The
Klamath River is the longest no dammed, navigable whitewater river in California stretching over 200 miles from I-5 to the Pacific Ocean.
The
Burning Man
festival in Black Rock City, Nevada is arguably the longest running,
biggest festival of Art, Music, and Culture in the Western Hemisphere.
Let's put them together shall we?
Since 1979, in our second year of operation, W.E.T. River Trips started to run various sections of the Northern California's Klamath River with a focus on the Happy Camp to Presidio Bar run that we usual would configure as a 3 or 4-day trip.
About
15 years ago, we started to extend our trips upstream to Saeid Valley
to incorporate more class 3 rapids and to experience the more remote
portions of the river with trips up to 6 days in duration...as we did
so, we started to think of some other additions....hence, the concept
of "Long Strange Trip" (yes, the LST was born out of long van rides,
warm nights on river beaches, and the creativity of river guides).
Yes,
the reference to the Grateful Dead song is clear; however, the concept
of the trip is more than a jam-band bit of noodling.
Long Strange Trip (LST) incorporates self reliance (no rafts... Inflatable and sit-on-top kayaks only with a gear boat for supplies),
Art (every day would have options for self expression through body movement, photography, sculpture, and 'crafts'),
Music
(the trip's guides would all be musicians of a variety of disciplines
and clients would be encouraged to bring instruments and to use
instruments provided by guides) daily and nightly. The LST would also
explore the surrounding riparian eco-system and the surrounding geology
and geography with a continual thread of Human History presented by
guides and guests.
The Long Strange Trip (LST) Recap
DURATION 6-days; July 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6th
TRANSPORT using kayaks, sit-on-top kayaks, gear raft w/ all your gear
DRY BAG 30lbs/person for personal gear
ART everyday; body movement, photography, sculpture, crafts
MUSIC every night; bring your instruments, guides will also!
GEOLOGY of California & Pacific Northwest
GEOGRAPHY local, regional
HUMAN HISTORY native american lore, gold rush history, and us!
MENU vegetarian and/or vegan, California produce advocating farm to fork
THEMES group selection, committment
NO TRACE camping, impact on land
The
LST would be a slower paced and free-form schedule with a simple
beginning and an end filled in-between with natural magic and the
energy and contributions of the environment and our guests. Meals or food will
be simple, nutritious, filling and mostly vegetarian and/or vegan
constructed of
high quality California-produced ingredients.
Besides the musical entertainment, dance, art, movement, games,
interaction, and learning... every day will be themed though group
selection and commitment.
As
with Burning Man, the rules will be few: safety gear will be worn
on-river, and no-trace camping and floating will be strictly adhered
to. And as with Burning Man, participants will be encouraged to
contribute to the trip in ways that shows a giving, sharing spirit to
contribute to the LST community.
The
trip will be small (limited to 12 participants) and will be staffed by
carefully selected guides that will bring all the 'magic' and
expertise the LST requires.
The
inaugural LST will be presented to operate July 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6th
....so, not only would we celebrate the LST, we would also celebrate
Independence Day by floating and traveling through the State Of
Jefferson (our Nation's only Ad-Hoc 51st State established in 1941).
links:
http://www.raftwet.com/Klamath.html
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/104445714950587017401/albums/5499035911904821009
more rivers in northern california:
http://c-w-r.com/rivers/lower-klamath.html
http://raftwet.com/california-salmon.html
http://c-w-r.com/rivers/upper-sac.html
Ahhhh... the influences of hippies, Burning Man, Grateful Dead, Farm to Food and loving life!
This post was written by Big Poppah Jah! and posted by me.
~ el
WET River Trips
RAFTWET.com
