Chris Kassar taking the time to say a prayer at the proposed dam site of the Baker River. Patagonia, Chile. Photo: James Q Martin

by Chris Kassar via The Cleanest Line

Every time I kneel down next to a river – even if just for a moment – I swear I can hear it speak to me. I know this probably sounds crazy, but I also know I’m not the only one who hears wise murmurs rising from the ripples of wild waters. For many of us, the rhythm of a river can mesmerize our soul, capture our spirit and force us to really stop and listen.

The Baker River, nestled deep in the mountains of Chilean Patagonia, is no different. I spent weeks walking its banks, riding its waves, and crunching through the epic ice fields that feed it. I even floated over the exact spot where its journey as a river ended and it emptied into the sea – a feat in and of itself given that so many rivers, including my very own Colorado, no longer even make it all the way to the ocean. But, this trip from source to sea was much more than just a fun adventure. We – team Rios Libres – immersed ourselves in the landscape so we could arm ourselves with the knowledge needed to join the fight to protect Patagonia’s wildlands and the people who depend on them.

During our excursion, the mighty Baker spoke volumes and gave us a glimpse into what the world used to be like – full of untamed lands, untouched rivers, intact forests and people who depended on the land and each other to survive. Spending a month at the edge of the world was like traveling back in time to an age when things were simpler and nature remained largely unaltered by the trappings of man.

Unfortunately, the experience we had may not be available for future generations unless we raise our voices and speak for the river. Huge walls of concrete threaten to choke the furious turquoise flow of Chile’s most voluminous river, the Baker and its rugged sister, the Pascua. If allowed, big business will ruin pristine old-growth forests, destroy the gaucho culture and silence the beautiful sound of these waters only to replace them with the disheartening din of ‘civilization’ – bulldozers, power lines, reservoirs and dams… all to provide power for the destructive mining industry in the north.

Timmy O'Neill dropping Class V on the Baker River. Photo: James Q Martin

But this doesn’t have to happen. Perhaps, if we could just sit and listen more carefully, we might hear the river speak and fully grasp the idea that it is more important to protect the river’s power than harness it. Chile has the opportunity to learn from mistakes made in the past; they can act as a model for the rest of the world by seeking alternatives that allow them to gain energy independence while still maintaining the character of Patagonia.

We’ve written about this in the past and our team made an award-winning film called Power in the Pristine that documented our source-to-sea adventure and highlighted the various threats to the region.

So why are we writing now? We’re writing because this fight is far from over and we need your help in giving this river and its people a voice once again. A lot has happened over the past year and it seems that the wild character of the entire region – which was once endangered – is now closer to extinction than ever before. The following video will catch you up on the issue. We hope it inspires you to read on and to act. The river speaks and so can you!

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Synopsis of recent happenings: In May 2011, the government approved the dams. Tens of thousands of Chileans took to the streets in opposition and six weeks later, the Court temporarily halted all construction due to a pending appeal. This was especially significant since the Court was the only Chilean authority to challenge the project since its inception in 2008. However, in October, the Chilean appeals court ruled in favor of the dam project causing the volley to continue as opponents who want to protect this unique environment brought their challenge to the Supreme Court. In the meantime, the project still requires a permit for more than 1,250 miles (2,000-km) of transmission line to carry the 2,750 megawatts generated from deep in southern Patagonia to the capital Santiago. Earlier this week (Dec. 5), HidroAysen – the company behind the dam project – released initial plans for the powerline and the environmental analysis will begin in March 2012.

Clearly, the fight to protect Chile’s pristine rivers and wildlands is not over; protests continue and polls show that over 74% of Chileans oppose the dams. This Saturday, December 10, thousands will return to the streets in Coyahique and other cities in Chile to show the government that they oppose this decision. If you cannot make the event in Chile, please show your solidarity by taking action through these groups:

1. Rios Libres: Join the ‘virtual march’ to keep Patagonia Wild!
2. NRDC: Tell Chile’s President to stop the HidroAysén project from destroying Patagonia (Learn more)
3. International Rivers: Demand Democracy for Chile – NO to HidroAysén!

The river speaks and so can you!

For more info go to: www.rioslibres.com.

• Anna Brones. You get big high fives for quite a few reasons this week, but especially for becoming my go-to music maven, especially for mashups like this, and this… and this.
• Jenny Nichols. Umm… Wild Love is hitting full steam because of you, hot stuff. So excited to be working with this incredible + creative lady.
• American Rivers. I talk about free-flowing rivers a lot. That’s because I love them, and I get to work with inspiring world changers like the folks at AR.
• Save Our Wild Salmon. Keep on fighting.
• Andy Maser. Thank you.
• ‎”How much of your own heart would you protect?” — Dr. Sylvia Earle when talking about the ocean. Keep up the fabulous work, iLCP.
• Rachel Meyer, Amber Valenti, Molly Downey + Meagan Nuchols. There are no words. You rock.
• Big ups to Gareth, Sam, Courtney, Jeff and the entire Osprey Packs family.
• Justin Clifton. 5Point is going to be amazing. And thank you for posting this video today… gives us all something to aspire to.

Happy Friday!

“If I can only scrape a living, at least it will be a living worth scraping.”

I was fortunate to meet Mickey Smith this spring when he traveled to 5Point Film Festival with his beautiful film Darkside of the Lens. He’s charming, humble, creative and passionate. And amazingly forgiving.

Several of us — you know who you are — decided to get rowdy until 5 a.m. Mickey, jet-lagged and exhausted made his escape, but couldn’t sleep because we were making such a ruckus. So he dragged his blanket into the bathroom and slept in the bathtub. In the morning, instead of being angry, he laughed out loud and called us “legends”. That still might be one of the best compliments I’ve ever received.

“Something I learned from a young age is to arm myself with a grin… letting laughter all at once be my disarmer and my deflector shield for the shit that gets thrown your way.” Apparently, grins and laughter are good to get you through sleepless nights with hooligans as well.

Mickey, we’re quite sure you’re a legend as well. Do yourself a favor: take 20 minutes this morning to watch this film and steep yourself in some of the wisdom that Mickey has to offer.

• Do arm yourself with a grin.
• Do embrace being out of control.
• Do let your weirdness flow free. Go mad and be yourself.
• Do trust in the things you love.
• Do get primal with nature.
• Trust your instincts and run with them always.
• Do use your fears and failures as fuel.
• Do what you love for a living. But be wise with it.

Nothing quite like a shot of Scandinavia to get the wanderlust pumping… it just took one look at the Adventure Journal’s Weekend Cabin post this week to have me dreaming of wool sweaters, a raging fire and hot Glögg nestled in my palms. Luckily, this cold, crisp Portland weather is the perfect setting to allow me to stoke my daydream along with the fire. That is until I can make a trip to the north.

And if you want to continue your daydream, just take a few moments to watch this… perfect, chance encounter with a wonder of nature.

Happy Friday!

PHOTO via Adventure Journal, Photographer: Pasi Aalto

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about the deconstruction of the dams on the Elwha River. I now have three chunks of concrete sitting on my mantle — two from Elwha Dam and one from Marmot Dam that was destroyed a couple of years ago. You might say I’m becoming a bit obsessed with dam removal… but hey, it’s pretty damn cool to see four dams come down in my lifetime and I’m not even 30 yet.

Our rockstar friend and filmmaker Andy Maser just released his most recent teaser for American Rivers’ Year of the River series celebrating the Elwha and White Salmon river restorations.

“I was so determined that the river run free and that the fish would return. I couldn’t stop. I always believed that Condit Dam would come down someday. What I didn’t think would happen, is that it would be in my lifetime.” — Phillis Clausen, a longtime resident of the White Salmon area and one of the most kick-ass river advocates I’ve ever known.

In less than two weeks, crews will pack the dam full of dynamite and blow it up, freeing the White Salmon almost immediately. They estimate the reservoir will drain in less than 6 hours. While no one can actually be there to see the blast, Andy is setting up several cameras at the site to catch all of the action. So stay tuned… and if you want to see some photos and updates leading up to the blast, visit Andy’s White Salmon Timelapse Project site.

And last, but not least, we want to give a major shout-out to New Belgium Brewery and Klean Kanteen who are supporting this incredible. Check out this great Skinny Dip ad on the White Salmon several years ago. Pretty cool to see it come full circle.

Happy Friday!

“This is just breathtaking for me. This is not only an historic moment, but it’s going to lead to historic moments elsewhere across the country.” —Michael Connor, commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on removing two dams on the Elwha River.

I took the leap into my first nonprofit gig with a salmon group in Bellingham, Washington. After getting dirty at a few work parties, teaching kids about rivers and seeing the first first run of salmon coming home… it didn’t take long — I was hooked. With conservation it’s all about winning — because winning means we’re making this world a better place. Oftentimes, we get so caught up in the seemingly impossible state of affairs — climate change and species extinction to name a few — that we can’t even see the little and big wins happening every day.

Last week, I was fortunate enough to be a part of an incredible posse of movers and shakers at the Patagonia Tools Conference for Grassroots Activists. After meeting dozens of inspiring people fighting to protect a piece of this world, it was hard not to be motivated and energized about the work we all do. We spent a lot of time talking about celebrating the little wins, especially when you have a tough road to your final big win. The conference could not have happened at a better time because that same weekend crews began work on the largest river restoration project in history — removing two dams on the Elwha River. BOOM! That is no small feat. That is a huge win.

Thanks to Amy Kober of American Rivers for dropping off two chunks of Elwha dam. I've never been so happy to hold a piece of concrete in my hand.

What we as eco warriors need to remember that every win, large or small is part of a larger movement. Whether you live in the Northwest or not, whether you have been part of this fight or not — this victory is your to celebrate. With every win, we get stronger, smarter and more energized. So, this Friday it’s time to celebrate this huge win… we’ve got more on the way.

Happy Friday!

WITH MY OWN TWO WHEELS: If you’re like us and think that bikes can save the world—or at least have a hugely positive impact—then this film is for you.

MR. HAPPY MAN: Johnny Barnes is one of the happiest people in the world, and his main goal in life is to share that happiness. This humble and lovable Bermudan wakes up at 3 a.m. every morning and heads to one particularly busy intersection to stand, wave, blow kisses and shout, “I love you!” to passers-by. Crazy or not, we think we could use a little more of this in the world.

SKATEISTAN: This film documents how something as simple as skateboarding can help to dissolve barriers between boys and girls and empower children to believe in their ability to create positive change, even in a bomb-scarred country. Love!

Happy Friday!

Baby Champ of Scraper Bikes accepts 5 Point Jury Special Selection

Gratitude.

That may have been the one word that everyone walking out of the auditorium at 5 Point Film Festival felt on Sunday. After the second round of a live performance by climber and artist Jeremy Collins, set to his film The Wolf and the Medallion, it was hard to come away with any other emotion.

It got me thinking about what gratitude stands for. Collins’ film plays out as a letter from father to son, and in the first screening I immediately focused on my own relationship with my parents, two people that were instrumental in shaping who I am and what I love.

But in the second go around on Sunday night my mind drifted to the gratitude I have for wider circles.

Jeremy Collins paints live during the screening of The Wolf and the Medallion

Gratitude for the creativity that sustains this industry.

Gratitude for people we had never met before but opened up their house and let us crash in their beds, use their kitchen and make ourselves at home.

Gratitude for the sense of community that permeates the air at festivals like these, reminding you that you are surrounded by like-minded individuals that take four day fueled inspiration and will actually do something with it.

Gratitude for people that choose a different path.

Gratitude for the souls that live by Collins’ words to live by, “if something terrifies you, it’s probably best to pursue it.”

Gratitude for the support that encourages people to jump, and when they do, allows them to fly.

That’s what 5 Point has been for me: a celebration of passion and inspiration fueled by an unfathomable amount of creativity. Now it’s time to go forth, take that energy and do good things with it. And I am grateful that we all feel so empowered to do so.

Baffin Babes giving a presentation on their 2009 expedition

Two words: Baffin Babes.

We’ve been following the adventures of the Baffin Babes — a group of four Scandinavian bad ass women who skied 1,200 kilometers across Baffin Island in 2009 – for quite some time now. So when we were told that we’d be rooming with them at 5 Point Film Festival we had a few minutes of school girl giddiness. It’s not everyday you get to hang out with rocking ladies like this.

Hanging with Red Reel and the Baffin Babes

On Friday night, Vera, Emma and Inge led us through a multimedia presentation documenting the trials and tribulations of their Baffin Island trip, covering everything from polar bears, chocolate and arctic skinny dipping. But what’s inspirational about these ladies is how laid back and down to earth they are, mere promoters of pursuing any kind of adventure, no matter the length or nature of it. As Emma said recently in an interview, “adventures don’t need to be long expeditions, you can have lots of adventures in your everyday life.”

That’s the kind of badass inspiration that we need more of in the world. (And they’re so cool that we invited them to spend a couple of days in the Airstream with us… they said yes.)

And once again, there were the films. Another evening of inspiring, adrenaline inducing works that push creative limits. Stories that give you a newfound appreciation of life:

Stories that remind you there are organic, community changing projects happening at the ground level and having a significant impact:

Stories that are poetic:

All told on the big screen in a room full of supportive, like-minded souls.

After an eventful several days spent driving in an Airstream, we finally arrived in Carbondale, Colorado, welcomed by blue skies and much deserved rays of sunshine.

We’re here for 5Point Film Festival, a pretty incredible mix of adventure, art and inspiration. A combination with which you can’t go wrong.

Put a group of highly creative filmmakers, athletes, artists and all-around outdoor loving adventurous souls in the same room and it’s hard not to feel a sense of positive energy.

Red Reel + iLCP + Under Solen = a good group of ladies

Not only that, but we got to hang out with some of our favorite people. The Elephant Journal team included!

Kicking it with good Colorado friends Waylon Lewis and Matt Lanning as well as the one and only Jenny Nichols

And then there are the films.

The kind of films that pull from all disciplines and subjects and manage to remind us how powerful a story really can be. Whether it’s about an adrenaline-driven bike ride on singletrack or empowering youth in Afghanistan by putting kids on skateboards or simply well told stories about people making a living doing what they love, these films all speak to the human spirit. There are good things happening all around us.

Carbondale is full of rickshaws

Some of our favorites from last night — all worth a watch:

We’ll be posting updates throughout the weekend, so stay tuned!