Getting back into the whitewater...

Idaho River Journeys' guides Will Volpert, Chip Carroll, and Ursula Melvin just got off a 2-day Illinois river trip in Southern Oregon. They just sent us a video of their groups run at Green Wall rapid, mile 18 into the trip:



Enjoy!

-Team IRJ

Thanks for joining us this summer...

To all of you who joined us on the Middle Fork or Main Salmon this summer, thanks for making the trips and our time on the river so memorable. Hope to see all of you on the river again in the near future.

August 17-22, 2007 Middle Fork / Lower Salmon Trip

Due to closures on the Middle Fork, this weeks trip was moved to the Lower Salmon where we joined forces with our friends from Hughes River Expeditions. IRJ's eight customers and two guides, Tom and Will, joined Hughes guides Ryan, Bob, and Joel, as well as their customers for an expedition down the Lower Salmon. Crystal clear skies, spectacular "big volume" whitewater, and stunning scenery made the trip an excellent one.

Camps:
Day 1: Woodruff Gulch
Day 2: No-name camp upstream from Packers Creek
Day 3: Maloney Creek
Day 4: Skeleton Creek
Day 5: Geneva Bar



Ryan on the guitar, night 2:


The awesome paddle crew, day 4:


4th night camp:


Day 5, just some more great views:


Mindy and Jeff in the kayaks:


Day 1 lunch stop:


Jeff testing out the oars:


Greg, taking it easy in the kayak:


Mindy and the boys:


Evan kayaking:


Daniel in the kayak:


Bottom of China Rapid, day 4:


The HRE "Bud Light" clan:


"California Bob" and his party boat:


Thanks for the great trip!

August 9-14, 2007 Middle Fork Trip

Another week at the office, aka the Middle Fork of the Salmon, ended with 30 new friends telling spectacular stories, eating great food and sipping wine while relaxing along the banks of the Middle Fork at Otter Bar. Thank you for the spectacular week on the river.

Guides:
Tom T.
Kevin
J.T. M.
Will V.
Skip V.
Julie G.
Jo S.

Camps:
Day 1: Stateland Right
Day 2: Loon Creek
Day 3: Johnny Walker
Day 4: Wollard
Day 5: Otter Bar

The "A-Team" paddle crew:


The "Box Game":


Group shot of the hiking crew, day 3:


Ready to push off from Otter Bar, day 6:


J.T. and Skip getting ready for some sweepin':


Exploring the canyon:


Kevin climbing, day 3:


Day 2 paddle crew:


Roberto rowing above the "B":


Testing out the oars:


Relaxing on day 1:


J.T. through Tappan 2:


Looking back through Tappan Canyon:


Camp at Wollard, day 4:

August 1-6, 2007 Middle Fork Trip

Another great trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. Good fishing, cool temperatures, and fun water made the experience great. With the addition of spectacular people and conversation, this weeks trip will certainly be memorable. Stories were certainly the theme of this trip, from Trevor and Bill's wild (yet perhaps believable) tales from the oceans to the infamous story of Charlie Norton, the stories from this trip helped create a strong bond between trip participants and friendships that won't soon be forgotten. Thank you all for the great trip, it truly was memorable.

Your guides:
Tom Tremain
Jo Schroeder
Julie Guthrie
Beth Carlson
Will Volpert
Matt Volpert
Skip Volpert

Campsites:
Day 1: Stateland Right
Day 2: Shelf
Day 3: Funston
Day 4: Driftwood
Day 5: Cliffside



Mike and Chris hanging out at Driftwood camp, day 4:


Edward finds his true passion - the River Box Game:


Julien prepares himself for the big rapids:


The "A" cook crew:


Billy kayaking at Driftwood, day 4:


Box game, day 4:


Tommy T at Waterfall Creek:


Brother and sister relaxing time:


The group continues downstream after the Flying "B":


Our guide, Edward, demonstrates proper rowing technique:


Joan, Richard, and Julie hang out just a few bends from the confluence:


It's a full boat - Edward, Julien, Will, and Jo head back to camp:


Relaxing at camp:


Long-time river guide Julie G finds time to flash a smile:


Floating on downstream:


Mike and Edward slaying the fish:


"A-team" paddle crew:

July 24-29, 2007 Middle Fork Trip

Small groups on the Middle Fork can be rewarded with incredible camps that are not normally used because of space issues. This last week, our group of nine (including guides Jo, Will, and Skip) had the opportunity to camp at some great small-site camps. Our last two nights were spent below Big Creek deep within Impassable Canyon. Our group size allowed us the flexibility to essentially do whatever it was we wished. This meant kayaking adventures down Loon Creek and Big Creek, fishing up Big Creek, lots of hikes, and lots of relaxing time. To put it simply, it was another great week on the river with great folks and new memories.

Campsites:
Night 1: Upper Jackass
Night 2: Cow Camp
Night 3: Trail
Night 4: Big Pine
Night 5: Solitude



Here are a few shots from the trip, I hope you all enjoy them:

View from the White Creek Pack Bridge (day 2):


Fishing Big Creek:


Bull Snake at Veil Falls:


Camping at Big Pine:


Daniel, morning of day 5:


James gets a darn sucker fish:


Glen kayaking Haystack Rapid:


Holli and James, day 1:


James kayaking through Haystack:


Joan seeking the big trout:


Joan and Glen on the scramble up to Veil Falls:


Kayaking below Waterfall Creek Rapid:


Chris and his favorite boat:


Chris and Daniel kayaking Big Creek:


Hiking the kayaks up Loon Creek:


Night 5, Skip versus Will, Elephant Croquet:


Skip, waking up on the morning of day 5:


Tappan Falls, day 3:


Thanks everyone for a great trip!

-Will V, Jo S, and Skip V