Cool Snake River Rafting Trips for 2009

These trips are “cool” because they highlight special events, special trip focus, or simply an activity that we outfit & guide rarely. Look through the list, and give us a call. Let us know any ideas you have for “other” cool trips.

2009 Snake River Photo Workshop with Chad Case
June 15-18, 2009 (4 Days/3 Nights)
$1270/adult; $1143/student plus an additional
$40.00/participant Workshop Fee

Join us for a landscape, macro, and adventure photography workshop in Hells Canyon. Whether you are a beginning photographer who wants to take the camera off program mode or an intermediate photographer who wants to learn more about the technical and artistic aspect of creating a pleasing photograph, this workshop will cater to both. Sunrises, sunsets, flowing water, spring flora and whitewater action will provide a wealth of opportunities to create lasting images in North America's deepest canyon.

Workshop Includes:

• Daily group as well as one-on-one instruction
• Equipment review and using camera features (bring your manual)
• Use of photo filters

About the Instructor:

Chad Case is a freelance photographer/writer located in Boise, Idaho. His photos have appeared in National Geographic Adventure, National Geographic Traveler, Holland America, Mountain Travel Sobek, National Wildlife, New York Times, Outside, Sunset, Backpacker, Woolrich, Blue Cross Hemispheres, Alaska Airlines and numerous other publications.

Chad was the winner of the 2009 Society of America Travel Writers Photographer of the Year Bronze Portfolio and 2008 Society of America Travel Writer Photographer of the Year Silver Portfolio.

Hells Canyon Geology Trip
with Tracy Vallier

Travel with Hells Canyon geologist, Tracy Vallier. (B.S., Iowa St. U., Ph.D., Oregon State U.) Tracy has worked in the canyon for more than four decades. He is author of Islands & Rapids "A Geologic Story of Hells Canyon", and was scientific advisor for the video "Exotic Terrain". Hells Canyon is the deepest major river canyon in the conterminous U.S. The Snake River in Hells Canyon lies nearly 8,000 ft. below He Devil, a mountain that rises to an elevation over 9,300 ft. just six miles to the east. For those interested, Tracy will discuss the stratigraphy, structure, and petrology of the rocks that formed in an island arc, very similar to the Aleutians, Marianas, and Tonga. The rocks were subsequently attached to ancient N. America. Rocks range in age from about 300 million to 15 million years ago. Younger erosional and depositional features relating to the Bonneville Flood (about 14,500 years ago), landslides, and alluvial fans will be investigated on the trip. Tracy also has interesting stories about animal and people encounters that he will share in the evenings.

We hope to organize a Geology trip with Tracy Vallier in 2010. The 2007 trip was a resounding success. Let us know if you are interested, and stay tuned!

Snake River & Jazz
July 17-20, 2009
4 Days / 3 Nights

Brad Peters and Chuck Smith will be two of the musicians traveling with us. Brad teaches at Boise State University and has performed with orchestras throughout the northwest including the San Francisco Symphony, the San Francisco Opera, The San Diego Symphony and Sacramento Symphony. He has worked with Arturo Sandoval, Dave Brubeck, Ernie Watts, Lew Soloff, Diane Shure and the Glen Miller Band. He has toured national and internationally including concerts in Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Taiwan most recently a performance in Prague this last August.

Jerry Hughes and Dave Mendenhall. Playing on the Middle Fork, 2005

Brad Peters joins us on the Snake River, July 17th.

Chuck Smith is active throughout the Northwest as both a jazz pianist and a music educator. As a pianist, he has appeared with numerous distinguished artists, including performances with drummer Eric Gravatt, a founding member of the jazz group, Weather Report. He was a contract pianist with Ben Arden and the Carlton Celebrity Room in Edina, MN, and accompanied well-known celebrities such as Johnny Mathis, the Mills Brothers, Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick, Bernadette Peters, Loretta Lynn, Rich Little and Bob Hope. Smith toured as pianist and musical director for Paul Anka for eight years, performing in the United States, Europe, South America and Asia. He conducted for Anka at many notable functions, including appearances at the Reagan White House and for the Atlanta Symphony.

Backpack/Float Combination Trip
“Seven Devils/Hells Canyon”
6 Days / 5 Nights

July-September dates. Trips begin two days prior to our regularly scheduled launch dates.
From trailhead at Windy Saddle to the Snake River, the hike encompasses virtually every climatic zone in North America: high mountain lakes, alpine meadows, towering peaks, and views into America's deepest canyon. The route begins at Windy Saddle and visits Telephone Saddle, Hibbs Cow Camp, Bernard Lakes, & Dry Diggins. 3 Trail Days in the Seven Devils Mountains & Wilderness combined with 3 Days on the National Wild Snake River in Hells Canyon. Trail groups of 6 guests & 2 guides. Check for details.

Fall Sportsman Specials: Snake River/Hells Canyon
September 22 through mid-October
4 Days / 3 Nights

2 Guests/Boat & Guide, plus a gear boatman and large gear raft. Fishing (trout, bass, steelhead, sturgeon), and/or bird hunting (Chukar partridge). Drift Boats (Scenic River) or rafts (Wild River). Charter Groups of 8 or more. Check for details.