February 27, 2022
February 23, 2022
February 13, 2022
February 9, 2022
Regarding the death of my friend Carin Buford
I was not on this trip, but was invited. I have spoken to several people who were there. Carin had on a life vest and all other appropriate gear including a drysuit. She was with a strong group of paddlers, on a reasonable water level, in good weather. Her kayak roll abilities were exemplary and the difficulty level of this run was well in her abilities. Her boat was pinned in rocks, upside down in the water, in a freak accident.
As whitewater paddlers we do many things to make our sport as safe as possible. We assess the proper boat choice, gear choice, river difficulty, river level, the strength of the group, the weather forecast, etc. We continually work on our skills, including boat control, river rescue, CPR. Even so, there is inherent risk in our sport as rivers are very dynamic environments. I can think of nothing that could have been done differently or better in this circumstance.
https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2022/02/birmingham-attorney-drowns-in-kayaking-accident-at-desoto-state-park.html?fbclid=IwAR3Bzcw5HJhdOPHSPvzk0hTXb0H4pOyXdlZ-JQ2W6EyzqBGSWXXg35tDniw
February 7, 2022
Sad for the loss of a friend
Sunday February 6, a group of friends went to the West Fork of the Little River, a class II-III run. I had been invited to go but it would be a full day and I chose to do a quick Mulberry trip with Joan and Heather instead.
My friend Carin Buford went on the West Fork trip and was well within her abilities for the run. She was pinned under a rock in an accident. Her crew got to her fast and started CPR until EMS arrived, but she did not survive.
Carin had just stepped up to be a member of the Birmingham Canoe Club board this year. I had approached her asking if she was interested in serving again and she said yes without hesitation. Carin had just accepted the role of Trips and Training coordinator for the club.
I am still in disbelief that she is gone and feel like anything else I would write would just be stupid.
Some things I just can't make sense out of.
February 6, 2022
February 3, 2022
Donate to help treat FTD
If you are interested in helping fund research for FTD treatments in honor of myself and my sister Kathy, please go here:
https://www.classy.org/campaign/the-holloway-fund-for-help-and-hope-in-honor-of-lee-holloway/c283059
FTD
February 1, 2022
Nantahala Cascades Jan 28th 2022
Here is a video I took of some boaters running the Nantahala Cascades in the snow. Air temps in the 20's F, brrrr.