O.A.R.S. Idaho Regional Manager, Curt Chang, sent us a wonderful collection of images from a recent Main Salmon River rafting trip. On the trip were fourteen guests, some sleek dories, a raft here or there, some duckies (inflatable kayaks), a hot spring, a few stellar guides (if I say so myself), lots and lots of Class III rapids, a missed opportunity to experience the National Basque Festival in Elko, Nevada, (which apparently is quite a big deal) and one wonderful birthday celebration complete with an outrageous homemade cake.
 

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Do you tweet? Post? Upload? What’s your status?

You can find O.A.R.S. on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/OARS.rafting

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Gentlemen… Are you fed up and ready to make a change, but just don’t know where to start? Are you worried about your drinking habits or making the mortgage payment? Are you wondering how you are going to come up with your child’s college tuition? Dealing with stress and uncertainty in uncertain times is a problem many men are facing these days. How do other guys handle these problems?

Don Hatch River Expeditions, part of the O.A.R.S. Family of Companies, is hosting a special men-only whitewater rafting expedition through Dinosaur National Monument on August 20, 2009. The four-day rafting, hiking and camping trip, open to males over the age of 18, encourages participants to address their fears or problems while in a wilderness setting. No previous camping, rafting or outdoors experience is necessary in this unstructured men’s retreat. The only ground rules? The expedition is alcohol and tobacco free.

Don Hatch River Expeditions has been guiding people downstream for 80 years. Their Green River rafting trip through Dinosaur National Monument offers a Colorado rafting journey set in an abbreviated version of the Grand Canyon. Complementing the days spent in a raft are endless exploratory side hikes in river canyons, quiet beach camps and moderate whitewater.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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You know that previous post "How to choose a whitewater rafting company?" Maybe this news flash will help…  I just this morning discovered that  Mindy Gleason, O.A.R.S. Reservations Manager, was named as one of  Wendy Perrin’s 126 TOP TRAVEL SPECIALISTs – for the third year in a row!

Perrin has 20 years experience interviewing travel agents and tour operators for "The Perrin Report" and other Condé Nast Traveler articles. This is the 10th year in which Wendy Perrin has chosen travel specialists who offer the best blend of expertise, access and good value. These select travel consultants are the pros to turn to for your next big trip. They are people who offer the best combination of specialized knowledge (based on firsthand travel experience), local connections, user-friendliness, and value for your dollar.

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

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Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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So, you’re ready to take the plunge (pardon the intended pun) and sign up for a whitewater rafting trip?  There are so many rafting companies in California alone, how do you choose wisely? Here is a list of questions to consider, whether you want to enjoy a 1-day whitewater rafting trip with family and friends, or experience a multi-day, once-in-a-lifetime vacation in a unique location.

How long has the company been in business?
It is a good sign when a company has been in business for decades. Obviously they’ve built a reputation and have withstood political and climate changes, droughts and floods and the damming of rivers.

Are they a reputable company?
Check the website. Has the company been recognized in national publications? If an organization such as National Geographic Adventure magazine is willing to state the company offers some of the best trips on the planet, it’s more than likely true. It’s also a good sign when Outside, Men’s Journal, Sunset, Conde Nast magazines feature the company’s trips in their publications.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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One of O.A.R.S. guests’ favorite family-friendly whitewater rafting vacations spots – the Rogue River in southern Oregon – is about to be set free. Below is part of an article by Matthew Preusch of The Oregonian Staff. You can find the full article here.

Rogue River dams to come down – Salmon runs are expected to grow in iconic Oregon river

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Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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O.A.R.S. is a member of the Adventure Collection, a partnership of 10 premier adventure travel companies with over 300 collective years of experience bringing guests 1,000 journeys to all 7 continents. Founded on decades of sustainable travel principles and practices, companies in the Adventure Collection take travelers deep into the hearts of places far and near.

From July 1-Nov. 30, the Adventure Collection is sponsoring monthly photo competitions. Enter your best shot and then have your friends and family vote for your photo. The top five vote-getters each month will be presented to a distinguished panel of professional travel writers and editors, who will choose the month’s winning Adventure Travel Photo. Winning photos will be posted on the Adventure Collection website.

For details, visit the Adventure Collection website.  
 

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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I know I’ve been chatting up the Mokelumne River lately.  It is located just up the road from the O.A.R.S. Angels Camp HQ – and it is under threat from a proposed reservoir expansion. So, it’s on my mind. Even though there are no commercial whitewater rafting trips on the Class II Electra Run, O.A.R.S. does offer a handful of special fundraising trips each summer.  (see previous post)

The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) has released the draft environmental impact report for its Water Supply Management Plan 2040. The plan includes expanding Pardee Reservoir. The reservoir would be enlarged by more than 1,200 acres, destroying miles of the Mokelumne River and inundating the historic Middle Bar Bridge.

If you have an opinion about EBMUD’s plans for Pardee Reservoir, whether you support expansion or oppose expansion, tell it to the board members.  There will be a review the water supply plan, including the Pardee expansion, on Tuesday, August 11. EBMUD hearing scheduled for Tuesday, August 11.

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Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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The “Electra Run” on the Mokelumne River, located just up Hwy 49 from the O.A.R.S. Angels Camp HQ, has been the staging ground for some noteworthy fundraisers. Most recently, O.A.R.S. sponsored a June 28th whitewater rafting trip to benefit the Foothill Conservancy.  The trip raised approximately $5000 – with all funds going directly to the Conservancy. O.A.R.S. arranged for the special-use permits, provided all the logistics, rafts, paddling gear, and of course, stellar guides.

The Foothill Conservancy is working to prevent East Bay Municipal District (EBMUD) from expanding Pardee Reservoir – which would inundate some of the river – destroying the Electra Run, as well as riverside habitat. It is their hope that the Mokelumne River will be designated a National Wild & Scenic River.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Join a whitewater rafting trip on the Mokelumne River (near O.A.R.S. HQ in Angels Camp) and join Foothill Conservancy’s efforts in protecting this special stretch of river.

The public will have the rare opportunity to raft the Mokelumne River with O.A.R.S. on July 19th. There will be two, possibly three, special river rafting trips on the Mokelumne’s six-mile Electra-Middle Bar run to benefit the Foothill Conservancy and support its work to protect and restore the Mokelumne River.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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