Dear Earth River,
Even though I’m a correspondent for Outside Magazine—I’m on the masthead—I am frightened of everything. That’s my baliwack at the magazine. In fact they send me to do things that scare the hell out of me (for some sick comedy effect). But nothing seemed as terrifying to me as rafting the Futaleufu. The minute I accepted the assignment, I regretted it. I spent the weeks leading up to the departure, crossing Manhatten streets a little less energetically, in hopes that a cab might hit me and break my leg and get me out of it.
So how extraordinary is it when I say what an amazing trip I had with Earth River on the Futaleufu. The word I heard over and over throughout the week was “exhilarating”, and it’s apt, certainly, but actually not strong enough. The color of the water, the crazy volume, the roar and the velocity of the ride.
The food was great. Now when I watch the video of the trip, I can pick out my face in the raft, against the barreling froth. I frankly can’t believe I ever managed to do it, but I’m supremely glad I did. I’d go back for the view of the stars alone.
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