Playing With Pandora’s Box

In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman, fashioned by Zeus. Zeus forced all the gods to give Pandora a gift in a plot to punish mankind. She was given blond hair and beauty, to curiosity and the power of healing. Which leads to the definition of her name (all gifted). Pandora was also given a box that she was told to never open.

One day, Pandora’s curiosity got the best of her and she peeked inside the lid of her box. Immediately all the misfortunes of mankind (plague, sorrow, poverty, crime, etc) come rushing out. Until now mankind had lived a life in a paradise without worry.

However there was one good thing that came out of Pandora’s box “Hope,” so now in times of evil mankind will still have hope.

My curiosity also got the best of me when it came to the granite wonderlands of the Animas River outside of Durango, CO. This curiosity began one year ago and here are the gifts, not evils that I’ve found in my little box.


Staring down the gauntlet at the put in for Pandora’s Box

Finding a little peace over uneasiness, through the art of photography at the put in.

Shawn Fullmer getting a little off kilter in the 5th drop, Swollen Member.

Contemplating the consequences of a swim in one of the few carved out eddies. (Photo by Keven Driskal)

Eleanor Parry seems to be a little to getty, not realizing what lays downstream. (photo by Kevin Driscol)

Overwhelmed to finally find light at the end of the tunnel. The crew emerges from gorge #1.

Luke stomping Long Rapid. (photo by Kevin Driscol)

Warren making the final moves in Long Rapid

Luke entering the turbulence of good old Rectiling.

Pandora throws one last lock at you before reaching salation. The key is finding the line that doesn’t land you in the sive on the right and the death hole and the left.