Photo credit: explorersweb.com
Kayak Expedition in Chihuahua: Conquering the Wild Rivers
Renowned expedition kayakers Erik Boomer and Ben Stooksberry set out to explore the rivers of Chihuahua, Mexico, known for their breathtaking landscapes and formidable challenges. Their mission? To undertake first descents in the region’s spectacular yet perilous canyons.
¡Ay Chihuahua! is a 17-minute documentary capturing their thrilling adventure. It unfolds as a classic travel narrative, introducing us to the Group of Speleology and Exploration Cuauhtémoc, a local team of canyon adventurers. When Boomer and Stooksberry inquire about the safety of their chosen rivers, the locals share a knowing laughter, hinting at the inherent risks involved.
The Challenge of Nature
Ricardo Rios, a member of the local group, candidly states, “I think it’s dangerous and hard.” Their excitement quickly turns to impatience as relentless rain transforms their primary objective, the Rio Candameña, into an unmanageable torrent. As they seek shelter from the downpour, anxiety begins to overshadow their initial enthusiasm.
“We are teeter-tottering between total stoke to drop into these rivers, and then when the rivers flash flood, we’re scared and kind of wondering what the hell we’re doing here,” Boomer confides, illustrating the mental tug-of-war familiar to seasoned adventurers.
Despite the uncertainty, the kayakers remain steadfast. Stooksberry reflects on his experience, noting that facing challenging objectives requires mental resilience. Their patience pays off when they decide to temporarily shift their focus to the nearby Río Concheño while waiting for better conditions on the Candameña.
Into the Canyons
Their kayaking adventure unfolds with breathtaking scenes as they navigate the intense twists and turns of the Concheño. “Gnarly, boxed out barranca canyons that were just enough to make everything scary,” describes Boomer, revealing the hair-raising nature of the journey.
After successfully completing several exhilarating runs that captivate both kayaking aficionados and newcomers, the duo finds themselves in Moris, a small, welcoming town. Engaging with the locals, they celebrate before attempting to return to the now manageable Rio Candameña, which finally meets their standards for navigation.
However, tackling the Candameña proves far from simple. The daunting nature of the river becomes especially clear as they find themselves portaging more often than expected. Yet, when they do drop into the raging waters, the experience is electrifying, filled with steep drops and critical maneuvers.
Stooksberry describes the experience as “a marathon of Class V,” highlighting the combination of relentless portaging and moments of intense kayaking. “And there just isn’t one moment that you can pick out, except maybe the moment when things go bad.” This foreshadowing rings true when Boomer accidentally damages his kayak while attempting a patch job over an open flame.
Ultimately, the duo achieves their goal of a first descent, reflecting that while the journey was fraught with challenges, it was also enriched by safety and camaraderie. “We didn’t get held hostage. The people didn’t threaten us. Nobody almost died. We don’t hate each other. Maybe it’s kind of a boring story,” Stooksberry quips, though the audience can be assured of anything but monotony from their experience.
Their tale stands as a testament to the spirit of adventurers, underscoring that the most compelling stories often lie in the pursuit of the breathtaking and the unknown.
Source
explorersweb.com