Story and photos by Darin McQuoid Things were lining up perfectly for 16 days kayaking with friends in a well-developed country that hides a surprising amount of un-run rivers. With the world’s third largest economy and stable political conditions, what can go wrong?

By Darin McQuoid Who would have thought, two first descents in one week and both in the mecca of kayaking, California. It’s normal for our schedules to be dictated by weather in this wonderful sport.

By Darin McQuoid Early in the morning I get a call. Hazy from sleep, I distinguish a few key words: “hike,” “first descent,” ”waterfall.” A mission is born.

Ben Stookesberry: “We actually made it down out of the Mountains of the Moon in a couple days. We made it out with heavy rain the last day of the trail, hiking about 6,000 feet down out of the mountains. We were literally swimming down the trail in spots.

By Jesse Coombs The kayak team spent five days in the Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda. They are called the Mountains of the Moon and are a World Heritage Site. It is also was believed (and possibly still argued by some) to be the source of the Nile.

Ben Stookesberry: “We’re at the top of Margherita Peak, the highest point in the Ruwenzori Mountains—the fabled Mountains of the Moon and the third highest peak in Africa at 16,700 some-odd-feet. The weather was absolutely not kind to us, although it certainly could have been worse….

Ben Stookesberry: “…Calling in from the base of the Alexandra Glacier… We’re up here on the glaciers feeding the Nile. We’re literally about 15 minutes off the equator and we’re going to head down right now. Chris stayed down below. He got a little bit of a headache last night. Hopefully he’ll join us at [...]