Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival -
" In Search of the Triple Crown - Running Class VI and Surviving To Tell the Tale ”
Mark Cramer is a NW catboater who has earned a solid reputation running the toughest whitewater anywhere. In 2006 Mark made an attempt at the "Triple Crown" by attempting three "unrunnable" stretches of river - Turnback Canyon on the Alsek, Devil's Canyon on the Susitna and the infamous Grand Canyon of the Stikine.
Mark recently made a presentation to the Idaho Whitewater Assn. Here is the invite to that meeting which spells out the nature of Marks presentation better than I ever would....
Mark Cramer has graciously accepted our invitation to be the featured presenter this year, and it should prove to be a VERY engaging and worthwhile event!
Mark's solo cataraft descents of the Alsek's Turnback Canyon and the Susitna's Devil's Canyon easily rank as one of the most audacious feats ever attempted in an inflatable. His attempt to complete the Triple Crown by running the tougher Stikine ended in a life or death situation that pushed him to the absolute limits of his physical and mental preparation.
Trapped in a violent surging eddy on an upside down boat, being ripped out into the current and slammed against a boulder blocking the exit, then propelled back into the eddy, scrapping along a smooth polished wall back up to the top to repeat the cycle...again and again and again. Every ounce of strength was being sapped just to hold on, and darkness was beginning to set in. Come hear Mark tell the story!
Is Mark crazy? Well, yes. But every risk he's taken is carefully calculated, and he's prepared himself to be the ultimate survivor boater, physically...mentally...and technically. Mark will share his survival stategies, the personal survival gear he keeps on himself and on his boat, plus have his cataraft there to demonstrate various re-flip systems and other gadgets he's come to rely on. No matter your skill level, everyone should be able to come away with something that you can apply to whatever craft and river you run.
Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival Operates Under Special Use Permit with the US Forest Service. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs Persons with disabilities who require.) alternative means for communication of program information - (Braille large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326 W. Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964(voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
The North West Rafters Association is a public benefit, non-profit corporation registered with the State of Oregon. The NWRA possesses a non-profit 501(C)3 status granted by the United States Bureau of Internal Revenue. Based upon the association's corporate registration with both of these entities, the NWRA is required to abide by the rules and regulations established by both the State of Oregon and the United States Bureau of Internal Revenue. Copyright © North West Rafters Association, 2001-2007.
