- Why choose us instead of other Idaho
whitewater rafting and fishing guides?
- Will this river trip be right for me?
(Given my age, inexperience, disability, health conditions,
fears, hygiene habits, etc.)
- TRIP DIARY:
What's a typical day like on your whitewater rafting trips?
- Do rafting trips on the Middle Fork Salmon
River pose a threat to the Idaho wilderness?
- What is the current water flow level
of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River?
- What is the current weather in Stanley,
Idaho?
1. Why
choose Adventure! Sun Valley River Company?
Simply put, you won't find a better value. We're careful
to keep our prices average, but our luxury service, comfort
and safety record are unsurpassed. Unlike other rafting
trips you may have been on in the past, we won't ask you
to bring any camping gear or help with camp chores. We won't
serve you "camp food." And we won't make you ride
in hot, dusty buses to and from the river. For over 18 years
now, our company has chosen to run just this one legendary
river, allowing us to focus on perfecting the experience
for our pampered guests. This is evident in our safety-trained
and experienced guides, top-notch equipment, gourmet cuisine,
and ratio of guests to guides. Extra guides allow us the
luxury of taking care of you, from your first contact with
us. Whether it's customizing a rafting trip for your family
or business group, assisting with flights and lodging, tying
on a fly, grilling a tenderloin to your order, coaching
you in an inflatable kayak, warming up water for your shower,
or providing whatever other support you may need along the
way, all you have to do is ask. Breakfast in bed, anyone?
Of course, our repeat customers are the best endorsement
of all. Go to the General Info
page to read the testimony of one family or call
or e-mail us for additional references.
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2. Will
this trip be right for me? (Given my age, inexperience,
disability, health conditions, fears, hygiene habits, etc.).
By helping you decide which month to come (which affects
whitewater levels and weather conditions) and the type of
raft to ride in, we can resolve most concerns regarding
safety and experience. Guests as young as 6 are allowed
to participate, under the strict supervision of a parent.
We have also occasionally welcomed mildly disabled guests
or those as old as 80, when their doctor deemed them physically
able. A detailed description of our safety/liability
policy will be sent upon request. All camps will have
private, sanitary toilet facilities. Many guests find that
a soak in the hot springs or swim in the river keeps them
feeling clean and refreshed. Others take advantage of our
pressurized hot shower. Remember, it's our pleasure
to pamper you whenever we can. If you're like most people,
any pre-adventure concerns you start with will quickly melt
away amid the scenic grandeur, adventure, professional care,
and camaraderie of your journey. However, some people truly
aren't suited to remote wilderness travel, and so we recommend
that you contact us if you still have concerns.
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3. What's
a typical day on the river like?
We were hoping you would ask. Check out this rafter's journal:
RAFTER'S
JOURNAL
Day 1: Wow! Quite a day for this city girl! Rode
the paddle raft this afternoon, and it was "exhilarating"
(that's code for "scary at first"). We managed
to keep the bow forward through most of the whitewater
(I think the left side crew was weak, though. Ha!) "Camping
in style" was no exaggeration. I ate like a king,
and I'm getting ready to sleep like a baby (outside our
tent... star gazing). My brave son is trying to talk me
into trying one of the inflatable kayaks tomorrow. Says
it's "rad!" It's sooooo quiet. Lots of deep
thoughts!
Day 2: It was a bit nippy this morning. Even rained
a little. The guides make us the most amazing gourmet
food with these "dutch ovens," just like the
old-timers used to. Except instead of beans and squirrel
stew, it's filet mignon, crab stuffing, crepes -- if we
weren't in the largest wilderness in the lower 48 states,
you'd swear it was catered in. It's even served elegantly,
with wine, appetizers, and dessert. I took a day off from
paddling today and just went along for the ride in an
oar raft. This place is beautiful! Brent saw deer at the
hot springs and otters in the river!
Day 3: So much whitewater on this stretch, I couldn't
resist getting in on the action, so I paddled again today.
I can't believe we're seeing vestiges of the native Americans,
mining prospectors and early homesteaders. During the
calm stretches, I spend a lot of time imagining how life
was for them back then, how incredibly tough they must
have been, and wonder why I didn't use to think history
was so fascinating! I'm so jealous of the people who keep
spotting animals! So far, no one has seen any black bears,
so that's my mission for the rest of the trip. I'm going
through my film way too fast. Fortunately, it was sunny
today and so we got to swim again... on purpose this time!
(Yesterday I "swam" when I leaned too far reaching
for a paddle!) I was just glad I could help everyone practice
their rescue skills. And provide fodder for the evening's
campfire stories!
Day 4: After feasting again at breakfast, I went
for a short hike with Jackie (my new "best friend,"
from New Orleans. I'm beginning to believe we're in some
kind of freaky "accelerated human bonding zone!"
I wonder if it would work on my mother if I brought her
here next year!) Last night, I actually "ran rapids"
in my dream! Maybe I am ready to try the kayak on one
of our more calm water stretches! Brent is ecstatic about
being able to catch trout for a change! He caught 74 today...
between rapids! Even the beginner in the group caught
15, not counting when she "caught" the guide's
cap! Ha! This place is "catch and release,"
so it's full of fish. As always, our guides know all the
ins and outs. They educate, amaze, and entertain us all
the time (oh yeah, and they get us all safely down this
boat-eating river!) I know a couple of the guests who
have developed serious crushes on two of the guides!
Day 5: So sad to see this rafting trip ending.
Last night we exchanged addresses and "swore"
to come back every summer. (I wonder if we really could?!)
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4.
Does rafting the Middle Fork pose a threat to the wilderness?
Fortunately, no. Congress had the foresight to protect the
area long ago, and the Forest Service has been strictly
regulating its recreational use ever since. The number of
visitors per day is controlled. A limited number of outfitters
have been granted permits to offer guided excursions, and
they are licensed and overseen by governing agencies. All
fishing is catch and release, using barbless hooks. Camp
sites are assigned ahead of time for accountability and
visitors are subject to a strict "leave no trace"
policy, requiring them to carry out even ashes and human
waste and to "re-scatter" unused firewood. A portion
of the proceeds of these guided trips goes to the Forest
Service.
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5. What
is the current Middle Fork water level and stream flow?
For current water level and stream flow information, click
on:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/id/nwis/uv?13309220
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6. What
is the current weather in Stanley, Idaho?
For current weather conditions in Stanley, Idaho, click
on: http://www.weather.com/weather/local/USID0246
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