Kayaked this section with Barney Griffith and Darwon Stoneman (Glacier Raft Co) back in the late 70's. Strapped the kayaks onto the pontoons of the seaplane and landed on the river just above the first rapid entering Devil's Gorge. Incredible experience in Alaska with a warm up on the Six Mile prior to the Susitna. Incredible Alaska memories....
The word epic get's tossed about way to much in this day and age, this footage defines it, truly literally EPIC. I love that I live in the year 2012 and that the most gnarly big water video on RUclips is of Walt Blackadar et. al. Thank you for this.
Walt Blackadar ran this river in 1972 after scouting by airplane! The immensity of that achievement, given the limitations of the then current equipment and expeditionary requirements (Blackadar was virtually unsupported with the exception of transport) is staggering. It has to be ranked as feat of extraordinary exploration, like Messner's exploits but in a slightly different manner.
It would be deafening. Waves taller than two story buildings in a canyon are not quiet at all. If you read Walt Blackadars original journal, it will give you nightmares about that place. Great story though!
Was he in a Perception Quest? In all the footage I've seen, WB's style is that of "floating log." He made it down everything except a river with a downed tree.
Blackadar was awfully willing to pursue big dreams, though it's not clear to me that had anything to do with technique or intelligent risk-taking (see Cully Erdman for more examples of this cluster of symptoms). I'm sometimes sad to see boat designs that are less demanding of technique than in the 80s and early 90s, but I'm pretty happy to see people that have a better clue about reading water and making better choices. Also: music to this clip is horrifically bad.
If you have run this river, please help save it from the State's proposed mega dam and fill out the below online survey so your experience and enjoyment of this river is documented and considered. Thanks! susitnariversurvey (.com)
Actually I believe he had the best roll of any of the kayakers back then which was why he was willing to drop into anything, it wasn't his technique that made him stand out. I had heard him referred to as the saintly surgeon with the iron man roll on TV back then.
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
Kayaked this section with Barney Griffith and Darwon Stoneman (Glacier Raft Co) back in the late 70's. Strapped the kayaks onto the pontoons of the seaplane and landed on the river just above the first rapid entering Devil's Gorge. Incredible experience in Alaska with a warm up on the Six Mile prior to the Susitna. Incredible Alaska memories....
I worked with Barney for a few years. He has done many wild things and he is always very modest about his accomplishments.
The word epic get's tossed about way to much in this day and age, this footage defines it, truly literally EPIC. I love that I live in the year 2012 and that the most gnarly big water video on RUclips is of Walt Blackadar et. al. Thank you for this.
Walt Blackadar ran this river in 1972 after scouting by airplane! The immensity of that achievement, given the limitations of the then current equipment and expeditionary requirements (Blackadar was virtually unsupported with the exception of transport) is staggering. It has to be ranked as feat of extraordinary exploration, like Messner's exploits but in a slightly different manner.
man those guys were crazy
some really good kayaking
awesome video
Astounding. I know someone who paddled with Blackadar; he told me Walt carried a body bag in his kayak.
I'm calling BS on that. You don't want any more weight.
It would be deafening. Waves taller than two story buildings in a canyon are not quiet at all. If you read Walt Blackadars original journal, it will give you nightmares about that place. Great story though!
God this guy has balls bigger than King Kong.Felt nothing but fear looking at that water.Words just dont seem to fit here,and we are only watching.
Was he in a Perception Quest? In all the footage I've seen, WB's style is that of "floating log." He made it down everything except a river with a downed tree.
When I came across this clip there was no sound to it. I'd love to hear the original sounds.
Probably didn’t record sounds back then
These guys had a set.
Awesome water and kayakers
would love to hear the original sound. cool tune but yeah
Blackadar was awfully willing to pursue big dreams, though it's not clear to me that had anything to do with technique or intelligent risk-taking (see Cully Erdman for more examples of this cluster of symptoms). I'm sometimes sad to see boat designs that are less demanding of technique than in the 80s and early 90s, but I'm pretty happy to see people that have a better clue about reading water and making better choices.
Also: music to this clip is horrifically bad.
If you have run this river, please help save it from the State's proposed mega dam and fill out the below online survey so your experience and enjoyment of this river is documented and considered. Thanks!
susitnariversurvey (.com)
So sick reading about andrew embrick and walt blackadder made me sttart kyacking
And I'm so sick reading your grammar
I heard Walt Blackadar couldn't roll
Walt could roll
Actually I believe he had the best roll of any of the kayakers back then which was why he was willing to drop into anything, it wasn't his technique that made him stand out. I had heard him referred to as the saintly surgeon with the iron man roll on TV back then.
RON PAUL 2012
Ron Paul drowned last year in some rapids, Simon
Paxson Woelber RON PAUL 2016