Gear Garage Live Show

• Gear Garage Live Show | May 2nd, 2025

  This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage Live Show, where we answer submitted questions and talk all things whitewater. Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode Answer Questions River Rescue Gear at River Hardware Some of the Questions that Zach covered in the Q&A section of this episode Topic: Highwater Middle Fork of the Salmon I'm invited on a MFS trip June 10. Super psyched! The trip leader wants to cap the trip at 5 feet, but I bet it will be higher. I'm pushing for a careful safe trip, even if higher than 5 feet. I feel up to the challenge 100%. The crew is solid. Any thoughts on flows and wisdom of going? I hate the idea of the permit being canceled. Thanks! Topic: Guide Shoes What about guides wearing Chacos... Do you have any thoughts about that? Topic: Rope Selection You've covered a lot on static line length and diameter on your previous videos, and I'm curious to hear more about material and buoyancy. On whitewater gear you offer the sterling super static 2 rope, but I don't believe that's a high floating material, and is quite a bit heavier without being stronger than some other equivalent 3/8" ropes like ultra line. Can you review a bit more on rope design/materials vs use in whitewater rescue applications? Sterling looks to be the standard in ropes, and their ultra line appears like the best overall option for weight/strength vs flotation. Only downside I can see is that ultra line is not available in sizes other than 1/4" and 3/8" if someone needs 11mm or larger. Topic: 18' Raft Owyhee What's your low flow cutoff for getting a medium to lightly loaded 18' raft down the Lower Owhyee? I'm able to make technical moves just not interested in getting high centered or squeezed all the time and having to get out to shove a whole bunch. Nuisance rapid for instance. Does an 18' even fit between boulders at flows less than 1K CFS? I'm 5 days out from launch and flows have been very slowly dropping, currently around 1300 CFS to 1400 CFS with no major precip in forecast. Motoring out and my 18' has the registration. Have a smaller raft with fishing frame and registration but its not rigged to motor and would like to avoid that hassle of frame changeover and assembly if possible. Thanks for your insights! Topic: IK Safety Thanks for this channel; it is an excellent resource for people like me who are new to rafting. Two buddies and I took the NWRC Class III rowing school last year, which was awesome. The Lower Salmon was one of the rivers the instructors recommended as a good first private trip, so we are planning a multi-day trip with our families on the Lower Salmon in mid-July. We will have three rafts. We have several high school kids in our group. I am considering bringing two or three inflatable kayaks for them to use if they want more excitement than riding in the rafts. Everyone will be in helmets and PFDs. The kids are strong swimmers and comfortable in the water. I have three questions: Where should we put the IKs in the group? I am thinking between the middle and last raft as that would leave two downstream rafts in case they swim. Would having three IKs in the water at one time be too many given we only have three rafts? Could you talk about how trip leaders monitor IKs on your commercial trips.

  --------  

  28:43
• Joe Daly (ECHO River Trips): Lessons from the River

  In this episode of Safety First with Danger Tate, Tate sits down with Joe Daly, the co-founder of the groundbreaking rafting company, Echo River Trips. Founded in 1972, Echo rapidly expanded to run trips across 19 river stretches in five U.S. states and even Yugoslavia by 1981. Joe shares the story behind the creation of Echo, providing insight into the adventurous spirit and entrepreneurial drive that fueled the company’s early success. Throughout their conversation, Joe reflects on his personal journey from river guide to business owner, and the lessons he learned along the way. He discusses his early decision to focus on rafting over kayaking, how his partnership with co-founder Dick Linford was formed, and the unique challenges and rewards of pioneering commercial river trips in the 1970s and 1980s. Joe also touches on the importance of community, resilience, and environmental stewardship within the river-running world. Listeners will enjoy Joe's candid storytelling, from the practical aspects of building a river business to the philosophical lessons the river teaches. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, an entrepreneur, or someone who appreciates a good adventure, Joe’s stories offer timeless wisdom on leadership, passion, and the unpredictable currents of life. Main Discussion Points: The founding story of Echo River Trips and its early expansion Joe Daly’s personal journey and decision to specialize in rafting Key lessons learned from running a river outfitting business Reflections on teamwork, partnership, and community in outdoor leadership The enduring influence of river life on personal and professional values Joe's Latest Project Joe has been editing a book called Stories of a Western Wildhood, full of short stories written by his business partner, Dick Linford. The book was just published and you can find it here.

  --------  

  1:04:40
• Gear Garage Live Show | April 25th, 2025

  This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage Live Show, where we answer submitted questions and talk all things whitewater. Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode Answer Questions Middle Fork Trip Planning Blog Some of the Questions that Zach covered in the Q&A section of this episode Topic: Oar Length (For a Specific Situation) What’s the best oar length for running Class II rapids in a 15'6" long Stryker inflatable boat? The boat has a 60-inch span, a 6'2" wide beam, and a 160-pound outboard motor on the stern. I plan to use it occasionally as a drift boat. For longer, deeper, easy-going sections, I’ll use the motor to go back upstream and re-fish, or to get through slow, deep, unfishable water. Thanks! Topic: IK for Extended Trips I've been using an Aquaglide touring IK for Class III/IV trips—our last was on the Lower Salmon—and after spending days sitting in water, I know it’s time for an upgrade. I recently picked up a Star Outlaw II for my son, but so far it's only seen flatwater. We’ve got some whitewater trips planned for June and July, and I’d love some advice for my new IK. I’m super torn between a few options. In order of interest: Star Outlaw II — I like the 5 chambers, drop-stitch floor, and the price point, plus the reviews are solid. But I hate the lack of anchor points for gear—had to glue some on for my son. AIRE Outfitter II — Tons of great reviews, nice bow kick, and it has good gear loops. But it's pricey, and I’m worried I’ll be sitting in water again with that floor. AIRE Lynx II — Same pros and cons as the Outfitter. Corran Tandem — I like that it handles big water, but I think I’d hate it on flatwater. RMR Taylor vs Animas — The price is right and what I’ve found so far is positive, but reviews are way fewer compared to NRS stuff. I’m 6’2”, around 300 lbs (currently cutting weight), and I need an IK that can support me on a 5-night trip. Also curious about the NRS Riffle—it looks durable and capable.

  --------  

  27:06
• Gear Garage Live Show | April 15th, 2025

  This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage Live Show, where we answer submitted questions and talk all things whitewater. Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode GoRafting.com Maps Answer Questions May 4th Illinois Trip Today's Questions: Topic: Raft Pressure I’d love to hear your thoughts on air pressure for rafts. How do you know when it’s right? What do you think about those digital air pressure caps, like the TRiB brand ones NRS sells? I know you should let some air out when driving over mountain passes or when the boat's sitting in the sun to prevent blowouts. But other than that, how important is it to get the air pressure just right on the water? Thanks, and keep up the good work! Topic: Tech Support Hi Zach! Love the show, great content! I’m filming our Main Salmon trip this year with a GoPro. What do you use—or what have you heard of—to merge and edit GoPro clips into one seamless video with text and music? I need something old-guy friendly, since I’m not super tech-savvy. Got any tips or tricks you’ve learned from your own experience? Thanks! Topic: Dish Bucket Water Love the show, thank you for keeping this up. I always look forward to the Tuesday show and any other reviews, testing or other topics you cover. For getting rid of dish water, different rivers have different rules. My understanding is that for high-volume rivers, it's better to dispose of strained dishwater into the river. For smaller rivers (Smith, MFS), you're supposed to disperse the water above the high water line and away from camp. For low use camps, I guess this could make sense, that eventually the rain will do it's thing and it'll soak into the ground. For desert trips or popular camps, this just seems like a recipe for attracting pests. Even if you could strain every bit of food, there's still going to be oils and dissolved sugars which will get tossed on the ground. Maybe my concept of how much oil/sugar/small stuff gets left behind is wrong. I'm assuming these rules have science/research behind them. Any thoughts or ideas on this?

  --------  

  43:01
• Gear Garage Live Show | April 8th, 2025

  This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage Live Show, where we answer submitted questions and talk all things whitewater. Today's Show! Ask a question on the next live show Spring Rogue Rowing School Some of the Questions that Zach covered in the Q&A section of this episode Topic: River Hazards I can’t really immediately see a sieve on the river or most of the time from river side either or on videos really. I get it when it’s pointed out. Same with undercuts . I see them when it’s pointed out and understand but it’s not always obvious to me even after the fact. Makes me nervous . Don’t want to be overly paranoid but need to know for safety sake. What’s your process of identifying these kinds of hazards when you’re scouting? Happy boating and stay safe out there. Topic: PFD knife storage Can a sheath knife be fitted Inside the exterior knife pocket on a pfd? (eg the Palm Nevis, Astral Indus) As to my mind this is the optimal kayak set up. Instant deployment, no snag hazard. Topic: Permits and Bots With as difficult as it to obtain coveted river permits, I struggle with what’s fair or not fair with regards to obtaining a permit with the help of a bot. Do you have any thoughts or feedback on using bots to secure river permits?

  --------  

  27:10

More Sports podcasts

Trending Sports podcasts

About Gear Garage Live Show