We have made it to the Source!
After miles and miles of paddling and talking with amazing people all along the Columbia River we have made it to the source at Canal Flats. These last miles are some of the hardest. Heavy currents make it necessary to pole or line the canoes up rapids and drag them across gravel bars. We reach the headwaters of the Columbia and realize that we must continue down the Kootenay and back to Columbia and Kettle Falls.
Sea 2 Source Episode 6: The Current and the Source from Voyages of Rediscovery on Vimeo.
We have made it to the Source of the mighty Columbia River. 1243 Miles, and three months it has taken us. Heavy current, and long lakes. Still, glassy water, and six-foot whitecaps. We have paddled this far for the People and the Salmon. We can not give enough thanks to all of the people who supported us along the way, and were always fired up and excited about the Journey. The story doesn't end here, there are still Salmon that need to be brought over the dams, and many more canoes to be built on the Columbia River!
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Sea 2 Source Episode 5: Kettle Falls to Kinbasket Lake
Episode 5: Kettle Falls to Kinbasket Lake
We have paddled across the border and into Canada. Through three more dams and 300 miles north we make the Big Bend to the south. A fair wind pushes us across Kinbasket Lake to where we will begin to feel the current.
Sea2Source Episode 5: Kettle Falls to Kinbasket Lake BC from Voyages of Rediscovery on Vimeo.
As our five dugout canoes are returned to the Schools where they were spawned, we are faced with the need for a new Canoe to Take us to the Headwaters of the Columbia in Canada. We model our new canoe on the design of the explorer and trader David Thompson, and build a 22 foot Cedar Plank Canoe, as he did when he was faced with inadequate materials for a Birch Bark Canoe.
We paddle into Canada with Senixt Youth from Inchelium, returning to their Land in the Crying Salmon dugout canoe that they built. After paddling up rapids with the youth and the community, we find ourselves on our own on the Arrow Lakes with another 450 miles of windswept reservoirs and heavy current ahead of us... Canoe Canoe!
We have paddled across the border and into Canada. Through three more dams and 300 miles north we make the Big Bend to the south. A fair wind pushes us across Kinbasket Lake to where we will begin to feel the current.
Sea2Source Episode 5: Kettle Falls to Kinbasket Lake BC from Voyages of Rediscovery on Vimeo.
As our five dugout canoes are returned to the Schools where they were spawned, we are faced with the need for a new Canoe to Take us to the Headwaters of the Columbia in Canada. We model our new canoe on the design of the explorer and trader David Thompson, and build a 22 foot Cedar Plank Canoe, as he did when he was faced with inadequate materials for a Birch Bark Canoe.
We paddle into Canada with Senixt Youth from Inchelium, returning to their Land in the Crying Salmon dugout canoe that they built. After paddling up rapids with the youth and the community, we find ourselves on our own on the Arrow Lakes with another 450 miles of windswept reservoirs and heavy current ahead of us... Canoe Canoe!
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Sea2Source - Episode 4: Where the Salmon Stop
S2S Ep 4 Where the Salmon Stop from Voyages of Rediscovery on Vimeo.
We have traveled as far as the Salmon can currently swim up stream. Now we are paddling on water that Salmon have not been able to reach in over 50 years. We pass by Chief Joseph Dam up Rufus Woods Lake to the famous Grand Coulee Dam. At Two Rivers we meet students from Wellpinit who carved the Salmon Savior canoe, and we paddle to Little Falls, the great fishery on the Spokane River.
#BREAKING. First Salmon (canoes) return to waters above Grand Coulee Dam
Columbia River canoe trips unite students, heritage
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/sep/17/columbia-river-canoe-trips-unite-students-heritage/
Paddling for politics and passion
Representing salmon, canoes travel up Columbia
Columbia River TreatyOutdoors blog
Friday, September 6, 2013
Sea2Source Episode 3: The Hanford Reach
Sea2Source Episode 3: The Hanford Reach from Voyages of Rediscovery on Vimeo.
The Hanford Reach. One of the last free flowing sections of the Columbia in the Untied States and the last great spawning ground for salmon on the Main-Stem Columbia River. After passing through the Hanford Reach we paddle past 5 dams that have included fish passage. We soon run into the end of the line.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Help Support the Expedition
This expedition in support of fish passage to the Upper Columbia River has been ongoing with no outside funding our support financial, logistical and physical (paddling) comes from you! So please consider donating to extend the expedition into Canada and beyond!
If you would like to make an online donation you can use paypal or send a check to: PO Box 852 Index, WA 98256 (we will be forwarding our mail).
Or you can donate food, equipment or anything else you think we may value while traveling up the Columbia River!
We also need Paddlers! Come on out and paddle up the Columbia River with us in honor of the salmon who can no longer reach Kettle Falls and the upper fisheries!
If you would like to make an online donation you can use paypal or send a check to: PO Box 852 Index, WA 98256 (we will be forwarding our mail).
You can contact us on the river via email or phone.
Or you can donate food, equipment or anything else you think we may value while traveling up the Columbia River!
We also need Paddlers! Come on out and paddle up the Columbia River with us in honor of the salmon who can no longer reach Kettle Falls and the upper fisheries!
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Sea2Source Episode 2: Astoria to Hood River
Sea 2 Source Episode 2: Astoria to Hood River from Voyages of Rediscovery on Vimeo.
On August 2nd we left Astoria, OR on our journey to the source of the Columbia River. We are paddling for the Salmon and for the people of the Columbia River. We are paddling to get some fish passage over Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph Dams, and to bring the Salmon back to the Upper Columbia River. Follow us at facebook.com/VoyagesofRediscovery, and if you are interested in donating for a DVD or even a paddle that has traveled this journey with us, you can send an email to xander@theriverschool.org.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Canoe & Kayak Magazine: Vote for the Paddle With Purpose Award - Canoe & Kayak Awards
Great News! What an Honor! Paddle for Purpose!
Canoe & Kayak Magazine: Vote for the Paddle With Purpose Award - Canoe & Kayak Awards
It feels great to be recognized for all the hard work we have been doing. Building canoes with youth, paddling with them on the Columbia River in the canoes they built!
Please follow the link at VOTE!
Friday, June 7, 2013
Episode 1: The Fish Ladder
Episode 1: The Fish Ladder from Voyages of Rediscovery on Vimeo.
Why are there no Salmon in the Upper Columbia River? What can we do about that? What are the options?
www.VoyagesofRediscovery.blogspot.com
In this first episode, we explore the ongoing discussion of salmon passage (Fish Ladder) at the Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph Dams. We hear from tribal members, fishery biologists, and the crew of Voyages of Rediscovery as they prepare for their journey up the Columbia River, honoring the historic and once prolific salmon runs up the Columbia River.
The mission is to paddle up the Columbia River from Sea2Source in 5 salmon inspired dugout canoes carved by 1000s of students who had salmon removed from their cultures by the creation of the grand coulee dam.
Now We paddle for the Salmon.
Thank you to our partners:
Columbia Riverkeeper: www.columbiariverkeeper.org
Save Our wild Salmon: www.wildsalmon.org
Columbia River Coffee Roaster: www.thundermuck.com
Director/Will Stauffer-Norris (www.willstauffernorris.com)
Cinematography/Adam Wicks-Arshack, Will Stauffer-Norris, Xander Demetrios, John Zinser, Janus Kober
Edit/Will Stauffer-Norris
Sound/Adam Wicks-Arshack, Will Stauffer-Norris
Music:
John Ruskey/"Wake up Tyee"
Krakatoa/"Long White Cloud"
Reed Blue/"Underworld"
Ergo Phizmiz & Margita Zalite/"Rolands Vegners"
The Books/"Eros Vibraphone"
www.TheRiverSchool.org
www.VoyagesofRediscovery.org
www.VoyagesofRedioscovery.org
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