The Global Paddling Community

This Russian-American expedition was held for three weeks in August. Twelve kayakers from several Russian cities along with their American friends composed the expedition team. During this time the team paddled all of the most difficult classic Altay rivers.

All the participants arrived to Altay from many places. Some took flights to Barnaul or Novosibirsk while others were already there. We all met together in the campground at the bank of Katun river near Captain Hole rapid – well-known meeting point for all Altay kayakers. The expedition leader Alex Seliverstov waited for us at the starting point of our trip - village Aktash.

While the other guys made some preparations for the trip packing stuff and waiting for our truck, Oleg, Alex, Masha and me (Doctor) paddled Mazhoj cascade of rapids in Chuya river. There was flood and the water was like boiled, very strong and heavy. The run took only a couple of hours but it was one of the most extreme runs in our lives.

The next day we met the main part of our team and departed to adventures with the all-wheel drive truck. The first river was Karagem. Nothing special remained in our memory about this river, just very cold water, freezing wind and non-stop paddling. Next day the sun peeped out, the wind slowed and air became a little warmer. Karagem flows into Argut that met us with the heat and warm sandy river banks.

Argut is an interesting big volume river with large waves and holes. There are some interesting rapids – Sapozhnikov Tube, Waterfall rapid, Separated rapid. We paddled lower Argut in play style. It is very good river for rodeo boats.

Our move from Argut to our next destination, Chulyshman river was long, we were very tired. But in contrast to other nights we stayed in the warm and alight hut of forest rangers, not in our wet tents. The weather was nice and to paddle Yazula canyon on Chulyshman we spent one day and a half, although it may be done by one day.

After this we separated into two parts. One part kayaked down Chulyshman and paddled Mesh rapid, Kurkure waterfalls and lower Chulcha river, while another part of the team paddled Bashkaus river.

The last run in our trip was again Mazhoy cascade on Chuya river. We reached the river late at night and went to bad right away. I woke up in the middle of the night and could not fall asleep as it was terribly frosty. I had to get up and make a fire. But it was very beautiful in the morning. When I finally woke up everybody bustled around. There were 18 kayakers on the river on that day. Mazhoy was powerful but not so dangerous as three weeks before in our first run.

The expedition finished and we left waiting for the new expedition to start....

Participants:

1. Alex Seliverstov, the leader. 37 years old. 25 years spent on the whitewater. 4 years in kayaking. Russian rodeo champion 2004 and Cup winner. Baon Adrenaline race 2004 prize winner.
2. Victor (Chu) Chuprikov – house-keeper, interpreter. 23 years old. 4 years in kayaking.
3. Maria Davydova. Student. 19 years old. 2 years in kayaking.
4. Mikhail (Green) Makushin. 30 years old. 4 years in kayaking.
5. Artem Kozlov. 29 years old. 12 years in kayaking. Our magical hands. This guy can repair any broken boat.
6. John Grace, camera man. 28 years old. 17 years in kayaking. Baon extreme race 2005 prize winner.
7. Freddy Coriell. 25 years old. 14 years in kayaking. Baon extreme race 2005 prize winner.
8. Jules Campbell. Yoga and botany fan. 25 years old. 15 years in kayaking.
9. Vasily Porsev. 29 years old. 11 years in kayaking. Mazhoy rally prize winner.
10. Konstantin (Doctor) Vasin. 32 years old. 14 years in kayaking. 2002 Russian rodeo champion. Baon Adrenaline race 2004 prize winner.
11. Anton Ogoreltsev. 23 years old. 12 years in kayaking. Mazhoy rally 2005 winner.
12. Oleg Golovkin . 34 years old. 21 years in kayaking. Adrenaline Race 2002 winner.