SAVE THE UPPER AMAZON EXPEDITION

The first full paddle descent of the Amazon starting at the true source (2014)

- Undertaken to RAISE AWARENESS of the planned damming of the Upper Amazon

- Never accomplished previously; no motors; 2-3 core members; <4 months

- To commence AFTER publication of the scientific article on the source of the Amazon

MESSAGE: A series of 15+ hydroelectric dams are planned for the Upper Amazon that will destroy

some of the most precious places on earth, including a Grand Canyon equivalent. The issue needs

to be publicized and the qualities of the river understood to save this incredible natural treasure.

EXPEDITION LEADER: ROCKY CONTOS

Rocky is a well known and respected whitewater kayaker, sea kayaker, rafter, guide, conservationist,

explorer, author and scientist. He has completed >100 first descents and authored a guidebook & >40

outdoor and scientific articles. Biographical articles have appeared in American Whitewater (2007),

Kayak Session (2009), and Canoe & Kayak (2011). Rocky discovered the source of the Amazon,

authored the scientific article pinpointing it, and will publish a book on the topic. In 2012 he spent 6

months paddling all headwaters of the Amazon, then finished the descent to the ocean by motorboat.

No source-to-sea paddle expedition has ever started at the true Amazon source.

MEDIA ATTENTION ALREADY

- Outside article in January 2013 LINK

- Canoe & Kayak article June 2013 LINK

- Canoe & Kayak Expedition of the Year Nomination

- American Whitewater: Jul-Aug 2013 LINK

- International Rivers article: Mar 2013 LINK

PLANNED MEDIA OUTLETS

- webpage, blog, Twitter updates

- book, film

- articles

- news stories

- sponsors to be promoted in media

GARNERING VIEWERS

- the scientific article placing the correct Amazon source will be headline news

- to be covered by major news outlets (Nat. Geo., NY Times, BBC, NPR, C&K, Outside, etc.)

- in all interviews, Rocky will direct attention to the upcoming expedition and planned dams

SUPPORT REQUESTED:

- FINANCIAL: $25,000: main contributor to be noted in expedition name

- BOATS: Whitewater kayaks (3), Raft+frame (1), Sea kayaks (3), Paddles (4 ww/4 sea)

- Camping gear (tent/sleeping bag/ground pads/stove/headlamp/water filters/etc.)

- Communication units (satellite phone, GPS units, SPOT tracker)

- Food (prepackaged dinners, energy bars)

- Apparel (drysuits, fleece, wool shirts/pants/socks, footwear, jackets, spray skirts, helmets)

- Climbing gear (rope, anchors/etc, crampons, helmets)

CONTACT: Rocky Contos SierraRíos

rocky@sierrarios.org A 501(c)3 non-profit conservation organization

206-484-5820 James “Rocky” Contos, PhD

www.SierraRios.org Founder and Executive Director