We are excited that Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley introduced a new bill to Congress recommending an additional 4,700 Oregon Wild and Scenic river miles. Called the River Democracy Act (S. 192), the Senators based their recommendations on your 15,000 river nominations across the state. As commercial river guides and stewards, we are especially thrilled that 724 of 4,700 river miles are in Southern Oregon watersheds where we live and work. Here are a few of these gems, and how you can help get… Read More
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I have many favorite rivers, but Southern Oregon’s Illinois River is my actual #1 favorite. Its most commonly rafted section is a three to four day expedition with numerous Class IV (and one Class V) rapids. Beyond world-class whitewater, the Illinois River carves an unspoiled and amazingly beautiful canyon through the remarkable Kalmiopsis Wilderness. The Illinois River is famous for its clear water, stunning scenery, and botany. It’s also a refuge for salmon and steelhead, as it is one of only two river systems in Oregon… Read More
In 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic brought uncertainty and change for Northwest Rafting Company, causing a late start to our rafting season. We were fortunate to complete our summer trips this year, taking our responsibility for trip health and safety extremely seriously. While we could not eliminate the risk of COVID-19 entirely, we did not have any known transmission resulting from our season. We look back to share all we learned and recognize the team effort between guests, guides, and outfitters that pulled this off. Responding to… Read More
After you go on a Rogue River rafting trip, you might want to take an extra day or two to explore this beautiful part of Oregon. In my previous blog, I suggested an itinerary that included a trip to Crater Lake and visits to waterfalls. This time I’m suggesting spending a couple of days along the Oregon Coast. Day 1 – Drive to Galice + Arrange a Car Shuttle It’s about a 4-hour drive from Portland to the meeting place for the trip, Galice Resort. We… Read More
Managing Risk on the River: A rafters guide to “safety” “Safety first,” is an expression I hear often on the river. However, I would argue that safety is an illusion. There is an inherent level of risk we all accept every time we go rafting. The best thing we can do is work to manage that risk and bring it down to a level we find acceptable. We can measure risk by weighing the consequences of a hazard with the probability or likelihood that it will… Read More
When I think about my river guiding career up to this point and how it has impacted my life, I see a lot of change. Those who knew me eight years ago in college would see a different person now. There are a lot of lessons I learned from river guiding that I try to implement in every day life. Here are ten takeaways I would like to share with you. 1. Nature soothes the soul I am more relaxed after spending time outside. Whether it… Read More
As one of our guides performed a mid-river concert, everyone became distracted by a black bear walking towards the water. In the Rogue Valley, seeing wildlife is common. By far the best way to experience these animals is from the river. From our charismatic megafauna like bears and otters to smaller fish and salamanders, the Rogue River is a fantastic and important river corridor. Let us explore who they are and why there are so many animals by the river. American Black Bear: Charismatic Megafauna A… Read More
Kalmiopsised [Cal-mee-opp-sis-ed] –adj. 1. being cold, wet, exhausted, and happy in Oregon’s Kalmiopsis Wilderness. 2. in pain and despair in a rugged, harsh place with a big smile your brain is trying to relay to your face muscles. What is the Kalmiopsis? First of all, it is a tongue twister of a word to pronounce. But more importantly, it is the name of a 180,095 acre wilderness area in southwestern Oregon. “The area is characterized by deep, rough canyons, sharp rock ridges and clear, rushing mountain… Read More
Here’s why ospreys are unique Over 10,000 bird species grace our planet’s skies, but only nine occupy every habitat available to them. While two of the nine – pigeon and sparrow – are as familiar to us as cats and dogs, the other seven – short-eared owl, cattle egret, great egret, peregrine falcon, barn owl, tern and osprey – are hiding in plain sight. They spread thanks to humans Pigeons and sparrows are a common sight in pretty much every major city in the world. The… Read More
The Rogue River has inspired stories since humans have encountered it. From Native American legends to star-studded Hollywood movies, we have told and retold Rogue river lore for generations. Below are a few authors and tales (some quite tall!) shaped by this amazing river. Native America The original inhabitants of the Rogue River were known as the Takelma, whose name means “those dwelling along the [Rogue] river”. Their lore explains the origin of many famous landmarks in Southern Oregon and the Rogue River. To the Takelma… Read More