Powell to Powell Completed
We just finished up the Powell to Powell leg of our journey at Hite, UT, after running Cataract Canyon. After about 43 days, we …
Photo Essay: Glenwood to Moab
We have been on the river and away from the internet for a while now. We have just arrived in Moab, Utah and we …
Sources: Exploring the Headwaters
We’ve spent the last 5 days exploring the headwaters of the Colorado by foot and packraft. Through 50 miles of hiking and four interviews, …
“Remains of a River” full length film
Remains of a River: source to sea down the colorado from NRS Films on Vimeo.
Two friends. 113 days. 1,700 miles. One endangered river.
From October 2011 to January 2012, Will Stauffer-Norris and Zak Podmore hiked and paddled from Wyoming's Wind River Mountains to Mexico following the Colorado River system from its farthest inland source to the sea, filming and narrating on the fly. The resulting film, Remains of a River, is an unforgettable story of friendship, adventure and environmental degradation. At turns inspiring and alarming, this will have you laughing, marveling, shaking your head, and maybe planning an adventure of your own.
Episode 10: Common Waters
Remains of a River: Common Waters / Episode 10 from NRS Films on Vimeo.
After 113 days, Will and Zak’s magnificent adventure comes to an end. They’ve traversed the Colorado River from its source in the Rockies to the Sea of Cortez. There’s sadness that the journey is over, but even greater is the pain of seeing what has happened to this mighty river. The water has all been removed; the river bed is dry. What was once almost two million acres of diverse wetlands has shrunk by 95%. Bravo guys for sharing this great tale with us!
Episode 9: Concrete Creek
Remains of a River: Concrete Creek / Episode 9 from NRS Films on Vimeo.
For the first time after portaging around a dam, Will and Zak are confused. Where did the Colorado River go? Now all the flow has been divided up into concrete-lined canals. They see the river’s water “converted into lettuce.” Crossing the border into Mexico to finish tracing the path of this great river, they enter unknown territory. What will they find as they make their way to the sea?
Episode 8: Deep River Blues
Remains of a River: Deep River Blues / Episode 8 from NRS Films on Vimeo.
Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu consume the once free-flowing Colorado river. Massive diversions send water to thirsty places like Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix and Tucson. Urban Dwellers still find excitement along the banks, but Will and Zak miss the wild places upstream. As the river becomes smaller and smaller, they leave their trusty kayaks behind and take to the pack rafts again. They press on toward the sea.
Episode 7: Mirage
Remains of a River: Mirage / Episode 7 from NRS Films on Vimeo.
With the "grandest canyon" behind them, Will and Zak follow the Colorado River toward the lights of Las Vegas and dark portents of a river's demise. After paddling the still waters of Lake Mead, they portage Hoover Dam and enter beautiful Black Canyon. Meanwhile, helicopters buzz overhead and a New Year's celebration rages in Sin City.
Episode 6: The Grandest Canyon
Remains of a River: The Grandest Canyon / Episode 6 from NRS Films on Vimeo.
Our intrepid paddlers, Will and Zak, leave the artificial environment of Lake Powell and join 11 friends, with 4 rafts, for a 25-day journey through the Grand Canyon. After weeks of a diet restricted to what they can carry in their kayaks, they’re in gourmet heaven, with loads of eggs, meat, flour, veggies, beer, wine… and bacon! Spectacular scenery, challenging rapids, desert wildlife, and good companions; it’s a highlight of their Colorado River source-to-sea journey.
Episode 5: Desert Sea
Remains of a River: Desert Sea / Episode 5 from NRS Films on Vimeo.
Lake Powell is both a massive intrusion on the landscape and a beautiful place for paddling. After kayaking Cataract Canyon, Will and Zak take the good with the bad on Lake Powell and, as always, keep charging in their quest to paddle the Colorado River System from the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming to the Sea of Cortez.
Episode 4: Canyon Solitaire
Remains of a River: Canyon Solitaire / Episode 4 from NRS Films on Vimeo.
Will and Zak are now over a month into their navigation of the Colorado River from source to sea. They've had company for a while, but now they're going back to being by themselves. In Desolation and Labyrinth Canyons, they experience solitude that gets them pondering why they're attempting this trip. It can be a slog—it's Fall, it's cold, and some of their meals are pretty disgusting. But the scenery's magnificent, the wildlife is plentiful along the river, and the journey keeps calling.
Episode 3: Plains and Reservoirs
Remains of a River: Gates of Lodore / Episode 3 from NRS Films on Vimeo.
With a little help from the local Sheriff, Will and Zak portage Flaming Gorge Dam and enter gorgeous Lodore Canyon to begin the first raft-supported section of their source-to-sea journey down the Green and Colorado rivers. 400 miles of flowing water, stunning fall beauty and a surprise visitor lie ahead. As a special bonus, Zak shows off his freestyle rapping skills.
Episode 2: Plains and Reservoirs
Remains of a River: Plains and Reservoirs / Episode 2 from NRS Films on Vimeo.
Sleek sea kayaks replace Will and Zak's packrafts as they undertake the second leg of their epic source-to-sea journey down the Green and Colorado Rivers. Ride along as they paddle a Class V reservoir, surf a tasty play wave, get a sobering lesson on river ecology and enjoy a king's feast of chicken, chips and beer.
Episode 1: Headwaters
https://vimeo.com/44904710
Remains of a River: Headwaters / Episode 1 from NRS Films on Vimeo.
Every river begins somewhere, usually quite small. A trickle in the mountains of Wyoming’s Wind River Range becomes the mighty Green River, a major tributary of the Colorado River. In this first video of their Remains of a River series, Will Stauffer-Norris, Zak Podmore and some friends trek into the snow-covered heights to locate the river’s source. They’re on foot until enough water accumulates to float their pack rafts. The adventure begins – only 1,699 miles to go!
Beginning June 29, 2012, a new Remains of a River episode will premiere every Friday throughout the summer. You can get each new installment fresh off the press by subscribing to our Vimeo channel or by visiting:
http://community.nrsweb.com/nrs-films/remains-of-a-river/
Remains of a River Trailer now online!
View full 47-minute documentary here. Remains of a River Trailer from NRS Films on Vimeo. Two friends. 113 days. 1,700 miles. One endangered river. …