Its been a good year for our friend Andy McMurray. Andy has been a traveling nomad since the first time he set his rear end in a boat, a few years back, and has yet to officially call one of his grand pitstops “home”. There are a lot of great paddling towns to choose from!
Here is a little recap from Andy about the last year of paddling, while flaunting the Double D, Comp LX, Unionsuit, and Klingon Sprayskirt:
My goals for 2010 where simple, work and live in an area that will allow one to paddle classic whitewater year round. As a student, my time is limited, so I need immediate access to my passion. There existed no international trips in my plans this past year, so I sought two fantastic domestic locations instead. I chose some of the best in the West: Banks, Idaho for the spring and summer, and Hood River, Oregon for the fall and winter.
Arriving in the Northern Rockies early spring I was greeted by a friendly paddling community, cold multi-days, and classic river running. Paddling on nearly every major drainage in Western Montana and all of Idaho, I was completely blown away by the quality of whitewater, specifically, the North Fork of the Payette.
Coupled with generous snowpack and unprecedented rains, I was privy to a flooded North Fork, a feeling that’s simultaneously amazing and terrifying. Spending all summer with the Banks locals and paddling the North Fork daily proved to be one my greatest experiences in kayaking. It remains as one of my most favorite runs.
Early September brought change as I moved west into the Columbia River Gorge to start classes and transition into the wonderful steep creeks that litter the banks of the mighty Columbia. With runs like the Little White Salmon and the White Salmon’s Green Truss section only twenty minutes from my front door, it’s hard to complain.
This was my first year to use IR products in which I was deeply impressed with not only the design but also the durability of the products. Quite frankly like many addicted paddlers, I destroy my gear, and after much abuse with many days on the river, I’m still using my trusty Double D dry suit, pogies, and layer systems. The thinkskin union suit is hands down my favorite piece of clothing, on and off the water.
Thanks for keeping me dry and happy last season!
See you on the water,
Andy McMurray
Lower Mesa Falls - Henry's Fork, ID
Big Brother, White Salmon River, WA
Coyote Falls - Golden Canyon, South Fork of the Clearwater, ID
Juicer Rapid at 8,000 cfs, North Fork of the Payette, ID
White Salmon Narrows, WA
Very nice!
There are lots of nomads out there, but this one is one of the smarter ones. Glad to get to paddle with ya Andy!
It is amazing that you can keep the kayak horizontal down those drops. Would also be good to have map of the area shown.