Martin's Boat - A Film By Pete McBride

OARS presents Martin's Boat - a 23-minute film by Pete McBride honoring the late Martin Litton - www.martinsboat.com
Preeminent conservationist David Brower called him his conscience: in the 1950’s when the Bureau of Reclamation proposed two dams in the Grand Canyon-one at Marble Canyon and the other at Bridge Canyon-the late Martin Litton made sure the Sierra Club didn't acquiesce. Martin believed the best way for people to understand how important it was to preserve the Grand Canyon was to have them experience this secret world from the river, but not in just any boat. Martin pioneered whitewater dories on the Colorado River in the 1960’s and started a proud tradition of naming the boats after wild places that had been lost or compromised by the hand of man. Now, some 50 years later, America’s open-air cathedral faces continued threats from development and mining and it’s up to all of us to ensure the crown jewel of our National Park system is protected now and for future generations. Martin’s Boat is a film that honors the legacy of Martin Litton and follows the newest boat in the Grand Canyon Dories fleet, the Marble Canyon, on its maiden voyage down the legendary Colorado River through the grandest canyon on Earth.
Directed by PETE McBRIDE | Cinematography by PETE McBRIDE | Second Camera BLAKE McCORD | Edited by JIM AIKMAN | Assistant Producer MICHELLE SMITH | Boat Construction Footage BLAKE McCORD | Martin Litton Interview Footage LEW STEIGER | Additional Editing SCOTT McELROY | Motion Graphics MATT SCHULTZ | Audio Mix JASON McDANIEL | Boat Construction DUFFY DALE, SEAN BOTHMAN, BLAKE McCORD | Historic Footage/ STILLS JOHN BLAUSTEIN, RUDI PETSCHEK, MARTIN LITTON, The LITTON FAMILY, DON BRIGGS, U.S. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION | Additional Footage AERIAL FILMWORKS, JUSTIN CLIFTON, JEFFE ARONSON, MONTE TILLINGHAST, SKIP ARMSTRONG | O.A.R.S. River Guides ANDRE POTOCHNIK, DUFFY DALE, MARK “MOQUI” JOHNSON, RIO HIBARGER | Film Boat JEAN PHILIPPE CLARK, BLAKE McCORD | Baggage Crew BEN SEUL, MARIAH HIBARGER , HAYDEN BRIAN | Music ABEL OKUGAWA, JOSH GARRELS, CONTINENT DRIFT, GOLDEN YOUTH, SUNBEAM, EULOGY, TAYLOR BUONO, IAN McCLOUD | Special Thanks ESTHER LITTON, DONALD LITTON, KEVIN FEDARKO, BRAD DIMOCK, JOHN BLAUSTEIN, GEORGE WENDT, TYLER WENDT, STEVE MARKLE, REGAN & OTE DALE, KERSTIN DALE, MONTE TILLINGHAST, DENICE NAPOLETANO, JOY PARADES, LEW STEIGER, JOE DE FRANCESCO, MARK DUBOIS, GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
Supported By: Sierra Club
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[@TerlinguaTalkeetna]

Martin, Ed Abbey and several others from the WWII generation left a high water mark for stating what few others of their generation dared say. There is something greater in the world besides comfort and money. Wilderness is essential.

[@AlanasExperience]

My father took my brother and I on a Grand Canyon trip with Oars back in 2003 and Duffy was one of the guides on our trip. It was a trip of a lifetime and changed me for the better. We we're down there for a month and I never saw one cloud, had the best Thanksgiving meal ever, and was the first boat on our trip through Lava Falls! I'll never forget that trip. I see video and pictures from inside the canyon and I know where they are, I know the rocks, the beaches, and the canyons. They will be a part of me forever, I crave to be with them again, and fear I never will. The boat after ours through Lava Falls flipped and one of the passengers got stuck under the boat. She was rescued and had a huge gash on her forehead (you could see her skull). The guide lead used a satellite phone to call for a air evac. A helicopter landed inside the canyon, the "very concerned" husband of the injured lady ran right to the pilot and asked "Did the Cubbies make the series!?" The injured lady was in Vegas later that night playing slots. Other than that and running out of beer in the second week it was a trip of a lifetime! Thank you Dad, thank you Oars, and thank you Mr. Litton.

[@TadFoster-cg5ir]

Reading the Emerald Mile by Kevin Fearco and this film significantly helps to appreciate the book. A great story in book and film. Thank you Pete and all others behind this film!!

[@SequoiaForestkeeper]

The environmental movement lost a true champion when Martin died. But we soldier on. The irony of the current climate crisis is that champions like Martin and Sequoia ForestKeeper, have always seen the folly of man chasing dollars instead of protecting the very things that make profit possible. Thank you to OARS for continuing Martin's mission on the rivers.

[@jacttackle57]

As a drift boat oarsman this film speaks to me in a spiritual dimension I’ve watched it more times than I can count and it always reveals something new I come from Oregon the home of the McKenzie river drift boat this film is haunting it calls to me guru out

[@phoenixrising011]

I keep coming back to these videos. I've been down there in those Dories. It's magic. This video captures some of that. Duff, Roger, Regan, Andre cooking steaks and teaching us about rocks ... All of them. Very special people doing a very special thing.

[@wampusadventures2585]

One of my all time favorite films ever made period!

[@OarsRafting]

Wow - we're super honored to hear you say that! Thank you!

[@azcojpg]

So glad people like Martin did so much to preserve this Canyon.

[@daveahlers]

I've been waiting to win a Grand Canyon permit lottery for 20 years now, but this film will make the trip when I do win even more special. Thank you Martin for all you did - your legacy lives on.

[@davidcarr6329]

I worked as a guide on the Middle Fork of the Salmon in the 70s. Martin and his OARS team ran the Middle Fork then as well as the Grand Canyon. Our paths would regularly cross as their regular start dates were the day before ours. The OARS dories were the only ones on the river.

[@peteryeung111]

Age 87, and still running. That is beyond legendary. RIP Martin!

[@lwilson4432]

I'm in tears..wishing I had gotten the privilege to have met Martin.

[@iiloveshane1]

This is beautiful; what a legend. Thank you, Martin.

[@OarsRafting]

Thank you Sherry!

[@damamae950]

I absolutely loved this! Gave me chills. Got to meet the Littons once... Sent it to friends to watch before their first OARS lower Salmon trips. ~ Donna Parks

[@ARPS2009]

A beautiful and fair tribute to a man who fights for nature. Congratulations to the creators.

[@SolaceEasy]

Please allow me to relate a magical day that I had this June. Because of the covid-19 pandemic the Grand Canyon had no River traffic and no overnight hiking allowed. I walked to both ends of the horseshoe of Horseshoe Mesa and saw no one but three people I had seen walking earlier in the morning on the trail. I had the whole place to myself it seemed. Magical.

[@dawgface898]

Thank you. COVID was a rough time for us with OARS, but it’s cool to hear that someone enjoyed the place

[@OarBoard-SUPRower]

Martin, you are an inspiration to us all!

[@dmac5x1]

Great story !! Thank God for people like Martin.

[@mattdelcomyn8012]

Beautiful story. Made me cry. Thanks for this fine film.

[@phoenixrising011]

Very few things can come close to illustrating the magical pull of the Canyon. This film does a tremendous job of that. There are places in that Canyon that are so beautiful that it cannot be put into words. Or even photos. You FEEL the beauty in its presence. Absolutely humbling experience. I really think it changes you for the better. Been from top to bottom with OARS. My dad took me, and now I am waiting for my son to be old enough. Trip of a lifetime.

[@clifffawcett]

Peter McBride is an absolutely amazing artist. This film is a beautiful piece of art. An appropriate tribute to a good man and an amazing legacy.

[@patdoyle3686]

Lovely story about Martin Litton and Grand Canyon 🛶🛶🛶🛶pat in Ireland 🇮🇪

[@pyrusrex2882]

Martin and his dories are every bit the equivalent of Stradivarius and his violins, or Michaelangelo and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. If we had 10 more men like him, we could literally change the world.

[@michelleanderson4290]

wrong

[@damamae950]

@@michelleanderson4290oh lighten up

[@jonreimer440]

I can’t believe one single person would not like this video. Must still be some people pissed about not getting their grand reservoir. I absolutely loved the tribute!! I just finished reading The Emerald Mile and I highly recommend it. I’ve also been online checking out Jeff Spira’s Dory plans……. And lastly, an old high school friend of mine and I are planning a guided dory trip in the GC. Thank you!!!!!

[@briankajmowicz3439]

As a young man I felt like it was a religious experience to go down that river and when you look back and see those things years later it’s amazing rush of emotions thank you for what you do!

[@EarthREALTOR]

Stunning boat! Wow! The Grand Canyon is beautiful! Great film!

[@othercharr]

Naming dories after places lost or compromised is a touching tribute to the

[@marianfrances4959]

I am glad he was loved and honored.😉🇨🇦

[@ZgNavigator]

Nice movie, beautiful story, fantastic nature

[@hntrains2]

How amazing, to have someone make a film about you!

[@jamesjohnston6765]

Beautiful story and wonderful man. I grew up in Arizona and although I live in New York state, I still have a dream of floating down the Mighty Colorado.

[@frankjacoby9460]

Thank you Martin, for fighting to preserve “OUR GRAND CANYON “!

[@Tmorans]

So glad I watched this. I had never heard of Martin before. Now I want to experience this with my son. What an amazing story. I will do this.

[@Michael65429]

RIP Martin... Thank you for your fight to preserve the Grand. May the sun shine on your face and the wind be at your back. SYOTR...

[@johndliu2284]

This is simply wonderful.

[@bernardausterberry9795]

Thank You. I was captivated.

[@mike4ur1]

Martin Litton was a true champion. Our beautiful Rivers deserve all the protection we can give them.

[@Michael65429]

We need more people like Martin today to fight Trump's damage to our previous resources...

[@oot-n-aboot]

Wonderful! A voice of beauty and power for a place and river of the same. Thank you for the beautiful film.

[@nickcanzone]

Was fortunate to go down the river in May of 2019 with Duffy as our boatman. Absolutly a life changing experience. Thank God for Martin Litton!

[@CaptainRScott]

Wow! Thank you for sharing about Mr. Litton. A true Mover+ Shaker!

[@davidkaplan2745]

I, too, met Martin at the beginning of a 21 day Grand Canyon Dory trip in 1984 (head boatman Bego). Still one of the highlights of my life.

[@bakkersprincess]

Thank you so much. I cried with joy and then sadness. Martin's smile reminded me of my Dad and that was a first.

[@jeffolsen4983]

Beautiful. Thanks!

[@cq7415]

Very nice. Shows canyon, river, very big rapids with dories. Thanks for sharing.

[@sb1806]

The McKenzie River dory was the first in the forties and fifties right here by my home in Eugene Oregon.

[@mm.takeum]

Extraordinary, thank you very much.

[@maryoutten4915]

Thank you for this beautiful tribute. Makes me so thankful for the time I have spent in those places. Nothing is more exhilarating than being on the river!

[@chasingwaves11]

Great Documentary !! really enjoyed it RIP Martin 🙏🏽

[@evejahnke3574]

beautiful! I wish that all american people would feel and keep this spirit alive, especially n o w.....and in front of this election in nov.20! thanks for this touching, inspiring movie🦋🦎

[@terryhanson3644]

Thank you Martin!!

[@micahhardman3183]

Awesome... I grew up in Bakersfield California and had access to the Killer ' Kern River...me and my buddy Jon Hash and Bryan Hanners would Fill the ice Chest with Beer and set out on the River!! So much Fun!!!!🌊🌊🌊

[@jonfisher9214]

I remember flying over the Grand Canyon and being mesmerised by the size and beauty of it. Wish I'd had the chance to go down it in one of these Dories!

[@dawgface898]

The earth was crying for the loss of Martin.

[@teresahannon1356]

This is a beautiful tribute to Martin...thanks for sharing!

[@katnip198]

A beautiful tribute. Thank you.

[@Sahdev_rana-]

Hatts Off to all river legend's thanks for giving us a lovely platforms our rafting industry and we can travel through the Rivers and explore the whole country 🙏🙏🙏

[@christopherworth1]

I love the love that this man inspired in others.

[@sloanshoemaker2617]

NIcely done, Pedro. Thank you.

[@44musher]

Very special man, thank you.

[@jeremyboone1071]

Absolutely brilliant! Amazing bit of story telling and insight into the river life.

[@kathybarbieri2345]

Well done!

[@UnclePG]

something added to things to do before i leave simply wonderful

[@Steamboatsmyhome]

THANK YOU for keeping the spirit alive. Beautiful and well told story. I'm ready.

[@TheMichelleMermaid]

Bravo Pete! Just saw this for the first time

[@phillipdunlop4488]

inspiring, thank you!

[@mikebillets9671]

Thanks for posting, Mitch and I enjoyed watching it!

[@SilasLa218]

Amazing film. I am a huge fan of Pete McBrides work.

[@lancedaniels9697]

Thanks for posting and sharing. Very encouraging.

[@richardalanspencer6846]

Such an inspiration, a true pioneer. Putting mother nature first. What a gentleman 👏🌍😊💙❤️

[@SilhouetteOutdoors]

That was excellent! An outstanding memoir to a great man.

[@dennislillis4021]

A beautiful thoughtful homage to the man, the river, and life as we should like to experience it.

[@wcms34]

This was beautiful and inspiring. It deserves millions of views.

[@camino786]

Chapeau and muchas gracias , Mr. Martin Litton.!(Luis, from Peru). Great life, great film.

[@ralphmalph6100]

Extraordinary film.

[@gloriasubiabre6570]

Que aventuras más maravillosas...sólo para valientes

[@Philanderthal]

Wow......what I life lived to the end, 87 years old rowing through the grand Canyon in an open boat.....and playing such a huge role in keeping the rest of the river undammed... there are few like him in this world.....Thanks OARS for putting this out there !!

[@joweger4852]

wow great tribute and story of such a pioneer of a revolution we need to save the natural treasures... going to write a song about Martin...

[@southernlifeforever6180]

Beautiful piece!

[@brianhaggard2280]

Amazing !!! Thank you there really aren't words :)

[@sharonfroom759]

A great tribute, I appreciated this because I just read the book, The Emerald Mile.

[@waynewilliams3380]

Great story.A giant amongst men.

[@AbhayRajKapoor]

Superb!!! We ran the canyon in rafts, I think in 2011 ... doing it again in dories sounds superb!!!

[@marthamoran3640]

worth watching when you get the Grand Canyon conservation itch. Martin Litton is the best thanks Pete!

[@jeff3696]

Beautiful.........

[@brunokrisgeorgeton4482]

The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko is a must read . And, it is on my bucket list to someday float that river... in a Dory.

[@martinforrester8249]

I have hiked the canyon from both sides several times. Always wanted to go down the full length of the river. I've watched them loading up at Lee's Ferry with great envy lots of times. I'm an Englishman who has found the cost outside of my reach, but really enjoyed going down with you in your dory by video, so thankyou.

[@arothko8939]

The Tecate Journal, by Keith Bowden. A great read about his trip down the rio grande, and his desire to bring word about the dangers imposed on it by humans.

[@mmrtactical7764]

Just EPIC!

[@timgorton7353]

Gorgeous, thanks fir the ride

[@ScrapMetalBomb]

These boats look alot like the Hatteras dorys built in the Outer Banks as a beach launched fishing boat able to cut thru breakers and land over them since the inland water ways were so shallow with the most dynamic unpredictable inlets in the world that ate larger deep draft fishing boats for breakfast. It makes sense that they work in rapids the same way.

[@johndoherty8198]

This story made my day Thank you 🙏

[@learrus]

Absolutely fantastic film; very inspiring; that looks like a lot of fun too.

[@robdude1969]

Sign me up! What an amazing adventure. Thank you Martin for your dream!

[@natraj22]

Beautiful story

[@davidalbrecht6507]

Great video - many thanks!

[@bishopmachineshop3216]

Awesome video. Beautiful boats. From what I understand Martin named his dories after lost or compromised national treasures, for that reason I would have named the new dory Martin Litton. He save some incredible places for all to enjoy.

[@JonDunnmusician]

True outdoorsman

[@BikingVikingHH]

I cried

[@glennpayne704]

Magnificent boats

[@jefflouwman6159]

thank-you for this beautiful tribute .. I did a Diamond rafting adventure July 2007 and was inspired by the beauty and purity of the dories that we saw traversing the river. Your video gives an extraordinary insight into the passion for the wooden boats combined with the love of a truly most special place on Earth. I would love to come back and do a complete river trip aboard one of these ..