Return to the River GUAYAS COLOMBIA

In October 2017, Jules Domine, Ben Stookesberry, and Lane Jacobs took a chance on the Rio Guayas, one of the largest and most remote watersheds in Colombia. Three days in, with serious concerns of high water and reports of a zona roja in the remote jungle canyons ahead, they hiked out. For the next two years, Lane dreamt every day of returning. When he saw the Guayas on the top of a hit-list for large scale dams, he knew the chance to paddle a wild, free-flowing Guayas was now or never.

Words: Lane Jacobs

DECEMBER 9TH , ,2019 I look up to see five guys rushing into our camp from upstream. I immediately know what’s wrong. Coca fields surrounded us as we moved frustratingly slowly through this cultivated corridor, and we were spotted. I drop my firewood and offer my friendliest “hola,” extending my hand. I catch a glimpse of Rafa doing the same. Ben arrives, followed by yet another group. More than a dozen baton-wielding individuals completely surround us, and I can’t help but wish we had paddled just a few more kilometers. We were so close to finally finishing the rio Guayas, and now we are marching up and out of the canyon into the abrupt equatorial darkness and the unknown. PROLOGUE Two years ago, Jules Domine, Ben Stookesberry, and I took…

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Kayak Session (Digital) - 1 Issue, Winter 2020

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