Me on the first drop on the Lower Wind River
Discovery Channel Canada wondered the same thing.
Barry the camera man, loving hanging out with the ladies
Femme 45 is a group of ladies in the Pacific Northwest with kayaking always on the brain. Sharing waterfalls, big rapids and whitewater joy with other girls is the goal and having fun every time is the outcome.
Kate, Monica, Melissa, Christie and I...smiles all around cause life is so good
Kate and I waiting. Lots of waiting when there are cameras.
On Sunday, a group of Femmes (Christie Glissmeyer, Kate Wagner, Melissa DeCarlo, Monica Gokey and myself) took a camera crew to the waterfalls of the Lower Wind River, as well as the infamous Big Brother on the Green Truss. The idea was to explain how we can have so much fun doing something that seems so dangerous.
The answer? Well, thats tricky.
Walking to the put-in through Washington's finest tropical forested landscape
Monica and I setting safety on the first drop
Partly its the rush of facing a challenge. Every drop, every rapid is like a problem that must be solved using personal judgement and confidence in skills.
Partly its the act of carrying out a specific plan. We see a line, and we go for it.
Partly its the feeling off a horizon line. Free-fall...whoa.
Mostly, its our connection to the river's power and the people we are with that keep us asking for more. Working with such a powerful force of nature along with an incredible group of friends makes for some incredible experiences.
Monica on the second drop
To demonstrate this, we decided to hike into the Lower Wind River and run the 4 waterfalls a couple of times. Afterwards, Christie, Melissa and I took the film crew into the Green Truss where we ran a more difficult drop called Big Brother. The drop was a first for me and due to the support of my friends and the confidence in my ability, it went perfectly.
With all the fun, I can't help but think what we might do next.
Yay--go girls--show the world that kayaking is about having fun, accomplishing goals, and teamwork. Together we are changing that view of whitewater being a bro brah sport to one of a fun and empowering sport and a beautiful way to connect with one of nature's most amazing elements. Thank-you for your work!
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