Upper Chetco River Expedition 2017 June 13, 2017 It is truly an honor to outfit trips on the Chetco River through the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. This extraordinary trip begins with a 10 mile hike (with a heavy pack) to the river followed by 20 miles of paddling Class III and IV rapids (and some portages) in an inflatable kayak. It’s a challenging journey but you are rewarded with absolute solitude and beauty. Last week a few hardy souls joined us to make this epic journey at a flow of 500 cfs. The Hike First of… Read More ShareTweetPin190190 Shares
Whitewater Rowing Equipment June 11, 2017 During our whitewater rowing schools the conversation often turns to boating gear. The right equipment looks good, is durable, and will set you up for success on the river. The wrong gear can create headaches and can be potentially dangerous. It’s also nice to purchase from gear companies who are active members of the whitewater community. Oars The three main oar manufacturers are Saywer, Carlisle, and Cataract. I prefer Sawyer Oars since they are made in Oregon and have a thicker shaft. Here are the oars… Read More ShareTweetPin0 Shares
Total Solar Eclipse on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River May 12, 2017 At 11:27 AM on August 21, 2017 there will be a total solar eclipse on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Total Solar Eclipse: This rare event occurs when (a) moon appears in the sky far enough up that it appears to be the same size or larger than the sun and (b) it passes exactly in front of the sun and blocks out all light for a short period of time. Viewers must be in the path of the totality in order to experience… Read More ShareTweetPin0 Shares
High Water Considerations For the Middle Fork of the Salmon River April 27, 2017 High water on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River begins at 5 feet when the river is quite continuous, the water is cold, and recovery from a flip or swim can be difficult. Here are some things to consider before paddling the Middle Fork at high water: Everyone should have PFDs that fit them well, have plenty of flotation, and are relatively new Wetsuits or drysuits should be mandatory for everyone Guides should be experienced with high water, proper boat spacing, and flipping rafts back… Read More ShareTweetPin11 Shares
A Brief History of Bhutan February 4, 2017 While visiting Bhutan you’ll hear much about it’s history while visiting Lhahakngs (monasteries) and Dzongs (large fortresses). The following breakdown of Bhutan’s historical periods were introduced in the book “The History of Bhutan” by Karma Phuntsho. Prehistoric Period (through the mid 7th century) Very little is know about this period since no historical records exist. There is evidence of humans going back to 4000 BC and neolithic tribes beginning to populate the large river valleys around 2500 BC. Many of these tribes practiced Bon, a shamanistic… Read More ShareTweetPin66 Shares
Huge Victory for Southern Oregon Rivers! January 12, 2017 Today the BLM and Forest Service, under the Obama Administration, announced protection of Southern Oregon’s Rough and Ready Creek, Baldface Creek, North Fork of the Smith River, Hunter Creek, and Pistol River with a 20 year administrative “mineral withdrawal” (aka mining withdrawal). This has taken years to accomplish after exensive public comments and three public hearings showing overwhelming support of protection of these places. These rivers and creeks are uniquely special and absolutely deserve this protection from large scale mining. What is an Administrative Mineral Withdrawal?… Read More ShareTweetPin22 Shares
Cast Iron Dutch Oven Pineapple Upside Down Cake September 14, 2016 One of the most rewarding parts of guiding multi-day river trips is cooking with dutch ovens and serving beautiful, tasty meals. Pineapple upside down cake is one that looks particularly impressive and is fairly easy to make. This recipe works best with a 14″ cast iron dutch oven. Aluminum dutch ovens work as well but you have to be careful so that wind doesn’t blow the heat away. Ingredient list 2 Boxes Yellow Cake Mix 1 Can Sliced Pineapple 6 Eggs 1 Cup of Vegetable Oil… Read More ShareTweetPin1515 Shares
Ultralight Kayaking on the Wenaha River July 24, 2016 Yesterday I finished a special trip down Oregon’s Wenaha River. This beautiful stream is a tributary to Grande Ronde River that flows through the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. This river is only paddled a handful of times each year since it’s only accessible by trail. Everything for the trip must be carried in by foot. Day 1 We began at the Elk Flat Trailhead and packed our gear 5 miles down to the South Fork of the Wenaha River. When we arrived there was just enough water in… Read More ShareTweetPin0 Shares
Chetco River Kayak & Equipment June 12, 2016 Last week we returned to the spectacularly beautiful Chetco River. This mighty river has it’s headwaters in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness and flows 56 miles to the Pacific Ocean. We are lucky to outfit and guide a few intrepid groups down this river each year. Anyone who has been down the Chetco will talk about it’s amazingly clear water, jaw dropping scenery, and the hard work it takes to get there. Developing the techniques and equipment to run this style of trip has been a fun project… Read More ShareTweetPin0 Shares
AIRE BAKraft Expedition Review February 27, 2016 Since my first trip on the Chetco River I’ve been looking for a lightweight inflatable kayak for hiking into remote and challenging rivers. Last year AIRE introduced the BAKraft Hybrid, a 7 foot long boat constructed with a urethane bladder and protected by a Spectra outer layer. This was a step in the right direction, but not big enough to run difficult whitewater with overnight gear. Recently AIRE has been designing and prototyping a 10 foot, 10 pound version of the BAKraft called the “Expedition.” The… Read More ShareTweetPin0 Shares