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GILA WILDERNESS WATERS
GILA WILDERNESS WATERS
A Life Adventure (wt)
Update:
The Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River Kayak/Camping Production and Training Exercise for the Gila River Wilderness Expedition was a success.
In spite of the challenging winter weather conditions the group successfully kayaked the entire 20 mile wilderness stretch of the Rio Chama north of Abiquiu, starting at Cooper’s Ranch below El Vado Dam in New Mexico.
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With only one wet-exit made during the entire trip it was obvious the group had learned the basics of whitewater kayaking. The added challenges that camping for two nights presented included the “leave no trace” wilderness rule and cooking and camping with backpacking equipment and provisions.
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Not withstanding forty mile an hour wind gusts on the river as well as a night of cold drenching rain and below freezing temperature that left an inch of snow for the morning wake-up.
Minor first aid was utilized or applied for blisters and dry cracking skin on hands and fingers common to the sport of kayaking from periodic immersion in the river and then quick-drying in the spring winds.
The esthetics of the Rio Chama Canyon
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Considered for this project as a training exercise in preparation for the Gila River Wilderness run, the Rio Chama presented a variety of kayaking challenges that the group met successfully. The next step of the project is participation and documentation of wilderness first aid techniques projected to occur in early summer.
Following that will be a scouting expedition on foot, through the entire upper Gila River Canyon
Finally the kayak expedition through the Wilderness section of the Gila River will occur when the conditions permit. A sustained water flow of sufficient amount is required and sometimes but rarely occurs during the south west monsoon season in late summer. Most likely the project will focus on and be prepared for the spring run-off of 2012.
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Adventure like this present worthwhile challenges and goals and are possible for people who chose to seek them out. In our technological existence, and our pursuit for an ever higher standard of convenience, wild areas are essential for human life to understand and achieve balance on a planet that simply put is an enormous interconnecting chain of life. Many believe that without the remaining wild areas the web of life is fractured to the point of unsustainability and all life including human life will suffer unimaginable consequences.
Witnessing a truly wild world from the cockpit of a kayak is a rare and enlightening experience. Those who are so fortunate bring back the message to those who are willing to hear. And through this process there is added hope for humanity and the interconnected web that
all life belongs to.
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all life belongs to.
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Sponsors of the
GILA WILDERNESS WATERS
A Life Adventure (wt)
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Producers would like to thank
the following businesses who have generously
contributed to this locally produced feature-length
documentary.
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New Mexico Kayak Instruction, Inc.
New Mexico Kayak Instruction, Inc.
Kelly Gossett, Owner/Instructor
8700 Osuna Rd., NE, Albuquerque, NM 87101
(505) 803-2201
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Whole Foods
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Maria Bustamonte, Marketing Manager
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Satellite Coffee
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Mary Powers, General Manager
Lindsay Hertz, Marketing Manager
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El Vado Ranch
Los Ojos, New Mexico
David Cooper, Owner
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Field and Frame
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Alan Fulford, Owner
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REI
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Claire Steven, Outreach Manager
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