This week Zach and Erik talk about a variety of random topics including the effects of social media on paddling habits.

Zach introduced the Kalmiopsis Guides Association and encouraged paddlers to join.

Zach playing on his phone

Gear of the Week

– Sawyer MX-G Oars

This week we had a discussion about safety basics which mostly focused on on throw bags and solo boating.

– Whitewater Worthy Dish Hammock

This week Priscilla gave us an update on from the Green River Race and the Tallulah River. Zach, Dougie Fresh, and Aaron Lieberman give an update from Central Asia. We apologize for the delay and poor audio quality.

Gear of the Week

– Dougie loves Skull Caps

This week Dougie, Dan, Aaron and Zach talk about international paddling tips. They also answered some viewer mail about inflatable kayaks.

NRS Outlaw Seminole Kayak

For lightweight catarafts, check out Go Light Outdoors.

For outfitted trips in foreign countries, Dougie talked about his friends at Selva Whitewater in Costa Rica as a good example.

– Werner Sherpa 4 Day break down paddle

Today we interviewed Matt Cronin of Cronin Inflatables. His boat, the “Ugly Ducky” is an innovative inflatable kayak.

The video below shows the Stiletto and Cronin Ugly Ducky running Punchbowl Falls on the West Fork of the Hood River.

Gear of the Week

This week we talked about fingerless gloves, face cages, recreational immunity, pins and clips, and oar locks.

Bruce sent us a follow up email from last week’s discussion with a YouTube video showing danger ropes across the thwarts.

Gear of the Week

This week we talked about the Oregon Wildlands Act, responded to viewer mail, and talked about self-support trips and kayaking videos.

– Watch Kavu Day (Zach’s Favorite Kayak Video)

Priscilla and her partner Jacob’s IK self-support set-up for hiking into the Upper Merced in California.

Habitat

This week we talked about the Oregon State Marine Board’s proposal to require recreational paddlers with boats over 10 feet pay an annual $17 fee.

– Feather Fest this weekend

– Cool CRKT Knife (Zach)

This week we discussed the best multi-day trips. We came up with lists of the best summer trip to do with your friends and the best multi-day trips if season and skill aren’t an issue.

Even though they are numbered, these are not in any particular except we thought the first 3 were the best.

1. Middle Fork of the Salmon River (Idaho)

Rafting and Kayaking the Middle Fork of the Salmon River

Again, not in any particular order

1. Middle Fork of the Feather (California)

Rafting Oregon’s Illinois River

– Adam and Susan’s Wild and Scenic Rivers Book – Paddling America: Discover and Explore Our 50 Greatest Wild and Scenic Rivers

We talked about The River Gypsies’ Guide to North America: A Whitewater Travel Guide to 294 of the Continent’s Best Rivers which lists the best rivers around the United States.

Our Top 5 Adventurous(*) Runs that Most People Can Handle List

(*) Adventurous runs have difficult access and limited beta

Hiking into Oregon’s Chetco River

Our Top 10 Reasonably Hard Classic Whitewater Runs with Reliable Water Flows

We struggled trying to define these lists and if you have any suggestions to make our lists better and/or come up with better criteria please email us at [email protected].

We’ll cover our favorite classic multi-day trips next week!

– Zach – Super Guide Gear Throw Bags