Buffalo National River Arkansas - 6 Nights 7 Days: Part 1 4K

[@RobBrown2288]

The green water in that part of the country is just enchanting! Wonderfully captured! Another river on my fantasy list!

[@AVAJourneys]

Thank you sir!

[@cuddlegrammie8041]

This channel deserves many more subs than what it shows . Wonderful filming , musics enchanting , calm narrating voice. Excellent Drone work !!!

[@AVAJourneys]

Thank you!!! That river is amazing. Once we obtain certain permits, we plan to go back for the remaining mileage. Again, thank you for your kind words!!

[@efrapadilla]

Watching your video I discovered many places in the Buffalo River that I had never seen before. You did an excellent job with that camera and the drone. This channel should be explored all the world!

[@AVAJourneys]

Thank you so very much! We do plan to return for the remaining sections, but not until the necessary filming permits / permissions are obtained. Thank you for taking the time to view!

[@WilliamFontaineJr]

Thank you for this. Almost 60 years ago during spring break a group of friends from college stopped by my house and said we’re going to the Buffalo river right now, come on. I had no experience and no preparation but they said they had everything I needed if I would just get in the car. For some reason I did. That trip changed my life as I pursued river running and eventually leading adventure trips for decades. Your video brought back those first experiences that so profoundly changed the trajectory of my life. I eventually got to be friends with some of the people who were instrumental in saving the Buffalo as a national river. I cherish my memories of those folks who gave so much so that we all get to continue experiencing such a magnificent treasure. Well done on capturing the majestic beauty, sweeping calm and serenity it has to offer. It stands alone, for me, as the true beginning of my adventure life, the life that mattered to me. Again thank you.

[@AVAJourneys]

William, thank you for sharing your incredibly profound story! That’s incredible! This means a great deal to us. Very elegant description of the river as well.

[@WilliamFontaineJr]

@@AVAJourneys Because of the quality of your videography and beautiful music I was literally taken back 60 years to my now once again vivid memories of that turning point in my life. That river experience combined with a backpacking trip that following summer in Colorado introduced my naive self on a path of adventure discovery that has last all the rest of my life. I’m recovering from hip replacement surgery at present and could not sleep and your video showed up in my KZbin feed. I watch it’s entirety and could not sleep afterwards for all the reflections it generated. Can’t wait to show my wife your beautiful video. I’ve saved it hoping to share with others I love. Thank you again, your work, it is marvelous.

[@johnmelton9036]

Heading to ponca to launch Friday...2nd run this year...this river is the crown jewel...this video does helluva job capturing the essence...well done boys....

[@AVAJourneys]

Thank you so very much! We hope you enjoy your run!

[@sherrydaniels5060]

wow never been here either so beautiful! the waters look so clean too. waterfall was beautiful been a pretty place to camp if possible. cant wait for part two! wonderful video . thank you for this.take care.

[@AVAJourneys]

Thank you Sherry!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Simply STUNNING!!!!! 5 STARS! 18:14 amazing shot!!!! Love it!

[@AVAJourneys]

Thanks buddy!

[@ava-brendadillard7131]

Really loved this river, Pete!

[@darlawebber2524]

Thank you so much for sharing. Very relaxing to watch! Wonderful job!!

[@AVAJourneys]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@SouthernPaddler]

Outstanding video!! Beautifully captured!! That's such an amazing place! Looking forward to the next episode! 👍🛶

[@mdesotell6836]

Awesome video. Looking forward to part two.

[@AVAJourneys]

Thank you!!

[@aprilmenck4147]

This is amazing. Thank you for sharing. I can’t wait to experience this.

[@AVAJourneys]

You'll love that river April! Thanks for watching!

[@einnor1040]

Beautiful River.

[@AVAJourneys]

It most certainly is!

[@anthonybarbour43]

Great video and scenery. Definitely on my bucket list to paddle. Thanks for sharing.

[@AVAJourneys]

Thanks Anthony! We are planning a return trip later in the year.

[@ilsejoyce]

We so enjoyed your video. Beautiful camera work. We only live about an hour from the Buffalo. Thank you for sharing!

[@AVAJourneys]

Thank you so much. We definitely plan on returning for the remaining miles, but are waiting to obtain certain permits. Thanks for watching!

[@RaychillsAdventures]

One of my favorite places in Arkansas!

[@bertsadventures9974]

Well done. Great video of an awesome float. Can't wait to see part two!

[@AVAJourneys]

Thank you!!!

[@ashleyarsenic]

The Buffalo really is something to behold!

[@AVAJourneys]

Indeed it is! We intend to revisit for the remaining miles beyond Rush. Thanks for watching.

[@nickbadham9662]

You're living my dream!

[@AVAJourneys]

@@nickbadham9662 Get out there and do it, brother!

[@venetia98]

Bravo🥳 Beautiful content, thanks for sharing.

[@AVAJourneys]

Thank you!

[@ava-brendadillard7131]

Absolutely loved it!

[@t20sgrunt36]

Your videos are so great. I have yet to float this river but I've heard it compared to the Jacks Fork- just bigger and in a more rugged/beautiful setting(higher hills, the loads of waterfalls, etc) with water not near as clear(yet still clear by most standards).

[@AVAJourneys]

That's exactly on point. Your description nailed it! And thank you!!

[@hike-bike-paddle-and-drone]

Not sure why I haven't subscribed earlier being a long time fan of the River Kings! This was some absolutely amazing video Brian! I really loved the perspective of a lot of the shots that you kept the nose of the Yukon out of the shot but also the few that it was in there. I really loved all of the drone shots, really well done. Can't wait for the rest of the series! Jeff

[@AVAJourneys]

We are honored sir! Thank you so very much! It's so easy to get caught up in the moment when filming. At times, we discover that we've spent more than an hour in one location. Again, thank you so much! AVA Brian

[@nicholaslindsay-k4l]

Nice meeting y’all at hemmed in hollow hope to spot ya again looks like I just miss ya on jacks fork happy floating

[@AVAJourneys]

Yes sir!!!

[@jimhavens745]

Great drone footage. Aren't they restricted in this park? I would love to have one

[@AVAJourneys]

The short answer is yes. The base of operation must be outside the boundaries of the park, meaning the control station. Otherwise a special use permit is required. We plan on returning for the last section of the river, but we’ll be waiting on filed permits to film. Provided they’re are granted.

[@riverannihilators]

Amazing video!

[@AVAJourneys]

Thank you!!

[@randylancaster5510]

Awesome video ❤

[@AVAJourneys]

Thank you!!

[@elliswoodall407]

I’ve been on this river when I used to live in Arkansas

[@AVAJourneys]

We were amazed at how incredible the topography was!

[@elliswoodall407]

@@AVAJourneys Yes it is.

[@DeronTomlinson]

What would y’all say is the genre of music with that banjo? Headed to the Buffalo in March and need a playlist!!!!

[@AVAJourneys]

That piece is derived from folk, blended with contemporary synth pads. Some of our scores are original arrangements. While others are music pieces we purchase licensing for. As far as genre, search for instrumental folk across the web. The banjo style you’re probably looking for, if you enjoyed the opening work, is clawhammer. Excited to hear your planning a trip! Amazing river! Have a blast!!

[@dennisbates5736]

Awsome video

[@punkfish6510]

Hi, amazing footage. Would love to know where did you put in and take out on the river. Planning to go there this may and just trying to finalize my trip. Thank you

[@AVAJourneys]

We started at Ponca and concluded at Rush Landing. Beautiful section of river. Let us know how your trip goes!! Thanks for watching!

[@punkfish6510]

@@AVAJourneys thank you for the info, will let you know how it went

[@davidrobertson606]

Well done

[@AVAJourneys]

Thank you David!

[@flushot6513]

I be ok with like hr long videos or 45 min one's jealous in iowa we have the upper iowa and it has bluffs like that is a goal of mine to get up there sometime..

[@AVAJourneys]

Occasionally, our videos can be longer. Really just depends on the project. Iowa sounds interesting 🤔

[@bryanb8366]

A friend and I are planning this trip at the end of May. We were wondering what boats to take? We kind of wanted to be in kayaks this year but how shallow is the water? We run fiberglass sea kayaks that do not like to be drug across Rocky bottoms. So do you think The water is deep enough or should we run the canoe?

[@AVAJourneys]

Great question. There are places in which you'll encounter some bottom contact. Most of the river is class 1-2. At the time of year you're going, you should have no issue with the water level. Again, we didn't drag or port anywhere, but we did scrape the bottom in a few places. Mostly, it was a fairly smooth run. I'm not a huge Canoe fan, but they certainly have their purpose.

[@bryanb8366]

@@AVAJourneys I'm with you and sitting in a kayak rather than the canoe. The canoe is a Kevlar wenonah and made it through the allagash waterway last year with only a few patches. My Seward kayak I would rather not beat up. I guess we'll have to monitor the river levels and go from there. Your boats that you were in looked like short hybrid boats. And not full blown expedition or sea kayaks.

[@snakeclaw]

I would have enjoyed your video launching at boxley however i dont think your touring kayaks would have faired well

[@AVAJourneys]

We’ve had our TKs in some pretty precarious water, but you’re probably correct.

[@snakeclaw]

@@AVAJourneys usually when the water is over the Ponca bridge you can run the boxley trip. It was the craziest white water I've done. Dangerous at times. Split second decisions. Strainers everywhere. The 6 ft tall wave trains went on for hundreds of yards. Deep suckholes. I felt lucky to have lived through it. We floated to silver springs campground. 7 miles in 1.5 hours. 3 of us in a 9 ft raft. Probably won't do that one again. I like your vids a lot.

[@AVAJourneys]

@@snakeclaw That actually sounds like a blast! Our paddling experience extends to class 4, but definitely in our whitewater boats. Thank you for watching!

[@pappycamper7327]

I certainly enjoyed and learned from traveling along with you- really nice videography/editing! I notice you appear to have swapped out your Tsunami 145 to a Stratos 14.5L and now a Yukon over about three years. Thoughts on each of those boats?

[@AVAJourneys]

The Yukon is an incredible boat. Very responsive, and tough to find. Pete, with the River Kings, was instrumental in locating one up in Michigan. The Stratos is also a great boat. I prefer both the Yukon's and Stratos' hull design to the Wildy. They preform very well in bigger water. In my opinion, if you cannot locate a Yukon Expedition, definitely run with a Stratos! Thanks for watching!

[@pappycamper7327]

@@AVAJourneys Thanks for the response! I found a great deal on a used Stratos; I like it, but I know it can't hold gear like a Yukon. Yukons have shown up down here in Texas, but not often and not cheap. [I've heard you can't be a River King until you get one! ;^) ]

[@AVAJourneys]

@@pappycamper7327 you'd be surprised. The Stratos is pretty utility. Pete once said to me it's probably one of the closest options to the Yukon. Keep looking for the Expedition. Don't give up. Took about a year of searching before Pete locked in on one. I was extremely lucky. Garage kept and only paddled a few times. Oh, incidentally, we were invited to paddle with the RKs long before we had Yukons 😉

[@edalexander1432]

I hike, camp, float, and most of all photograph the Buffalo a lot. When I started to fly my drone at Steele Creek, it displayed a warning that I was in a restricted area. I subsequently found that drones are illegal in all National Parks. I'm wondering how you got around this for your drone footage

[@AVAJourneys]

Great question! There are legal mandates, which stipulate that the operating base must not be located within park-restricted areas. This implies that operations must be conducted within a non-restricted (governed by the FAA) airspace, while the park service has complete dominion over the geographical area. One of the challenges is maintaining line of sight with the aircraft, as per Part 107 requirements, if the base of operations is outside the contiguous zone of the park. While some of our equipment has the required range capability, a COA from the FAA is necessary to operate out of line of sight, and the aircraft must be rated for that ability. Alternatively, the best course of action is to apply for a special use permit. Once obtained, this permit must be presented to officials or law enforcement upon request and must be kept with the Pilot in Command throughout the operation. We have certainly learned from past mistakes made some years ago, and now operate within Part 107 tolerances and other parameters, including liability considerations, as we are currently operating commercially. We have a few river projects planned in the future. However, we await the appropriate documentation and permissions before undertaking projects in certain river areas due to the lack of opportunities to operate outside protected areas to obtain the required shots. KZbin projects are but a small portion of our work, but do require a level of diligence for sure. We know this is a lot of information, but hope it helps a bit. If you’d like, we do have the contact information to apply for a special use permit within the Ozark Scenic Riverways. Thanks for watching!

[@edalexander1432]

@@AVAJourneys Thanks for the informative reply. I take, and sell, lots of still photos of the Buffalo area. In this endeavor I'm always searching for new images and the drone seemed to answer that question. I sincerely doubt that any Park Ranger has any knowledge of the regulations, so I suppose I'll just take my chances.

[@AVAJourneys]

@@edalexander1432 I completely understand your perspective. Our 107 drone license is an extension of my actual pilots license. For that reason, and a few ethical circumstances, we make every effort to remain in compliance. However, again, from a creator’s paradigm I understand your desire to obtain those shots. Just be cautious. Fines can be steep believe me.

[@lanceduke9576]

What time of the year was this video taken? I've had the pleasure of floating this river but I don't recall it being this fast. This is a great video!

[@AVAJourneys]

Late spring. It's always a bit of a risk that time of year, depending on the weather. We've certainly been caught in more than one flood, unfortunately. Nevertheless, we made excellent time! Thanks for watching.

[@AggressiveSpaceOtter]

Great video! I will say though that the Buffalo is a National river and the same rules apply as a national park, such as the fact that the use of drones is illegal. Just some information for your next trip there.

[@AVAJourneys]

Thank you, we're glad you enjoyed it! You are correct. Permission, and/or permits for filming are required. As is a Part 107 certificate when operating commercially. We will make every effort to obtain the aforementioned and do possess a 107. Additionally, we avoid flying in designated restricted areas that are usually geofenced. On occasion, we may consider obtaining our footage utilizing a small, manned aircraft. Especially when we need high altitude shots that exceed drone operation restrictions. As a licensed pilot this is an option. We prefer to avoid this in sensitive areas, as a full-scale plane can be far more disruptive depending on the area. We will be returning to the Buffalo in the future, to film the remaining section. We will be pursuing the proper process for permits due to certain areas within the region having restrictions. We really do appreciate your observation!

[@76erGrant]

Thanks, Karen

[@MikeSmithagain]

What did you use for filming and how did you charge your batteries?

[@AVAJourneys]

We generally use a series of action cameras, and occasionally, full-production cameras with higher-quality sensors. It really depends on the length and conditions associated with the trip. We primarily manually adjust our camera settings and often incorporate filters, from ND to CPL. Depending on the area, and if permissions are obtained, we utilize drones for aerial shots. More often now in some areas, permits are required. We do have the ability to use manned aircraft, but flying low in some of these areas, fuel costs and logistics can be problematic. Our drone fleet scales from not so expensive, to a bit pricey. When they can be used, they are a great tool. Batteries. Great question. Some of our equipment requires high-amperage batteries to operate. Therefore, we usually bring additional packs and plan our shots conservatively. The action cameras are another story. We charge those up easily enough using external power banks and prefer to keep those going using solar panels; specifically Goal Zero.

[@db6283]

Watched your trip video for about the third time and I just realized how you let the river do the talking. along with your limited

[@db6283]

Didn't get to finish before hitting the wrong button. But your limited narrative was excellent and on point to everything you addressed . Thanks for the excellent video

[@AVAJourneys]

@@db6283 Thank you! You're correct. Sometimes a reduced narrative is all that is needed. Thanks for watching!

[@rustyshadow7]

So, did you see any sasquatch?

[@AVAJourneys]

Not this time 😂 However, we were alerted to something one night, about 2am. Turned out to be John in bowel distress.

[@happycampers6592]

No restrictions on flying drones?

[@AVAJourneys]

There are areas within boundaries of the park that restrict drone operations. It is lawful to operate outside of contiguous park boundaries, but the operating base can not be within those boundaries. Otherwise, a special use permit and/or permission is required.

[@danielelilly3720]

It's virtually a no fly zone. You can't be off the park grounds and fly over it either, especially when profiting off the footage is involved

[@76erGrant]

@@danielelilly3720 Good thing NPS has no jurisdiction over airspace. The pilot and or device would have to touch the ground or demonstrably effect wildlife or a visitor. And since the FAA doesn't care....

[@76erGrant]

​@@danielelilly3720You are 100% incorrect. The FAA has sole sovereignty over US airspace and does not observe or have jurisdiction to enforce NPS regulations. The nonsense about "commercial" photography has yet to finish playing out in court, but it's not going well for Dept of Interior.

[@johnwulf1035]

At3:57 it Appeares to Look Like Trump Wearing a Suit on the Mountain Walls

[@AVAJourneys]

Interesting observation! We actually checked that time codec and can see your interpretation.

[@victoriakelley3685]

Drones are banned on the river for a good reason. You claim your goal in making this is to attract more people in order to preserve the river. The NPS has thought a lot more about how to preserve the river than you, and they told you you cannot use a drone but you did anyway. Hypocrite isn't the right word. Liar is much more appropriate.

[@AVAJourneys]

We appreciate your concerns. The NPS does have the best interest of the wildlife, forests, rivers, and park-goers in mind. Most concerns are relative to the tranquility of the natural habitat, and the safety or protection of the wildlife within the environment. We made every effort, prior to going on the river to prepare for these concerns. We did inquire about UAS usage. From the licensed pilot perspective a very small drone was used, with a minimal noise footprint, attempted to keep clear of any wildlife, and observed all geofencing in effect within the areas where footage was obtained. (As opposed to a flyover with a small plane which we have used for aerial photography, and that would have been very disruptive.) We hope that this will help alleviate your concerns for our filming, as we care about our natural areas greatly… considering that we also live within an area surrounded by much National Forest and Park lands, as well.

[@davelay7987]

I agree 100% Drones are illegal in the park period. And believe me on this, the NPS doesn’t need any help in publicizing the river , have you ever floated it in May or June ?

[@victoriakelley3685]

@@davelay7987 Thanks for speaking up Dave. Not to mention these folks shamelessly doing this under their LLC without a permit for commercial activity. I reported them to the Park Service. If you do as well, it may help.

[@AVAJourneys]

@@davelay7987 Absolutely correct, permission and/or permits are required to film commercially in that regard. We've not yet floated in June. For pure recreational reasons, we may though. As we understand, each season is a different experience.

[@davearonow65]

​​​​@@AVAJourneysThe problem is that everyone would have a ton more respect for you if you just admitted you effed up with the drone, apologize and promise not to do it again. All the double talk nonsense is just going to continue annoying and irritating everyone.

[@OzarksMitch]

Come on guys. Flying a drone in a national park? Really? They're such great videos, but setting a poor example really taints them. There's other ways to get unique, storytelling shots.

[@AVAJourneys]

Yes sir. A special use permit is required. We definitely respect your statement.

[@76erGrant]

Stop crying. Clearly this was done discreetly by people who respect wilderness areas and other visitors' experience. Remove stick from anus.

[@76erGrant]

I bet you're fun at parties.

[@blewis7359]

does anybody have or know of a source for the Garmin .gpx files for the Buffalo River adventures. thanks