SAVE THE UPPER AMAZON
EXPEDITION
The first full paddle descent of the Amazon starting at the true
source (2014)
- Undertaken to RAISE
AWARENESS of the planned damming of the Upper Amazon
- Never accomplished
previously; no motors; 2-3 core members; <4 months
- To
commence AFTER publication of the scientific article on the source of
the Amazon
MESSAGE: A series of 15+ hydroelectric
dams are planned for the Upper Amazon that will destroy
some of the most precious places on earth, including a Grand Canyon equivalent. The issue needs
to be publicized and the qualities of the river understood to save
this incredible natural treasure.
EXPEDITION LEADER: ROCKY CONTOS
Rocky is a well known and respected
whitewater kayaker, sea kayaker, rafter, guide, conservationist,
explorer,
author and scientist. He has completed
>100 first descents and authored a guidebook & >40
outdoor
and scientific articles.
Biographical articles have appeared in American Whitewater (2007),
Kayak Session (2009), and Canoe &
Kayak (2011). Rocky discovered the source of the Amazon,
authored
the scientific article pinpointing it, and will publish a book on the topic. In 2012 he spent 6
months
paddling all headwaters of the Amazon,
then
finished the descent to the ocean by motorboat.
No source-to-sea paddle expedition has ever started at the true
Amazon source.
MEDIA ATTENTION ALREADY
- Outside article in January 2013 LINK
- Canoe & Kayak article June 2013 LINK
- Canoe & Kayak Expedition of the Year Nomination
- American Whitewater: Jul-Aug 2013 LINK
- International
Rivers article: Mar 2013 LINK
PLANNED MEDIA OUTLETS
-
webpage,
blog, Twitter updates
-
book,
film
-
articles
-
news
stories
-
sponsors to be promoted in media
GARNERING VIEWERS
- the
scientific article placing the correct Amazon source will be headline news
- to be covered by major news outlets (Nat. Geo., NY
Times, BBC, NPR, C&K, Outside,
etc.)
-
in
all interviews, Rocky will direct attention to the upcoming expedition and
planned dams
SUPPORT REQUESTED:
- FINANCIAL:
$25,000: main contributor to be noted in
expedition name
- BOATS: Whitewater
kayaks (3), Raft+frame (1), Sea kayaks (3), Paddles (4
ww/4 sea)
- Camping
gear (tent/sleeping bag/ground
pads/stove/headlamp/water filters/etc.)
- Communication
units (satellite phone, GPS units, SPOT
tracker)
- Food
(prepackaged dinners, energy bars)
- Apparel (drysuits, fleece, wool
shirts/pants/socks, footwear, jackets, spray skirts, helmets)
- Climbing gear (rope, anchors/etc,
crampons, helmets)
CONTACT: Rocky Contos SierraR’os
rocky@sierrarios.org
A 501(c)3
non-profit conservation organization
206-484-5820 James ÒRockyÓ Contos,
PhD
www.SierraRios.org Founder and
Executive Director