and now my 6-year-olds are pros.
 
Good stuff! 15 years ago I was lucky enough to become good friends with someone who was a guide and had friends who were guides. Thus I was introduced into the world of river trips. I've been able to do a bunch of private trips, one commercial trip, and several packrafting trips over the years. There's something special about river trips that's hard to put into words. I think you did a great job of capturing it with this post.

How many rivers did you run? And which ones? I recognized most of them (I think) but others I wasn't sure about.

Ok, time to watch the video! =)

Thanks for sharing.
 
Last edited:
Good stuff! 15 years ago I was luckily enough to become good friends with someone who was a guide and had friends who were guides. This I was introduced into the world of river trips. I've been able to do a bunch of private trips, one commercial trip, and several packrafting trips over the years. There's something special about river trips that's hard to put into words. I think you did a great job of capturing it with this post.

How many rivers did you run? And which ones? I recognized most of them (I think) but others I wasn't sure about.

Ok, time to watch the video! =)

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks everyone! @Mike K - rivers shown here include Dirty Devil, John Day, Middle Fork Salmon, Desolation Canyon, Cataract Canyon and the Yampa river.
 
What a year!! So many great places. Rivers are the hiways to the wilderness. Excellent report.
The fishing picture had me fooled into thinking you are on the Grande Ronde. But I see you mention the John Day. One of my most favorite steelhead fishing rivers for completely wild steelhead.
 
A thing of beauty, this here trip report. Visiting such amazing places, and all in one year, is outstanding. Having such great friends and family to do them all with is even better. You're a lucky man.
 
I guess it's too much to ask you to label each photo re: where it was..... Some of them I recognize (or am pretty sure about), but many of them I'd never know which is which. Anyway, no need to do that, this is awesome RiverPorn as it is. :)
 
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