My 75-year-old mother is dressed in a swimsuit and a hula skirt she has handmade from leaves and grasses collected from the side of the river. She’s swaying across the sandy beach at our campsite on night three of a six-day float of Idaho’s strikingly beautiful Middle Fork of the Salmon River. It’s talent show night, and her talent is: river fashion. After my mom displays her various outfits (which includes one made from a drybag), it’s my 11-year-old daughter’s turn to go. She and a… Read More
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When I travel and guide in Bhutan, one figure I encounter again and again in temples and monasteries is Vajrakilaya (in Sanskrit, वज्रकीलाय). His paintings and sculptures are everywhere, and once you know what to look for, you start to recognize him immediately—fierce expression, multiple arms, surrounded by flames, and holding or embodying the ritual dagger known as the phurba. Vajrakilaya is a wrathful form of Vajrasattva, the deity of purity. While Vajrasattva is peaceful, Vajrakilaya shows compassion in a more forceful way—using power and intensity… Read More
There are a lot of things to love about river trips—they just might be the best kind of vacation (okay, we’ll admit we’re a little biased). But the truth is, different people enjoy river trips for different reasons. Some come for the whitewater, others for quality family bonding time, and plenty for the chance to unplug. Here, we break down –in no particular order– what guests say they love most about their time on the river. Spending Time in the Wilderness There’s a difference between just… Read More
Planning a spring or fall rafting adventure? Staying warm on the river is essential for both comfort and safety—but figuring out whether to wear a wetsuit or a drysuit can be confusing. In this guide, we’ll compare the pros and cons of each, so you can confidently choose the right gear for your next cold water rafting trip. What Is a Wetsuit? Made from neoprene, a wetsuit traps a thin layer of water between your body and the suit. Your body heat warms this layer, helping… Read More
With over 2,000 rivers, Ecuador is a whitewater paradise. Warm water, a year-round temperate climate, and a rainy season from October to May make it an unbeatable destination for a winter whitewater fix! The Tena region, in particular, offers an incredible mix of Class III-IV rivers from technical to big water. NWRC’s rowing instructors, paired with our friends from Kayak Ecuador provided the ideal team for Class III-IV rowers to explore, develop, and refine their skills. Our first Class III+ Rowing School was a huge success!… Read More
If you’re planning a rafting trip, you’ve likely come across terms like “Class III rapids” or “Class V whitewater.” But what do those classifications really mean? The whitewater rating system is a standardized way to describe the difficulty of rapids, helping paddlers understand what to expect. I’ve never been rafting before, can I do rapids with higher ratings? Yes! That’s the beauty of booking a trip with a professional guiding company. Guides take care of the navigation, so you can focus on enjoying the experience. You… Read More
For many travelers, Bhutan holds a special place on the bucket list—an elusive kingdom where ancient traditions blend with modern life, and time seems to slow down. Since 2010, Northwest Rafting Company has made it a tradition to visit this magical Himalayan country every fall. Road improvements are connecting its rural mountain villages to bustling cities, opening up more opportunities for adventure in this serene, unspoiled land. This year, we decided to take things up a notch and explore something special: a multi-day river trip on… Read More
Northwest Rafting Company was founded by the two owners of ECHO River Trips, Dick and Joe, along with one of their guides Zach in 2009. The goal was to create an outfitting business for Zach while Dick and Joe slowly sold ECHO and retired. ECHO History ECHO was founded in 1972 with a whopping investment of $5,000, a GMC Suburban and the adventurous spirits of two high school teachers, Joe Daly and Dick Linford. What began as weekend dashes from Berkeley to the American or Stanislaus… Read More
One of my favorite parts of a river trip is the side hikes we take during the day or from camp. These hikes can be up tributary creeks, along the river, or to a stunning viewpoint. This is a list of my favorite hikes on each trip. Aparejo Point | Middle Fork of the Salmon River This hike starts at Trail Camp (mile 64) and goes up the Old Aparejo Trail to a viewpoint at Aparejo Point. To find the trail from Trail Camp, head upstream… Read More
At Northwest Rafting Company, we believe that a great adventure is fueled by great food. Our guides aren’t just exceptional river guides—they’re also talented chefs! We take pride in serving fresh, healthy, and filling meals on all of our trips. One of our most popular meals is our Superfood Lunch Salad, which guests rave about. What we love most about this salad is that it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, making it accessible to many people with dietary restrictions. If you want to give it a try… Read More