My motivation for stand-up paddling 90 miles down the Clearwater River, from the confluence of the Selway, North Fork of the Clearwater and Lochsa to the confluence of the Snake, had many facets. I had been trying to convince myself not to set-up my tent every night and to brave it in the wilds like Karen and Alli. Or clapping my hands in the way Vicky Robinson smacked two sticks together to warn cougars in Parent Trap. “Just be sure to make a lot of noise if you’re climbing up rocky embankments.” I envisioned screaming “Heeey snake!” in the same tone I use for “Heeey bear!” in the woods. Basically, I had convinced myself rattlesnakes didn’t exist outside of Hells Canyon.

I had pushed those even farther into my brain than cougar and bear. “Oh, and rattlesnakes.” My ears perked up. I don’t hunt, but I do own a ‘big ass knife.’ Karen piped in from the backseat, “Don’t worry, Ashley brought her big ass knife.” It was true. “Keep an eye out for drunken locals, too,” she said, munching on a potato chip. Day 2: Long Camp to Pink House Recreation Site

I knew that cougars and bear were in the area, this was North Idaho after all, but I had tried to compartmentalize their existence to a deep place in my brain labeled ‘least likely to encounter.’ I had to do something, otherwise, I wouldn’t get any sleep. Lyn-Alli’s mom and our eager shuttle driver-sat in the passenger seat chatting about all the things that could hurt (or kill) us in the next four days. Driving down Highway 12, the last remnants of the summer sun sank behind the canyon.

Clearwater river casino gas station