Middle Fork of the Salmon, July 2016
★★★★★
“
The MF of the Salmon Trip that I did this year with NWRC (ECHO) was the best trip I have ever been on. I have been on many river trips since I started boating in 1967 but none of them compare with this – it was perfect! I intend on going on many more NWRC trips. For those of us that are older, do not want the hassles of a private trip or just want the best possible trip, I strongly recommend going with NWRC. I rowed my14’ Avon raft with a RecreTec frame built for my 5’2” height. Zack was very helpful coordinating with me to get my raft and other equipment to the river. I was a little uncertain of my ability to keep up with the professional guides on flat water or if there where heavy upstream winds. At 67, I am not as strong as I used to be. I had no problems rowing any of the rapids. Going with NWRC I did not have to worry about carrying any gear so I had a light boat. I had a professional guide, NickO, that could take over for me if I had any problems. I managed to talk my friend Arthur Swank into coming with me. Between Arthur, NickO and the other guides I did not worry about anything. For the first time that I can remember, I totally relaxed on a trip. In the evenings I could just sit by the river and enjoy the peace that river brings to me. I did not even look at my guide book. The incredible / professional guides that NWRC (ECHO) has made every aspect of the trip fun / safe / easy. I have worked as a guide in California in the ’70 and have seen many guides on different rivers over the years. It is not nearly as easy to put organize and lead a trip as many people think. I have been on 10 Grand Canyon trips – 9 private – trip leader on 5 or 6 so I know how hard it is to do a good job. The guides and their organization and expertise impressed me. I have never seen a trip that was so well coordinated / organized in my 49 years of boating. I have never seen a group of guides as good as the ones we had on this trip. The flow of the different boats down the river was almost like a dance that they had practiced many times. With a combination if different oar rafts, paddle rafts, inflatable kayaks and a totally unknown rafter of unknown ability it is very difficult to maintain proper distance between boats, support between the different elements for safety, a safety sweep boat and have everyone enjoying themselves totally unaware of how much expertise, experience and coordination this takes. The way the river side of the trip was run was extremely safe without getting in the way of everyone having the experience of a lifetime. The food was 4 star. I am a little hard to fix meals for but there was plenty I would eat at every meal. There was fresh fruit at every meal – pineapple, apples, oranges, etc. The cakes, brownies and other things they baked and fixed were delicious – even the salads. Getting me to eat a salad 4 nights was a remarkable achievement. The schedule to me was relaxing and unhurried. We got up between 6:30- 7:00 am depending on if you wanted coffee and how long it took you to pack up. Arthur normally took my tent down although the guides would do that also. I would pack my gear into my dry bag and have a relaxing breakfast. It did not take long to eat - I never felt hurried. Arthur and NickO would get me and my dry bags down to the boats. The baggage boat tried to leave earlier than the other boats so you needed to get your baggage down early. I do not know how the guides managed to fix breakfast, clean up, break camp and load the boats in the same time it took the rest of us to eat and get ready. We would stop for lunch and everything would be ready in less than 30 min. Many days there were special items that had been prepared the night before. We would pull into camp in the afternoon and everything was set up – kitchen, tents, groover. Never thought that I would be on a trip were they even set my tent up. People relaxed, socialized, played games, etc. until dinner. Dinner was early enough that people had time to get to know others before going to bed. This is important. If dinner is too late, people will not sit and talk afterwards. These evening gatherings pull the group together. The people get to know each other and it enriches the experience. I now wish that I had gotten to know others better – that I had joined in more group gatherings. I was having such an incredible trip that I just sat by the river and dreamed the time away. This was the most incredible, wonderful, perfect, peaceful, enjoyable, fun trip I have ever had. I feel like rivers talk to me. Boating has been an obsession for me for 48 years. It is my life. The trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon with NWRC (ECHO) has brought light into my life. It brought peace back into my life. I cannot thank them enough for letting me come. I am not too old to boat!”
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Jane Heineman
We do not repeat trips, EXCEPT...
★★★★★
“
Well, I lied, as our family goes skiing every year, BUT this is the only other trip out of our travels that we have put in "Must Repeat" category. We just took our 2nd of "X", with X being as many as we can do over the next 30 years! I have obviously enjoyed my time on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River and NWRC, but the real memories and experiences I will always value are watching my 7 year old son and 10 year old daughter (10 and 13 on this recent trip) navigate class III and IV rapids in their inflatable kayaks, help out in camp, climb incredibly tall things (and sometimes jump off them) and grow their self-confidence to 2X their pre-trip levels (which were not low). The food is insanely good and creative and nothing you would expect on a river. The tents and cots are very comfortable, even for my bad joints, and the camp sites or fun and beautiful. AND the guides are incredibly talented people that we will always remember as friends and look forward to seeing again. I recommend this trip more than any other I have taken to my friends as a "MUST TAKE" trip. Hope y'all make it out, too. - Angus”
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Angus Hughes
Middlefork Salmon
★★★★★
“
The MF Salmon is a great river! The clear water & swift current sweep you along beautiful Alpine scenery. The river cuts through the rugged ID mountains with many feeder streams adding to it along the way, some of which form breathtaking waterfalls. Wildlife abounds! One night in camp we watched a family of otters playing just across the river. The guides were great! Friendly & personable, with sure knowledge of the river and rapids to come. They told us what to expect in the upcoming rapids and they handled the boats with skill & precision. They informed us of the history of the river & the native people who lived there. One night Audrey gave an hour long lecture over dinner about the geology and creation of ID that was so entertaining & engaging that you couldn't not learn. After an enjoyable day on the river, we'd pull into camp to find our tents set up & bags laid out. There would be a circle of chairs & games set out for us. There were snacks prepared. One or two of the guides would lead a hike to a nearby hot springs or viewpoint, while the rest prepared an excellent dinner. They made a lasagna one night, in the wilderness, on the side of a river, that may be the best I've ever had! The whole experience was truly a delight! I highly recommend NWRC & MF Salmon to all!”
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K Arthur Swank