The quaint headquarters of Chinook Expeditions sits in the shadow of a towering column of granite they call Mount Index. The building that headquarters is located in is eye catching as well. A massive wooden archway leads to the heavy hanger doors of the ancient bus garage. Inside is a cobbled together home and office. Native themed art adorns the walls and its dark with the smell of a wood fire and the ceiling bares exposed rafters. A small fleet of cars, including an ancient school bus, dominates the back yard; some working, some probably not. This is home to Shane Turnbull. A diminutive man with long grey hair and a smile so ever-present one might think his face was stuck like that. "Right on man" he says as he shakes my hand with genuine enthusiasm.
The River Shane runs most often is the Skykomish. Its a cold blue, green river of crystal clear snow melt.  Shane, A Washington native has been running this river since the 80's and is a well known member in the local, and national rafting scene. Shane guides us down with ease; until he says "alright Stef, your on the oars". I take the oars. That feeling I used to get before high school rugby games is on me. That feeling where no matter how many times you go the the bathroom you still feel like you're going to shit your pants. We do the first rapid mostly sideways, Shane pleading with me to straighten out the boat. "All right Stef you're gonna want to miss this hole on the left." He says to me. It's too late. were going in. Shane quietly mutters to himself; "oh boy".