This summer has been all about the Endangered Creeks Expedition (see Chris's earlier post here). As most people know, there is a big push to develop hydro projects on a large number of creeks and rivers throughout B.C (read up on the issue at ourrivers.ca). A core group of Kootenay paddlers have spent our entire summer trying to paddle as many of the affected local runs as possible with an end goal of producing a movie to raise awareness of the issue. This video is all about exposure, not money. I plan to enter the movie in film festivals, distribute it free on the internet and provide hardcopies at a small fee. And of course there will be t-shirts as a means to raise money and keep the expedition going. And now, the teaser.
We are not the only paddlers speaking out about this issue. Check out Evan Garcia (here) and Billy Harris (here)'s take on development in the Ashlu Valley near Squamish, BC. The Ashlu has the advantage receiving a lot of exposure because of its proximity to a highly populated area and the huge influx of paddlers the area sees each year. Still, development is going ahead with little benefit to the local community.
If you are planning a trip to BC I encourage you to consider the Kootenay Region as a prime destination. Revelstoke has 8 class 4-5 runs and a clean 60 footer all within an hour of town. I have paddled here my whole life and there are numerous world class runs and huge areas that have yet to be explored. If you are looking for first descents I would more than happily point you in the right direction. Most people would choose to keep that information to themselves but I would like to see every river in the province run before they are all lost to hydro development.
I haven't paddled anything of note in the last two weeks but I do have two more big weekends ahead this fall. I will leave you with two pictures of the Spillimacheen from last year, which is one run I would like to do again. This river is an example of what could be considered a good project considering it flows at a good level all the way up into the fall. Even with water being diverted and it being mid September I hear it is still on the high side.
Jeff Germaine sliding over the dam
Spencer Cox on a near perfect 20 footer
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