Where to Stay:
Accommodations in Salmon for before the school are good at the Stagecoach Inn 208-756-4251 or at the Motel DeLuxe 208-756-2231. Camping, (with showers and laundry facilities), is available at the Salmon Valley Campground, 208-756-2640. In McCall, you can choose from the McCall Best Western 208/634-6300, the Holiday Inn Express 208-634-4700, or others. All accommodations should be reserved well in advance, (especially in McCall!) Salmon and McCall are both small towns and all the motels listed are within easy walking distance of downtown.
How to Get There:
The school begins in Salmon and ends in McCall. Students who drive may have their cars shuttled to McCall by an independent shuttle service; arrangements can be made at the pre-trip meeting. If you wish to fly, Southwest, United, Horizon, and other major carriers service Boise. McCall Aviation, 208-634-7137 and Salmon Air Taxi 800-448-3413 offer flights between Boise, Salmon and McCall for around $120 per person each way. Local motels can provide airport pickup and drop-off.
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Additional Information:
About the Trip:
Our 8-day Idaho rowing school promises to be a true adventure! This is a great course for those who want to develop rowing skills for private trips, for those who want a little guidance as they delve into extended wilderness excursions, or for those who just want to row a raft and enjoy eight days in one of the west’s most majestic canyons. The Main Salmon offers excellent solitude, camping and hiking, as well as fun and exciting rapids. It is a great place to be and a wonderful place to learn how to row a raft.
Our 8 days will be spent covering over 80 miles of river between Corn Creek and Carey Bar. The Main is a large-volume river with a variety of Class II and III+ rapids. Generally, the rapids are long and wide with big waves and holes although there are some that require more technical maneuvering. Strong eddies and good expanses of smooth current provide valuable time to practice ferrying and eddy-catching techniques. We will take advantage of the warm, late-season flows to practice swimming, self-rescue techniques and righting flipped rafts. We will also have time to enjoy numerous off-river activities including soaking in hot springs, visiting historical sites, and taking adventure hikes. While our primary purpose will be to learn and improve our rowing skills, many students enjoy the off-river aspects of the school as much as the on-river portions; come prepared for a full and fulfilling adventure.
Itinerary:
August 16: Pre-trip meeting at 8:00 pm at the Stagecoach Inn in Salmon.
Day 1: We will re-convene at the Stagecoach Inn and travel by van to the launching point on the Main Salmon, (2-3 hours). After a thorough safety orientation, we will head downriver. The first day has a few small rapids (Killum and Gunbarrel) and plenty of places to practice basic skills. We will make camp in the early evening, distribute camp chores, and have time for relaxation, exploration or education.
Days 2 - 7: We will continue downriver, traveling about 10 miles per day, plenty of time to work on ferrying, pivoting, and catching eddies. Each day will present new challenges, both in terms of whitewater and instructional topics such as rigging, safety, repair, self-rescue, swift water swimming and interpretation. The most difficult rapids (including Split Rock, Big Mallard and Elkhorn) will come on days 5 and 6. We will also take time to explore the Main Salmon canyon, including stops at hotsprings and historical sites along the river. As the school progresses, students will take a more active role in the day-to-day logistics and decisions; instructors will offer advice and encouragement and will present challenging scenarios.
Day 8: We will take-off the Main around mid-day, de-rig the rafts, load the trailer and drive to McCall. The school will end with an early evening celebration dinner at a local restaurant. Due to the unpredictable nature of the school and the potential for delays, we recommend spending this last night (August 24th) in McCall.
After the school:We are looking for interesting, hard working people to work for us as guides. Unless you are a total disaster, (personality-wise), you will be given the opportunity to join ARTA as an Assistant Guide (unpaid position), to further your training and prepare you for a guiding career.
Meals:
ARTA meals are well balanced and consist of quality foods with fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables. The guides double as camp chefs and the menu includes a wide variety of dishes. Lunches usually consist of hand-foods and are served picnic-style at riverside stops. Dinners and breakfasts are cooked over an open fire and often include tasty Dutch Oven baked treats. If you have special dietary requirements or are celebrating a special event during the trip, please let us know in advance.
Drinks:
ARTA provides fruit drinks at meals. If you would like soda, beer, wine, or liquor with your dinner, please bring your own in unbreakable containers, (beer and soda in cans, wine and liquor in plastic bottles). Due to weight and space restrictions, we ask that you limit the amount of canned drinks to a moderate amount.
Camping:
During the course of the trip, everyone is encouraged to participate as much as they desire, whether that be on the river, collecting firewood, or helping out in the kitchen. We have found that the more involved you become with your trip, the more rewarding your trip becomes. Overnight camping will be at riverside beaches or flat benches above the river. All sites afford spectacular views of the river and canyon. Some campsites have Forest Service pit toilets; at others ARTA will set up portable toilets. There is usually a central kitchen and campfire area, and trip members pick out spots in the surrounding area to pitch their tents or lay out their sleeping bags.
Weather:
The weather in late August in the Main Salmon canyon is usually mild; however, like all mountain regions, the area is susceptible to sudden storms. Rain, usually in the form of afternoon thundershowers, can be encountered at any time, and we strongly recommend good rain protection for both day and night. Generally, temperatures range from the 70's to the 90's during the day, dropping into the 50's at night; extremes may be 10 degrees higher or lower. The water temperature on the Main is a pleasant 65 degrees.
Suggested Reading:
A great book to have along on the trip is River of No Return, by Johnny Carrey and Cort Conley which is available through amazon.com. Excellent maps of both rivers are available at Rendezvous Sports and other shops in Salmon or from the Forest Service (208/756-5100).
Travel Insurance:
We recommend that you purchase short-term travel insurance that provides trip cancellation and medical coverage for you and your family. Please request a Travel Insurance packet from ARTA if you have not already received one.
More Information
If there are any questions we haven't answered, please feel free to contact us. Our office staff enjoys telling folks about our trips, so don't hesitate to call 800-323-2782.
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