DBP MAGAZINE ONLINEEditor-in-Chief "Chicago" Mike Toughill is co-founder of Dirt Bag Paddlers and former Peshtigo River Manager at Kosir's Rapid Rafts in Wisconsin. He's been Wallacing since 2003.
EDITOR’S DESK: We continue our international tour de force this month by turning our attention back to the International Rafting Federation. Since in inception of Dirt Bag Paddlers, we have had a warm relationship with the IRF, and also with a few of the teams here in the United States such as the Red Ladies, […]
Dams. As children we are raised to look at them as engineering achievements of the highest order, the pride of humanity. As adults we sometimes come to new conclusions if we are enlightened by considering what exactly we have lost beneath the waters of these monuments of man over nature. There are many monstrous structures […]
EDITOR’S DESK- The Day of Action is here!! We at Dirt Bag Paddlers are stoked to be a part of the 20th anniversary of an amazing event conjured up by our friends at International Rivers! After two years of supporting the Day of Action through raising awareness with fun contests like an art contest and […]
“Listen,” I said. We sat quietly and listened. Ellie was making contented morning grumbles. Mary lay there, still. The water on the stove was singing as it came closer to boiling, the pot sorta groaning and cracking. And then behind that, and constant, was clearly the sound of the river outside. I love that sound. […]
In 2007, my master plan of raising my kids in the outdoors and on the river was off to a good start. I lived in Oregon, one of the best outdoor states in the US, and I had a raft and a frame and lots of river choices close to home. My oldest son started […]
Tim Marozick did a solo IK (inflatable kayak) trip last year through the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. We are pleased to deliver Tim’s experience here in a two part series via one day increments. This month we serve up Days 5 and 6, and the ending of the Grand Adventure. Part One appeared […]
We have, as a species, married ourselves to a black Gooey substance that was once the bodies of species now gone perhaps even our own. We weren’t thinking it through when we started using the Goo, we as a species rarely do, however we quickly became addicted to the conveniences that made the substance more […]
We’ve all caught ourselves staring at the water. My local beach is always covered with people going for a stroll out on the breakwater to the lighthouse and taking selfies in the sunsets. It is even worse when the autumn winds whip up the Big Lake (Lake Michigan) into a frenzy. The same thing occurs […]
EDITOR’S DESK: I recently had the opportunity to discuss the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River with author Tom Martin. I know of no better authority to discuss the issues that will impact the Grand Canyon in the years to come, and also shed light on the history that has made it so great, and […]
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK: Dirt Bag Paddlers is an international community. Wherever rivers flow and whitewater roars, you will find us. No matter the local language, there we communicate. No matter where you call home, you will be at home. That is our firm belief, as stated in our mission statement. OUR MISSION STATEMENT: All […]