Locked In

Located just a few degrees south of the equator, Papua New Guinea is a tapestry of virgin rainforest, unique cultures and an expansive coastline. Pouring out of its ‘Nakanai Plateau’ is the Beriman River. Over 40km in length from source to sea, it drops more than 2,000m before reaching the Solomon Sea.

The Beriman Gorge’s mysterious and towering canyon walls have never before been explored. Kayakers Ben Stookesberry, Chris Korbulic, Ben Marr and Pedro Oliva set out to conquer these previously unchartered whitewater rapids.

This is one of kayaking’s most significant challenges and during the 13-day expedition, their skills and patience are pushed to their limits. They navigate twelve distinct gorges, numerous class-5 rapids, inescapable vertical walls, fluctuating water levels and dense jungle cover. All of these untamed natural obstacles stand in the way of the quartet’s successful first descent.