Month: February 2024

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]We ran our fleet of SOARs down the Kieralik in SW Alaska. This is a premier rainbow trout fishing river, but before the fishing gets good it is a gorgeous small volume river with lots of fun class II boulder dodging and Class 3 ledge drops, one of which has two drops and is normally portaged. We have photos for you. Although some of our clients were skeptics, everyone was glad we took the SOARs. They are definitely crowd pleasers.

As an outfitter, I had my first ever SOAR – flip on this trip. We had a couple guys go into some sweepers a little wide and a little too hot. The branches grabbed the gear pile and stern paddler and over they went. Every thing went OK . They righted the boat with all the gear on board and no gear was lost. The lower river is land mined with huge logjams and numerous sweepers which makes it more difficult or at least more dangerous than the upper river, but the SOAR were perfect for this river.

Thanks.
Macgill Adams
Wilderness Alaska[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”1838,1839,1840″ image_grid_loading=”default” layout=”3″ masonry_style=”true” item_spacing=”1px” gallery_style=”7″ load_in_animation=”none” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Larry:

Here are some photos from the BSA Troop 609 Green River Canoe Expedition in June. We went 84 miles in three days, starting at Sand Wash in central Utah, and ending at Swasey Rapid, 12 miles north of the town of Green River. The SOAR canoes performed flawlessly as always.

Glen Berry, San Marcos CA[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”1819,1820,1821,1822,1823,1824,1825,1826″ image_grid_loading=”default” layout=”3″ masonry_style=”true” item_spacing=”1px” gallery_style=”7″ load_in_animation=”none” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Hi Larry,

I attached a few photos – they aren’t the best action shots but I figured you might have fun seeing them anyway. The photos are taken by a Swedish colleague, Svante Bjorck, at Lund University during a coreing expedition (for climatological research) we made to the island of Grenada (Caribbean) in March 2002. They show us setting up our 2 S12’s with the lashing bar system on the shores of Grand Etang (a crater lake) in the middle of the island. While we were doing so, a group of school kids arrived and needless to say they thought we were a spectacle. The “abstract” photo was taken while standing on our research craft, taking a core sample. You can see a sediment core which is a series of layers that document the lake’s history – sitting on the tube of our SOAR rig.

I want you to know that I have taken our SOAR’s for research in Africa and South America. The whole system is easy to ship, easy to put together, and is a nice stable platform. Our department is now ready to purchase a 2nd set of S12s for more field work in other countries.

Sheri Fritz, University of Nebraska – Lincoln[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”1808,1809,1810″ image_grid_loading=”default” layout=”3″ masonry_style=”true” item_spacing=”1px” gallery_style=”7″ load_in_animation=”none” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]i Larry,

We really like the SOARs in our wilderness fleet. They allow all kinds of paddlers to go to some very wild and interesting places with safety and comfort.

I am attaching pictures from a trip we took last June in the far Western Brooks Range in an area seldom visited. I have never seen an area so rich in wildlife after guiding in Alaska’s arctic for nearly a decade. Daily we saw Golden Eagles, Gyr Falcons, and rough-legged hawks. We also saw wolves, musk-oxen and grizzly bears.

The best part of the trip was on the 8th day when as we were setting up camp the ridge-line to our east became covered with caribou. We stared in awe for the next 4 hours as the valley filled to overflowing with animals. Caribou walked through our camp they swam the river both upstream and down stream of camp. There was not a single place in this huge valley we could look and not see caribou. I think we saw 70,000 animals that evening. We could hear there guttural snorts and bleats. The river became covered (literally) in caribou hair (see picture). It was truly awesome.

The only way to access this wild country is by small plane. The only practical was to cover any distance is on the water and our SOAR inflatable canoes handle a great variety of conditions and are suitable for all paddlers. I can’t say enough about these boats.

Michael Wald
Co-owner Arctic Wild LLC Fairbanks, AK[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”1804,1805″ image_grid_loading=”default” layout=”3″ masonry_style=”true” item_spacing=”1px” gallery_style=”7″ load_in_animation=”none” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Late Oct 2007 was definitely rainy season throughout much of Costa Rica. I had heard that the Rio Parrita was a canoeable whitewater river, but it’s not in any guide books, and online information is very scarce. I made several inquiries and was able to locate a river guide who was familiar with the Parrita. One Tico friend told me it would be too dangerous to run the Parrita at high flows, and sure enough….it rained all afternoon and all night prior to our run. I was skeptical that we could run it, but an early morning phone call from our guide assured me that it was runnable and fun. We estimated the flow to be over 2000 cfs with a gradient of more than 50 ft per mile. There were a number of long Class 3 runs with some big holes, but nothing too technical due to the high water.

Thanks to my new Tico friends Firlander and Jose for getting us on the water!

Larry Laba
SOAR to Costa Rica[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”1796,1797,1798,1799,1800,1801″ image_grid_loading=”default” layout=”3″ masonry_style=”true” item_spacing=”1px” gallery_style=”7″ load_in_animation=”none” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]My good friends Tim and Elena were visiting me from Toledo, OH. Elena was a novice, yet very willing paddler. We took them in our S14 down the Taylor River, a solid Class 3+ river. She loved it so much we then ran Brown’s Canyon on the Arkansas. Here are pics from both runs. On the Ark, these pics are of the Class 3+ zoom flume. Now they want to buy a SOAR!

Larry Rice,
Buena Vista CO[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”1788,1789,1790,1791,1792,1793″ image_grid_loading=”default” layout=”3″ masonry_style=”true” item_spacing=”1px” gallery_style=”7″ load_in_animation=”none” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]

We ran our fleet of SOARs down the Kieralik in SW Alaska. This is a premier rainbow trout fishing river, but before the fishing gets good it is a gorgeous small volume river with lots of fun class II boulder dodging and Class 3 ledge drops, one of which has two drops and is normally portaged. We have photos for you. Although some of our clients were skeptics, everyone was glad we took the SOARs. They are definitely crowd pleasers.

As an outfitter, I had my first ever SOAR – flip on this trip. We had a couple guys go into some sweepers a little wide and a little too hot. The branches grabbed the gear pile and stern paddler and over they went. Every thing went OK . They righted the boat with all the gear on board and no gear was lost. The lower river is land mined with huge logjams and numerous sweepers which makes it more difficult or at least more dangerous than the upper river, but the SOAR were perfect for this river.

Thanks.
Macgill Adams
Wilderness Alaska[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”1814,1815,1816″ image_grid_loading=”default” layout=”3″ masonry_style=”true” item_spacing=”1px” gallery_style=”7″ load_in_animation=”none” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Hey y’all,

Those thigh straps that you found for me before the trip saved my arse many times. Promised to send you some photos of the boats on the big water…they were great, handled well, and I had no problems. The usual having to pump up the floor in the mornings. Thinking about sealing off that pressure release valve. The other thing is that the black rubber on the bottom of the boat has rubbed off down to the white fabric. What do you recommend for strengthening those spots. One of the boats actually started leaking from a spot that had rubbed through.

Thanks for your help,
Ari[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”1764,1765,1766,1767,1768,1769,1770″ image_grid_loading=”default” layout=”3″ masonry_style=”true” item_spacing=”1px” gallery_style=”7″ load_in_animation=”none” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]When not showing Real Estate in the Crested Butte, Colorado area I get the opportunity to float many of the rivers in and around Crested Butte, and Southwest Colorado. The Taylor River, Gunnison River, and East River all provide excellent opportunities for using my new SOAR 14 and SOAR Canyon to access Gold Medal Trout waters with friends and clients. As well there is a Kokanee salmon run up the Gunnison and East Rivers in the late August/September timeframe that is quite a thrill. Many of these waters would be a challenge to fish due to access – I have modified the SOAR Duffel with backpack straps, and waist belt to provide easier transport of my SOAR boats – especially good for hiking into the Gunnison Gorge. If you are in the Crested Butte area and looking for help in navigating the local waterways or the real estate market – send me an email or give me a call.

Chris Kopf
chriskopf@bighornrealty.com
(970) 209-5405
www.chriskopf.com[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”1753,1754,1755,1756,1757,1759,1760″ image_grid_loading=”default” layout=”3″ masonry_style=”true” item_spacing=”1px” gallery_style=”7″ load_in_animation=”none” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”1738,1739,1740,1741,1742,1743,1744,1745,1746,1747,1748,1749,1750″ image_grid_loading=”default” layout=”3″ masonry_style=”true” item_spacing=”1px” gallery_style=”7″ load_in_animation=”none” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]