Sanity in the South: An Ecuadorian Winter Vacation

Anyone familiar with Mountainbuzz can attest that when the snow starts falling in Colorado, we local boaters start to lose our grip on sanity. In late October due to mysterious dam maintenance, Lower South Boulder Creek began running at the desperately low flow of 300 cfs. Arkansas river rat Melrose and I were jonsin' so bad that we put up with the epic shuttle, snowfall and low flows to get wet. Unfortunately, a second dam in the run removed all of the flow, necessitating a 2 mile hike-out through private property. After we made it out Evan, who was also in serious need of liquid stimulation, called to ask if the trek was worth the effort. I told him it was probably only a Mank Crew special and he should look elsewhere for goods. Thankfully, he'd already been planning a trip to Ecuador with the Fort Collins posse and Dr. Brad, MD. I quickly re-arranged my work schedule, got a couple shots in my arse and hopped a plane south.