Gradient and Water - Calendar 2017

 Sean doing what he loved on the Upper Whitcombe

SOLD OUT - ORDER NEXT YEAR!!!

It's that time again and we're stoked with this years calendar. With images from Canada, Norway and our home, NEW ZEALAND!

This years cover is a tribute to Sean Curtis, who passed away on a trip down the Upper Whitecombe in January. He was an inspirational soul to everyone who were fortunate to meet him and will always be source a of motivation for us. Catch you soon bro.

Photo contributors this year are David Bain, Barny Young, Ari Walker and Jordy Searle.

And thank you for your support from these companies:

 - LIQUIDLOGIC KAYAKS
 - EARTH SEA SKY
 - KOKATAT
 - WERNER PADDLES
 - WATERSHED
 - LONG CLOUD KAYAKS

 Thanks you to everyone and we look forward to seeing one of these hanging in your house when we come by!

British Columbia - thee Great White Gnarth

With the moderate to horrid snow packs in the western united states since 2012 it seems that BC has become the natural progression for EVERYONE who is looking for whitewater. It has always been a worthy destination but now it has been the only place that has good paddling after July. And we're not exempt, after our 2014 tour to BC we have been trying to get back and 2016 it would happen. Ari was coming in from work in Mongolia and David and I were fresh off an expedition in Papua. We'd start in Whistler, head to the Sacred Headwater Area and then come back via interior BC. One month, three guys and a soccer-mum van.

Accessing the Sacred Headwaters

Sam Grafton on 50/50

Ari enjoying some Shlu Livin

Scotty on the Elk

Ari in the Ashlu Box

Afternoon stroll

Paddling the access creek to the Nass

David found the remnants of a BC moose

Ari on a trib of the Nass

Logjam portage

Two paddlers, two moose. 

Probably should have used my carry system

Jordy making the ABC move on the Stikine

Logistics

Baino on the Stikine

Adrian Kiernan on the Elk

 Stout Goat

 Evan Moore styling Site Zed

Ari getting sendy on the seldom run Wapta Falls

Jordy entering Wasson

Kavu living.

Kawarau River - New Zealand

New Zealand is famous, or infamous, for it's rivers and whitewater. Pristine, remoteness, continuous gradient and often helicopter access are all images that resonate when people dream about paddling in New Zealand. There is one thing, however, that people do not think about and that is "Big Water'. No, New Zealand cannot compete with the Himalaya and the Coastal Range of BC for their big water titles but there are are still a few gems to be had. The North Island has Aratiatia and Huke Falls on the Waikato River and in the South we have the Kawarau. With David Bain over from the UK and Ari and myself not working for the entire summer, we continually found ourselves back there to paddle the warm and exhilarating rapids of the K, namely Nevis Bluff, Citroen and Retrospect. 

 Jordy entering Nevis Bluff

Road side, but you feel isolated in there

 Ari about to enter the 3rd part of the Bluff

Stoked to rip the Braaap in there.  

David launching

 Adrian Kiernan feeling small. 

Ari on Citroen.

Karangarua River - New Zealand

In 2015 Jordy Searle was awarded the North Face Expedition Adventure Grant - 2015, with the objective of paddling the Karangarua River, NZ. The expeditions goals were:

(i) to paddle the Karangarua from it's source, adding 12km to the lower Karangarua and being the first people to paddle the entire river. 

(ii) To highlight the importance and value of rivers on the West Coast, by illustrating the beauty, recreational value and fruitfulness of the Karangarua Wilderness Area.

(iii) To provide sufficient social media, through our blog, Facebook page, NZ Adventure Article and potentially a news article, to contribute to point (ii) and ultimately to inspire other young New Zealanders. In essence, to illustrate that people can achieve their goals if they’re willing to sacrifice and work hard towards them. 

In late November Jordy, Ari Walker and David Bain scouted the entire river, leaving with the impression that is was a possible and worthy adventure. 

 David scouting the section just below Christmas Hut

We used a drone to help with scouting, incredible scenery

 Jordy and Ari scouting the 'Serpent Gorge'

Trying to see as much as possible...

Less than two weeks later the team, this time with Barny Young, returned to the Karangarua and paddled it from it's source at Christmas Hut down to the confluence with the Copland River.

 James leaving us at Christmas Hut, the trip was all go.

 The team committing to the Upper Gorge

 

 David putting a lot of faith in 3 sapplings.

 Not the usual scene for a couple of kayakers

 About 1/4 of the way through the first cascade portage

 Working and being rewarded at the same time

 The drop below the First Cascade portage

Barny cashing in too

Barny and Ari stoked to link some moves

 Ari is a big guy, but is dwarfed by the Karangarua

Barny accepting his reward

 The 'Reward Falls', after the second cascade portage

 Paddling the section below Cassel Flat with the added water from

the Douglas River.

This definitely wasn't a classic but was a worthwhile adventure and would be worth doing again, for a crew with the right skill-set and mindset. Get after it!