Rivers are magical places that embody freedom and adventure, the fine line between chaos and control. They resist our efforts to control them and remind us that not everything is regulated, sanitized and certified safe for our consumption. You might damn well get hurt on a river.

They say that some river trips are for testing yourself and some are for having fun. An early season run down the Middle Fork of the Salmon river is one of those trips about testing yourself. The Middle Fork slices a 100 mile path through the Salmon Challis National Forest of central Idaho. It begins as a tiny high alpine creek, but during its run, 100’s of feeder creeks join with it. By the time it reaches the confluence with the Main Salmon near North Fork, Idaho it’s big and burly.

High water and blustery weather go hand in hand on the Middle Fork. Rain, snow, sleet, microbursts. In May, the Middle Fork is in your face. Be prepared to be cold and wet and spend nights trying to convince yourself that synthetic fill sleeping bags really do insulate when they’re wet. Whiskey helps.

Extensive forest fires in 2007 have dramatically altered the river. Tributary streams that once tumbled down lushly forested side canyons now run unimpeded dumping untold numbers of charred ponderosas into the river, in turn creating big debris fans, new rapids, and floating hazards in every eddy. The Middle Fork is alive.

Paddling rivers with good friends is a moment of living in the hive mind. You can let your guard down knowing that anything that gives your friends trouble is a spot to be aware. Memory gaps of rapids and safe lines are collectively filled. Epic surf waves and play spots are communally annotated with near pinpoint precision. Collective memories are are the best river guide ever.

Flickr Photos

Location

Download the GPX file.

Elevation Profile

As recorded by kayak from the put-in at Marsh Creek to the takeout at Cache Bar on the Main Salmon.

Driving to Mexico? Here’s a good way to get estimates of driving distances and times.

Here’s a great route-finding tool provided by the Mexican Secretary of Tourism (English).

The routes don’t seem to distinguish between cuotas/libres but they do give a very good estimate of driving distances and times.

I’m still wondering if/when Google will add directions for Mexico.

If you love the West, mountain life, and Big Sky country, check out these short films submitted by Montana’s own Audrey Hall to the Nikon “Your Day In 140 Seconds” Film Festival.

See You Then is a poignant look at the unforeseen connections between people.

Hi Lonesome looks at the day of a photographer, artist, and rancher.

Here’s what one what some viewers have to say about “Hi Lonesome”:

"Beautifully captures the essence of not only a fading life, but a fading way of life."

"An engaging yet honest portrayal of the West."

"To the power of the lonesome rancher subject with all its beauty, Audrey layers her artistry with that of another artist’s view by pencil."

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I just received this voice mail transcription from Google Voice from my wife. I have no idea what she’s talking about.

Thanks Steven, x use at pop singer or burger. Thank you. Bye. Anyways, but driving. If I thought I’d say hi. I have a very good work it work out. Eric A. You have a good balance, and I’ll talk to you later. I love you bye.

The hysteria over Mexico’s drug war has reached a fever pitch in the United States.

It’s true that the violence is horrible, the brazenness of many attacks disconcerting, and the manner in which they are carried out gruesome. That innocent civilians are often caught in the middle is doubly worse.

El Universal is reporting that 6,476 people have been killed this year in drug-related violence, but the number is more telling when adjusted for population.

Mexico’s overall homicide rate has actually been declining over the years but is still double that of the U.S. (10.00 vs 5.8 per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively) (source: the UN as reported on Wikipedia).

Much to the dismay of my SkyMiles Frequent Flyer balance, AMEX is not (or at least rarely) welcome in the UK. Come’on, don’t they know I’m gunning for Diamond status this year?

I’m quite adept at ignoring Google Ads. Or maybe I’m just so familiar with them that they never catch my eye when I’m at home.

But this morning I was reading the NYT from London. One of the Google Ads was for a “How To Use Twitter” seminar in London. Four hours for £250 (not including VAT).

First: four HOURS?

Second : 250 quid?

If you’re dense enough that it takes four hours to learn how to use Twitter than this course is a bargain for you.