{"id":3739,"date":"2009-09-16T11:52:00","date_gmt":"2009-09-16T16:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/?p=3739"},"modified":"2009-09-16T12:01:46","modified_gmt":"2009-09-16T17:01:46","slug":"new-photos-class-5-rapids-in-a-jet-boat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theworldbyroad.com\/expedition\/2009\/09\/16\/new-photos-class-5-rapids-in-a-jet-boat","title":{"rendered":"New Photos &ndash; Class 5 Rapids in a Jet Boat?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A man named Steve Mahay trekked up to Alaska many years ago.\u00c2\u00a0 In those days homesteading land was still a viable option for an escape from the typical.\u00c2\u00a0 Back in the 70s Steve realized that that was the way to go. Like many of the Alaskans we encountered in the north, Steve is a true legend with his jet boat operation in Talkeetna.\u00c2\u00a0 Back when he started the company he was armed with only a 16 foot, 20 hp boat living in a hand built cabin in the wilderness.\u00c2\u00a0 As he continued to explore the rivers and their rapids, it became clear he needed some upgrades.<\/p>\n<p>As time went on, he took one of his boats over 100 miles upriver from Talkeetna to a violent stretch of rapids in Devil\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Canyon.\u00c2\u00a0 All alone, he courageously navigated up this class 5 section of whitewater, just for the pure pleasure of it.\u00c2\u00a0 Later he took family and friends and eventually started a company to take others to this special place. As Mahay\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s operation grew over the years, the fleet of boats could hold as many as 65 people per run, custom designed to give everyone the same experience he pioneered decades ago. We took the entire crew out on the Devil\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s canyon adventure, filming the whole way.\u00c2\u00a0 Since we were filming, and accompanied by a Travel Channel crew filming the same story, Steve and his son Israel, personally piloted our two boats up the river.\u00c2\u00a0 One was their top of the line turbocharged 1000 horsepower flagship boat, and the other was the original small boat that Steve used when he first pioneered the rapids.<\/p>\n<p>They granted me the frightening privilege of riding on both. The first run we filmed inside the big boat. For the second run, I jumped out of the big boat to the smaller one in an attempt to ram the smaller aluminum boat into the side of a cliff with class five rapids raging at the base, so that myself and the Travel Channel cameraman could hurl ourselves out, scramble up the cliffs and get some shots from the shore.\u00c2\u00a0 I would like to sound like a tough adventurer, but the fearful look on Steve Mahay\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face did not exactly inspire confidence, and his quick instruction of, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We will only have a second or two for you to jump onto the rocks or it will get extremely dangerous.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>Great, the big boat was violent and intense enough.\u00c2\u00a0 Then to make matters worse, before boarding the little guy, I was informed that Steve had never taken the small boat this far up river with this many people and this much weight.\u00c2\u00a0 Perfect, let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s go pioneer some new boating techniques on this nice cold, wet and rainy day deep in the wilderness of Alaska far from any resemblance of civilization.\u00c2\u00a0 Upon boarding the small boat, we braced ourselves and our equipment while Steve Mahay stood behind the helm.\u00c2\u00a0 He jammed the throttle full ahead and we were off\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6sort of.\u00c2\u00a0 Without the 1000 HP turbocharged engines and so much weight, a bit of a struggle ensued to get the little guy up to the big rapids.\u00c2\u00a0 Each rapid that we hit sounded like it would break the hull.\u00c2\u00a0 The aluminum boat creaked and cracked all the way up to the cliffs.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hold on!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d yelled Steve.\u00c2\u00a0 What seemed like a full speed approach had us heading straight for the cliffs.\u00c2\u00a0 Bang! The boat hit the wall and it was time.<\/p>\n<p>We jumped out of the boat, Steve\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wife was passing equipment too us while warning of the slippery rocks that dropped off quite abruptly to the raging river below.\u00c2\u00a0 Filled with freezing glacial runoff, the churning rapids were the least of our worries.\u00c2\u00a0 Thirty seconds to a minute of submersion and freezing to death would be the likely cause of death before drowning would get us.\u00c2\u00a0 As we were still scrambling on the rocks, off in the distance Israel had already taken off in the big boat.\u00c2\u00a0 Now, maybe thirty seconds and we would miss the shot. As we climbed up the rocks I was using my hands to turn on the camera and get it set for the shot instead of holding on to the rocks, not exactly up to OSHA standards. We managed to get to the right spot and capture the shot only moments later to hear Steve yelling from the boat ramming the rocks below, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We have to go, I cannot hold the boat here for much longer!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>The only thought that ran through my head as we raced back downriver to catch up with the other boat was, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That man up there, he is a living legend, and I am riding on his boat!\u00c2\u00a0 The very boat that started this whole idea in the first place\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6cool.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 It is hard to believe sometimes, the people we have met.\u00c2\u00a0 It is truly hard to believe how one gathers the courage to challenge that river, hundreds of miles from anywhere, by themselves in a little boat .\u00c2\u00a0 This day, in the same legendary boat, I ran the rapids, and had my own adventure with a legend.<\/p>\n<p>The rest of the day consisted of a delicious lunch, followed by a walk in the beautiful wilderness to a reconstructed trappers cabin and Native Alaskan village replica.\u00c2\u00a0 Our guides explained what life was life in the early Alaskan days, which gave everyone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s heart a chance to stop racing from the excitement of the rapids above. Yet another day in the wild of Alaska, with another wild Alaskan family.\u00c2\u00a0 The excitement up north never seems to end, and it is fueled by the people who took that step to leave the normal and start new in Alaska.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/sets\/72157622333348130\/\" target=\"_blank\">Click for link to Flickr Gallery<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/wpg2-3?g2_itemId=21384\">Click for link to TWBR gallery<\/a> or just click on the thumbnails below for a larger version.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Mahay's has been around for decades when Steve Mahay began exploring the rapids in a jetboat.\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21385&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3907624423\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21387&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Mahay's Jetboats\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Eagle nest we spoted on our extreme jetboat adventure\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21389&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3907624861\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21391&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Eagle Nest\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Mahay's took us out on their jetboat to explore class 5 white water rapids.\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21392&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3907625467\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21394&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Exploring\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Glacier melt off picks up soil which makes it appear cloudy.  In this picture you can see how the two waters compare.\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21395&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3908404754\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21397&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Glacier water meets fresh water\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Crazy waters\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21398&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3907626281\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21400&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Splash\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Can you believe that a boat that holds 65 people can manage this river?\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21401&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3908405456\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21403&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Scary Waters\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Nels took his chance in the front of the boat for his photo with the class 6 impassable rapid in the back.\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21404&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3907627007\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21406&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Photo Op\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Mahay's took us out on their jetboat to explore extreme white water rapids.\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21407&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3908406570\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21409&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Megan in EXTREME waters\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Kristen is fearless above the deadly rapids below!\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21410&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3908406952\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21412&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Hi!\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"It is really had to be at peace with the boat racing toward this.\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21413&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3907628281\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21415&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Um okay?\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"With the thousands of horsepower the boat has on board it allows for a 20 minute stop in the middle of the rapids where you can pose for photos.\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21416&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3907628649\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21418&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Teamin up\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"To film this one, Steve had to get on the smaller boat alone to go up and film the larger boat. Just before he left, Steve Mahay informed him that he was very tense about what we were about to attempt to get the camera man on the rocks.\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21419&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3908408112\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21421&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Steve says goodbye.\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Isreal Mahay keeps the business a family business.\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21422&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3908408406\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21424&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Isreal\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Passengers hold on for dear life while the boat tosses and turns making its way  up the class 5 rapids.\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21425&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3907629715\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21427&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Hold On!\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Kristen and Celeste ate 3 flower petals a day.  3 rosehips contain more vitamin C then an orange.  Just don't eat the yellow middle... very harsh on the digestive system.\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21428&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3907630017\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21430&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Rosehip\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"During the nature hike portion of our jetboat adventure, we saw many bones and played with animal skins.\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21431&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3908409414\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21433&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Skull\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"During the nature hike portion of our jetboat adventure, we saw many bones and played with animal skins.\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21434&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3907630725\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21436&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Bear Claw\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"During the nature hike portion of our jetboat adventure, we saw many bones and played with animal skins.\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21437&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3908410194\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21439&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Craig in Fox\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"During the nature hike portion of our jetboat adventure, we saw many bones and played with animal skins.\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21440&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3908410536\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21442&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Kristen wearing Fox\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"During the nature hike portion of our jetboat adventure, we saw many bones and played with animal skins.\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21443&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3908410828\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21445&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Steve in Bear\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"During the nature hike portion of our jetboat adventure, we saw many bones and played with animal skins.\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21446&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3908411244\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21448&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Megan in Fox\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><a title=\"During the nature hike portion of our jetboat adventure, we saw many bones and played with animal skins.\" rel=\"lightbox[g2image]\" href=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21449&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Flickr: http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theworldbyroad\/3908411574\/\" src=\"http:\/\/www.theworldbyroad.com\/photos\/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=21451&amp;g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_DI_NOISSES_PMT\" alt=\"Celeste wrapped in Fox\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A man named Steve Mahay trekked up to Alaska many years ago.  In those days homesteading land was still a viable option for an escape from the typical.  Back in the 70s Steve realized that that was the way to go. Like many of the Alaskans we encountered in the north, Steve is a true legend with his jet boat operation in Talkeetna.  Back when he started the company he was armed with only a 16 foot, 20 hp boat living in a hand built cabin in<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,1109,19,835,950],"tags":[131,981,1293,1289,1288,1287,1291,1112,65,1292,1290],"class_list":["post-3739","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-action-sports","category-alaska-usa-north-america-1","category-new-photos","category-north-america","category-usa","tag-adventure","tag-alaska","tag-class-5","tag-devils-canyon","tag-jetboating","tag-mahays-riverboat-tours","tag-rapids","tag-talkeetna","tag-travel","tag-whitewater","tag-wilderness"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>New Photos &ndash; Class 5 Rapids in a Jet Boat? - The World By Road<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/theworldbyroad.com\/expedition\/2009\/09\/16\/new-photos-class-5-rapids-in-a-jet-boat\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"New Photos &ndash; Class 5 Rapids in a Jet Boat? - The World By Road\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A man named Steve Mahay trekked up to Alaska many years ago. In those days homesteading land was still a viable option for an escape from the typical. Back in the 70s Steve realized that that was the way to go. Like many of the Alaskans we encountered in the north, Steve is a true legend with his jet boat operation in Talkeetna. 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