Background and Preparation

I first conceived the idea of kayaking the Missouri River about 5 years ago while reading Spike Hampson's account of his river voyage from Wyoming to Buenos Aries in a jet boat; the jet boat didn't appeal to me but the river journey did.

After a bit of research I learnt that the Missouri River is the longest river in the USA and starts around Three Forks, Montana at the confluence of the Maddison, Jefferson and Gallatin Rivers and joins the mighty Mississippi River some 2,320 miles later at St Louis, Missouri.

The Missouri River was first explored by Captains Lewis and Clark and the Corp' of Discovery back in 1804 - 1806, their mission from President Thomas Jefferson was to determine if there was a means to reach the Pacific Ocean by an inland waterway. As it turns out there wasn't but their account of the journey inspired me enough to see how one might go about getting on the river at the headwaters and head downstream towards St Louis. I found that I wasn't alone in my dream and that not only was it possible but the entire distance had been  paddled many times over the years from early fur trappers and traders through to modern day adventurers.

I knew, coming all the way from Perth Australia, that it was going to be logistically difficult and take a fair amount of planning to get a suitable boat, equipment and all the necessary gear to the "put in" at the headwaters, and to work out a re-supply strategy over the long distances between towns. But about two years ago, and I can't remember how, I had the good fortune of being put in contact with Norm Miller, a seasoned Missouri River paddler, amatuer Lewis and Clark historian and an all round good guy.

Kristen Walker and Norm Miller - Yellowstone Park

Norm is a veteran Missouri river paddler both up and down stream and re-enacted the original lewis and Clark journey from St Louis to the Pacific in the expeditions bicentenary year 2004. Norm is currently living with his fiancé Kristen in Bozeman but house hunting for a home near the Yellowstone River in Livingston Montana. Kristen too is a paddler and has a passion for the history of the area, the journey of the Corp of Discovery and the trappers, traders and settlers that came after them.

I spent a week with Norm and Kristen going over plans, ideas, experiences and strategies for re-supply  and portaging around the dams.  Norm keeps in contact with past, present and intending Missouri River  paddlers through a Facebook site he set up that has become a great resource and contact list.

An "Old Faithful" geyser in Yellowstone Park

Christening the "Barbara May" before the inaugural paddle on the duck pond in Bozeman.

Norm Millers friend Avery supplied the "decals".  Avery and  Sue are resident artists in Livingston MT and own a gallery there displaying their own work an other interesting art; well worth a visit.