Planning on taking an O.A.R.S. trip in the near future? Booked on an O.A.R.S. trip already? We present you with our weekly whitewater watch – a resource available to YOU, the interested adventure traveler. Check back every week for updates on rivers across the west! Here you will find information regarding weather, river flows, exciting trips being launched and feedback from our most recent travelers! Our goal is to provide you with answers to your questions and excite your adventurous spirit! Read on to discover what we have in store for you.

California

Lower Klamath River – CFS*: 5,000-6,000. Weather: sunshine all week with highs in the upper 80's to lows in the low 50's at night. Still awaiting our busy season on the Lower Klamath – early July! We already have two trips booked immediately after the 4^th of July! Call now to experience this three day, Class II, forested river trip featuring beach camping, rafting and inflatable kayaking in WARM water!

Written by Brita Olson

Raised on a small island in Northern Michigan, Olson's love for running water developed at an early age. This love drove her away from the Midwest to California to begin work preserving sustainability and delving into the O.A.R.S. segment of adventure travel. Brita enjoys learning about other people, spending time on the water, excursions on her road bike and - when at all possible - combining the three.

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Planning on taking an O.A.R.S. trip in the near future? Booked on an O.A.R.S. trip already? We present you with our weekly whitewater watch – a resource available to YOU, the interested adventure traveler. Check back every Monday for updates on rivers across the west! Here you will find information regarding weather, river flows, exciting trips being launched weekly and feedback from recent travelers! Our goal is to provide you with answers to your questions and excite your adventurous spirit! Read on to discover what we have in store for you.

California:

Written by Brita Olson

Raised on a small island in Northern Michigan, Olson's love for running water developed at an early age. This love drove her away from the Midwest to California to begin work preserving sustainability and delving into the O.A.R.S. segment of adventure travel. Brita enjoys learning about other people, spending time on the water, excursions on her road bike and - when at all possible - combining the three.

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The water has indeed risen. 75,000 cfs. Scuttlebutt has it going higher. I make a mental note to scout an uphill escape route as we float. Who knows? The dam just might blow. (I cross my fingers, actually preferring this option, but keep my mouth shut.) Six hundred vertical-foot tsunami. Should take a few hours to make it a hundred miles downstream, plenty of time to scramble to the perfect viewpoint and crack a beer.

Suzanne joins me at Phantom’s boat beach and we observe as the nervous clients pack. She watched a thirty-seven foot motor rig flip end-over-end against the wall in Crystal last week. Crystal is ten miles downstream. That’s a bit over an hour at current speeds.

Written by Jeffe Aronson

Jeffe Aronson rows dories in the Grand Canyon. His love of rivers, and evocative descriptions of wild places and the constant tension and nearness of death, has gripped travelers and readers alike for the duration of Jeffe's 36 years as a river guide and story teller. Jeffe is currently seeking an agent for his book, River God—a riveting collection of adventure narratives that reveals nature at her wildest and most beautiful, or as Jeffe says, "River God takes readers places they yearn to glimpse, but dare not go."

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Scotty Stevens is no newbie to whitewater rafting. With over 200 trips through the Grand Canyon and 28 years of guiding behind him, Stevens has become a modern day rafting icon. He readily shares his humor as well as his opinions with those willing to lend an ear. He's super easy to get along with and enjoys each rafting experience as for him it's all about the people.

Although he's a minimalist and appreciates solitude, he's not one to  be constantly dirty and will bathe in the river regardless of the weather. Stevens also enjoys gardening, horseback riding and building things whether it be his deck or an extension of his house. Although many situations on the river inspire Scotty, he explains that "when the crew is really a team, and the folks see it, the energy is so good it's contagious."

Click here to view the video version of this interview. 

Written by Lauren de Remer

O.A.R.S.' Sales & Marketing Coordinator

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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.

Written by Lauren de Remer

O.A.R.S.' Sales & Marketing Coordinator

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We always love to see your photos from an O.A.R.S. whitewater rafting trip! Many thanks to Barry Levy for sending a link to his photos from his May trip in the Grand Canyon.  (Barry and his wife were on the river from May 3 – 14, 2009.)

You can view Part I of his personal Kodak Gallery, taken from Lee’s Ferry to Phantom Ranch, May 3-7, 2009, here:  http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=ahgjfds.34icyn04&x=0&y=9ir4nq&localeid=en_US

Part II of his trip, from Phantom Ranch to Whitmore Wash, can be found here:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=ahgjfds.9loqi118&x=0&y=jewdr1&localeid=en_US

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Alisa Allgood, O.A.R.S. whitewater rafting guide / fashion icon / style guru / woman-power-incarnate (just don’t say the words ‘slap’ or ‘spank’ around her)…

shows the boys how it’s done in House Rock Rapid on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Here’s to Goodie…

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Many thanks to Jeffe Aronson, O.A.R.S. Grand Canyon dory boat guide, for this one…

TEN WAYS TO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR A WHITEWATER RAFTING AND/OR DORY TRIP IN GRAND CANYON:

10.  One week before the trip have a yard of sand delivered to your home.  Sprinkle liberally in bed, dresser drawer, kitchen and bath counters.  Fill your salt shaker, cereal boxes, sugar bowl and use as usual.  Place garbage can lid with sand in front of fans and run them continually at maximum speed.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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