Video: Running Alaska’s “Unrunnable” Chakachamna River
Popular Stories
Andrew Embick's Fast and Cold: A Guide to Alaska Whitewater describes the Chakachamna River as "Unrunnable for about five miles at all but the lowest flows, plus whatever amount of Class VI you care to try." With a description like that, it's no surprise that few kayakers attempt the run.
Sign Up for the TGR Gravity Check Newsletter Now
Reinvent your morning scroll with the TGR Gravity Check Newsletter — your source for exclusive stories, breaking news, and first looks at the content you actually care about. Everything action sports and outdoor culture, all in one place. Welcome to Gravity Check.
100% Free.No Spam.Unsubscribe any time.
However, a hair-raising guidebook description isn't enough to stop everybody. The river has been run in its entirety several times since Fast and Cold was released, but still remains largely unknown to the wider whitewater community. Eric Parker and Brendan Wells decided to check it out for themselves, and documented their journey in spectacular fashion. For more information, read Parker's blog entry on the trip here.
Related Topics
Zack Skovron
AuthorBorn and raised in the Pacific Northwest, now living in Jackson, WY. I’m an avid skier, biker, hiker, climber, and fisherman. Outside of sports, my major interests focus on public policy surrounding land use and energy systems.
Share on Social