Dana Blanc is one of our most requested guides in California. Thankfully, I was able to catch up with him to pick his brain about his passion for rivers and what keeps him hanging around. Over the past 9 years, Blanc has also guided in, Wyoming, Texas and Alaska.

He’s an Angels Camp local and is quite fond of the outdoor life in the foothills. Blanc works at Bear Valley Ski Resort in the winter and enjoys playing guitar and bass in his free time, and lives for the rush of never knowing what the next amazing experience will be or when it will come.

Click here to view the video version of this interview.

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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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Those of you who have traveled with O.A.R.S. on previous rafting or multi-sport adventures are undoubtedly familiar with the efforts we take to create a comfortable camping experience for all our travelers. However, for those who have yet to experience the art of camping with O.A.R.S., allow us to share a few examples of what you should expect on a multi-day adventure:

First off, our guides are experts at finding the best camp spots away from other groups. You may often feel as though you are the only ones on the river. Camp may be at a still, sandy alcove on the water’s edge, or a sunny, green clearing among mammoth cedars and towering cliff faces. There are trailheads, fishing hideaways and swimming holes just a few moments away.

Upon arrival at camp, your guides will set up comfortable camp chairs, drinking water, a “loo with a view” (placed at a discrete location away from camp generally with a scenic vista), a hand-wash station, and a full-scale kitchen.

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Written by Lauren de Remer

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

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Dear Waterblogged Readers,

Taking over a blog is like adopting a half-written book. There’s no outline for what is to come or someone to hold your pen along the way. It’s a delicate honor, one that is equally challenging as it is promising. Perhaps it’s similar to what makes adventure travel, adventurous; it’s the realization of the unknown, the fact that tomorrow will never be the same as today, and permitting that consciousness to settle into words.

Some of you may know me already, most do not; either way, I hope to bridge that gap as the months progress. Having worked at O.A.R.S. now for more than a year as the California & Oregon Adventure Consultant, I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to transition into a new role with such a fantastic adventure travel company! My employment history includes a background in publishing and environmental philanthropy, with an interest in geotourism and eco-conscious exploration.

Also transitioning into a new role at O.A.R.S. is Stacey Scott—a valued employee of several seasons and Angels Camp local. We’re confident Stacey will quickly establish herself as an even greater asset to our team and a wonderful resource for our travelers as the new California & Oregon Adventure Consultant.

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Written by Lauren de Remer

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

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It’s an early 6:00 AM rise, and I’m already hiking at a fast pace to beat the crowds to Half Dome. My eyes are still waking up to the idea, and I find myself suddenly wishing I were more physically prepared. I’m accompanied by my good friend, John DeGrazio—a Yosemite naturalist and guide—and a New York couple with big heavy packs and brand new gear, gators and all. The woman turns to John and whispers, “Is she going to make it?” referring to my tiny daypack and tank top attire. John laughs and whispers back, “Oh yeah, she’ll rock it!” I stop to take a quick photo of a chipmunk posing on a rock while the couple searches for sunscreen, John urges us onwards.

Nearing Vernal Falls on the mist trail, I put on rain gear for the next half mile. It’s almost June, which means the waterfalls are full and showering the path ahead. The trail’s elevation increases as we begin to encounter a series of switchbacks. Stopping momentarily for a bathroom break above Nevada Falls, I filter drinking water from the Merced River using John’s pump. “Not much further,” John promises.
 

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Written by Lauren de Remer

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

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CaliforniaTravelExpert.com editor, Veronica Hill, featured our Tuolumne “Wine on the River” trip as her pick of the day.

Our gourmet rafting trip features exciting Class III-IV whitewater rafting throughout the day, followed by comfortable beach camping, knowledgeable wine stewards, and gourmet cuisine prepared by a guest chef. California’s Wild and Scenic Tuolumne River is located just outside of Yosemite National Park, within a half-day’s drive from San Francisco and Sacramento. Scheduled 2-day trips on the “T” begin on May 4 and May 11 ($525 per person), and 3-day trips are planned for Aug. 17 and Aug. 23 ($791 per person).

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Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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We’d like to welcome new friends to the O.A.R.S. page on Facebook® and do some good in the process, so between now and Earth Day—April, 22nd—we’re donating $1 to the Tuolumne River Trust (up to a maximum of $2500) for every new O.A.R.S. fan.

Write on our wall. Listen in. Post your photos. Join a conversation. Tell us about your adventures. In turn, we’ll share with you timely photos and videos from our trips, as well as interesting news and special offers on some great adventures. Get to know the people behind the company—and help us get to know you.

The Tuolumne River:  Located just outside Yosemite National Park, the Tuolumne (pronounced Too-all-uh-me)  offers 18 miles of desolate canyon, thrilling Class III-IV rapids and hikes up side canyons carved by cascading waterfalls. It’s almost hard to imagine finding this kind of remote wilderness just a short drive from the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Do you have an opinion about the Merced River? The National Park Service and Yosemite National Park are seeking the public’s ideas for a plan to protect the Merced River, which runs through the heart of Yosemite Valley.

In response to public comments the public scoping period has been extended to February 4, 2010.

According to Ranger Kari Cobb the Park is seeking public comment on how to preserve the pristine beauty of the Merced River but at the same time make it available for visitors to enjoy.

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Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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The Foothill Conservancy is chartering a bus to East Bay Municipal Utilities District’s (EBMUD) Oakland offices on October 13, 2009. EBMUD will be voting on whether or not to expand Pardee Reservoir, on Tuesday at 1:15 pm. 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 watched Ken Burns’ “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” you’ll remember what an ordeal it was to create Grand Teton National Park. The original Grand Teton National Park, set aside by an act of Congress in 1929, included only the Teton Range and six glacial lakes at the base of the mountains. It took nearly 20 years, many ‘heated’ debates, and one of the country’s wealthiest men to purchase and preserve land in order to create what is now the Grand Teton National Park.

In 1919 the Yellowstone Park Superintendent was practically run out of town when he traveled to Jackson, WY, to promote the park’s enlargement vision. Ranchers worried that park extension would reduce grazing allotments; Forest Service employees feared the loss of jurisdiction on previously managed forest areas; and local dude ranchers were against improved roads and hotel construction. Proposals emerged to dam outlets of Jenny Lake and Emma Matilda and Two Ocean Lakes in 1919. Many in the local community did not support the idea of national park expansion, “because they wanted traditional hunting, grazing, and dude-ranching activities to continue.”

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Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Anytime is a good time to go whitewater rafting! If you’re a student, or parent of a student, you might be thinking summer fun is over and it’s time to hit the books. O.A.R.S. won’t object to bringing school projects on the river: all of your gear, school books and book reports will remain safe and secure in dry bags while on the river. In fact, I bet some of the O.A.R.S. guides would be happy to help with homework!

Below are six ideas for September whitewater rafting trips.

• Carrie Aronson, our Private and Charter Trips Manager, suggests a trip on the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon as an ideal September rafting trip. This river trip offers dramatic canyon country and ancient rock formations with fascinating geology through Canyonlands National Park. It is an ideal trip for any outdoor enthusiast. Think of it as a mini-Grand Canyon trip. O.A.R.S. offers a 4-day trip on this Class III river, with departures every Tuesday through October.
• Of course, you can still sign up for rafting trips on the South Fork of the American River, as well as the Middle Fork American River. The Class III South Fork is known as "Everybody’s Favorite River" and is a great introductory river trip. The Class IV Middle Fork steps it up a notch, with the unforgettable ‘Tunnel Chute’ rapid. Both rivers are quick and easy getaways from the SF Bay Area, Sacramento and Lake Tahoe.  But, we can’t all be in Northern California, right?
• O.A.R.S. also offers special September rafting and fishing trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. These trips are offered on September 21 and again on September 28. The whitewater is world-renowned, and the fishing on the Middle Fork Salmon River is superb!  Fish for cutthroat (you might expect to catch upwards of forty fish per day), native rainbow, mountain whitefish as well as bull trout. O.A.R.S. guides are familiar with the best fishing spots the has to river offer.
• Raft the Class II-IV Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley on a unique 10-day Peru multi-sport vacation with O.A.R.S.  Stay in comfy (dare I say luxurious?) lodges and explore archaeological remnants of the Inca civilization including the stone ruins of Kenko, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, Sacsayhuaman and Ollantaytambo with a stop at the Chinchero Market before taking the train to Machu Picchu.
• Raft the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon and stay in one of West’s most glorious guest ranches, Red Cliffs Lodge. This 6-day Ranch & Raft vacation from O.A.R.S. is the ultimate blend of excitement, fun and relaxation. Throw in a little horseback riding and Moab mountain biking and you’ve got an ideal fall getaway!

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Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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