The past few years have been full of adventure. The pursuit of whitewater paddling has risen to become the foremost focus in my life. I've shaped my lifestyle, both personal and professional, into a mold that allows me to more fully immerse myself in the navigation of swiftly moving, and falling water. There is a closeness, a tremendous bond that forms among people who share any passion, or who triumph jointly over great challenges. Often adventure is met at the point where great passion and challenge come together. It can be both enlightening and terrifying, exulting and tragic. Whitewater is the medium on which I choose to focus my passion. It is the challenge for the body, mind and soul that elevates focus and blots out all distractions. And it is over this incredible dynamic medium that I have been able experience and explore some of the most incredible places on earth and share time with some of my closest friends. I hope this blog will serve its purpose of sharing the passion for adventure and whitewater equally with both those who may already be familiar with its draw and those to whom it is foreign. I'd like to nurture that closeness, and strengthen that bond that has been created as a result of these pursuits while also shedding light toward the reason behind my addiction to whitewater for my non paddling friends and family. Through photos and stories this blog is my shot at defining adventure.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Panama Paddling


Here's a few photos from various paddling trips in Panama, one of my favorite paddling destinations. Between fall 2003 and fall 2008 i traveled to the Chiriqui province of Panama 5 times for the whitewater there. Two trips were spent video boating for commercial kayaking trips, learning the area and doing some exploration. Three more times just paddling with good friends in the fall, based in the town of Boquete and running the goods everyday.
photo: Mike Goglin

Above and below are all taken from the Upper Rio Los Valles. Since the 1st decent in 2004 (Mark Sanders, Rob Barham, John Miller, and myself) i only know of a total of 9 people that have ever gotten to run its awesome drops.


A 2 mile walk in, followed by a few hundred yards of exhausting machete work and roping boats up through the jungle leaves you gasping at the top of this monster (above), the 1st drop on the upper L.V. This one always freezes my blood, but it serves as an appropriate gateway to Panama's steepest run.
Photo: Mike Goglin

Above is one of the yet to run waterfalls, the second major portage on the U.L.V. not only holds great scenery but is also home to a very poisonous snake that decided hanging out right where we had to repel down was the best place to be. Look careful and you can see our rope. A none too pleasant part of this adventure was dangling from that rope, machete in hand, working out the details of our passage with Mr. Fer du lance (the snakey). it was some real indiana jones action for ya. beautiful spot though.
Photo: Mike Goglin


This is Mexico dropping one of my favorite drops anywhere. Named "Turnstile" cause once you run it, there is no going back, your in a walled gorge with a 35 footer as you only exit.
photo: Mike Goglin
Here's Turbo firing up some of your average steepness on the Upper Los Valles!
photo: me



Nick Pabst about to land a great drop on the Caldera River while i look on (above).
Photo: Mike Goglin
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