The Chakachamna River embodies everything that draws Brendan and Parker to Alaska: the massive whitewater, the history of exploration, the abundance of wildlife and the challenges that come with paddling remote rivers.

Motivated by the failings of former paddlers over a decade ago, but encouraged by local bush pilot Jay Mahan’s multiple descents, they set out to explore the ‘unrunnable’ Chakachamna River and attempt to paddle across Cook Inlet.

Editor’s Note: Read Eric Parker’s feature, to learn more about the Chakachamna River. And check out the other episodes in the first season of the Flowstate series.