Pitt River solo first descent

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Published 2021-11-24

In the fall 2019 after a complicated trip to Tibet and an unpleasant overnighter on the Sum Khosi in Nepal, I decided to embark on my second big solo adventure. The idea was to wait for low water levels in British Colombia and attempt the first descent of the Pitt River. Not knowing what to expect on the first steep sections I wanted low water, but obviously not that low ! The cold temperatures and snow falls in the alpine during the hike in made the river drop even more, and I sure did not find any sort of good whitewater on the upper parts. But you never really know until you go and that's part of exploratory kayaking.

Although I managed to maced myself with bear spray bushwalking on day 2 • Bear Spray & Blizzards: When Kayaking... , the rest of the trip was an amazing experience. And it forced me to push myself both mentally and physically.

I can't thank enough my friend Crista Wiles for supporting me despite disapproving. Danny Campo for the ride out, and the Vancouver people for the snacks.

All Comments (21)

@milllworks 2 years ago

Thank you for living a life most of us can only imagine…and recording it, and then editing it, and then sharing it!
@stevenbridge 2 years ago

I couldn't believe what you did here, crossing from Whistler over Garabaldi Glacier, dropping down into the upper Pitt and Kayaking down to the lake! Wow! It would be tough enough in the summer! I know that country and it is pretty wild but I knew that you would be ok when you got down to the Hot Spring. I was a little confused when you thought you could drive to Vancouver from there. Had you not planned how to get out? (There is only a logging road from the Hot Spring to the Lake.) That was quite an achievement, my hat is off to you.
@r.c.5063 3 months ago

I paddled with Dave Wortman today and he told me about this video. Really enjoyed watching this. I love your spirit.
@CraigBaer 2 years ago

Just WOW! The hike alone amazed me. What determination! And that you were solo in the middle of nowhere on the water... Best video I've seen in a long time. Subscribed for sure! Thanks for taking us along!
@edskii79 7 months ago

I've missed watching your videos - amazing adventure ❤
@BarryKruse 2 years ago

This young woman is the Alex Honnold of the whitewater world. The kinds of things she does may even exceed his Free Solo accomplishment. He had full reconnaissance for the amazing solo up El Cap. A first river descent is vastly different. The canyon she enters at 13 minutes or so was largely blind and un-scoutable, and just one of the high-risk places she navigated. Breathtaking. She is incredibly courageous; amazingly skilled. Visionary, really. She's one of the great adventurers of our time. There are so few truly wild places left on the planet. Many of them are rivers. Few have the skill and guts to get to them like Nouria does.
@ryanenright8720 2 years ago

Love this epic adventure! Really seemed worthwhile.
@BC_Geoff 1 year ago

Awesome video! I’ve lived nearby my whole life and always wondered what the upper Pitt river looked like. Glad to see you met some friendly Canadians along the way! Amazing adventure, I wouldn’t do this without having to lug a kayak around.
@EdDaveKayaking 2 years ago

That was incredible. Paddling alone on shallow rocky water like that is committing. Great footage.
@georgewilliamssr5230 2 years ago

I love those bump and gride boulder creeks and rivers. Girl you're hard core. Reminds me of me when I was younger. 👍
@JoeyWilliams 1 year ago

super impressive. loved watching this.
@brodymansell2473 2 years ago

Bad ass! That's awesome Danny was there to give you a ride through the lake!
@OkinawaWild 2 years ago

Wow. This had me grinning the whole time. Fantastic.
@austenbeason7336 2 years ago

Such a rad adventure, way to go for it and in proud style!
@danielfloro1837 2 years ago

Wow! you are one bad-ass young lady, and brave. Please keep making videos like this. Thanks for bringing us along for the adventure.
@giovannizanon3585 2 years ago

Great content Nuria! Can't help but appreciate your efforts!
@erickukulowicz6868 2 years ago

Woooooah I've wanted to do this trip for a while, thanks so much for uploading the video! Will have to re-assess a lot of my planning after seeing this.
@goodmantruth8185 1 year ago

You are a G.I. Jane of kayaking. 100% Respect!!!
@Riseagra 2 years ago

What a stunning scenery to push yourself. You have so much courage to risk that alone in those cold water temps. You are an inspiration. I nearly drowned in a rock garden due to an equipment failure and have battled to get back...but these videos remind me of why we do this as kayakers. Thank you!
@thors4893 2 years ago

Wow, you are a different level of tough Nouria. Respect!