Gear Garage Live Show | August 26th, 2025

This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage Live Show, where we answer submitted questions and talk all things whitewater.

Today's Show!

• Answer Questions
• River Hardware Flip Line

Some of the Questions that Zach covered in the Q&A section of this episode

Topic: Deadhead

I got invited on MFS trip for September 3rd this year, and the group that invited me is planning to deadhead the first 25 then picking up people/gear at Indian Creek. The trip leader told me I have to pack light.

But I feel that I can easily make it down the upper 25 with a fully loaded boat as I’ve done it before 1 year ago after the blowout at Velvet and Hells Half Mile.

What do you think about this?

Topic: Low Water MF

Hey Zach, Heading down the Middle Fork of the Salmon on Sept 7th for 6 days. 4 of us in IKs, packing light. How do you think IKs will do in the top 25 miles? Looks like we'll be at 1.5 feet or close.

P.S. Are there any small group adventures off the beaten path you've been wanting to explore? Thanks for all the info you have provided on this river! Your recent videos are very helpful.

Topic: Pushing vs Pulling & Loaded Boats on Private Trips

Hey Zach- First question... I've seen several of your videos about pushing vs pulling, but I was curious about your deadheading MFS trip review video. It seems like the general consensus is to push, unless you need to set up for something. Have some of your other recommendations been to pull as much as possible, especially for newer rowers, or heavy gear boats? Or is this a situationally dependent scenario.

Second question... On our recent trip to the Main Salmon this year, we had 1 - 18 foot cat boat, 2 - 14 foot round boats, and my 16 foot round boat. I was the heaviest boat by far. I wasn't worried about the weight and low water correlation on that section. How do you balance the creature comforts of a really comfy trip in low water (like below 2 feet on MFS) and the main necessities in this scenario.

Thanks for taking time to answer questions during your busy time of year!

Topic: Raft Recommendation

I am looking for a boat recommendation that would be good for rowing day runs like the Clack or White Salmon (would love to row the Wind sometime) and could be used for light 1 or 2 night trips with a passenger.

I was wanting your take on length as well as models. I have looked at the Sotar ST and SL and wanted to know if you had a preference for rowing more technical whitewater. Hope your season is going well and I appreciate all the things I have learned from this channel.

Topic: Clean Water Storage

Zach, hope the season has been great for NWRC. I saw this new product from Lifestraw and wanted your opinion. It's a 5-gallon pressurized water filtration system It seems like it could replace everyone bringing water jugs. It's good for 4700 gallons for one cartridge and can take straight river water. It looks a little bigger than a 5 gallon bucket, but if every boat in a group has 5-10 gallons of water, this could replace a lot of jugs on a trip. Thanks for your show and videos and have a great day,