White water rafting Sun Valley, Idaho

Archive for the ‘Stanley Idaho Rafting’ Category

Favorite Things to Do in Sun Valley

Wednesday, March 18th, 2015

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Excerpt: Living in Stanley during the summer is very special, but escaping to the Wood River Valley is always a treat. As promised, I’ve compiled a list of our favorite things to do in the Sun Valley area during the summer. Because our kids, Miles, Fin and Ollie are ages three to nine, most of the activities listed are kid-friendly.  I tried to keep the list to ten things, but I really couldn’t narrow it down below 12. Enjoy! Things to do in Sun Valley: 1) The Ice Show—the Sun Valley Summer Ice Show is, in one word, magical. There is not a…

Rafting the Salmon…A Watershed Moment

Thursday, April 10th, 2014

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Excerpt: In an entirely creative and poignant blog post, John Lavey of the Sonoran Institute, took an idea originally presented by explorer John Wesley Powell and created a new US map based on watersheds. Why base a map on watersheds? Originally, John Wesley Powell came up with the idea while exploring the West, “…[proposing] in 1879 that as the Western states were brought into the union they be formed around watersheds, rather than arbitrary political boundaries. This idea rested on the observation that because of an arid climate, a statewide organization decided by any other factor would lead to water conflict down the…

Top 5 Reasons To Have A Fly-fishing Guide On The Upper Salmon

Thursday, March 13th, 2014

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Excerpt: In Sunset Magazine’s October 2013 issue, author Laura Fraser, in “A River Runs Through Us,” wrote that fly-fishing is much more challenging than putting a worm on a hook and dropping it into a lake. She goes on to explain that it’s not the kind of thing you can learn on the fly, which is why having a guide is key. Since we couldn’t have said it better ourselves, here are her top four reasons why you should consider a guide when fly-fishing in a new area, along with one added by us. 1) Trout feed on thousands of different insects…

Idaho Bucket List

Wednesday, February 5th, 2014

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Excerpt: It’s a little-known fact to those that haven’t visited Idaho that our state is much more than potato fields. Our potatoes are awesome, but Idaho offers travelers unparalleled beauty, history and experiences. With over 83,000 square miles of terrain, much of which is large wilderness tracts, it can be a challenge to know where to start exploring. Boise State Public Radio recently came out with a good place to start with their “Idaho Bucket List: The 75 Things Idahoans Should Try (At Least Once)”. We are particularly fond of #14-Go whitewater rafting on the Salmon River, and looking over the list…

Before You Grow Up: Be A Raft Guide

Tuesday, November 5th, 2013

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Excerpt: “There are only a few carefree summers in your life. Don’t waste them interning at law firms…” So begins a recent post on Outside Magazine’s website that recommends working as a river guide before you grow up. Among the various reasons cited for doing so, our faves include getting paid to float a river and vacation days that offer climbing, hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking. Additionally, it lists the romance potential as high. (Woooo, woooo!) We would also add to the list the great sense of camaraderie with your fellow guides. One of our guides, the fabulous Emily Wendler, just might…

Starting 2013 Safe

Friday, May 31st, 2013

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Excerpt: We are up and running.  Opening Memorial day to cloudy skies and brave paddlers. 2013 is a go! Time slows after Memorial Day weekend and gives us the chance to focus on training and practicing the hidden skills that make our guides stand out. Every spring The River Company hosts a swiftwater rescue course to refresh and teach new skills. This year was no different and we had a great class once again. Our guides spend a lot of time in the water going over every possible scenario and on land practicing knots and land-based rescue techniques. Guests are typically not aware that there…

A single drop of water…

Thursday, July 19th, 2012

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Excerpt: It is raining today.  The Sawtooths are barely visible through the thick layer of storm clouds.  Sage is opening up, letting out its rough, raw scent.  A scent which hints of home to any Idahoan.  We are hoping that this rain will raise the water level in the river, if only a little bit.  And make the season last longer, if only by a little while. We watch the rain fall and hope that those drops make their way to the Salmon.  The rain inspires thoughts of the river’s formation: where that water came from, where it is going.   …

5 great hikes in Stanley

Friday, July 13th, 2012

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Excerpt: You come to Stanley, Idaho for the rafting.  But then,  as you are cruising back into town after a day of floating, the steep granite wall which comprises the Sawtooth mountains come into view.  Their deep folds hint of hidden lakes and tumbling waterfalls and you know you must stay, at least for a day, to explore.  There are innumerable hikes to choose from in the Sawtooth Mountains.  Lucky for you, the River Company is comprised of a group of people who, when not enjoying the swift moving waters surrounding Stanley, love hiking the dusty trails of the Sawtooths (afterall,…

Happy Birthday SNRA

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

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Excerpt: Forty years ago a bunch of Idaho environmentalists (a bit of an oxymoron, I know) came together to protect a beloved part of the state. The conservation battle started when mining company ASARCO made plans to create an open pit molybdenum mine at Castle Peak in the White Clouds.  Frank Church, Orval Hansen, Cecil Andrus and others used their political prowess to preserve the Sawtooth and White Cloud Mountains and, in 1972, created the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA).  For the last forty years, the land, fish, and wildlife within this area have been protected from development and other harmful…

Rafting Season for 2011 Buttoned Up

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

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Excerpt: Buttoned-up for the Season Reaching this time of the year brings a big sigh of relief. Another successful river season has come to an end and now it is time to slow down, take and deep breathe and embrace fall and winter. At the end of each season there is a good amount of work to be done to close up shop and get everything ready for winter. Guides that do not have school to go back to often hang around and help us get everything put up, for which we are very grateful. We begin by breaking down our lunch camp. Cindy…

What Does “High Water” Mean?

Saturday, June 18th, 2011

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Excerpt: The media is alive right now with reports of rivers flooding, or about to flood, their banks. Given the ample amount of moisture we received this winter and spring it is not surprising. But what does “high water” mean when it comes to whitewater rafting in Sun Valley? Despite the grim picture painted in regards to the Wood River in Sun Valley, the Sunbeam section of the Salmon River is at optimal floating levels. The Wood River and the Salmon are two different river systems all together, with the Salmon able to handle flows much higher than current levels. Certainly there are…

Trips begin Memorial Day weekend!

Saturday, May 7th, 2011

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Excerpt: We’ve started our weekend trips to Stanley to dust off the boats, organize the warehouse, clean the kitchen and set up shop. The first time we come to Stanley (from McCall) for the season generates a lot of excitement in our family. The kids get reacquainted with their room and the sandbox and memories of summers gone by come flooding back. Dave and I push up our shirt-sleeves and get to work putting things together, antsy for the season to get underway. This time around we discovered  more snow than usual on the mountain passes going to Stanley as well as…

What to do in Stanley, Idaho.

Saturday, April 2nd, 2011

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Excerpt: Writing about my favorite things to do in Sun Valley last week got me thinking about all the things I love to do in Stanley too. Embedded in the middle of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Stanley is a spectacular place. A visit here will leave you wanting to come back again and again. For those of you coming from far away, especially if it is your first time to the area, here is my list of must-do’s in Stanley. Spend the day at Redfish Lake—I never get bored at Redfish. The kids and I go there several times a…

Dogs of The River Company

Monday, April 5th, 2010

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Excerpt: It is true. At certain times of the year it seems that Stanley has more dogs than human inhabitants. And at The River Company we do love our dogs. On that note, we would like to welcome another addition to the family. Guide Mark Martin recently became the proud father of Rainy, the cutest (and from what we hear, the most well-behaved) puppy there ever was. Check out these pics of Rainy and the other River Co. dogs.

Rainy: "Best" puppy in the world

Mangee...so regal

Ochoco the wonder pup

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