New Years Day on the River

This year the SUP crew instigated a new western slope tradition: the New Years Day Float. This January 1st was the maiden voyage of our new raft, The Enos T, named after the founder of our town. After a champagne toast and christening, the snow covered ground at the put in allowed us to pile into the raft and sled into the Gunnison RIver. We enjoyed sunny, 12 degree weather, snow covered scenery, and wintering bald and golden eagles. In all, five Western Slope SUP family and friends, bundled up and made the 8 mile river journey. Two river wide ice bridges presented the biggest challenges of the day. With a little creativity and a spare oar, we were able to pass through them.

Many will wonder why we would go to such great lengths just to go rafting in January. Maybe rafting is in our blood, maybe 5 winter months away from the river is just too long, maybe we are a little crazy…but it is a simple question with a simple answer: why not?