Northwest Rafting Company

Fall and Winter Trips

Zach — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:31:07 +0000

We’re headed out for our last Rogue River trip of the year tomorrow and starting to think about our Fall and Winter trips. In October we’ll be enjoying our rafting and cultural tour through the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. This is a 13 day trip traveling through this wonderful country, touring it’s monasteries, and floating down it’s rarely run rivers.

Traditional Mask Dancers at Enduchholing

In February, we’ll in the Patagonian region of Chile for a multi-sport adventure on the Futaleufu River. This is the most comfortable AND challenging river trip in the world. These are 10 day trips are mainly focused around rafting the spectacular “Fu” with a couple other amazing activities throw in.

The Amazing Tree House Camp on the Futaleufu River

While we’re on the topic of amazing international trips, this is a good time to mention that we’re working on a trip with our good friend Vladimir Gavrilov to Kaa-Khemm River in Siberia for next summer. Stay tuned for details!

Sundance Kayak School

Zach — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:30:04 +0000

In addition to our world class rafting trips, we offer 6 day Intermediate Kayak Schools. They are wilderness based instructional trips on Oregon’s Rogue River.

Sundance Kayak School from Northwest Rafting Company on Vimeo.

Here are a few of our favorite quotes from kayak schools we’ve offered this summer:

“The guides and instructors were all outstanding and the food was awesome. Sundance does it right!”

“The Rogue is the most wonderful river for learning to kayak!”

“We couldn’t have asked for a better time. You made this trip extremely special and we hope to return soon!”

Kayaking Mule Creek Canyon on the Rogue River

Stand Tall for the Rogue

Zach — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:16:02 +0000

The Rogue River is protected due to it’s status as a Wild and Scenic River, but this protection is limited to the area near the river itself. The upper watershed is threatened by logging and development. If the high elevation watershed is logged, then water quality will decrease and water temperatures in the side creeks will rise which will keep the Rogue’s famous Salmon and Steelhead from spawning.

Organizations like Save the Wild Rogue and American Rivers have been working hard to get permanent protection for the upper reaches of the Rogue watershed. Please join their efforts by helping us spread the word and by sending an email to Congress.

The Rogue River

Guest Testimonials From This Summer

Zach — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:43:26 +0000

We love hearing about your river trip! Thanks for taking time to send us your thoughts.

“Thank you all for making memories with our 3 generations. Sharing my childhood experiences with my children can only bring us closer. We appreciate all the extra care you took with us.”

“It was the best trip ever, just like the ones we used to do on the Rogue ourselves, but with wonderful guides doing the work while we relaxed and enjoyed the scenery”

“I would do this again anytime with your company”

“Vacation? This trip blew that word out of the waters. Everything was absolutely astounding.”

“We couldn’t have asked for a better time. You made this trip extremely special and we hope to return soon!”

“Ian also did a great job coordinating the trip and made us feel welcome right away! All the staff we interacted with had agreat sense of humor too! Thanks for an unforgettable experience ”

“At the last hour of the last day I got to try to man the paddle boat for a bit. I couldn’t believe how much work it was. Then I couldn’t believe our guides were also making camp, cooking and cleaning for us after all that paddling. I think next time I would like to participate more in the breakdown/packup process or cooking or something. Maybe some assigned duties. Not sure. It was an amazing trip. Food was over the top.”

“One of the most enjoyable family trips we’ve ever had. Perfect if your looking for a relaxing yet also intense experience with outstanding guides, scenery, and especially food.”

“Great family trip in a beautiful part of the country. Will definitely do again!”

“Have you ever had a vacation that you wouldn’t change a thing? I did last week! The guides – fantastic/competent/interested/interesting/fun! The food – totally fabulous!! The weather and scenery – perfect. Our group – easy going/completly compatible/lots of laughs! Thanks for an amazing four days on the Rogue River!!”

Evening in Camp of the Rogue River

Rogue River 2010 Update

Zach — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:04:16 +0000

Whew…in a blur of rafts and whitewater and kayaks and waves, Northwest Rafting Company’s second summer is flying by!!!

Sun drenched days, exhilarating whitewater and starry nights characterize Rogue River trips with Northwest. However, it is our food that really makes them special! With the natural beauty of the Rogue as a backdrop, the bounty of the northwest is easily showcased on our trips. Locally roasted coffee, local produce and organic products combine to make dining on a Northwest trip a special experience. Guide J.R.’s river-rolled sushi is rapidly becoming a favorite.

Ahhh…morning coffee on the Rogue!

Northwest salad to compliment dinner

In the meantime, the Sundance Kayak School instructors are doing their best to build appetites to match that food! We have completed two intermediate schools. The intermediates range anywhere from newer kayakers on their first multi-day trip to paddlers returning to the sport after years of being away. The playful class 3 pool-drop rapids of the Rogue are perfect for starting to surf, practicing your roll or just getting a ‘good morning’ wake up splash!!

Drew introducing kayak paddle strokes

Drew doing a demonstration for new kayaker Brian

The Class I and II rapids coupled with the summer warmed water of the Rogue is perfect for learning the basic kayaking moves. Our three day private courses culminated with a run downstream that included a Class 2+ rapid!!

There is plenty of time left in the summer – with lots more trips planned. As our gardens mature, we will have more and more fresh local produce on the trips.

Our first cherry tomatoes of the season

Kayakers are starting to show up for a second time around the Rogue – nothing like practice to make a sport more fun! The ducklings are getting their adult plumage and the bear cubs are losing their baby fur. Nope, there isn’t a better place to spend the long hot days of August than on the Rogue!!

South Fork of the Salmon River

Zach — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 05:44:54 +0000

This last week we joined an exploratory trip down Idaho’s South Fork of the Salmon River. This is a little known tributary to the Salmon River near the more famous Middle Fork of the Salmon River in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. The South Fork is rarely run since it has difficult Class IV and V rapids that can only be run in a narrow range of flows for a few weeks each year.

We started our trip on the Secesh River, which is an upper tributary of the South Fork of the Salmon. We rafted 6 miles of continuous Class III and IV rapids with wonderful Alpine Scenery before meeting the South Fork.

Horseshoe Bend on the Secesh River

At the confluence with the South Fork we joined a few other boaters and loaded up our overnight gear before an evening float to our first night camp. It was amazingly beautiful floating down the deep, rocky canyon in the early evening.

The next day brought many, many Class IV rapids in quick succession as well as the Class V rapids Devil Creek and Elk Creek. It was an exciting whitewater day that ended at a beautiful camp site just past Elk Creek.

Entering Devil Creek Rapid

Our third day had many, many more rapids punctuated with a few stops along the way. Our first stop was to check out a steam boiler and incinerator that were built and reportedly never used.

Smokestack for the steam boiler

We also made a stop to check out some pictographs including one that someone in the group referred to as the “Circle of Life” which seemed very fitting.

The Circle of Life

The crux of the trip was Fall Creek Rapid, which was a long Class V rapid that started by dodging some HUGE holes and making our way over several difficult drops before the final plunge down the final big drop among giant boulders.

The bottom drop of Fall Creek Rapid

For our final night we camped just above the confluence with the Main Salmon and we celebrated our successful runs through Fall Creek and the countless other rapids. We woke up on our fourth day and enjoyed the final 20 miles of the Main Salmon River between Mackay Bar and Vinegar Creek.

Floating down the Salmon River

For more photos, please check out our Flickr Set titled South Fork of the Salmon.

Brews with Views featuring Sierra Nevada

Zach — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 23:25:33 +0000

Date: July 29 – 31, 2010
Price: $695/person

If you love savoring great beer in a beautiful setting we have a trip this summer that will quench your thirst!

Journey down Oregon’s Rogue River for 3 days on a rafting trip with craft beers provided by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. You’ll experience the thrill of the Rogue’s famous whitewater, as you bask in the summer sun and spend evenings at scenic campsites along the river. Many rafters return each year for a trip down the Rogue and rave about the plentiful wildlife, gorgeous natural environment and warm water for swimming. The lush scenery of Southern Oregon is the perfect setting to kick back at the end of a great day on the river and savor delicious microbrews.

Stair Creek tumbling into the Rogue River

Your trip will be led by the experienced Northwest Rafting Co. crew that will guide you through the Rogue’s sampling of Class II – III rapids (one IV as well that you can walk around) as well as handle the camp set-up, prepare delicious meals and offer great company to you, your friends and your family. You can choose to kick back in the oar boat each day or challenge yourself by paddling and inflatable kayak. Representatives from Sierra Nevada will accompany the trip and each evening at your scenic riverside campsite, they’ll lead discussions about their beer making processes and offer tastings of their latest libations.

2010 Whitewater Rowing School

Zach — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 23:09:57 +0000

We’re thrilled to report that our Whitewater Rowing School on the Rogue River was a great success. To head up the school, we recruited Colleen McNally-Murphy, a second generation guide, who did her first river trip at age 6. Colleen put these rookie rowers through the ringer, on the highest water level that the Rogue has seen for 3 years. Temps were cool and rain was plentiful, which gave students a great introduction to early-season trips. They made new friends, saw lots of wildlife and everyone’s rowing improved significantly. Hopefully, these apprentices will be practicing what they learned all summer and beginning long, illustrious careers as professional river guides.

They were all awesome people and excellent teachers!

- Zora T., Rowing School Student

Rowing School on Oregon's Rogue River

We were so amped by the enthusiasm of these fledgling rowers, that we’ve gone ahead and scheduled next season’s Rowing School! Clear your schedule for June 1-6, 2011 and spend those days learning to row on the Rogue. We’ll spend a warm-up day on the Rogue’s recreation section and then head into the beautiful Wild & Scenic section for a 5-day splash course through the Rogue’s best rapids. Our professional guides will share their knowledge of whitewater rowing, camp cooking and working in the wilderness. We hope to see you there!

Enjoying a sunny day on the Rogue River

Our Most Popular Summer Trip – The Rogue River

Zach — Mon, 24 May 2010 00:08:57 +0000

Our most popular summer trip is Southern Oregon’s Rogue River, a 4 day trip through a forested canyon that cuts through the Siskiyou Mountains. This is the perfect trip for families and first time rafters. Our trips are four days and feature our fun-loving river guides who are all licensed by the state of Oregon and first aid certified. We specialize in locally grown and organic foods that are both healthy and delicious.

The Rogue River is famous for it's deep, forested canyon

Most trips are $865/adults and $765/youth which includes the all food, camping gear, and transportation to and from our meeting place in Galice. Please call us at (541) 450-9855 to make a reservation!

Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival Results

Zach — Wed, 19 May 2010 01:50:45 +0000

Our guides took part in the 27th annual Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival this past weekend. We had a great time and placed in the following events:

1st Place in the Inflatable Kayak Slalom
1st Place in the Oar Boat Slalom
1st Place in the Cataraft Slalom
3rd Place in the Paddle Boat Down River Race
4th Place overall in the USRA National Cup series of paddle boat races

Awards from the Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival

This was a great ending to a week of preseason guide training and we’re now getting ready for our first trips of the summer on the Rogue River.