We actually had a discussion about that among local friends not long ago. Two recent incidents in which individuals were swept down the class 4 stretch of the Upper Payette next to highway 55 brought that to mind. If only one of the people who happened to be there and trying to help had a throw...
It's shocking to watch, and tempting to criticize. The video is instructional, but I hope if I witness such a thing that my first reaction will not be to record it, but rather to do something helpful.
It was an overnighter, but we cheated. We set up camp where you can drive to an access in the middle of our trip, and shuttled to the top by auto. Made it a very comfortable family trip with two easy days on the river. There's a big undeveloped camping area there, not far from the little town of...
Believe it or not, there has been recent talk about rebuilding the Teton dam. I don't know how serious it is, but having been to the site and witnessed the disaster, I find the thought of it appalling.
My first post above was cynical and probably a little off the subject. Where I was is no longer what I consider backcountry. Growth and development have rendered it more accurately front country. Advertising and outfitters have brought the crowds - not writers like Callan. This wasn't his doing...
To be fair, I don't think the vast majority are reading Callan or anyone else that matters. But we can hope that doesn't apply to those who aspire to deeper travels into canoe country.
I mentioned my recent visit to the Teton River in another thread. There were significantly more people on the river than the last time I was there. Mostly daytrippers and mostly on SUPs.
Halfway between access points, a mature bull moose entered the river ahead of me. I and my group eddied out...
I have added minicell foam foot blocks in two of my solos now. Just wedges cut from yoga blocks and glued in place where they fit me. If and when I sell those canoes, the new owner can always remove them if they don't like them. I'll soon do the same for the Wildfire. They add hardly any weight...