Warm Springs: A New Film About the Yampa River’s Turbulent History

In early June of 1965, OARS president and founder George Wendt not only witnessed one of the biggest river events in rafting history, but he survived it.  Wendt was with one of several groups of early river-runners who were on the Yampa River on June 10 that year when a massive landslide and debris flow washed through the river canyon, creating Warm Springs Rapid and taking the life of a fellow boatman the following day.

Now, nearly 50 years later, Warm Springs takes a look back at that historic event, and dives into the culture and lore behind one of the West’s most infamous rapids and beloved rivers. The short film, which was produced and directed by Rig to Flip weaves together historical footage and personal accounts from the people who were there, but also gives viewers an intimate look at the beauty of the free-flowing Yampa River. It’s a fascinating tribute to Warm Springs Rapid and one of the last wild rivers of the West where the river conservation movement started.

“Warm Springs” is presented by Rig to Flip, Friends of the Yampa, American Whitewater, American Rivers and OARS.  For more information visit: RigtoFlip.org.