I don't have as much experience as some here, but it never ceases to amaze me when I hear of someone planning a remote trip and not familiar with terms such as "ferry angle" and "cross ferrying"

I've run several remote rivers, the problem is you're out there long enough for weather patterns to change drastically and you're a long ways from any help other than what you can provide for yourself.

took my kids on the Chena one year, bluebird night when we got started, rains came and river raised 6 ft. overnight.

big ole trees floating by and water moving fast


was glad to get them off the river.

I feel for the guides, truly do, helluva thing to lose a client on your watch.


still wouldn't put two grandmas in an inflatable canoe to run the Kongakut, the Sheenjek or the Tickhik.

Everyone of those rivers was a work out at points along the way.

I'm pretty certain when we sing our anthem and mention the land of the free, the original intent didn't mean cell phones, food stamps and birth control.