George Wendt, quiet hero and friend to all currents

My long-time friend and partner, George Wendt, passed today, quietly in bed. There would be no Sobek if not for him. When, as a 23-year-old dreamer, I returned from making first descents down some crocodile-infested rivers in Africa, I was broke, and wrote to all the Grand Canyon outfitters to see if anyone might be interested in becoming a partner in a new crazy international adventure company by investing some rafts and guides. Only George responded, and he become a full partner, and we pioneered many rivers around the world together, from the Bio-Bio in Chile to the Alas in Sumatra, and so many more. What an eternal spirit of discovery and awe. Last year we rafted in Laos and Thailand (along with our other original partner John Yost), and below is a favorite photo of rafting on the Zanskar River in India the year before....George on the left, john yost on the right...

I miss George....there is a hole in the world tonight.