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.

Tweet This Post

Written by Debbie Hausler

No Comments »

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.

Tweet This Post

Written by Debbie Hausler

No Comments »

There is no mistaking or denying Idaho’s rugged beauty.  It is a place of vast and magnificent wilderness.  It would be a rare thing for someone not to feel the strong call of nature here.  However, Idaho’s wilderness has a history and on-going record of the call of man and his influence on nature’s order.  There are several examples of this issue we continue to follow as we travel down Idaho’s vast waterways, asking ourselves when is it beneficial for man to manipulate the natural world, and when would it be better to let Mother Earth tend to her own? I don’t propose to have the answers, or even venture forth my opinions, but suffice it to say there is no lack of strong, relevant material to motivate our campfire talks here on the rivers of Idaho.

Reintroduction of the Gray Wolf

Wolf reintroduction occurs by repopulating a previously extirpated area with a group of wolves, with the hope that they will reestablish themselves in the area and ecosystem.  Although wolves are the most environmentally adaptable mammals next to man, they had been hunted out of all of the lower 48 states, with the exception of a few small packs in remote northeastern Minnesota.  Wolves were highly prevalent in North America until westward expansion occurred in the 1800’s – settlers hunted the wild bison, deer, elk and moose, forcing the wolves to then hunt domestic livestock (sheep and cattle).  When this occurred, bounties were issued for wolf kills, and continued as late as the 1960’s. 

Tweet This Post

Written by Debbie Hausler

No Comments »

I’ve been reminded again that O.A.R.S. offers more trips than just whitewater rafting trips on 9 California rivers.  Carrie Aronson, our Idaho Adventure Consultant and Private and Charter Trips Manager, just mentioned that there is still space available on our Idaho – Hells Canyon of the Snake River rafting trip on May 25th.  She said guests should expect an incredible display of wildflowers, warm water and warm weather and plenty of fishing opportunities.  Since a picture is worth a thousand words… here are some images from photographer David Hessell…

Comfy, catered camping…

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

With spring California whitewater rafting in full swing (green hillsides, wildflowers, fun flows), it’s sometimes easy to forget about our other rafting trips.

According to our Idaho folks, the wildflowers are going crazy on the Snake River through Hells Canyon.  The water is warming up and apparently the fishing is good right now too.  The Snake River through Hells Canyon passes through the deepest gorge in North America.  The trip offers ‘exuberant’ whitewater, easy side hikes, visits to Native American sites and gourmet camping.  You can choose either a 3-day or a 5-day trip and you can experience the river in a raft, dory or inflatable kayak.

Take a look…
 

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

From outdated flood control schemes to harmful dams and mining projects, our nation’s rivers and clean water are at risk. American Rivers, the nation’s leading river conservation organization, today released America’s Most Endangered Rivers: 2009 edition spotlighting ten rivers in need of urgent action.

“Our nation is at a transformational moment when it comes to rivers and clean water,” said Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers. “Water is life, yet our nation’s water infrastructure is so outdated that our clean drinking water, flood protection and river health face unprecedented threats. Our country needs the smart, cost-effective solutions for clean drinking water, flood protection and river health outlined in America’s Most Endangered Rivers that will bring us into the 21st century.”

This year’s report highlights the sorry state of the nation’s water infrastructure — our drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems, and our dams and levees – and the need for green, 21st century investments to protect clean water, public health and safety, and the fish and wildlife that depend on healthy rivers.

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

In the experienced words of O.A.R.S. Adventure Consultant, Azz Azzarello, “Hydrate!  Hydrate!  Hydrate!”  And so with those words of wisdom…

O.A.R.S., the largest and most geographically diverse whitewater rafting outfitter in the U.S. West, continues its increasingly popular and award-winning Wine on the River series.  Trips are planned in August and September on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon River and Hells Canyon of the Snake River, as well on California’s Tuolumne River. 

The “Tuolumne Wine on the River Trip” was given NBC’s Golden Grape Award as their “Best Wine Adventure for 2007."  Joining the 2½ -day, August 24 departure are wine experts, Kate and Craig MacDonald, who will present a selection of wines hand-picked from some of their favorite wineries in California and abroad.

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

Tourism officials in Idaho admit they were nervous the economy would have a negative effect this year, but a new tourism report shows numbers are up seven percent.  According to Idaho Tourism Administrator, Karen Ballard, more people are vacationing close to home.  She also said Mother Nature has helped Idaho, especially with a huge attraction in the summer — rafting on Idaho’s rivers.  Said Ballard, “We knew we were going to have an epic year of whitewater rafting after an epic year of skiing, so we are really excited that people have figured that out.”

O.A.R.S. offers trips on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon River, the Main Salmon River, the Gorges of the Lower Salmon River and Hells Canyon of the Snake River.

Justin Bailie image.

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

The Snake River Fund (SRF), a donation-based, grass-roots organization, was formed a decade ago to keep Idaho’s Snake River free from U.S. Forest Service fees.  This group has supplied funding to support river personnel, facilities upkeep, river volunteers, safety training, law enforcement, guide education, and other river user services.

The SRF is now a vocal advocate for Snake River watershed.  The Snake River is one of the few remaining intact riparian ecosystems in the U.S. and is one of the jewels of Jackson Hole area, and the SRF has responded to community pressure to become more active in the role as a river steward.  As such, the Fund has recently committed to participate in seeking opportunities to formalize protective measures, participate in restoration projects, and educate and inform the general public through outreach programs.

It is SRF’s vision that the Snake River Watershed will remain a vibrant and diverse ecosystem for many generations to come to enjoy in a responsible manner. It is the Fund’s goal to insure that happen.

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »