Month: March 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]JON MILLER DOES IT EASY IN OHIO

I promised to send you some pictures from our first year’s adventures in our SOAR 16, so here they are. Actually I don’t have any impressive photos, because we paddled mostly alone and so there wasn’t anyone to capture us in action. Despite the lack of pictures we had a wonderful year in our S16 exploring Lake Erie and most of the rivers in Northeast Ohio. We did do a class II section of Virginia’s Staunton River which was exciting and beautiful.

One wonderful thing we learned this year is that many sections of rivers, even in developed Northeast Ohio, are infrequently used by the population making them remarkably undisturbed and seemingly isolated. We saw an array of wild life including 6 Bald Eagle sightings!

Our S16 is the most versatile craft I have ever seen. There aren’t many boats that can safely take a family on a thrilling ride through 6 ft waves on Lake Erie and still allow you to stealthily slide through 6 inches of water down a creek to get you within viewing range of Great Blue Heron rookeries and eagle nests.

As the snow flies, I am already dreaming of the adventures we will have next year in our SOAR.

Jon Miller
Uniontown, Ohio[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”1899,1900,1901″ 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]COSTA RICA’S GEM – THE PEJIBAYE
In April, Barb and I explored a little gem of a whitewater river that we want to include in our next Costa Rican Paddle Adventure. Our good friends (and CRPA guide) Fofo and Alejandro expertly guided us down this exciting stream. There are many technical Class III rapids with short intervals between each rapids, so there was lots of action. Never dangerous, always challenging, we had an absolute blast paddling the warm tropical waters. We hope you will consider joining one of our trips.

Larry Laba[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895″ 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]BERRY FAMILY MAKING WAVES
Larry:

Here are some photos from a little ocean canoeing last week. I can’t say enough good about the SOAR canoes. They are fantastic.

Glen Berry,
San Marcos CA[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874″ 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]A MONTH ON THE ALATNA
Hi Larry,

Here are some photos of our 4 week Alatna River trip last summer. Our Alaskan rivers guide book said the upper Alatna would be a good family outing with any type of boat. Well, you better have one tough family- and a SOAR is the ONLY boat to do this fast shallow water!

We flew in with BRA from Bettles early- June 10th- hoping to find deep-run off water. There was still ice on Gadeke Lake and snow on the mountains but the water was way too shallow to paddle on Gadeke Creek. We lingered at the lake a few days for the best hiking of the whole 4 weeks and a great lake trout dinner. Gadeke (gad-key) Creek was way too small and shallow to paddle. We almost had to pack up and carry everything for 4 miles down to the main river. You wouldn’t want a wide, heavy raft or a folding canoe or kayak for this upper section- the rocks are too sharp! The SOAR slid right along the bottom fully loaded.

Lining was tricky in the fast water with big boulders. Linda steered the front from shore with her paddle while I held on to the back handle and pushed over and around rocks and held the boat back in deeper sections. Several sections of the creek had thick brush on the sides with sharp dead branches sticking out. I walked the boat right down the middle of the creek. Moving slowly, we reached the main Alatna after two days of lining. But the main branch wasn’t much deeper- we continued lining for several more days rather than risk a dunking. Short sections were deep enough but the channel would soon braid into shallows.

After about 40 miles and five days of lining we could get in and paddle but still had to watch out for sweepers. Just below this slower braided section we came to a nice, narrow gorge which was a pleasure to paddle until it opened up at Ram Creek rapids. We found them easy to line on the left side. Below Ram Creek the river gradually slowed and allowed us to paddle all day and enjoy the scenery. These cliffs are just above Kutuk River and the popular Arrigetch Creek area.

We stayed a few days at one of the Arrigetch Creek outlets. Did a day hike up stream to see the awesome peaks of Arrigetch valley. It is a multi day hike to really get up into the Arrigetch and we hear it is well worth it. But we were not prepared to leave most of our gear behind with all the bear sign around. We took another two weeks to meander and fish (grayling and pike) our way down to Allakaket. There our BRA pilot picked us up for a hop over to Walker Lake and a 4 week adventure down the Kobuk River- but that’s another story!

We bought the SOAR to do long trips like this one. Last year we did 8 weeks on the Noatak without having to get a resupply drop– we never could have fit enough stuff into our Klepper to do 8 weeks without a food drop.

Enjoy your web site and love the boat.

Will and Linda Forsberg,
Fairbanks, AK[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”1862,1863,1864,1865″ 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]Mid May brought out a small group of intrepid spring time paddlers from Northern California to paddle 4 days on the Eel River from Dos Rios to Alderpoint. The river level was a spectacular 3500 cfs, and all of the Class III rapids were challenging, but a lot of fun at the same time.[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”1829,1830,1831,1832,1833,1834,1835,1836″ 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]Canada’s premier wilderness adventure outfitter Black Feather also runs trips to the Chuulut River in Mongolia. Wendy Grater sent us a cd of photos. Check Black Feather’s schedule for some of the best river trips in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Ontario and beyond!

http://www.blackfeather.com[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851″ 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]