We rose about a half hour before first light. As we put on our warm layers and lifejackets, the first light creeps over the hills. We push off one by one in our blue kayaks, there are only three of us on this excursion to the lily pad pond. We paddle across the calm bay to a little inlet.  As we creep along in the clear channel, a flock of Merganser ducks squawks by us. Very slowly and quietly we enter into the lily pad pond.  

The pond is misty and full of huge green pads loaded with yellow flowers. The center of which contains swirls of orange and black. We hear an eagle over head. Ever so gently, we glide across the pond scanning the water’s edge and look into the woods for wildlife.

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Written by Ali McNabb

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One of the most common things I hear guests say on our river trips is, “I never thought Idaho would look like this.”  I don’t know if its because ’Idaho’ sounds a little like ‘Iowa,’ but they seem to think Idaho will have soft, rolling hills and wide open plains. Well, it does have those things in its valleys – 25 billion potatoes need somewhere to grow – but there is much more that meets the eye traveling across the state.

Idaho means, ‘the sun comes down from the mountains,’ originating from the Shoshone Indian phrase ‘Ee’ (coming down), ‘Dah’ sun/mountain, ‘How’ (acts as an exclamation point in the Shoshone language).  If you have spent a fortunate evening sitting riverside on a beach, watching the sun sink down over the dark rocky cliffs, or sipping a cup of coffee on that same beach in the morning as golden light brightens the mountainside, you understand what the Shoshone were trying to capture.

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Written by Debbie Hausler

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by Ali McNabb

The first light of the rising sun creeps over the Eastern mountain range.  A silhouette of a moose swimming across the lake can be seen.  The water is so calm that it barely leaves a ripple.  A mating pair of Sandhill Cranes flies low on the horizon. Dawn is stirring.  

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Written by Ali McNabb

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by Curt Chang & Britnee Packwood

Idaho weather and water update for August 7th. Temperatures this week are a bit on the cooler side, but don’t expect the summer fun to cool down anytime soon! In Lewiston, prepare for highs in the upper eighties to upper nineties. Expect nighttime lows to reach the mid-to-low sixties. In Stanley, expect daytime highs in the mid-seventies to loweighties. Nighttime lows are expected to reach the upper forties. Finally, in Salmon expect daytime highs in the low-to-mid eighties and nighttime lows in the low fifties. There are fire impacts currently on the MF below Big Creek on river left moving slowly down river and likely to continue until it rains. So far not a big problem just some smoke when the breeze subsides. The fire status in general has been very small, and we are hoping to keep it that way.

The Middle Fork has dropped from the 2.40 feet spike last week to a much lower 2.07 feet today. So we are flying into Indian Creek while the crew deadheads from Boundary. The Main Salmon has continued dropping from 8,040 cfs to 6,760 cfs. As for the Snake, its flows have been fluctuating between 8k and 15k cfs.

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Written by Curt Chang

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By Natali Zollinger

The most anticipated animal to see on the Green and Yampa Rivers through Dinosaur National Monument is the Desert Bighorn Sheep. Believed to have gone extinct in the region, for unknown reasons we find them flourishing back to reclaim their once dominated territory.

Bighorn Sheep are a vital resource because they provided food, clothing and tools to the natives of Utah both past and present. Due to the growth of the domestic sheep, bighorns began to die off resulting from a serious disease epidemic. Scientists were forced to believe that the Bighorn had completely been lost from Utah due to no sightings of them for several years. But in the 60’s, river rats began to see bighorns along the Colorado River system and its corridors. The current population in Utah is estimated at around 5,000 sheep, representing two genetic species—the desert bighorn and the Rocky Mountain bighorn. Mountain sheep are nearly twice the size of desert bighorn, and rams can weigh up to 300 pounds. Ewes of both species are about 40 percent smaller in size and weight.
 
Bighorns are amazing creatures. Floating downstream on the Green River, one may see a whole herd lightly prancing down the Cliffside without a worry in the world. One may ask, why are they so good on their feet? Their balance aiding split hooves with rough bottoms are the perfect natural Vibram sole. Imagine going to your local tire shop and checking out the most rugged off-road tire they sell. The reasons tires can handle so much wear and tear is because of the way they are designed to act when wrapped around sharp objects like rocks and trees. Some trail running and outdoor apparel companies are starting to use this design for their tread of the sole. It’s an amazing concept when you see it you understand why the bighorn can float across rugged obstacles with such grace and ease.

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Written by Natali Zollinger

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Our area manager in southern Oregon, Kate Wollney, also known as, ‘Queen of the Rogue,’ sits down with us to answer a few questions about herself and why she’s chosen to work for O.A.R.S. Over the past 18 years, Wollney has also guided in California, the Grand Canyon and Idaho. She is from Eugene, Oregon but currently resides in Driggs, Idaho during the winter months. Her favorite food is flourless chocolate cake, she loves to ski and enjoys listening to rapids more than any other sound or musical beat. Oh, and her fleece skirts are a must-have for any cold-weather river rat!

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Written by Lauren de Remer

O.A.R.S.' Marketing Communications Coordinator & Waterblogged Editor

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In our most recent blog post about camping, we discussed what you can expect on any standard O.A.R.S. river trip, but if sleeping in a tent isn’t your thing, check out the accommodations below for a flavor more suitable to your palate. Our favorites range as far as the majestic Andes to the wilds of British Columbia. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the comforts of home while visiting these remote locations.

Lodge at Chilko Lake: An upscale private residence in British Columbia’s historic ranch country at the head of the Chilko River. Overlooking the river valley and picturesque mountaintops, the main lodge is a formidable log structure manufactured from local timber and is the focal point for meals, cocktails and socializing. It has wireless Internet, a big screen television (if you must), and comfortable lounge chairs in the main dining room.  The upper level is a luxurious suite with an impressive king bedroom, sitting area and grand bathroom complete with double headed showers. The ground floor has a bar and lounge, game room and access to the popular fire pit area. The cabins feature fine craftsmanship, comfortable furnishings and a magnificent collection of antiques and collectibles. The ranch is perched closely to Ts’yl-os Provincial Park, the prize jewel of the British Columbia park system. This slice of paradise is also our home base for our 5-day Lodge at Chilko Lake Multi-Sport. Other than rafting, this tour includes: kayaking, hiking, bike riding and fishing, with additional options to go horseback riding or heli-hiking at 7,000 – 9,000 feet above sea level.

Lillaskog Lodge:  A classic mountain house that makes you feel happily stranded in the woods. Located thirty minutes outside of Yosemite National Park in northern California, Lillaskog Lodge offers complimentary breakfast each morning for their guests, fresh eggs from their chickens and homemade bread. This rustic lodge is minutes away from where O.A.R.S. meets for their Tuolumne River trips, and rests on top of a hill above a prime fishing spot accessible only by a covert trail. In 1980, a wildfire crawled across the hillside; subsequently, sapling trees sprouted in its wake the day owner Bill Charlson purchased the property. He built the rustic lodge and appropriately named it Lillaskog, which is German for, ‘small forest.’ Today it’s a two-story log cabin with wood-burning natural heat ventilation, and a common room complete with a fireplace, TV & book collection, and even a grand piano. The deck looks out over the Sierra backcountry just east of the town of Groveland. With over seven rooms uniquely named to match local fames like Tioga, El Capitan or Bridalveil, there’s no denying this place its unique character.

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Written by Lauren de Remer

O.A.R.S.' Marketing Communications Coordinator & Waterblogged Editor

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As I travel down the rivers of Idaho each week, I sometimes feel there are hidden eyes watching us.  I like to believe they are the spirits of the ancient people who lived in these canyons before modern society.  At least, we certainly see evidence of these people on our river trips.

There have been Native Americans in the Snake and Salmon River watersheds for over 10,000 years.  Known as the Nez Perce (who call themselves, “Nimíipuu,” meaning, “The People”) and Shoshone-Bannock (descendents of the Mountain Sheepeaters) tribes, these people lived off the land and took advantage of the fish, game and native, edible plants found in the river corridors.

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Written by Debbie Hausler

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By Natali Zollinger & Bruce Lavoie

The Yampa River was first explored by the Yampa Ute Indians several thousand years ago. They were nomadic, following several herds of mammoth and bison around the southwest while sheltering in caves and picking berries, seeds and nuts for protein. Their favorite plant for consumption was the root of the Yampa plant. It had several different purposes and uses. Its healing properties were to help detoxify the body and cleanse the organs. It works as a laxative as well as a diuretic. Scientists also figured out that it is high in carbohydrates and quickly converts food into energy. Additionally, it was used to waterproof a skin bag and to shine up arrowheads.

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Written by Natali Zollinger

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Ali McNabb is one of our adventurous Wyoming guides, a BBQ-loving gal originally from Austin, Texas. In addition to kayaking, she also enjoys bike riding, hiking and reading in her down time. McNabb worked previously at Trek American and has traveled abroad extensively in between seasons, mainly in Mexico, but also throughout South America, Turkey and Ethiopia. 

1.  How long have you been a guide?

I have been a guide for 5 years and been lucky in my guiding experience to have traveled throughout most of North America, exploring the most amazing National Parks and Provincial Parks imaginable.

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Written by Lauren de Remer

O.A.R.S.' Marketing Communications Coordinator & Waterblogged Editor

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