Yampa River, Kelley Kalafatich Fundraising Trip, sponsored by O.A.R.S.

Big water and kindred spirits… a recent report from the field about the Yampa River rafting trip to raise funds for and celebrate Kelley Kalafatich…

The following was taken from the Kelley Kalafatich blog. The full report can be found here: http://checkonkk.blogspot.com/

The trip had it’s challenges, with the highest water seen since 1983 (the river peaked at around 25,000 cfs on the 3rd day) and unseasonably cold and wet weather. But frankly this just added to the overall experience in its own way. If you have never been, the Yampa River is an absolutely stunning river canyon, second only to the Grand Canyon in my estimation for visual beauty, and different than the Grand in terms of its beautiful 100-year floodplain terraces where the river camps are located.

The trip included 22 women who paid to go on the trip, Julie Munger, Abigail Polsby, Don Ahlerd, and Marty Schlein, who worked the trip for free, and last but not least Natalie, Debs, and Steve, the Hatch/O.A.R.S. guides working the trip. The energy on this trip was very special. Two thirds of the women on this trip are personal friends of mine who also know Kelley, the remaining third were friends of theirs. I know Kelley does not really grasp the influence she has on people, even people she has only met briefly or have only heard about her. Some of the women on this trip had never been on a river before, and what a place for their “first.” Needless to say I think they are hooked. Anyway we held Kelley in our hearts throughout the trip, and I reflected on how many people Kelley has helped in her professional life to enjoy the unique experience of a trip down a beautiful remote river canyon. And how life-changing that can be, especially with a group of people like we had on this trip, that bring such great energy to the experience. I was struck by how enthusiastic and down right fun this group of women was, and it was a joy to watch how powerful this experience was for many of them.

George Wendt, Founder and President of O.A.R.S., will be donating all the profits from this trip to Kelley’s NTAF account, which should give her what she needs to purchase a suitable car to fit her needs.