Eventually, Martin found out about Russia's SuperComputer experts and made contact with their Seymour Cray, Boris Babian. Martin would later pioneer development of some trial technical projects for Sun Microsystems' SunSoft subsidiary. This would result in his visit to St. Petersburg and Moscow in 1994. Visiting St. Petersburg to speak at the Soviet Unix Users Group conference for Sun and then travelling on to Moscow to meet the OS groups of Boris' Institute for Precision Mechanics and Computing Equipment (IPMCE).

Technical Interchange Becomes Rafting

Later Russian engineers would visit the US as guests of Sun Microsystems for technical interchange. Martin would host them by taking many on their first river rafting trip on the South Fork of the American River. During one such trip, Russians speaking Russian would attract the attention of another Russian group guided by Vladimir Gavrilov at the take-out, "Skunk Hollow", on the lower stretch of the South Fork American. And this is where Martin and Vlad met and would later start talking and begin to formulate a plan to return and do some incredible rafting in Russia.

Russians on South Fork of the American River

Since 1994, Russians have been rafting on the South Fork of the American River with Martin's Project group. Many were visiting from IPMCE sites in St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Novosibirsk, and still others were recent Russian emigrees. "FPeriot" [Forward], "Nalleva" [Left Turn], "Naprava" [Right Turn], "Nazat" [Back Paddle] as well as "(Pizdietsa)" [for high side] have been heard on the South Fork American for years now.

Some of these Russians will participate along with other IPMCE engineers and Russian press on river trips in Russia. The Russian engineers from the IPMCE, now MCST (Moscow Center for SPARC Technology), have also gone on to develop Sun's next generation of computer architecture, next generation multi-threaded UNIX operating system (Spring OS), and language compiler optimizers.

First Russian Guides on the South Fork American

In 1992, Vlad came to California after receiving an invitation from ECHO. Vlad started taking Russians on California rivers in 1995. He with Olga Shevchenko would become the only 2 Russian guides in California, both coming here through Project RAFT. One of Vlad's first Russian groups was a group of emigrees from the former Soviet republics, engineers and other technical people living in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was this group that would overhear another Russian group led by Martin Wong, speaking Russian, at the Skunk Hollow Take-Out on the Lower Stretch of the South Fork of the American River. And it was members of both these groups of first-time rafters who were very loud and excited, while celebrating a great run of the river, and who would bring Martin and Vlad together for their first meeting. Today, their common dream is alive. Both hope to introduce many Russians, Americans, and other Westerners to the Rivers of an Unknown Land and an Xtreme Dream™ may now soon come to a reality.

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A Timeline

1994

Initial project team comes together on Grand Canyon Expedition, Colorado River. First trips with Russians on the S. Fork of the American River.

1995

Training trips continuing with Russians on the S. Fork of the American River. Vlad and Martin begin to formulate plan for running rivers in Russia.

1996

Training trips continuing with Russians on the S. Fork of the American River, primary team for Russia begins forming.

1997

First trip plan initiated. Training trips continuing with Russians on the S. Fork of the American River. Potential team members for Russia Expedition begin rigorous training trips on Class IV-VI rivers. Team begins to use and train with Russian paddle catamarrans on Class V runs.

1998

Team formation solidifies. More extensive training on Class IV-VI rivers and expedition trips. More detailed planning and revised trip itinerary. Extensive training with Russian paddle CAT-4 and CAT-2.

1999

The team continues to train, prepare, and build the teamwork and coordination so necessary for Class V boating in distant lands. Continuing to use Russian made equipment as well, learning to improvise and handle dangerous situations. The team should be ready to go this year. These will be the First American Descents. The team may be ready to attempt difficult First Descents.

2001

More First Descents and more difficult rivers. Hopefully more fully funded.

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