Raush
River First Descent
In
August of 1999, The Fraser Headwaters Alliance organized the First Descent
of the Raush River. The purpose of the expedition was to draw attention to
the watershed and highlight the high wilderness recreation potential. Located
between Wells Gray Provincial Park and the Rocky Mountain Trench near McBride,
the Raush River is on of the last remaining unlogged watershed in Southern
BC.
The trip
began by flying a group of expert kayakers to the headwaters of the Raush
River at, the toe of the David Glacier. From this point the group descended
down the river challenging numerous class 4 and 5 rapids. After traveling
50km the kayakers rendezvoused with rest of the expedition team who accompanied
the kayakers down the lower reaches of the river. The group of 16 included
biologists, conservationists, photographers and filmmakers that traveled down
the river in a flotilla of rafts and canoes. Fin Donnelly of the Rivershed
Society of BC also accompanied the flotilla as he swam the lower reaches
of the Raush.
The completion of the expedition was celebrated at the Dunster
Community Hall and included dinner and live music. At this time the future
of the Raush watershed still remains uncertain. The FHA urges the provincial
governemnt to consider the watershed for full protection as it provides a
key wildlife corridor between the Cariboo and Rocky Mountains.
