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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“SWIMMER, SWIMMER!!! SWIM OVER HERE! ROPE ROPE ROPE!!!” Yelling rang over the river as a rescuer tried to get the attention of a desperate swimmer fighting the whitewater. Though a normal observer would see this as an emergency situation, it was just another day for a student at O.A.R.S. California Whitewater Guide School. Though the majority of the guide school was focused on actually guiding rafts through rapids and flat water, three very important days were devoted to certifying students for Swiftwater Rescue, an international certification course taught by Sierra Rescue. This certification, though not required by many rafting companies, equips guides with excellent skills for customer care and overall safety on the water.

Entering guide school as a new student with very little river experience, the Swiftwater Rescue course was an excellent way to dive in (pun intended) to the life of a river guide. Nothing other than personal experience could have more adequately prepared me for the life of a boater. Our team of thirteen was taught rope technique, knot tying, correct responses to emergency situations, and so much more. Most importantly, we were introduced to the feeling of swimming in fast whitewater. The entire class gained a healthy respect for the power of the water, as well as solid planning skills for what to do in the case of an emergency.
 

Written by Tianna Stieglitz

Stieglitz is a Hospitality/Tourism Management student from Purdue University. She's from Indiana (born and raised) and loves traveling and seeing new places. Among other hobbies, she love people, being outdoors in creation, and good laughs with friends.

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A simple question for an even simpler answer, the phrase “I’m okay…are you okay?” was readily repeated during the first few moments of my initial whitewater rafting safety talk. Little did I know how strongly those words would resonate through every conduit of the O.A.R.S. California Whitewater Guide School. In its simplicity, the slogan was used when river guides needed to pose the question to other guides or people swimming through the current for dear life. Several pats to the top of your head in someone’s direction would communicate information regarding safety, concern and sometimes humor. If the recipient reached upwards to pat their own head, you knew they were okay too. That’s all it took – no additional complications or loss of message.

Our first day on the river we used this “instant message system” to understand the dangers of whitewater and the importance of taking care of each other. From that point forward, as we began to study more, we took the question/answer development to an entirely exclusive level. Thrown into an environment of initially very cold, wet weather, intense physical activity and limited sleep, we began to evolve. A group of strangers molded into one cohesive group.

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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George and Pam Wendt, founders of O.A.R.S., moved to Angels Camp in 1974 to set up a base of operations for the Stanislaus River and offer guided rafting trips.  But George recalls that it was the Class II San Juan River in Utah where they took their two sons Clavey and Tyler, aged 7 and 5 at the time, on their first rafting adventure.  This trip instilled a passion for the outdoors and rivers in their children that they now want to pass on to others.   

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Written by Cari Morgan

Cari Morgan is a freelance writer and founder of Evoke PR. She currently lives and plays in the Sierra Foothills.

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After living approximately 1.8 miles from O.A.R.S. headquarters just outside of Angels Camp, California for more than 2 years, I decided it was time to go on a rafting trip.  And since I had previously been on some run-of-the-mill, average Class II-III rapids in the past, I also decided it was time to up the ante and take on some big guns.   Did those other rafting trips in the past even count if there was no thrill?

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Written by Cari Morgan

Cari Morgan is a freelance writer and founder of Evoke PR. She currently lives and plays in the Sierra Foothills.

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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.

Written by Lauren de Remer

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

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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.

Written by Lauren de Remer

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

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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!

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.

Written by Tracy

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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