Canoeing the Columbia River from Montana to the Pacific

The first days of Robert Lester’s ambitious canoe journey started with a lot of walking. That start was in Butte, Montana on Silver Bow Creek -- the starting point of a 1300-mile trip through the Columbia River basin to the Pacific Ocean. 

Lester made the trip in a two seat canoe. He was joined by 18-year-old Braxton Mitchel, who’d never canoed beforehand. 

That journey took 55 days and is the focus of a new documentary from Lester and director Neil Larson, titled “The Columbia River Canoe Project.” At its heart is a story about ambition – both from the canoers themselves, and humans who have drastically changed the river with massive projects like dams. 

Canoer Robert Lester and director Neil Larson joined Soundside to talk about the project ahead of local screenings in West Seattle, Edmonds, and Bainbridge Island Nov. 22-24. 

Guests:

• Robert Lester, canoer and focus of "The Columbia River Canoe Project."
• Neil Larson, director of "The Columbia River Canoe Project." 

Find information about local showings here: Columbia River Canoe Project — Mountain King

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.