We admit it’s pretty tough to pick the best whitewater rapids in Idaho. This is the “whitewater state” we’re talking about after all. But when it comes to narrowing down the choices, river guides definitely have their favorites. We asked around and here are the rapids that guides love to paddle and row, the thrilling rapids that keep them on their toes and offer some of the best river rafting and boating in Idaho.

1) Wild Sheep | Snake River through Hells Canyon

Rating: Class IV (depending on water level)

Rumors of Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in North America, is what first brought whitewater enthusiasts to Idaho. While many of the original big drops now lie under the reservoir made by Hells Canyon Dam, several big rapids on the Snake River still remain. Among the most notorious are Granite and Wild Sheep. At certain flows, Granite’s Green Room—an ocean-sized wave where at the bottom of the trough your boat is surrounded on all sides by green water—appears and is a favorite among boaters. But the real challenge to guides on this stretch is Wild Sheep, the first large rapid on a Hells Canyon trip.

“There are very few rapids that keep me up the night before a trip,” says Mia Clyatt, an OARS Idaho guide. “But if I’m sleeping at the dam and it’s high water, I’m thinking about Wild Sheep, and I’m losing sleep about that rapid.”

At high water, boats take a pushy right line with a couple massive holes and some haphazard laterals that can easily flip boats. During lower water, the line moves to the left side, requiring a solid left-to-right move into a series of large waves. If it doesn’t go well, boats have to be righted quickly before more whitewater.

2) Ruby Rapid | Riggins Section of the Salmon River

Rating: Class III

For most of the season, Ruby Rapid—named for Idaho’s famed star garnets—is a mellow, Class II ride. But at high water, it’s a Class IV monster. During spring runoff, Ruby pushes the entire current of the Salmon River (sometimes as high as 90,000 cubic feet per second) against a sheer granite cliff face. At the entrance, you have to make it through the laterals nicknamed “the pencil sharpener” before working your boat to the right as you crest ocean-sized rollers. Miss this move and you’ll end up in the “pancake wave” that will flip you like the breakfast hotcake that you are. Plus, you’ll have an audience. The nearby Salmon River road makes this a favorite spot to cheer on boats as they take on Ruby, especially during Riggins’ Big Water Blowout event.

3) Black Creek | Main Salmon River

Rating: Class IV

Black Creek Rapid is the quintessential pool-drop-river rapid. Nestled in the heart of jaw-dropping Black Canyon on the Main Salmon, it’s also one of Idaho’s newest rapids (formed in 2011 by a creek blowout). At high water, Black Creek becomes giant, roller coaster-sized waves. As the water drops, however, the rapid becomes more technical. Most boaters choose the slender left line rather than risk a center run, push away move from three giant, back-to-back hydraulics. Not to say the left line is anything to sneeze at – a combination of lateral waves makes finding the proper entrance point crucial to not sticking your boat on the sharp left hand side rocks. “It’s a rapid that comes with a lot of myth and rumor,” says Clyatt. “It’s a pretty intimidating looking line and there are a lot of rocks along the left shore that you could smash in a dory.”

4) Slide | Lower Salmon River

Rating: Class V (depending on water level)

Most boaters slip through Slide Rapid without even knowing it is named…at low water. At high water, Slide Rapid becomes a Class V+ rapid that prevents most commercial companies from running this section of the river. Hit river conditions at just the right medium flow, however, and Slide becomes what river legends are made of.

“It prevents trips from launching, flips J rigs, and it leaves a heavy knot in your stomach that feels kind of like too much Taco Bell,” according to Idaho guide Ian Fodor-Davis.

Created by rock fall from a nearby power line, Slide, like many rapids, is created by constriction. Unlike other rapids though, Slide has all 415 miles of Salmon River flow behind it. Two gigantic lateral waves come together into a froth of eddy lines and surging hydraulics. Hold your breath! Or, wait for a lower water Gorges of the Lower Salmon trip and live vicariously through three OARS guides who took on Slide Rapid in whitewater kayaks.

5) Ladle | Selway River

Rating: Class IV+

The Selway is known for its wilderness character, exceptional fishing and beautiful cedar-lined views. It’s also known for its meaty, technical rapids like Ladle.

“Ladle is one of those rapids where you get out to scout and you’re like, ‘Whaaaaaa?!’ because it is the mother of all boulder gardens,” explains OARS guide Jasmine Wilhelm.

Ladle starts wide as you drop in, but then it funnels to a constriction at the bottom. “The first time I ran it the water was really low and we had small boats so we snuck far left,” Wilhelm recalls.  “It was a move of total blind faith because you couldn’t see what you’re about to encounter as you made a 90-degree sweeping right turn around these massive boulders.”

“But it’s beautiful to be in that channel making tight moves as the water just rages through the boulder garden to your right like it’s running through a colander,” she continues. “Ladle had this sense of wildness about it.”

6) Hells Half Mile | Middle Fork Salmon River

Rating: Class IV

The stunning Middle Fork of the Salmon River, which runs through the heart of the Frank Church Wilderness, is famed for having 100 rapids in 100 miles, and Hells Half Mile is one of the best. It’s not the famous “big drop” you might know from the similarly-named rapid on the Green River in Utah, but it’s equally as challenging, according to OARS trip leader and Idaho guide Ashley Brown.

“At high water, Hells Half Mile is a long, continuous S-bend ending in a narrow canyon that hides some boat-eating holes,” describes Brown. “At low water, that long S-bend turns into a boulder garden that will leave you either exalted or exasperated.” In fact, at low flows it becomes so technical that it pushes trip launches down to Indian Creek, letting the guides brave the rocks and shallows with empty boats.

Beyond the excitement though, the narrows at the bottom of the rapid make it one of the most aesthetically pleasing rapids in the West. And as the first major rapid on the Middle Fork, it’s the perfect teaser of what’s to come.

7) Flight Simulator | East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon

Rating: Class V+

This complex gauntlet sits at the top of the ultra-classic East Fork of the South Fork run, so paddlers who aren’t feeling it can join the crew below and still have a great day, according to Idaho guide Dan Thurber. For better or worse, the crux is the entrance.

“It’s a dizzyingly long rapid with sustained Class IV-V whitewater that stretches around six bends in the river.  Or is it 7? I can never remember, especially when I’m in the middle of it,” explains Idaho guide Dan Thurber.  “It’s impossible to memorize every feature and move, so it forces paddlers to think more about big ideas: Keep your eyes open, follow seams and waves, hug the inside of corners, remember to breathe.  And for God’s sake: don’t swim!”

8) Termination | Lochsa River

Rating: Class III-IV (depending on water level)

Super beautiful and easily accessed along scenic Highway 12, the Lochsa River is known for being “explosive, continuous and high adventure.” Running during peak flows in the spring, the Lochsa draws boaters from across the West. While most whitewater love goes to iconic Lochsa Falls a few miles upstream, another not-to-be-missed crowd favorite is Termination. Giant entrance waves followed by a pancake slapper lateral from the left has had adventure seekers swimming downstream without a paddle more than once. Whether you stay in the boat or not, it’s guaranteed to be a cold but exciting ride.

9) Blackadar | South Fork of the Payette River

Rating: Class IV

Three high adventure sections of whitewater within twenty minutes of each other make the Payette River a whitewater utopia. And while it’s not the biggest rapid on the South Fork Payette, Blackadar Rapid, right after the portage for Big Falls, makes the best list for being big on fun and scenery.

It’s “about as close to wilderness as you can find on a day stretch in Idaho,” explains Payette River guide Chelsea Galleri. “It feels deep and remote and everyone’s hearts are pounding after having to move boats and people around a giant waterfall!”

Named after Idaho whitewater pioneer and wilderness advocate Walt Blackadar, this relatively forgiving Class IV drop surprises paddlers with a few big hits at the end.

10) Sunbeam | Upper Salmon River

Rating: Class III-IV (depending on water level)

In 1910, a dam was constructed across the Salmon River to create water pressure for mines along the Yankee Fork tributary. After sportsmen and Idaho Fish and Game realized the dam was reducing Sockeye Salmon, the dam was blasted. What remains—Sunbeam Rapid—is a site to behold (as are its waves).

“It’s a unique rapid because as you enter, your bow is angled upstream” says Stanley-area guide Casey Jones. “You can’t see the hydraulics until you come around the corner. If you think you’re going to drive your boat across the current, you’ll fail. You have to run this rapid tight and upper right.”

And if you blow your line, according to Jones, it’s a huge hit and full-on swim through frothing post-dynamite rebar/concrete waves.  Many guides consider it to be one of the most technical and iconic rapids on the Salmon River.

* This articles was originally published in 2016 and has since been updated.

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Ellen Tibbetts, Jan Kempster, Elena Kirschner, Denice Napoletano and Mary Williams greeted each other with hugs in front of the OARS Grand Canyon headquarters in Flagstaff. One by one, they walked into the building through the teal door frame and past the photo-plastered walls. A mosaic of photo prints, many of these same women, decorate the space, images of them smiling in the sand, cooking on small stoves on indistinct beaches, and rowing. Rowing the hard-hulled dories that are famous on the Colorado River.

“It’s getting pretty faded,” said Ellen Tibbetts, pointing to a portrait of herself, shot over four decades earlier. “That was the cover of Mariah Magazine.”

These five women represent the first two generations of women to grab hold of the oars on commercial dory trips for Grand Canyon Dories. Many of them worked their way up from being river trip cooks, earning their guide spots with talent, a deep knowledge of the river and a perseverance that wasn’t always required of their male counterparts.

This group came together to visit, share memories from years on the river and to celebrate life-long friendships that were cemented by a shared love for the curved wood (and now fiberglass and foam) dories that gracefully traverse the Colorado River.

“Dories are so special,” said Tibbetts. “To be able to row a dory and get it through the Canyon in one piece is really a huge accomplishment every time you do it. Not just the first time, but every time.” 

The First Dory Woman

Tibbetts was the first woman to run full commercial trips in a dory in Grand Canyon, followed soon after by several other women. She started as an assistant cook in 1974, helping to cobble together meals from the frozen meat, cans, cabbages and non-perishables that tumbled around in the hatches of the hard boats.

“We didn’t have coolers, we didn’t have tables, we didn’t have chairs,” she laughed. “We had cabbage. And potatoes, apples, onions and a lot of cans.”

In 1980, while Martin Litton was still the owner of Grand Canyon Dories, Tibbetts got the chance to sit in the coveted guide seat of the hard-hulled boats. It happened fast. Another dory guide couldn’t make a trip and there were a couple passengers added on, management asked Tibbetts to step in.

“It wasn’t like I had to try to get in. It was like you’re here, you’ve trained. It was now or never,” Tibbetts said. “Once you did it, it was like, okay, I can do this…Luckily I didn’t have any trouble on the first trip. That was later.”

“I felt a lot of pressure to not make a mistake because it would’ve been blamed on your size or your gender,” Tibbetts said. “I felt pressure to do everything perfectly.”

In a way, working as a cook had advantages in learning to row in Grand Canyon, Tibbetts said. Cooks often rode with a variety of guides and were able to study technique and the sinuous lines through the rapids. While leading customers on foot around some of the technical whitewater, they watched from shore as guides navigated through rock gardens and dangerous stretches. The cooks did occasionally get the chance to row the dories during trips.

“When they’d let you row their dory, they’d be like, ‘a little to the left,’ just a little backseat driving,” said Denice Napoletano, who started as a cook for Grand Canyon Dories in 1984. “But it was always quiet so the passengers couldn’t hear, really supportive and very helpful.”

‘You Can Never Be Stronger Than the Colorado River’

In the Grand Canyon, the ratio of female to male river guides has always been, and continues to be, imbalanced. Though the early women dory guides who visited the OARS warehouse in August agreed they’d mostly felt supported by their male peers, there were still differing standards and perceptions from guests for men and women guides.

“I felt a lot of pressure to not make a mistake because it would’ve been blamed on your size or your gender,” Tibbetts said. “I felt pressure to do everything perfectly.”

One of the misconceptions that’s still common in the Canyon is guides have to be big and strong to row through the Colorado River’s dynamic whitewater. Rowing a dory is more about technique and an understanding of the river’s powerful currents than sheer muscle, according to many long-term guides.

“One thing [Ellen] told me early on is you can never be stronger than the Colorado River, even men can’t be,” said Jan Kempster, another visiting guide. “What you have to learn is how to read the water.”

Still, it can be a misunderstanding that hurts a little.

“I could have golden runs forever and it comes down to Lava Falls and [some people] will choose the biggest strongest guide,” said Cindell Dale, who started as a cook in the 1980s and continues to row dories for OARS.

“And it’s because they have their own personal fears. I can only do so much for that with my performance. It hurts, but you have to live with that if you want to keep rowing. You can’t let it get to you—even though it gets to you.”

Pushing the Next Generation

Tibbetts didn’t think of being the first woman to row a dory as a revolution or blazing a trail at the time. She remembered a lot of support from fellow guides, both male and female. There were a lot of women rowing rafts at the time, and there was the famous female river runner Georgie White, who led hundreds of rowdy trips in Grand Canyon from the motor well of her 35-foot G-rig. Tibbetts also recalled how much work she’d done, memorizing the rapids and features of the 280-mile stretch of Colorado River while riding with other, sometimes less experienced guides.

“For myself, it was never a goal for me. I just wanted to be in the canyon,” Tibbetts said. “I liked to row and one thing led to another and then there was an opportunity.”

Her calm and fluid way of rowing, inspired a whole generation of younger guides. On their visit to the OARS Grand Canyon warehouse, Elena Kirschner remembered one particular run with Tibbetts through Crystal Rapid, Tibbetts’ incredible intuition and a special connection the women shared while rowing together.

“At the exact instant I thought she should pull, she pulled.” Kirschner said. “It was like our minds were one. It was incredible. It was just so cool to feel that. A lot of us rowed through Crystal and had that. It was very bonding to be together in that experience.”

The women gravitated towards dories for a variety of reasons: The artfulness of their design, the responsive touch of the oars and just how fun they were to row through whitewater. When a guide takes a boat down a river, they form a relationship. With dories, these connections can last years or decades.

“We tied the boats together every night so everyone was connected,” said Mary Williams, who worked as a dory guide from the early 1990s into the late 2000s.

“There was just something special and magical about having this beautiful little wooden home for a trip.”

For other women guides, the dories represented the top of the industry. Being a dory guide in Grand Canyon meant, and still means, you are an elite rower.

“I see the dories as a pinnacle as far as rowing crafts through the Grand Canyon,” said Kempster. “I feel proud that I went into this profession and reached somewhat of a pinnacle.”

Many of the women guides spoke of the strong bonds between the crew they worked with during their trips in Grand Canyon. The kinship with their fellow guides and staff kept them returning trip after trip. When asked why she loved working as a guide, Tibbetts was quick to answer, “It was amazing to be with the crew and the people we worked with—It was an amazing family.”

Passing the Oars

After training for years, young guides are often handed the oars of a special boat that they’ve learned to row from a more senior guide who may have spent years or decades in the guide seat. For Cindell Dale, she rows the Ticaboo and was handed the oars by Jan Kempster. She looks forward to passing the classic dory on to a young guide. Now, as a senior guide, she feels a responsibility to the younger rowers.

“I’m about making sure those young guides, male or female, have the right tools to carry on the legacy of what Martin and George [Wendt] started down here in Grand Canyon,” she said. “That’s our job as senior guides. If they’ll listen, we can teach them things.”

The current generation of female dory guides has impressed their predecessors.

“They’re so brave and so competent,” said Kirschner. “And they’re just shining out there.”

And for the young women who have yet to take up the oars, but are considering it, the dory guides have some choice advice.

“Somebody told me, ‘You should do it because when you’re 80 years old, you’re going to wish you did,’” Tibbetts said.

New Film: About Damn Time

Get a first look at About Damn Time, a short film presented by OARS about the dory women of Grand Canyon, which will be on tour with the Wild & Scenic Film Festival in 2025. Watch the trailer and be on the lookout for a screening near you.

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“Welcome to the end of the last wild river in the Colorado River Basin,” Mark Foust said as we pulled up to shore at Echo Park, and the confluence of the Green and Yampa Rivers.

Mark, the Dinosaur National Monument Superintendent, led us up a short trail to a boulder overlooking the convergence of the two rivers. As we looked at the cold, green flow of the dam-controlled Green River swirling into the desert brown Yampa, his words settled around us.

As we prepared to shove off earlier that morning, we cracked jokes and snuck in last conversations, but as we pulled away from shore, silence overcame the trip as the power of the place engulfed us. We had floated the final couple of miles to the confluence in silence, tradition among OARS and river lovers to pay homage to the Yampa.

I lay back on the bow and gazed up at the canyon walls. I listened to the water lap at our sides, to the swoosh of the current as our oars dipped into the water, and watched the birds zipping through the canyon. Not a word was spoken, and through the quiet, we heard the story of the Yampa—the last free-flowing river in the Colorado Basin.

As we floated, I couldn’t help but think of the story that could have been. In that moment, I heard the songs of birds and the splashy whitewater of classic rapids like Big Joe, Tee Pee and Warm Springs, drowned out and stilled, and I saw this canyon submerged to our put-in at Deerlodge, 46 miles upstream, the gnarled 100-year-old junipers and falcon nests buried in a watery tomb of a slackwater reservoir. Tears sprang into my eyes because this is the story of so many wild rivers in the American West with their flows dammed and diverted. But in that same moment, I cracked a smile of triumph because we didn’t dam this river to the same fate. Through the tireless and determined work of many, we saved this place, we won this fight—by one vote.

“One vote counts. Every vote counts,” Pat Tierney told us sitting atop a warm sandstone overlooking Echo Park, the location of a proposed and defeated dam decades before us. Pat, an author, researcher and long-time river rat (his words) has spent nearly 40 years of his life exploring, rafting and helping to protect the Yampa River. “So draw some power, some confidence, some meaning from that victory. If it wasn’t for a bunch of crazies and dedicated people, we would be 200 feet underwater right now.”

Because of its wild nature, the Yampa and its canyons in northwest Colorado provide refuge for endangered species, and offer unparalleled opportunities for adventure—and continues to be a target for water diversion as supplies diminish throughout the Colorado River Basin in a thirsty West.

“When my father and his faction won, it was the first time in American history that a group of citizens had stopped a big government project,” Ken Brower said of David Brower and the Sierra Club’s momentous fight against a pair of proposed dams on the Green River in Dinosaur National Monument.

The dams—a big one at Echo Park and a smaller one at Split Mountain—would have flooded the canyons of the Green and its tributary, the Yampa, inundating the heart of Dinosaur. Launching a powerful conservation campaign, the Sierra Club ultimately won the fight—ushering in a period many consider the dawn of modern environmentalism.

In our victory on the Yampa, we lost another battle downstream when the Bureau of Reclamation dammed Glen Canyon. That loss still sits heavy in the hearts of all who fight for a wild West, but to Brower and his team, it was a strategic loss. Because the Yampa flows through Dinosaur National Monument, damming it would have set a dangerous precedent and written the story of other rivers flowing free through national parks and monuments, making it easier for their flows to be dammed even though the land surrounding them was protected.

On that silent stretch of the last wild river, I couldn’t help but recall some of my last conversations with late OARS Founder George Wendt, who held a deep respect and love for the Yampa after he and a group of friends narrowly survived a trip in 1965 when a massive storm triggered the now infamous debris flow that formed Warm Springs Rapid. That experience, like so many river trips, changed his course in life.

After witnessing the power of the Yampa and the damming of Glen Canyon, George was hit with the stark realization that such wild places needed to be shared if we had any hope of saving them, which ultimately prompted him to launch OARS more than 55 years ago.

This is why OARS teams up with American Rivers and Friends of the Yampa every year to bring advocates and key stakeholders on a tranformative rafting journey to experience a place that is almost indescribable in words. As anyone who has found themselves on a river trip knows, there is something about being on a river that changes us. It is a connection to a place unlike any other, and when we find ourselves experiencing the story of a river like the Yampa, we come out of it with a renewed sense of vigor to fight for these wild places that belong to all of us so that we, and the generations that come after us, have the same opportunity to experience a truly wild place.

The value of the Yampa is simply that it exists, it is a celebration, a beacon of hope. It flows defiantly in a dammed Colorado watershed and in the face of a threatened American West. The Yampa embodies the wildness, the perseverance and the fight that beats in the heart of every American. It reminds us what we have to save, and what we can accomplish if we listen to the story of the river and those who share our company.

Watch A Guide to Fighting for Wild Rivers, filmmed during a 2024 Yampa River Awareness Project river trip, discover the magic of the last wild river in the Colorado River Basin, and learn how to build a movement to protect a wild river near you.

*This article was originally published in 2017 and has since been updated.

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Each year OARS honors a small group of Unsung Heroes among our staff. The peer-nominated awards are granted to individuals who routinely go above and beyond to help make OARS successful, but are often working behind the scenes. If anyone looked back at the company’s formative years, it’s safe to say that Pam Wendt would have been the original Unsung Hero—she was undoubtedly the backbone of OARS, and often not given her due credit.

OARS’ late founders George and Pam Wendt were married in 1969, the same year they began outfitting non-motorized commercial rafting trips in Grand Canyon. George would later reveal that it was Pam who came up with the name for their fledgling rafting business, and was the creative inspiration behind many of the company’s early signature branding initiatives.

“The name OARS was all hers, derived from the acronym for Outdoor Adventure River Specialists and perfectly representing our row trip philosophy,” George shared in a letter from 2012. “Buying only yellow rafts? Her idea. Moving to Angels Camp to base our business near the extraordinary Stanislaus River? Her impetus.”

As the company was finding its footing, Pam played a supportive role across all spectrums, whether that meant writing hand-written thank you notes to guests, helping with food packs, or driving shuttle vehicles.

Most infamously in those early days, Pam drove the large mail truck that George had acquired to accommodate the complicated shuttling logistics for Grand Canyon river trips.

“This big rig was large enough that we could drive a 12-passenger van up into its belly along with all of our equipment for a two-week trip through the Grand Canyon,” told George. “Once there, Pam would drive the passenger van off to pick up our guests while rafts were inflated and loaded to the hilt with gear and supplies.”

“When the passengers arrived at the river, my crew and I would take them downriver on the adventure of a lifetime while Pam drove the mail truck—with a guest van swallowed up inside—the 240 some odd miles to Peach Springs,” continued George. “From there, she’d catch an Amtrak train back to Los Angeles and her day job as an X-ray technician. Two weeks later, Pam would return to Peach Springs, pick up the truck and drive down Diamond Creek to meet me and our group.”

Those who knew her best, however, say it was Pam’s voice of reason that was undoubtedly her greatest asset to George and the company’s growth.

“Pam’s instincts were good, and I think tamped down some of George’s crazier ideas, and mine as well,” according to Richard Bangs, co-founder of Sobek Expeditions—another adventure travel company George helped launch in the early 70’s. “I think the combination of George and Pam was part of the formula for success. They would bounce things off each other and she would be the one who would try to understand the reality of a situation and pull him back.”

“But at the same time, if she found merit in one of his crazy ideas, she would be wholeheartedly behind it and say, ‘Let’s go for it.’ And she would support him,” continued Bangs.

According to Nate and Kelly Bricker, who in tandem with OARS, founded Rivers Fiji, “Pam was bold, which pushed OARS to set out on new endeavors and move forward with new initiatives and creative experiences for its guests.”

By all accounts, Pam was the force of nature behind OARS.

“Sometimes the canyon wall, resolute and unmovable in her beliefs and at other times the sandbar, shifting ever so slightly in the current, but still forceful enough to change its course,” wrote the Brickers in remembrance of Pam. “She influenced, guided, and coaxed the company to become its better self.”

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When Grand Canyon Dories founder, Martin Litton, sent one of his guides, Curt Chang, on an exploratory mission to Idaho, neither could have imagined what would come of it. 

Northwest Dories began as an arm of Grand Canyon Dories in 1972, operating out of Curt’s backyard in Lewiston, Idaho. For an impressive 50 years, he managed the operation which ultimately became OARS Dories.

In the beginning, the food was simple and the rivers deserted. Word spread and their business steadily grew from a backyard operation to a fully-fledged, complex, and dialed river running operation. Today, OARS Dories manages permits on six different stretches of river, launches more than 70 trips per year, and the menu has unquestionably improved.

In 2022, after years of dedication, Curt began making retirement plans. Hillary Mosman and Lauren McCullough, a dynamic duo with deep OARS roots, readily took on the challenge of becoming the new Operations Managers.

From Lost Cat to Found Calling 

Hillary grew up just around the corner from OARS Dories. When she was 10 years old, she and her sisters knocked on the warehouse door looking for their missing cat. They didn’t find the cat (he was actually at home the whole time), but Hillary did find her future. Her older sister Chantal walked away with a job that day, and although Hillary didn’t start working for OARS until she was 15, she earned “Taco Time” and Twix candy bars from her sister whenever she helped with big food buys for outgoing trips.

When Hillary was officially able to work in the warehouse, she soon took on nearly every job available at the operation: she cleaned bathrooms, laundered sleeping bags, drove shuttles, and managed the commissary.

“All of the skills I use now, I learned because I had to fix something at OARS,” she said with a laugh. “The job was perfect for me. It was everything I was good at: hard work, organization, cleaning, efficiency. I built systems and saw the direct result of my efforts.”

Systems she built as a teenager remain in use today. From the dry bag labeling system to pre-trip meeting structures, her systems have touched every corner of the Idaho operation.

It was a formative experience to have the freedom and agency to solve problems her way. That hooked her, and she kept coming back season after season, growing up alongside the company.

Serendipitous Swiftwater  

Like Hillary and her missing cat, Lauren landed at OARS Dories by happenstance. During a swiftwater rescue course on the American River, she connected with several OARS guides and left with a job. She met OARS founder, George Wendt, on her very first day on the job. He checked in with her at the end of the day, cementing her positive feelings about the organization.

In 2017, after a season on the American River, Lauren transferred up to Lewiston, ID keen to work multi-day river trips in Idaho.

During the season she rowed dories and led trips, while winters were spent helping in the warehouse. She could often be found with her head buried deep inside dory hatches, breathing through a respirator, sanding, painting, and fixing damaged boats.

“Lauren did the hard, thankless, and often invisible jobs,” Hillary recalled.

A Perfect Pairing

As Curt’s retirement approached, Hillary began thinking about the next chapter. She knew Lauren would be a great fit for the management team because of her extensive guide experience, demonstrated leadership, and willingness to do the unglamorous jobs without fanfare.

Hillary advocated for a non-traditional co-management team for the duo, one in which neither was the boss of the other. The team approach has been working well for the youngest and only all-female management team at OARS.

In 2023, after just one season in their positions, OARS Dories won the George Wendt Guest Satisfaction Award, which is awarded annually to the OARS operation with the highest overall net promoter score.

There is both overlap and balance in their partnership. Hillary fully trusts Lauren to decide which rafts to buy, how to fix the dories, and what lines are safest through big rapids at different water levels. Conversely, Lauren leaves all things commissary, bill pay, and master calendar to Hillary, who is truly thrilled by the minutia of paperwork and spreadsheets.

Their people management skills are also well-balanced. “Our goals are the same, and our approach to achieving those goals is similar,” Lauren said, “But our skill sets are different.”

Masterful Minds

Their complementary skills are necessary to deal with the complicated logistics it takes to run high-quality river trips in some of the most remote parts of Idaho. Together, they maintain six different calendars, a vast knowledge of river characteristics and flows specific to each trip, a fleet of boats, and complex transportation schedules that often involve backcountry flights.

That’s only scratching the surface of their responsibilities, which also includes hiring and managing more than 60 staff and their schedules.

“It’s a scheduling nightmare,” chuckled Lauren.

“It’s worth it,” added Hillary. “We want our guides to have diverse backgrounds, skills, and experiences. It makes everyone healthier and our community stronger.”

“They’ve set the goal to make OARS Idaho a sustainable place to guide long term, and I respect their commitment to the vision,” said Mia Clyatt, a long-time OARS guide. “They set clear expectations and are really good communicators.”

The Joys of the Job

When asked about what they love most about their work, it’s evident that the two genuinely enjoy working together and supporting each other. They also enjoy the seasonality of their roles.

The summers are high-energy, human-focused, and frankly chaotic. Together, in the off-season, they happily retreat into their spreadsheets and the quieter work of strengthening their systems and planning for the next season.

“There’s diversity in our days, but also diversity in the flow of the year,” Lauren said. “We have a vast set of skills that we get to use.”

Many days are filled with physical labor and endless repairs. Others are more cognitive. They drive forklifts, back up trailers, and manage a large fleet of vehicles. They also write, speak on panels, and advocate for wild rivers.

“You get to use a full spectrum of skills. No two days are alike, and no two days require the same skills as the next,” Hillary voiced.

Lessons From a Legend

There’s never been a road map. Reflecting on what they learned from their predecessor, the two explained how Curt made his own way. “He always got it done, he always found a solution; I respect him for that,” said Hilllary.

As female leaders in a male-dominated industry, the two say they try to channel what they described as Curt’s superpower: the ability to move forward.

“Curt taught me to make a decision for the greater good and to move on,” Hillary shared.

“His philosophy was ‘you can mess up, and you can move on,’” added Lauren.

Hillary and Lauren embody that as managers, as well. They uphold Curt’s high expectations while helping their staff and guides learn and grow from the inevitable mishaps and learning moments.

“They complement each other perfectly in the challenge to manage the staff and provide the best outdoor experience to their clients,” Curt shared. “It has been quite the transition for me to step away from all of the magic, but knowing these capable women are there is very satisfying.”

Curt’s legacy is ever-present. The foundation he laid, coupled with Hillary and Lauren’s vision, will allow the magic of Idaho’s wild rivers to be shared with generations of adventurers to come.

The post Behind the Scenes: The Next Generation of OARS Dories appeared first on OARS.

“Hey, hi, hello,” Carol approached me, brimming with excitement. She was clutching her notebook against her brightly patterned dress, and her hair was a little tousled. She looked at me over her reading glasses. “We have an idea,” she said matter-of-factly. I was elbow-deep in a bucket of dishwater and also dressed a bit silly. My disco ball-themed top matched the vibe of the evening. It was the last night of our Snake River rafting trip through Hells Canyon, and the group had been laughing uproariously for hours. 

It had been a classic trip start, and in a lot of ways a classic evolution, too. Like many OARS trips, the group arrived at the put-in as a conglomeration of pairs, trios, and solo travelers from various corners of the United States. Their palpable happiness was a recurring melody of this trip. With each passing day, their comfort with each other increased and so did their laughter. This too, is not so uncommon on a multi-day river trip. But by the time we donned our finest garb on the last evening, the level of friendship (and goofiness) had risen exponentially. The ending of the trip took a unique turn: one that extended the impact of the trip long after our last rapid. It started with “the idea.”

Carol had the air of a toddler giddily approaching a grown-up on that final evening. Eager to hear “the idea”, I pulled my hands from the dish buckets and turned to face her. “We’re doing a Secret Santa!” she proclaimed. I’m certain a bead of sweat with a sense of humor took that exact moment to fall from my forehead. In JULY? I thought to myself. “Right now?” I asked, confused. “No, no, in December,” Carol waved her hand through the air, dismissing my skepticism, meeting it instead with wide eyes and a wider smile. “Now, I need your address. Where do you live?” All business, she pulled a pen out and opened her notebook, suddenly poised to create a handmade spreadsheet. 

It turned out that while the guides had been making dinner, the group had been devising a plan. Tickled as they were by their burgeoning friendships, they wanted a reason to stay in touch. Coming from so many different corners of the States, they capitalized on the opportunity to share about their home states. The rules were set: the gift must be something your home state is well-known for. With that, Carol dropped all our names in a hat, and we selected. 

When I got back to service, after the trip, I flipped four and a half months ahead to December in my planner and left myself a note: “Gift for Barbara.” I promptly forgot about it. 

Four months later, I returned home from a crisp November walk with my dog. My mind was spinning: items on my to-do list and emails that needed sending flitted about in my brain. I almost tripped on the package sitting on the front stoop.  I didn’t immediately recognize the name. Who do I know from Washington? I wondered to myself as I took it inside and sliced the tape. The first thing I saw when I pulled back the flap was a Whidbey Coffee label. I gasped and was immediately transported back to the Snake River. I remembered Matt and Randy sitting in the front of my boat sharing all the things they loved about living on Whidbey Island. They had regaled me about the best parts of retirement. We had traded adventure stories. The trip memories elbowed my work thoughts away as I finished opening the box, which also contained a beautiful mug made by a native artist. I was so touched. 

Right away, I made myself a cup of tea. Then I curled up on the couch and clicked through the shared photo album from our trip. I was grinning through my reminiscence before I even took my first sip of tea. 

After the holidays, I asked some of the rafters about the exchange. “It was fun to have a surprise gift on my doorstep,” Carol shared. “The chocolates I received sure didn’t last long!” She enjoyed her handcrafted sweets, but she added how much she enjoyed sending a gift to another rafter, as well. I shared that sentiment: I replayed trip memories as I decided on the perfect huckleberry goodies to ship off to the East Coast for Barbara. The exchange had unique regional wines, locally made apple butter, cured meats and handblown glass. All made in the gifter’s home region. Edie went above and beyond, making each rafter their own mini fruit-cake, a holiday tradition she had talked about on the trip.

The ripples of connection didn’t stop there. Edie’s holiday travel plans took her through Scott and Bruce’s home state, and they got to do part of the gift exchange in person. “We got to spend the evening catching up. It was so much fun! It just added to the trip memories,” Edie reflected.  

It’s wonderful to connect on the water, but extra special when groups can extend the connection back in real life with a simple idea like a Secret Santa exchange. 

I still think about Matt when I pull out my mug in the morning, and it reminds me of the whole cast of characters. Suddenly I’m remembering laughing with Randy, a retired scientist, about monkeys in space; I’m learning how to engineer toys to be adaptive; I’m watching Kerry patch a hole in the dory. I’m in a disco-ball top, laughing at a preposterous idea that turned out to be nothing but. I’m smiling through all the memories a year and a half later.

The post Beyond the Final Rapid: The Unexpected Encore appeared first on OARS.

William, 11, approached me at lunch on the first day of our Snake River rafting trip. With no preamble, he shoved a shell into my hands. “Oh?” I asked. The beach was littered with shells and I didn’t know what was special about this one. He whispered conspiratorially, “Don’t tell the other guides. I’m going to find a shell for each of you to say thank you for this experience. This one is yours.” 

I melted. That was not what I expected. “Thank you so much,” I said sincerely. I slipped it into my pocket with a smile. We had been on the water for less than two miles. Not even an hour had passed rafting on the Snake. Already this eleven-year-old wanted to say thank you? I was moved by the medium of his gratitude: found beauty.  

During river season this year, I encountered many forms of gifting. From osprey feathers to surprisingly patterned rocks to knotty pieces of driftwood, sharing in found beauty was a top contender. But I was bestowed with other tangible gifts as well. Each gift brings warm memories of kind people.

On the Lower Salmon River, Annabel, 8, made me a dual-purpose bracelet/hair tie. She braided the neon strands in secret. The bracelet is both adorable and functional. Annabel and her cousins were goofy. They didn’t need much to be entertained, and every class II rapid felt death-defying to them. Each time I tie my hair up, I remember their playfulness and awe. 

On the Main Salmon, Amanda gave me a pair of Chaco sandals. Ecstatic, I wore them every day of the season. I remember my conversations with her because I admired both her adventurousness and her thoughtful relationship with her brother. Floored by her generosity, I didn’t thank her adequately. She was cavalier, telling me they had been in her closet for years. “She’s more of a Croc girl,” her brother confided. From North Dakota, she wore Crocs for all occasions (including chainsawing in the backyard). She even had a pair of battery-powered headlights for her Crocs! She was full of life, and her pathway was what some might call unconventional. To me it was inspirational. I hope I told her that. 

In Grand Canyon, Melodie dug in her dry bag to find something for me when she learned it was my birthday. She gave me one of her favorite protein bars; she found one aptly flavored birthday cake. I had only just met her, and her kindness overwhelmed me. 

These thoughtful gifts remind me of the people I met and the connections I made. I like tying up my hair and thinking about Annabel’s joy. I like slipping on my Chacos and remembering what it can look like to design the life you want. I like finding William’s shell, which is still in the pocket of my favorite pants, and remembering how positively impactful it can be to express gratitude to those around us. Small gestures made a huge impact on me.

When a river trip strips away all pretense, overwhelming human generosity is left. And the ripple effect is huge.

There are intangible gifts, too. And I cherish those just as much. When the entire group sang “Happy Birthday” to me on day two of our trip, they couldn’t have known I was feeling intimidated. It was my first commercial Grand Canyon trip and I didn’t know anyone. The song quelled my nerves and helped me feel less alone.

On the Middle Fork Salmon, Nancy, a repeat rafter, gifted me an observation. Two years prior, I’d spent time with her and her family on the Snake River. I had been in the midst of a big, off-river career decision. When Nancy saw me again, she told me the way only a grandmother can, “You seem lighter. Happier.” I blinked back tears. “I mean it,” she said. Affirmation that the turmoil-filled decision I’d made was right, I felt overwhelming gratitude to be seen so clearly by a near stranger. 

On my final Main Salmon rafting trip of the season, Diane, a retired art teacher spoke with me about her career. I accepted an art teaching job two days before I met her, and the overwhelm of transitioning from English to art was starting to settle over me. She told me to swing by her house when I was coming through her town on my travels next month; she’d show me some work samples. She gave me an email address, but also reassurance and ease. 

None of these gifts were expensive, in fact, most were free or found. That’s part of what makes them so special. A stranger wanted to express something badly enough, they made do with what they had in their drybag. And the gestures mattered. I’m still thinking about these people months later, not because they spent money on me, but because they reached out in a small yet significant way. When a river trip strips away all pretense, overwhelming human generosity is left. And the ripple effect is huge. 

William, Annabel, Amanda, Nancy, and Diane taught me it can be so easy to make the world a better place. I am grateful for their kindnesses. But most of all, I’m grateful for the example set: it made me want to gift others what I could. A listening ear, a handwritten note, a fleece pillowcase. It made me want to share in found beauty. It made me want to connect with others, to be generous with my compliments. It made me feel more hopeful well after I left the river. That’s what I’ll cherish most of all. 

The post Gifts From the River appeared first on OARS.

It was Robert Redford, the erstwhile Sundance Kid, who was the first person to mention the Outlaw Trail to me. I was interviewing Redford at his Sundance Resort in Utah a few years ago when he pointed to the long, ornate wooden bar with massive mirrors in the resort’s tavern, known as the Owl Bar.

“That bar is made of Irish oak and it was in the Rosewood Bar in Wyoming, where Butch Cassidy and his Hole-in-the-Wall Gang, the Wild Bunch, hung out,” he said. “Cassidy had it shipped all the way from Ireland. We found it in a biker bar up in Thermopolis, Wyoming, covered in Formica and shag carpeting. So we bought it, had it restored, which took about 18 months, and then brought it down here.”

Could there be a more fitting owner of this relic of Western lore than the man who played the Sundance Kid to Paul Newman’s Butch Cassidy? It’s not only a great bar, but I can’t think of a better place to drink a Polygamy Porter and ponder what Redford had spoken of. The conversation piqued my interest in the real Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, their gang that was known as the Wild Bunch, and the legendary Outlaw Trail.

A Legend Begins

That poetic name started getting currency in the mid-19th century, when robbers and cattle rustlers borrowed—OK, let’s say stole—an idea from the Pony Express. They would leave fresh horses and the necessary supplies in hideaways and so-called outlaw ranches that were about 20 miles apart. It was an irregular trail of supply stations, veritable safe houses in today’s speak, that stretched for about a thousand miles, from Montana to Mexico. Hence the Outlaw Trail. The hideaways took advantage of the dramatic geology of the West, making full use of narrow canyons, high pastures and great open spaces that lawmen couldn’t possibly hope to cover.

The Outlaw Trail still exists, though much of it remains rugged, remote and hard to access. What’s left has been worn by time and nature, but once you get out there, you may come upon weather-beaten cabins that were hideouts on the trail. You can follow it yourself, or parts of it, through the mountains, plains and canyon-lands of Wyoming, Colorado and Utah. Even if you aren’t as fortunate as Redford in unearthing a piece of Americana like Butch Cassidy’s bar, you can catch the essence of the West.

Redford had followed the Outlaw Trail himself back in 1976 for National Geographic and wrote that, “As technology thrusts us relentlessly into the future, I find myself, perversely, more interested in the past. We seem to have lost something—something vital, something of individuality and passion. That may be why we tend to view the western outlaw, rightly or not, as a romantic figure.”

Those words seem more fitting than ever in this age of TikTok and Facebook.

Butch Cassidy on the Trail

Butch Cassidy has always had the aura of outlaw-as-hero, often thought of as an Old West Robin Hood, who took umbrage at the idea that large cattle outfits were squeezing the smaller ranchers out of business and were therefore fit to be robbed. The Utah-born Cassidy—his real name was Robert LeRoy Parker—was one of the first to really utilize and eventually improve upon the Outlaw Trail. Known for his charm, his wit and his bravery, Cassidy’s first known crime was robbing the San Miguel Valley Bank in Telluride in 1889 with three others. They rode away with $20,000 and made their way to Brown’s Park, a mountain-ringed valley along the Green River that straddles the border of Colorado and Utah just south of the Wyoming line.

As early as the 1860’s, outlaws had been using this isolated bowl of grassland to pasture stolen horses and cattle and to hide out from the law. Cassidy and his gang traveled along the Green River before moving on to Vernal, Utah.

Brown’s Park begins in eastern Utah, about 25 miles downstream from Flaming Gorge Dam, and runs down into Colorado, ending at the Gates of Lodore in Dinosaur National Monument. Herb Bassett had built a ranch in Brown’s Park and had business dealings with Cassidy and the Wild Bunch. The Basset Ranch was the birthplace of his two daughters: Ann Bassett—known as Queen Ann Bassett—and Josie Bassett. Trained in riding, roping and shooting, but also provided with an education in boarding schools, the girls became outlaws, as well as girlfriends, to Butch Cassidy and other members of the Wild Bunch gang.

The “Wild Bunch” were so-named by saloon keepers in the town of Vernal, who knew a bunch of hell raisers when they saw them. This gang consisted of Harry Alonzo Longabaugh, known as the Sundance Kid; Harvey Logan, alias Kid Curry; Ben Kilpatrick, the Tall Texan; Harry Tracy, and Elzy Lays. The Wild Bunch are credited with the longest sequence of successful bank and train robberies in the history of the American West.

Exploring the Outlaw Trail Today

Head to Vernal, where the Wild Bunch drank and raised hell, to start your exploration of the Outlaw Trail and the rugged terrain it passes through. Today, you can explore this country on a rafting trip that kicks off east of Vernal at Deerlodge Park, just over the Colorado border along the Yampa River.

The Yampa is the last undammed tributary of the Colorado River, and it looks pretty much like Butch Cassidy would have seen it 122 years ago. The walls of the Yampa Canyon rise 1,000 feet up and can be streaked yellow, red or the black “manganese oxide” known as “desert varnish.” The sandy beaches, the Native American ruins and the ancient petroglyphs found here haven’t changed since Cassidy’s time.

You’re in the heart of Dinosaur National Monument, arguably one of the richest, yet most overlooked corners of the West. The old cabins along the river are part of the trail. Of special note is Stubs Cabin, which was a homestead used by rustlers around the turn of the century. The most dramatic—in fact, you could say prehistoric—aspect of the river run is Echo Park, where the Yampa River converges with the Green before flowing into Utah. The waters wrap around an enormous butte surrounded by cliffs. It was discovered and named by John Wesley Powell in 1869 during his first expedition into the Colorado Plateau. It is one of the most profound vistas in the West and surely one of the most evocative places along the Outlaw Trail, a perfectly preserved bit of the wild country that the Wild Bunch operated in.

You can find other traces of Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch nearby, such as Desolation Canyon along the Green River, where Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hid out at the McPherson Ranch, which still stands. The John Jarvie Historic Property, now overseen by the Bureau of Land Management, sits alongside the Green River and is worth a visit. Jarvie was a Scottish immigrant with a beard of Biblical proportions who ran the valley’s store, post office and ferry crossing and he was well acquainted with Cassidy, the Sundance Kid and the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang. He was murdered by a pair of ne’er-do-wells in 1909, and now his stone house is a museum displaying some great Brown’s Park memorabilia.

You can also check out Crouse Canyon, which was regularly used by rustlers and outlaws riding between Brown’s Park and Vernal, Utah. You can explore nearby Diamond Mountain Plateau, a sparse benchland with remnants of log cabins and corrals. The area known as the Outlaw Pasture served as grazing land for livestock purloined by the Wild Bunch. Further afield, in southeastern Utah, is Robber’s Roost, a place where fresh horses were kept, along with a substantial cache of weapons. It was a labyrinth of canyons that offered a variety of lookout points, so it became one of Cassidy’s favorite places to lay low. Cassidy’s original corral remains in Robbers’ Roost, as does a stone chimney and the caves where they could hide out. The terrain and the extreme heat of the region are cited as the primary reasons that the law never was able to root out any outlaws from here.

In time, the Hole-In-The-Wall, in the Big Horn Mountains in northern Wyoming, would probably become the gang’s best known hideout, a natural geological formation which afforded the Wild Bunch much welcomed protection. The log cabin that had stood there has been preserved at the Old Trail Town Museum in Cody, Wyoming.

The End of the Trail

Eventually, the long arm of the law began to stretch into the remote hidey holes of the Outlaw Trail. When the railroads hired the Pinkerton Agency to chase them down, Cassidy, Sundance and the latter’s girlfriend, Etta Place, fled to South America and bought a ranch in Argentina. After a couple of years, they went back to what they knew best—robbing banks—until the pair were trapped by troops in Bolivia after a payroll robbery and were killed.

Or were they? The legend persists that their deaths were faked and that they went underground again, with Cassidy heading to Europe and then back to his beloved Wild West.

Whatever might have happened, it’s remarkable indeed that a rafting trip into a remote corner of the American West can transport you back a century, to a place and a time when only outlaws traveled in these parts.

*This post was originally published on the blog in 2012 and has since been updated.

The post Butch Cassidy & The Outlaw Trail: History in River Rafting Country appeared first on OARS.

On a river trip, you’re guaranteed to hear tales of legendary boatmen, harrowing high-water years, epic flips, and other misadventures. Rivers have a way of inspiring lore carried down through the generations. And while we’ll leave it to you to make up your own mind about ghosts in Blacktail Canyon or Bigfoot sightings on the Rogue, here are 11 myths about rafting trips we’re happy to debunk.

Myth #1: I’m Not Athletic Enough to Enjoy a River Trip

While being a comfortable swimmer is helpful, you don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy a whitewater rafting trip. It’s true that you’ll need to meet some basic eligibility criteria, including being able to get in and out of the boats and be an active participant in your own rescue should you end up in the water. But many river trips are designed for a wide range of ages and abilities that vary in difficulty, so you’re sure to find one that suits your fitness level. For those wanting a more laid-back experience, many first-timer friendly rafting trips don’t require intense physical endurance but still offer plenty of excitement, fun, and opportunities to explore.

Myth #2: All Rafting Trips Are Non-stop Whitewater

Sure, there are rivers out there like the Futaleufú in Chile that serve up nearly non-stop heart-pumping rapid action, but not all rafting trips are only for daredevils and adrenaline junkies. Different river classifications ensure that you can choose a trip that matches your desired level of adventure, whether you’re looking for a tranquil float with gentle rapids or something with a little more action. Class II rivers like the San Juan River are perfect for the easygoing traveler whose interests include kicking back on a raft while taking in the breathtaking views and geological marvels of a vibrant desert canyon. If tackling fun Class III whitewater rapids or trying an inflatable kayak interests you, rivers like the Wild & Scenic Rogue provide just that, with ample time for relaxing in camp, wildlife viewing, and searching for Bigfoot.

Myth #3: All River Guides Are Cast From the Same Mold

If you hear the term “river guide” and immediately picture a burly, bearded dude who looks like they could have been a Viking in a past life, you wouldn’t necessarily be wrong; you’ll probably have at least one on your trip. But the fact is, river guides are as diverse as the rivers they navigate. River guides are an eclectic mix of folks from diverse backgrounds who all bring their own unique knowledge and talents to the river. Some have been rowing boats for over 40 years, while others are just starting to get their oars wet. You may overhear them talking about their work as a marine biologist, research scientist, engineer, or EMT. They might be a teacher or farmer, or manage a restaurant in their off-season. One thing you might find that the best river guides have in common—besides an endless passion for rivers and outdoor spaces—is they all have at least one good geology joke. Because river guides are the schist.

Myth #4: I’ll Be Stuck on a Raft All Day

While you may spend around six hours on the raft each day, your time traveling downstream will also include plenty of breaks to hop off for side hikes, swimming, and exploring cultural sites along the way. Perhaps you’ll pull over and hike to a waterfall or take advantage of a jump rock, offering a cooling reprieve from the heat of the day. Maybe you’ll visit a historic homestead or ancient Native American rock art and learn all about the fascinating past of the river corridor. You might soak in a hot spring, trek to a unique geological formation, or explore a side canyon. Whatever explorations await you on your river journey, you’re sure to be far from bored on a boat. You can also opt for a trip that offers a variety of boat options like inflatable kayaks or stand up paddleboards that you can paddle on your own.

Myth #5: I’ll Be Roughing It

One of the most surprising things for first-time rafters and non-campers is how luxurious life on the river can be. You might be camping in a remote canyon, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice comfort. Rafts can carry an astonishing amount of gear, which means you’ll have access to roomy tents, plush sleeping pads, cozy bedding, and pillows for a comfortable night’s rest. While you get yourself settled in camp, the guides will do all the heavy lifting setting up a full kitchen, camp chairs, and of course, the groover. The groover is a portable toilet, complete with a seat, which will be set up in a secluded and picturesque location so you can enjoy incredible views while you do your number twos. With multiple foot-operated hand washing stations available at lunch and in camp, and endless “river bath” opportunities, staying clean on a river trip also isn’t an issue.

Myth #6: I Won’t Like the Food on a Rafting Trip

If you think you’ll be eating nothing but canned food or backpacker meals on your river trip, you’re in for a treat. Because rafts can carry an entire kitchen’s worth of gear ideal for making delicious meals, don’t be surprised when guides whip up dishes like filet mignon with rosemary potatoes, wild Alaskan salmon with grilled asparagus, or chicken tikka masala with warm naan bread. Decadent desserts like triple chocolate brownies and pineapple upside-down cake are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and are often baked fresh in a Dutch oven right on the river. You’ll be equally as impressed with the hearty breakfasts cooked up each morning to fuel your day, and with dishes like French toast and eggs Benedict on the menu, who says you can’t get your brunch on while in the backcountry? With advanced notice, outfitters can also cater to many dietary restrictions and allergies, ensuring that nobody goes hungry while on their epic adventure.

Myth #7: There’s Nothing to Do Once the Sun Goes Down

Au contraire, my friend, just because the sun has disappeared behind the canyon walls and the stars have come out to play doesn’t mean that the fun has to end. Some of the most magical moments on a river trip can happen after the sun sets. River guides are often skilled musicians and storytellers, so an impromptu jam session around the campfire or the reading of a river poem are common occurrences. They may even break out a blacklight and lead a scorpion walk, offering a unique opportunity to witness these biofluorescent creatures in their natural habitat. And let’s not forget about the stars themselves; often traveling through International Dark Sky Places, river trips provide some of the most incredible stargazing opportunities you’ve ever experienced.  

Myth #8: Rafting Is Only a Summer Activity

Good news, everyone! Whitewater rafting isn’t just for summer! Spring and fall rafting trips have many advantages that you don’t get in the summer months, and with the right gear, you can enjoy rafting year-round. Shoulder season trips provide cooler temperatures, creating prime conditions for hiking, cozy nights snuggled up in a sleeping bag under the stars, and dazzling wildflowers or vibrant foliage. Spring rafting trips often mean higher water levels with bigger rapids on wild and free rivers like the Yampa River, Owyhee River, and the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon. Fall trips provide mellower flows for a more laid-back experience after the summer crowds have dispersed, cooler temps for exploring, and can offer exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. Not to mention, nothing beats sipping on a hot cup of cowboy coffee on a crisp October morning as you watch daylight break over the canyon walls in Grand Canyon National Park. 

Myth #9: A River Trip Is No Place for Kids

While it may be easy to think of whitewater rafting as a “big kids only” sport, it’s no secret that kids of all ages thrive in wild places. Parents who take their kids on the river know how incredible it is to watch their children learn to paddle an inflatable kayak, make new friends, and come out of their shells and grow in ways they’ve never seen before. Some kiddos even decide they want to be a river guide when they grow up after experiencing their first whitewater rafting adventure. (Don’t worry, they’ll probably grow out of it before they’re old enough…probably.) A family river trip is a great way to unplug, bond, and create lifelong memories in some of the most beautiful wilderness areas on the planet. And with trips on the Lower Klamath River and the Green River through Flaming Gorge for little river runners as young as four, there’s surely an unforgettable adventure out there perfect for the entire family.

Myth #10: I Can’t Be Offline for That Long

One of the greatest joys of a river trip is getting the opportunity to undergo a digital detox. With no cell service or internet, you’re free to fully immerse yourself in your journey down the river. Many people find that being disconnected from electronics allows them to reconnect with nature and the people around them in a way they never thought possible. Even teenagers have said how awesome it was to be away from their social media, texts, and video games for a few days. Yup, you read that right…teenagers said that. So while you may bring your phone along to capture beautiful moments on camera, you won’t be bombarded with notifications, work emails, and that group chat that never seems to quiet down. Who knows? You may even find yourself leaving your phone on airplane mode long after you’ve come back to civilization.

Myth #11: All River Trips are the Same

From the crystal-clear waters and alpine forests of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River to the red rock canyons of the Colorado River, the diversity of river corridors across the country offers travelers a multitude of unique experiences. Craving big rapid action set amongst the breathtaking beauty of the Yosemite region in California? A Tuolumne River Rafting trip will satisfy. Perhaps you’re looking for a family-friendly river with epic views of vibrant soaring cliffs sprinkled with deep green junipers and pinyon pines. If that’s the case, head on out to Dinosaur National Monument for Green River rafting through the stunning Gates of Lodore. More than diverse scenery, each river brings intrinsically unique historical and cultural sites, side canyons, waterfalls, flora and fauna, and more. If you’ve seen one river, you’ve only just scratched the surface of possibilities.

An earlier version of this post written by Rose McMackin was published in July 2014 and has since been updated.

The post 11 Myths About Whitewater Rafting appeared first on OARS.

The Colorado River, an awe-inspiring and powerful force of nature, meanders 1,450 miles from its headwaters in the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of California. Slicing its way through seven states, it has sculpted some of the most stunning canyons in the West, attracting adventurers from all corners of the world with its diverse flora and fauna and mesmerizing geological formations. So it should come as no surprise that it’s also home to some of the best whitewater in the country (maybe even the world). From Gore Canyon to Grand Canyon, here are some of the best rip-roaring rapids on the Colorado River.

Gore Canyon

1) Gore Rapid (Class V)

Not for the faint of heart, Gore Canyon is home to the Colorado River’s rowdiest and most dangerous section of whitewater that tests the mettle of even the most experienced paddlers and kayakers. Along this stretch of the Colorado, continuous Class IV-V rapids offer up some of the country’s most difficult and heart-pounding river action, but Gore Rapid stands out as a pinnacle among them. A longer, technical rapid, paddlers must keep laser-sharp focus as they navigate one of several different lines they can take through a massive boulder garden to run the rapid successfully. Choose your path wisely, because one wrong move in this legendary rapid can send you straight into churning, turbulent waters that can be difficult to recover from.

2) Tunnel Falls (Class V)

Less than two miles downstream (and with three Class IV-IV+ rapids in between) is Tunnel Falls, a river-wide waterfall with a whopping 10- to 12-foot drop. Like the rest of Gore Canyon’s rapids, Tunnel requires precision maneuvers and unwavering concentration to run without mishap. Those who pull it off are rewarded with an adrenaline-pumping experience sure to top even the most extreme adventurer’s best-of list and earns them lifelong bragging rights.

Westwater Canyon

3) Skull Rapid (Class IV)

The most notorious rapid in Westwater Canyon, Skull is created by a complex maze of boulders–including Skull Rock–that requires different strategic maneuvers to navigate depending on water flows. “[Skull Rock] creates a huge hole that spans the right side of the river at high water and is called Skull Hole,” explains OARS Canyonlands guide Davide Ippolito. “If you manage to sneak around this feature, you’re still not in the clear,” he continues. “On the right is a massive boat-flipping eddy called the Room of Doom that you don’t want to end up in, as it’s nearly impossible to exit at high flows. If you are in this chilling 60-80’ deep eddy, I wish you luck in finding your way out without getting pushed into the Rock of Shock.” 

While the stakes can be high, Skull Rapid provides rafters with a thrilling experience and paddlers can expect to have their technical skills put to the test. 

4) Sock-it-to-Me (Class III)

Close on the heels of Skull Rapid is Sock-it-to-Me. Don’t be fooled by the Class III rating of this sneaky rapid. According to Ippolito, Sock-it-to-Me often flips more boats than Skull. “This rapid approaches quickly while you’re celebrating getting past the Room of Doom,” he says. “With a huge wave center right called the Catcher’s Mitt and a strong current pushing left into a wall known as the Magnetic Wall, this rapid will make you rethink taking any of Westwater’s rapids lightly.”

Sock-it-to-Me lives up to its name with a big splashy hit in the Catcher’s Mitt and is the biggest wave train in Westwater Canyon, making it an exhilarating addition to an already epic adventure through the desert Southwest.

Cataract Canyon

5) Rapid 18 aka The Button (Class III)

Much like Sock-it-to-Me, The Button is not to be underestimated when Cataract Canyon is experiencing higher spring flows. “The Button” refers to a large boulder in the middle of the river that controls the biggest feature of the rapid, according to Russell Schubert, a guide for OARS Grand Canyon and Canyonlands. “It crescendos around 30,000 CFS [cubic feet per second], where the main current of the upper rapid freight trains right into this thrashing, crashing hole,” he says. “Cataract Canyon at real high water is game on in so many places. But at 30k, minds are on Rapid 18, and one reason some call it the Dirty Thirties.”

The Button is located in a stretch of rapids known as the Mile-Longs, and Ippolito likens it to being in a barroom fight, “You don’t know where the next punch is coming from.” Rafters lucky enough to experience The Button at peak flows can look forward to a knockout run they’ll never forget.

6) Rapids 21-23 aka The Big Drops (Class IV-V)

The Colorado River’s infamous Big Drops are regarded as some of the best whitewater in the country and consist of Big Drop 1, Big Drop 2, and Big Drop 3, all coming in quick succession. “No matter the water level, the Big Drops always keep you on your toes and always provide exciting runs,” says OARS Operations Manager Seth Davis. “And with the wild-river character of this section of the Colorado, one can experience a wide range of flows in one season which bring entirely different experiences.” 

Whether running the Big Drops during springtime high water or the mellower flows of fall, rafters can expect to head home with an exciting tale of conquering Cataract Canyon’s wildest bucking broncos. 

Grand Canyon

7) Hermit Rapid (Class IV, 8 on Grand Canyon Scale)

While often overshadowed by Grand Canyon’s more famous rapids, anyone who’s run Hermit knows it could be considered the best wave train and one of the funnest rides on the Colorado. Depending on flows, Hermit boasts the biggest free-standing waves in the canyon, with around a dozen of them in a row, creating a rollercoaster ride like you’ve never experienced before.

Located around mile 95 in the canyon, folks who want to experience this epically fun rapid should plan on a full- or lower-canyon rafting trip and be prepared to hang on tight as they bounce through wave after wave of shriek-inducing fun.

8) Lava Falls (Class IV+, 9-10 on Grand Canyon Scale)

This list would not be complete without what is undeniably one of the most famous and formidable rapids on the planet–Lava Falls. Known for its steep drops and technical challenges, Lava Falls draws river runners from all over the world to experience its relentless power. 

While successfully running this rapid is an achievement in and of itself, for most of the 20,000 rafters who run Grand Canyon each year, Lava Falls is the crux of the entire journey and signifies a remarkable accomplishment as they near the end of one of the biggest bucket list adventures on Earth.

Honorable Mention: The Returning Rapids of Cataract Canyon (Class II-III)

The water level of Lake Powell has dropped significantly in recent years, and a series of rapids formerly buried beneath the lakebed have been emerging for the first time since Glen Canyon Dam was completed in 1966. While they may not be the biggest whitewater on the Colorado, the sheer excitement of witnessing these rapids returning from their watery grave has Cataract Canyon boaters sitting on the edge of their rafts as they wait to see what these rapids will do. “This whole section has been like unwrapping a whitewater present over the course of years,” says Ippolito, “with about ten more rapids to come as the lake drops, according to historical accounts of river runners.”

Rapid 29, also known as The Chute, is one of the Colorado River’s underrated rapids found in this stretch, according to OARS guide Peter Lefebvre, who is also a member of the Returning Rapids Project. “Huge at high water, and very long, technical, and steep at low water, it is overshadowed by the Drops but quite a ride,” says Lefebvre. Davis agrees, stating that Rapid 29 is, “pure delight at higher flows. Kinda similar to Hermit in Grand Canyon, this section creates a rollercoaster of huge standing waves. Dig those oars in deep, brace, and hang on for a hootin’-and-hollerin’ good time.”

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