When I first arrived to Guadalajara I took a hike in the majestic Barranca Huentitan, on the northern border of the city. As I descended into the second deepest canyon system in Mexico I saw one of the most beautiful rivers I had ever seen. At this spot the Rio Grande de Santiago confluences with the Rio Verde coming from Aguascalientes. The red rock walls of the canyon were covered in dense forest from the rainy season. I could imagine a scene similar to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado or the San Juan River-- rafts and kayaks gently floating down the river past the 3,000ft+ walls.
When I reached the bottom of the canyon my nose alerted me that this scene I had imagined could never happen. The river stank of human waste, pesticides, and other chemicals. A strange chemical white foam traced the current lines. This beautiful river was polluted beyond belief.
It's been three years in Guadalajara and with the help of my brother, Tom, and friends AJ Lawrence, John McKinley and Chris Garcia we have come up with an idea to help this potentially beautiful place. Run the river from source to sea and document it. The expedition will take the better part of a month to navigate nearly 300 miles of river. This will require lots of determination and perseverence as we overcome obstacles such as dams, unknown rapids, eutrophicated stretches of plant blockades, and avoiding possible sickness.
Please take a second to check out the Indiegogo link at the top of this post and donate what you can or share this project with friends. Thanks and wishes of good karma to you!
