Liquid Canvas

Water churning over rocks, tumbling over falls, and eddying quietly behind boulders—there’s nothing more powerful or beautiful than spring runoff in the mountains. The same thundering rivers and creeks that inspire respectful awe in most people inspire action in whitewater kayakers. Theirs is a dynamic, three-dimensional playground where speed and athleticism meet strategy and smarts. It’s difficult to explain the sensation of being in the runoff, so we’ll let these outstanding photos do the talking for us.