Running the Colorado River: Unexpected Challenges and Acts of Kindness
Two weeks in and this expedition definitely hasn't gone how I'd imagined...
We've battled locked gates, swollen feet and more route changes than I can count. But we've also met some extraordinary people, learnt heaps about the Colorado River, and somehow covered over 385 miles!
Here's a little update from the road...
We set off from the Rocky Mountains, wandering around to find the source of the Colorado River. When we finally did, I couldn't believe how small it was! Just a couple of trickles winding through a boggy marsh.
The further we've travelled, the more those tiny trickles have taken on new meaning.
Anglers, rafting guides and farmers have all shared different stories, but they point to the same thing: life along the Colorado River is changing. Shorter seasons, warmer water, harder years. One angler told me that once the water reaches 65°F, catch-and-release becomes a death sentence.
The Colorado hasn't exactly gone easy on me either.
On day one, the altitude nearly flattened me. Since then, it’s been one thing after another… headwinds that make every mile feel longer, diabolically bad mosquito bites, a swollen foot, a sore throat and plenty of 30-mile days just trying to claw back lost time. But I’ve also delighted in gas station popsicles, so really… calories in, morale up!
We've had our fair share of setbacks, like arriving at the road to the Colorado's source only to find it blocked by a massive gate. In the dark. With no reception and no Plan B.
But when you’re trying to do epic things, a locked gate isn’t going to stop you!
Thankfully, the wonderful people of Gould took us in. They couldn't get the gate open, so they put us up at the beautiful Powderhorn Cabins instead. Since then, whenever things have gone wrong (which has been alarmingly often!), complete strangers have been there to help.
I've still got about 1,600 miles and 85 days ahead of me (cringing just typing that), and if the first two weeks are anything to go by, I know the Colorado River still has plenty left to teach me.
To everyone following along, THANKYOU! Your messages and encouragement have kept me smiling through some tough days and I'm so grateful you're on this journey with me.
If you'd like to follow along, I'm sharing daily updates from the road on Instagram and Facebook. I'd love to have you there!
With gratitude,
Mina | #KeepTheRiverRunning
