The Paddler ezine WW kayak collection 2013 | Page 163

Enterat your own

RISK
As the river disappeared under a
chockstone, created by 30-foot wide
boulder wedged between the canyon
walls, the size of our undertaking had
become completely clear. Beyond this
point we’d be totally committed to
the river corridor with no possible
escape, and what lay downstream
was uncharted territory. I cracked a
fake smile as Ben turned to me
and said, “only the penitent man
shall pass.”
The roar of the river took on
a new menacing feel as a
cool light rain began to set
in. Ryan took a long, drawn
out look of the overall
scope of the canyon,
probing the area for a
possible route out.
His expression said
it all!

Checking coordinates at the Chalkstone
Photo: Evan Ross
ThePaddler 163