She Braved 3 Flights and a Treacherous Jungle to See Deadly River, All in Her Quest to Chart World’s Spookiest Waters (Exclusive)

In a striking blend of science, art, and captivating storytelling, Geo Rutherford has transformed her lifelong fascination with extraordinary bodies of water into a phenomenon known as “Spooky Lake Month.” This viral TikTok series, now in its seventh season, has introduced audiences to 186 intriguing lakes and rivers around the world, each with its own compelling stories and sometimes unsettling histories.

Rutherford’s journey began in Boulder, Colorado, where the seeds of her passion were sown. With an earth science teacher for a mother and an economics professor for a father, science was an intrinsic part of her upbringing. This environment not only cultivated her interest in the natural world, but also inspired her nickname, Geo. After earning degrees in art and education, she explored a teaching career, instructing high school students in ceramics, jewellery, and art basics for five years.

However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a significant shift in her career. She began sharing her artwork and her enthusiasm for lakes on TikTok, quickly amassing a large following. What started as a creative outlet soon evolved into a full-time career, leading her to leave teaching altogether.

Rutherford explains that “Spooky Lake Month” is somewhat of a misnomer. “It’s not really about haunting stuff,” she clarifies, noting that her focus is on the natural world and the sometimes alarming interactions humans have with it. The term “spooky” refers to the intriguing and often dangerous aspects of certain bodies of water, rather than supernatural elements.

A prime example of this concept can be found in her exploration of the Boiling River in the Peruvian Amazon. Last year, she embarked on a remarkable expedition alongside Peruvian geoscientist Andrés Ruzo to document this extraordinary river, where the temperatures can soar to a staggering 212°F. The journey to reach this remarkable site was as adventurous as the destination itself, involving multiple flights, a treacherous drive, a challenging boat trip down the Amazon, and a taxing hike through dense rainforest.

In a candid recount of her experiences, Rutherford remarked, “I was dripping sweat and walking through inches of mud,” surrounded by the formidable wildlife of the region. She admitted to being unprepared for the conditions, as she encountered tarantulas in her tent and had to navigate the muddy terrain with inappropriate footwear.

Rutherford’s artistic inclination did not wane during this expedition. As scientists measured the hot springs pouring into the river, she focused on her artwork, which later fed into her published book, “Spooky Rivers”. This melding of science and art plays a crucial role in her storytelling, and she vividly describes the second part of her journey into the river’s depths, where sudden clouds of steam converge—a stunning sight that continues to resonate with her.

Unlike many other hot springs, the Boiling River is not heated by volcanic activity but rather by rainwater seeping deep underground, where it is warmed by geothermal rocks. This unique characteristic contributes to its treacherous nature. The river’s most hazardous area, known as the Sacred Water, harbours risks; animal remains can sometimes be spotted, fitting into Rutherford’s narrative of the natural world’s dangerous beauty.

Rutherford acknowledges that the trip to Peru was one of the most ambitious and costly she had ever undertaken for “Spooky Lake Month”. Out of the 186 bodies of water she has featured, she has personally visited about 20 to 30. Many other fascinating locations, such as Lake Baikal in Russia, remain logistically unattainable, leaving her to rely on extensive research and creative expression to bring those stories to life.

Back home, she doesn’t need to travel far to find other “spooky” lakes, as she resides on the shores of one herself. Each year, she incorporates her local lake into “Spooky Lake Month”, dramatically emerging from its waters to ring in the series, a moment she playfully compares to Mariah Carey’s iconic holiday reveal from ice.

Despite the inherent dangers of her adventures, Rutherford maintains an unapologetic enthusiasm for exploring these unusual bodies of water. “I can’t be that afraid because I’ve got to get in the water every year just to come out of it,” she quips, embodying the spirit of an explorer passionate about the interactions between humans and the natural world.

As Geo Rutherford continues to unravel and share the stories of the world’s most unconventional lakes and rivers, her work serves as a reminder of the beauty and danger that lurks within the waters that surround us. Through her unique perspective, she invites her audience to view the mysteries of nature not with fear, but with curiosity and wonder.