We recently received a phone call from someone wishing to have a exclusive and private river rafting experience on the Nenana River, the glacially fed river that boarders Denali National Park in Denali Park, Alaska. This is not unique, we receive calls all the time during our short summer season, however this gentleman asked if would take a blind person rafting.
Traverse Alaska has been taking clients on the water for the last twelve years and this is the first time we’ve received this question. Luckily we have Buckwheat. Bill Overington, Buckwheat, or Wheat as his friends and family refer to him has been rafting and kayaking the Nenana river for over thirty five years. He has more hours on this river than anyone else in the world.
Buckwheat started a kayaking school in the 1990’s and later, along with four of his friends, started the Denali Outdoor Center, which operated until 2019. After selling the business, Traverse Alaska was able to convince Wheat to help us build our custom, friends and family rafting program in Denali.
It’s a different program than the one he was running. It’s smaller, on purpose. We only take Friends and Family. We only do exclusive trips, meaning just you, the people you’re traveling with and our river team. A relaxing environment where we make space to enjoy the grandeur of this landscape, moving at the pace of water. It seemed to be a perfect fit for someone in a semi-retirement mindset with deep connection and love for the Nenana River. And the kind of place where you get very unique requests.
When we receive a call or get an email from someone with a question about what can be done on the river, we have Buckwheat. When someone does something for thirty five years, they get to know that thing. And Buckwheat’s thing is moving water. Especially the Nenana River.
Family and Friends Raft Adventure
When it comes to a commercial operation on the Nenana River, Buckwheat has seen it, done it or seen it done. And he has seen enough to know that he doesn’t know. Things can happen outside of his control, so he works hard to control all the things that he can. And we get to see this in action everyday. He moves slowly and methodically in preparation to go on the river, a dynamic and uncontrollable place that you must learn to move with and not against.
So, Buckwheat, can we take a blind person on the river? “Yes, we can. I’ve done it before. And this is how…”
They say wisdom comes from experience and experience comes from mistakes or bad decisions. When you are growing a responsible and valuable program built with respect, passion and love having the wisdom of Wheat around makes us all better everyday.
Thanks Buckwheat, we are lucky to have you on the team.
