Off the Grid Studios

Day one in the Grand Canyon, we flipped in Horn Creek Rapid.

8 out of 10 whitewater. The raft landed on us in the hole. One of us recycled in the hydraulic for 30 seconds. I was pinned under the boat. Our gear sat underwater for nearly an hour.

That night, I could hear water sloshing inside my guitar before I even opened the bag.

Poured out what felt like a small river. Set it on a rock. Walked away.

Next morning I tuned it.

It rang out. Clean. Playable. Like nothing happened.

I spent 16 years in the guitar industry.

I know how wooden guitars fail — which is exactly why I didn't bring one.

I brought a : carbon fiber, separable neck, built to move.

14 days. More rapids. More sand. More sun. Two birthdays and a proposal around the fire.

Every night, it came out and played.

Made it home to Bend on the same strings it left with.

Still playing it today.

Huge thank you to INKAFEST Mountain Film Festival in Peru for accepting The Hard Way as an official selection.

One of the great gifts of filmmaking is watching a story travel — from the communities and rivers where it began to audiences around the world. We’re honored to share this film with communities near and far, and grateful to be part of this year’s festival.

My fav Pelican Products. Almost 20 years, all the continent. All the stories we’ve told have traveled through this mighty case.

Stoked to be working on a new tutorial collab this summer with this Deschutes River legend! Stay tuned, this is going to be a good one. .fly.shop