Make sure there’s a river in your grandchild’s future… http://vimeo.com/4531603

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Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Although O.A.R.S. does not offer whitewater rafting trips to the Galapagos Islands, they do offer 11-day sea-kayaking trips, 10-day multi-sport trips, as well as 10-day sailing trips to these enchanted islands.

If you are fortunate enough to be one of O.A.R.S.’ Galapagos Islands vacationers, you can be instrumental in protecting the area’s priceless natural heritage!

The Galapagos Islands face serious threats to their unique biodiversity. In 2007, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre placed them on their list of World Heritage Sites in Danger.  In response these threats, the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) has launched a new education and funding program to help meet the challenge of lasting protection for the islands.

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Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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What the ?#%$#@!?!  Can it be?  The unofficial start of summer… Memorial Day Weekend?  Wasn’t it just spring?  Weren’t the O.A.R.S. California whitewater rafting guides just out on their training trips?  Weren’t the California hills just lush green with swaths of orange poppies?

If you need any last minute ideas for the Big Weekend…

Here in Northern California, the three major Mother Lode mountain passes are all open for the season:

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Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Spirit of the Stanislaus Event In Angels Camp  ~  Sunday, June 7th  ~  Activities Begin 2:30 p.m. 

To mark the 30th anniversary of the filling of the Stanislaus River Canyon, which flooded a unique limestone river canyon that used to attract over 70,000 whitewater rafters, hikers and other visitors every summer, the “Spirit of the Stanislaus” event  is planned for Angels Camp, California, on Sunday, June 7. 

The event will be held at Utica Park between 2:30 and 6:00 p.m., with live music, food and beverage vendors, speakers and a raffle to benefit Friends of the River (FOR), one of the event’s official sponsors. An evening showing of historic and contemporary river films, including the recent IMAX film “Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk,” will conclude the day’s festivities, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

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Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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How many whitewater rafting companies can claim a motorcycling-riding, world-traveling, gourmet-cooking, derby demolition chica?  O.A.R.S. proudly sponsored Tyra McCart-Swanson in the Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee Demolition Derby this past Sunday.

Okay… so Twisted Tyra didn’t win this year.  Who cares?!  She was out there representing O.A.R.S. and our good friends of Twisted Oak Winery.

Tyra is currently our Wyoming and Utah Adventure Consultant.  She helps people plan adventurous vacations to such places as the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon and Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park.  She was previously responsible for organizing California rafting trips.

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Written by Tracy

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Might I suggest a whitewater rafting trip on the Stanislaus River followed by a trip to the 81st annual Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee in Angels Camp.  Events are held literally around the corner from our world headquarters – honk as you pass by.

A trip on ‘The Stan’  means steep, stellar, technical Class IV whitewater, groves of Giant Sequoia trees, bountiful blooming dogwood trees and Monday morning bragging rights (the Stanislaus has some of the most technical Class IV whitewater rafting in the state). Don’t think too long or hard before booking – this river is near the end of its run for the 2009 season.  (It might be do-able for one or two more weeks  before the flows are too low for commercial boating and you’ll have to wait until next spring – you don’t want that, do you?)

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Mindy Gleason, who has worked with and has been whitewater rafting with O.A.R.S. for nearly two decades, recently returned from the Upper Navua River in Fiji as the first person to navigate each river included in the O.A.R.S.’ Seven Whitewater Wonders of the World.

These crème de la crème whitewater rafting trips include:

• Colorado River through the Grand Canyon
• Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho
• Chilko-Chilcotin-Fraser Rivers in British Columbia
• Futaleufu River in Chile
• Klinaklini River in Coastal British Columbia
• Tuolumne River near Yosemite National Park in California
• Upper Navua River in Fiji

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Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Every year, the editorial team at National Geographic Traveler magazine combs the world to find the most authentic, most innovative, most immersive, best-guided, and most sustainable tours.  This year, they wanted to make sure that the trips they picked were also a great value, given the economic climate. 

O.A.R.S.’ Highlands to Islands: The Ultimate Fiji Explorer was selected as one of National Geographic Traveler magazine’s 2009 Tours of a Lifetime.

According to Nat Geo Traveler senior editor Norie Quintos, “What we found is that there is no better time to go on a guided tour than now as the traditional savings offered by an outfitter being able to negotiate better rates on a trip’s components is magnified by cheaper airfares, a strengthened dollar, and more discounts, freebies, and extras."

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What would Luke Skywalker do?  Get out on a river and celebrate, of course!  (I’m stuck behind the computer all day-fortunately I’ve got my lightsaber app for my iPhone.)  Recent heavy rains throughout the state have -thankfully- added to our reservoirs and pumped up the volume in nearby rivers.  Big flows in Northern California = big fun for California whitewater rafting:

These flows were taken from Dream Flows website at 7:00 AM:

South Fork American River – 4048 cfs
Usual summer flows are typically less than 2000 cfs – so it’s a great time to experience the South Fork at super fun, big flows.

North Fork American River – 5030 cfs

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Rafting the North Fork of the Stanislaus is a constant temptation in April and May (and sometimes well into June depending on the Sierra snow pack) – this STELLAR Class IV Sierra river is literally just up the road from the O.A.R.S. HQ. After years of river rafting, after experiencing dozens of California rivers and hundreds of days on various rivers, I finally found my way onto “The Stan.” I joined an O.A.R.S. “fam” trip with local and regional VIPs and businesses including folks from:

• U.S. Forest Service
• Bear Valley Mountain Resort
• Dorrington Inn
• Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway
• Calaveras County Water District
• Arnold Rim Trail
• Calaveras County Visitors Bureau
• Northern California Power Authority (NCPA)
• Ebbetts Pass Forest Watch/Wild and Scenic Film Festival on Tour
• Quantum Leap Coaching
• Calaveras Council of Governments
• Greater Arnold Business Association
• All Outdoors  (the other outfitter permitted to run The Stan)  (If I’ve forgotten anyone – please let me know!)

I can wax eloquently until I’ve exhausted myself here, but I honestly don’t think I can express to you the true beauty of this river and it’s steep, tight, scenic canyon – it’s one to experience for yourself. The rapids are thrilling and come at you fast and furious.  No doubt you are “in the moment” throughout the day – this river demands attention.  The day brings crystal clear emerald green water; a deep alpine forest of towering pine and fir trees, as well as some of the largest Giant Sequoia trees in the world; staircase drops, chutes, tight squeezes between boulders and an occasional float through calm water; and interesting rafting companions one may normally never have a chance to meet or interact with. 

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Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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