Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Sea 2 Source Episode 6: The Current and the Source

We have made it to the Source!
After miles and miles of paddling and talking with amazing people all along the Columbia River we have made it to the source at Canal Flats.  These last miles are some of the hardest.  Heavy currents make it necessary to pole or line the canoes up rapids and drag them across gravel bars.  We reach the headwaters of the Columbia and realize that we must continue down the Kootenay and back to Columbia and Kettle Falls.



Sea 2 Source Episode 6: The Current and the Source from Voyages of Rediscovery on Vimeo.
We have made it to the Source of the mighty Columbia River. 1243 Miles, and three months it has taken us. Heavy current, and long lakes. Still, glassy water, and six-foot whitecaps. We have paddled this far for the People and the Salmon. We can not give enough thanks to all of the people who supported us along the way, and were always fired up and excited about the Journey. The story doesn't end here, there are still Salmon that need to be brought over the dams, and many more canoes to be built on the Columbia River!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Sea 2 Source Episode 5: Kettle Falls to Kinbasket Lake

Episode 5: Kettle Falls to Kinbasket Lake
We have paddled across the border and into Canada.  Through three more dams and 300 miles north we make the Big Bend to the south.  A fair wind pushes us across Kinbasket Lake to where we will begin to feel the current.



Sea2Source Episode 5: Kettle Falls to Kinbasket Lake BC from Voyages of Rediscovery on Vimeo.
As our five dugout canoes are returned to the Schools where they were spawned, we are faced with the need for a new Canoe to Take us to the Headwaters of the Columbia in Canada. We model our new canoe on the design of the explorer and trader David Thompson, and build a 22 foot Cedar Plank Canoe, as he did when he was faced with inadequate materials for a Birch Bark Canoe.

We paddle into Canada with Senixt Youth from Inchelium, returning to their Land in the Crying Salmon dugout canoe that they built. After paddling up rapids with the youth and the community, we find ourselves on our own on the Arrow Lakes with another 450 miles of windswept reservoirs and heavy current ahead of us... Canoe Canoe!