Future Trip

[Caleb Morris]

For reasons that aren’t currently relevant, I have been filled with an inspiration to go on a kayaking trip in the year 2028, that would start at the Green River Lakes in Wyoming, cross the whole Green River and reach the Colorado River in Canyonlands, and end at the Morelos Dam on the US/Mexico Border.

I recognize that this is a massive undertaking, that I’m crossing a lot of dams (Fontenelle, Flaming Gorge, Glen Canyon, Hoover, Davis, Parker, Palo Verde, Imperial, Laguna), that I’m entering multiple National Parks and Reserved Locations (Flaming Gorge NRA, Browns Park NWR, Dinosaur NM, Stewart Lake Waterfowl Management Area, Ouray NWR, Canyonlands NP, Glen Canyon NRA, Vermillion Cliffs NM, Grand Canyon NP, Grand Canyon-Parashant NM(?),  Lake Mead NRA, Big Bend of the Colorado SRA, Colorado River Reservation, Cibola NWR, Imperial NWR),  and that there a variety of rapids at a variety of levels (Lodore Canyon, Desolation and Gray Canyons, Stillwater and Labyrinth Canyons, Grand Canyon). I also recognize this is nearly an impossible task, but I’ll figure that out on my own.

I am contacting you for a variety of reasons. First, I imagine there is some kind of permitting and permissions required to perform something like this, and was hoping for sources and who to potentially contact for something like this (NPS, BLM, others?). Second, my research is not full and complete, and I hope any gaps in my knowledge could be covered, or at least some sources could be provided. Third, I have never actually gone white watering before, and was hoping for recommendations on a variety of rivers and challenges to attempt before I undergo the big one 3 years from now- hopefully in order of difficulty- and some high-end gear that would be useful on this trip. Finally, I have been inspired to do this myself, but I also believe that the more hands the better, and am curious if there is some kind of high-adventure members list for people who are potentially crazy enough to join me on an escapade like this.

I have a variety of things to attend to before I even start white watering for the first time in my life, first of which is losing 75 pounds (20 down since July!). But depending on whether this is a relevant organization, I fully intend to start white water kayaking before the summer of 2026, and will purchase a membership. I’m also hoping for information about what membership would be relevant for my intended level and interests.

Thank you for your time,

Caleb Morris,

USN Submarine Veteran, Eagle Scout, Lifetime Adventurer

[Kevin Colburn]

Hi Caleb, I'd recommend you look up Mike Fiebig and his wife Jennie. Mike works for American Rivers in Durango (you can look him up easily). They completed this journey a few years ago, primarily in a dory that they outfitted for the trip. He has a couple podcast interviews about it as well that are a good listen. You are right that lining up the permits for certain sections would be challenging, and may require you to pay for a commercial raft seat on some legs of the trip, which might be good through some of the bigger whitewater sections regardless. I wish you luck on your trip!