A whitewater rafting blog for anyone interested in California whitewater rafting, Idaho river rafting, rafting in the Grand Canyon, as well as rafting throughout the U.S. West, national parks vacations, multi-sport vacations, adventure travel, and all things related to the world's waterways.
Many O.A.R.S. guides have been with the company since the late 1960s-early 1970s. Others were born into the business. This quote, from longtime O.A.R.S. guide, Michael P. Ghiglieri, sums it up… “As O.A.R.S. guides we are the luckiest people on Earth. We not only get to “live” in some of the most beautiful places on this planet, even better, we get to expose and interpret the secrets of these fantastic rivers to O.A.R.S.’ clients. It’s better than being a pinch-hit delivery boy for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. A great byproduct of all this is being able to awaken people to the urgent need to take part in defending these vanishing or threatened river canyons. Only by working together can we protect them for the future.”
Check out the waterfalls flowing into the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Many thanks to O.A.R.S.Grand Canyon Dory passengers, Emil and Ellen, for sending this stellar video clip from their recent whitewater rafting trip. (and to Jeffe for passing it along)
Environmental stewardship is nothing new to O.A.R.S. (Outdoor Adventure River Specialists). In partnership with their guests, the whitewater rafting and adventure travel company has contributed more than $3 million in donations and fees toward the preservation of the environment and to various conservation initiatives in their 40 years in business.
O.A.R.S. believes in the stewardship of public lands, supporting such wonderful organizations as American Whitewater, the Outdoor Foundation, Sustainable Travel International (STI), The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) and Waterkeeper Alliance. They additionally share in, support and encourage the practice of the seven principles of Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics.
O.A.R.S. does not expect everyone to share in their eco-practices; however, if you would like to join their conservation efforts, consider these suggestions:
The California whitewater rafting season is winding down, (although O.A.R.S. offers trips throughout the U.S. West, Canada, Alaska, Latin America and Fiji), so I l have been looking elsewhere for news. While searching the internet for the presidential candidates’ views on the environment, I stumbled upon this July 16, 2008, FOX news report:
In the face of skyrocketing gas prices and continued dependency on foreign oil, Republicans want to allow oil drilling in ANWR, and at least one lawmaker is arguing the wildlife refuge is misnamed.
At a press conference Tuesday on GOP energy plans, Minority Leader John Boehner seemed skeptical that any wildlife worth protecting can be found in ANWR.
One of O.A.R.S.’ (Outdoor Adventure River Specialists) highest priorities is taking care of the environment. In partnership with their guests, the whitewater rafting and adventure travel company has contributed over $3 million in donations and fees toward environmental preservation and various conservation initiatives since the company was established in 1969. O.A.R.S. became 100% carbon neutral in 2007 through an innovative partnership with NativeEnergy Travel Offsets.
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, approx. the size of South Carolina, is located in the northeast corner of Alaska. Proponents of Refuge drilling predict that “no more than 2000 acres will be disturbed” if the 1002 Area is developed. In 1998, a USGS assessment of petroleum resources of the 1002 Area estimated the expected volume of technically recoverable oil beneath the 1002 area to be 7.7 billion barrels, with a 95 percent chance of 4.2 billion barrels and a 5 percent chance of 11.8 billion barrels. The U.S. currently consumes about 7 billion barrels per year.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicted last year that if the offshore drilling moratorium were lifted, it would take until 2012 to start leasing the areas and until 2017 before oil began to flow. The agency estimated that U.S. oil production would increase by 7 percent – about 200,000 barrels a day – by 2030, which it said would have an "insignificant" impact on oil prices.
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