Team River Runner Trip Summary:

By Ben Guska

Photos

With the week over, the group had accomplished 4 different rivers, ranging from class 2 to class IV+! The team started on the headwaters of the Arkansas River base camping out of Salida right after fibark. With some warm up in rolling, and eddy turns at the Whitewater Park, we rolled up the river shortly after. Some of the group honed in on there skills a few miles out of town. We took a more advanced group to challenge themselves on the browns canyon section. The true test of this run was ZUME Flume (class IV). It posed no challenge as the soldiers stomped it with nothing less than a HUGE grin.

After a few nights of in Salida we made our way over Independence pass to my hometown of Glenwood. With lunch being at about 12,000 ft we decided we wanted to hike a 13,500 ft mountain. A group of about 20 managed there way to the top where you can overlook the true beauty of Colorado. Multiple fourteeners’ and other mountains gave a true appreciation for what Colorado has to offer. A few of the guys got into the drainage ice cold lake for some pics. After this we headed through Aspen and down to Glenwood Springs.

The first day in Glenwood offered the Grizzly creek section of the Colorado. The river was running about 6500 CFS which really allowed our soldiers to practice our rescue skills. It was the biggest water most had been in with some fun wave trains and holes to dodge. A few of our more advance soldiers headed up to Cross Mountain Gorge on the second day. Cross Mountain was a true test of not only there skill, but offered them a true kayaking experience as it’s in the middle of no where. That same day I headed with the Founder Joe Warnnini to give a speech to our Rotary Club. Here we explained the goal of the program, and how to really get the city involved more. We left with kind donations of over 300$. We had some of them even show up the next day to help with shuttle. I will have a meeting with one of the local raft companies about next year and the options of getting more and more of the community involved. I was very impressed with the outreach that the community wants to give. It will help a ton with next year’s trip.

Our final day landed us to the south Canyon stretch of the Colorado. Here we had a blast as the huge wave train really got there ferry skills, and peeling out skills dialed. The biggest part of the day was when a raft flipped. We had a few of our soldiers instinctively turn into rescue mode. I rescued two swimmers, and the raft. Troy (one of our participants) rescued a man, and an older lady. It was truly great to see them independently know what they were doing without even being told. With them to shore, we got there boat flipped back and they were on there way! The final dinner was at Two Rivers Park where the bootie beers were executed. (a tradition in TRR). Everyone with a grin on there face was super excited. I can’t say how proud of them we all are! Next year is already on the works! We are shooting for a Grand Canyon trip in 09’, and next year having multiple trips which would include Costa Rica, and various parts of the U.S. Keep an eye as this group is growing! For more info head to www.teamriverrunner.org!

See you on the river.
Ben Guska