Starting August 1st, 2018 John Kuntz, owner of Olympic Outdoor Center, is going to paddle the entire length, 1250 miles of the Columbia river from source to sea in honor of Erica Reith (Eri), (a young person whom tragically lost her life at the age of 19) and in the name of teaching youth the art of adventure. In life we have a chance to pay it forward and that is my goal, to let youth know there is more to life than the world that they know. That it is OK to take risks safely to gain the reward of a life time. Eri was a beautiful person that loved the outdoors and helping others, In her honor I am dedicating this paddle so that others may follow, because LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE that we must teach our youth. You can support this effort by participating in the following:

Follow, Participate, Communicate, Support The Adventure

*   Trip updates, photos, videos:

https://www.facebook.com/john.kuntz.140

*   Where is John Now

Starting August 1st, 2018. Locate John on Tracking Map, Track John’s Progress:

*  Teachers Get Your Class Involved Today.

Class Adventure Curriculum. Are you a teacher that would be interested in having this adventure in your classroom? Please contact the teachers below for more information.

Teacher Click Here To Go to Adventure Curriculum Site.

          Matt Kuntz, Gifted Program, mkuntz@op97.org

          Diane Conmy (Erica's Mom) , 3rd grade, dconmy@op97.org

Matt Kuntz talks to teacher Jennifer COx from Golden BC, her class is using the adventure curriculum and folling the trip:

 Click Here for 2 minute Video

*  Buy a T-shirt, Support The Project

to support Project: Take Eri on your next adventure and post yourself wearing it. Let us know what adventure is to you and share it with young people. Let the adventures begin. Order Tshirts to Support the ERI Adventure Project.

* Send John Mail on His Trip

Letter, Photo of you being Involved in the Project.

Get your postcard to commemorate the trip. Send Mail to John During Trip, You can communicate with john during the 2 and half month adventure. John will be receiving food caches along the way that are mailed from the address below, Please send photos, words of encouragement, and letters that will be included in the shipment. Since this is mostly a solo trip the communication is greatly appreciated and will fill those lonely nights, and you will get a postcard in return thanking you. 

John Kuntz STS

PO Box 236

Port Gamble, WA 98364

To get your correspondence in the packages please have your mail to the above address several days before the following ship dates below;

August 6th, 2018 (Monday) Delivered to Revelstoke BC Canada

August 15th, 2018 (Wednesday) Delivered to Castlegar, BC Canada

August 22, 2018 (Wednesday) Delivered to Kettle Falls, WA USA

August 31, 2018 (Friday) Delivered to Grand Coulee, WA USA

 September 7, 2018 (Friday) Delivered to Wenatchee, WA USA

September 21, 2018 (Friday) Delivered to Hood River, WA USA

October 1, 2018 (Monday) Delivered to John at the FINISH in Astoria, WA USA

Who was Erica Reith?

Articles about Erica from Newspapers and Friends:

Chicago Tribune:     Class of 2002 Oak Park graduate

Oak Park Illinois:     OP has helped Eri's legacy thrive

Other:

Newspapers and social media contacts?

Would your community like to interact with John along the way. I am available to talk to local news, blog and phone updates, and especially talk to youth about the adventure while on the adventure. Contact me 1 (360) 471-0836, jkuntz@kayakproshop.com, or through social media, I will do my best to accommodate your requests but please realize I will be out of communication most of the time and you will have to meet me at the river.

Newspaper Stories:

Click Here For John's Paddling Schedule

Click Here For John's Bio

Click Here For Photo's of John and Trip

John's Past Columbia Trips:

John has paddled the Columbia twice before and in 2015 he came up with the idea to paddle the Columbia river, just portions of the river, not the whole 1250 miles of the river that today may be as pristine as when man first discovered it or as much as I could find. I pictured this as FUN and exciting as just a handful of people try this each year.

View John's Youtube videos of past explorations:

Johns 2017 Columbia River Trip

I made a trip in 2017 of 250 miles from Revelstoke BC to Kettle Falls, WA and have documented it some YouTube videos that will give you an idea of the experience. Click Here.

Johns 2016 Columbia River Trip

I made a trip in 2016 of 200 miles from Golden BC to Revelstoke BC. Click Here.