Training: Yakima River Paddle

Not having paddled together, it was in our best interest to go on an outing together. Dawson Dan and Klondike Kate took to the Yakima river like pros. We had some issues with log jams and fast water and found that we had to work together in a few spots to get our boats around them.

The section of the Yakima river we chose to paddle isn't normally a challenge. We paddled between Cle-Elum and Thorp, just outside of Ellensburg. However, Washington state had a hefty snow pack this year (30% more than normal in the central cascades) which probably resulted in more log jams and a bit faster water than would be normal for this time of year.

At one point in the journey, GrizzLee was scouting for a safe passage and ended up going down a narrow log strewn passage backwards in his kayak. He found an eddy and was able to get out safely a couple of hundred yards downstream... just in time to see the hind quarters of a startled black bear scurry away in haste.

At another junction, Dawson Dan and Klondike Kate got hung up in a precarious position against a log jam and were in danger of capsizing. We all worked together to line the boats around the danger and proceeded safely to the next set of log jams.

Dawson Dan Demonstrating his ability to grasp logs in times of great peril.

All in all we had a great time and no one died. We happened upon an old homestead. It was a great spot to take a break and get some pictures.

RubiKon Team Adventure in 2007

In the summer of 2007 GrizzLee & Yukon Johann spent 3 months in the far north. The attached video, while long, gives a summary of this incredible journey. Places visited and explored include:

• 9 Day Kayak Expedition on Bowron Lakes


• 5 Day Trek on the Chilkoot Gold Rush Trail


• 500 Mile Paddle Trip on the Yukon River


• Backpacking in Tombstone Park in the artic


• Hiking on the Tundra above the Artic Cirlce


• Dawson City Music Festival


• Kayak expedition in Prince William Sound


• Atlin Lakes in Northern British Columbia


• A midnight Climb up Monarch Mountain in Northern B.C. under a full moon


• Skagway Railroad Ride through White Pass


• Wrangle St Elias Park
• Gold Fields at Eagle and Chicken Alaska
• Portage Glacier/Kenai Penninsula
• Ghost Town in Hyder Alaska
• Drive the Dempster Highway

We made many new friends and met many incredible folks who call the Yukon their home. Hoping to recapture some of the magic, we return with friends to paddle yet again the scenic Yukon river. We hope you enjoy reading about our adventures as much as we enjoy sharing them.

Sincerely, GrizzLee