Lower Mesa Falls
Lower Mesa Falls
It has been a long time since I have run a waterfall. The last waterfall I ran was in Chile four years ago. A lot has happened in the past four years. My focus has moved from kayaking to skiing. Four years ago I was addicted to kayaking. I was living the endless summer kayaking year round. I don’t know exactly when my passion shifted from kayaking to skiing, but yesterday I rediscovered my passion for kayaking.
Jess McMillan - Lower Mesa Falls
Ben Stookesberry is one of the most talented kayakers in the world. He has devoted his life to kayaking and the persuit of running rivers around the world. He has produced 8 adventure kayak videos, his latest Hotel Charlie 4 – At Your Own Risk. Ben loves kayaking and his passion for the sport is addictive. Maybe that is why after four years, I decided to drop a 30 foot waterfall.
Ben Stookesberry Stomping the Right Side of Lower Mesa Falls
Ben was the first person to run the right side of Lower Mesa Falls in 2001. In the last couple of years a handful of kayakers have attempted the right side with some success. The Wall Street Journal contacted Ben for profile piece. The newspaper sent a journalist out to spend some time with Ben in hopes of understanding his passion for adventure and kayaking. Ben decided the best way to explain himself was to show the reporter what it is all about. He chose Lower Mesa Falls as his venue and asked Eric and I to go along for safety and support.
Ben Stookesberry - Lower Mesa Falls
Ben stomped the right side of the falls, a 70 foot drop. He didn’t even get his hair wet. It was incredible to see Ben clean such a difficult waterfall. He made it look effortless. Eric Seymour decided to run the left side of Lower Mesa Falls, a double drop. Eric ran the top 20 footer with perfection and then paddled off the second 30 footer with ease. Ben and Eric made it look like so much fun that I decided to go grab my boat.
Ben and Eric setting up safety at the bottom of the Falls
I was so nervous sitting in the eddy at the top of the falls. It had been a long time since I had dropped a waterfall. I focused on the spot I wanted to be when I went over the lip of the falls, took a deep breath, and peeled out of the eddy. I came to edge of the falls, took one last stroke, and started to free fall. I tucked and waited for the impact. The free fall was exhilarating and impact was soft. I rolled up feeling on top of the world. The drop was so much fun!
Check out Ben’s kayak advetures at
www.clearh2ofilms.com or www.jacksonkayak.com
Super sick photos. Can we go do that today? Just kidding, but wondering if you are around (Fri) We forgot the phone at the ranch and can’t find your cell # anywhere. Hope you are having a good one. Give us a call at the house!
Yeah Jess! So glad to hear you’re back out on the water again. You are such a talented athlete and I know you’ll be killin’ it all summer long. I have a good kayaker buddy out here in Aspen that I want you and Eric to take out when and if we blow through JH. In the mean time, say hi to everyone for me and give your hubby a high-five for me!
Tats
In awe of that aenswr! Really cool!