Ganga Mayi - River of Return, India 1992 (1)

Final chapter to a true story about life, adventure, loss and triumph...

On a sunny afternoon, in the fall of 1987, I happened upon a copy of Outside, while browsing through the adventure magazine section at Powells bookstore in Portland, Oregon. It was the last day of a weeks visit to Portland, celebrating the conclusion of a long whitewater-rafting season in California.

An article, written by an Outside Magazine staff writer, had caught my attention. After Id finished reading, I rushed to the nearest phone and dialed my friend, the fellow river guide whod invited me to Oregon. Kathy, I said, I just read an article, titled Mutiny on the Yangtze have you heard of Ken Warren? He and his wife run a rafting company, somewhere near Portland. They were involved with a major river exploration in China last year. Yes, Kathy replied, I know about the Warrens and just saw them on the local news, in an interview. A National Geographic photographer died on the expedition and half the team abandoned them, literally mid-stream. Now theyre putting together a new team, to head back and finish what they started.

At first, while paging through the magazine, breathtaking photographs of this adventure peaked my interest. Secondly (as I began reading), I noticed the authors accusatory tone toward the expedition leaders, a rather negative reflection as to how their pursuit of a lifelong dream, caused tragedy to unfold in the middle of nowhere. A significant chapter of my own life was about to begin, as I had the privilege to meet Ken and Jan the very next day. We became good friends and fellow explorers over the years that followed.

Ive always considered the Warrens story characteristic of the culminating difficulties our civilization is experiencing. Increasingly fragmented into religious and socio-economic strife, our inclination to blame (as opposed to collaborate), has once again delivered us at the brink of opportunity. For whom the bell tolls in pursuit of promise, would recognize the storys gist: on small scale and spectacular backdrop, the adventure sets a metaphor as to what happens when we allow fear and uncertainty to cloud our outlook. And the question subsequently arises how can we refrain from jumping ship as were about to enter the unprecedented turbulences, humanity (Expedition Life on Planet Earth), has yet to navigate? A time when each member of the crew is needed, to assume their unique potential on behalf of the whole.

In 2008, Chinese friends of the Warrens took the initiative and honored Ken Warren with the title Father of River Running in China. Jan had attended the ceremony that year and with plans for a similar commemoration in India (closing the cycle), her book Where Dreams and Fear Collide, will be positioned for release.

Ganga Mayi River of Return is the title of a short no-budget documentary, a few of us put together in 1992. Filmed on SVHS videotape (and supportive materials by various contributors), the doc summarizes Kens life and celebrates its conclusion. Originally produced for memorial/archive purpose only, the piece is rough (so, be prepared)

Ever tried to shoot and host a film at the same time? Cant remember why I did it that way, but, go ahead, laugh all you want about the shorts (thats how we wore them back then :-)

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Adventure
• Travel
• River
• Rafting
• Whitewater
• Boating
• Expedition
• Film
• TV
• Video
• Television