Neil Nikirk

Think you can’t travel internationally with your cataraft? Maybe you THINK you can’t but with one of our “International Travel” packages you CAN. We have been transporting our gear internationally for many years now – to Mexico, Guatemala, Peru and Ecuador. Neil brought the one pictured below down to Ecuador […]

International Travel with a Cataraft? You Bet!

July 25, 2020 in River - General by Neil Nikirk

Having done both tributaries of the Rio Aros, the Rio Mulatos (2010 and 2011) and the Verde/Upper Sirupa (2013), we were keen to complete the “trilogy” and run the remaining headwater stream, the Rio Tutuaca. In 2013, we had scouted access to the Rio Tutuaca and the area around Rancho […]

Rio Tutuaca, Mexico – First Cataraft Descent

August 17, 2014 in River - First Descents / River - General by Neil Nikirk

Our first river south of the border for 2013 was the upper Rio Bavispe. This reportedly is a Class III-IV run with one Class IV that may be difficult for large rafts due to narrow passage. As the canyon is supposed to be beautiful, it sounded good to us – […]

Upper Rio Bavispe – Sonora, Mexico

November 16, 2013 in River - First Descents / River - General by Neil Nikirk

Well, we finally did it this time! The staff at Go Light Outdoors (Neil and Lacey) are off on another grand adventure. We will be heading into northern Mexico to run some rivers in the Copper Canyon area before heading south in search of other rivers on our way to […]

Off to Mexico and …

August 11, 2013 in River - General / Uncategorized by Neil Nikirk

Here is a picture of our latest aluminum break-down day frame packed for travel. It really is quite small and weighs about 35 pounds. Very easy to deal with. Full featured with scout rails, adjustable seat bar and yokes, adjustable oar towers, and obviously full break-down fittings. Ready for adventure; Peru here […]

Our Light-weight Break-down Frames

March 6, 2013 in Uncategorized by Neil Nikirk

Here is a recent article on-line at Canoe & Kayak magazine about our detention in Guatemala while trying to boat the Rio Copon. While it was very serious and we were lucky to make it out alive, it is obvious that these people feel very strongly about the local river. […]

CANOE & KAYAK: Guatemala Hostage Incident

April 3, 2012 in Published Articles / River - General by Neil Nikirk

Well, we weren’t able to run the Rio Copon. We were denied access to the river by the local villagers (to say the least). On the plus(?) side, we did make the Guatemalan network news and had several newspaper articles written about our attempt to run the river. Most of […]

Held Hostage

February 26, 2012 in River - General / Uncategorized by Neil Nikirk

Neil just wrote another great post, thanks honey! see below: After running the Cache la Poudre River outside of Fort Collins at high water with some local boaters, we headed for the Arkansas River near Buena Vista. Just in time for (you guessed it) more high water! The flows were finally […]

Surfs Up in Colorado

July 11, 2011 in River - General / Uncategorized by Neil Nikirk

We hooked up with Will Volpert of Indigo Creek Outfitters and his brothers for a couple of “creek” runs north of Ashland, Oregon. You definitely have to go light for running creeks like these! Upper Applegate The upper Applegate is the run above the reservoir while the lower Applegate is […]

Upper Applegate – First Cataraft Descent

May 9, 2011 in River - First Descents by Neil Nikirk

No Coolers

Kick the Cooler Habit