Thanks for another wonderful season!

The Cal Salmon - the calm before the upper canyon. Click here to see a bunch more 2009 pictures

Want to see more Images and hear what others are saying? Become a fan of Momentum Rafting on Facebook.

The weather is finally changing and we are winding down the 2009 season. We have a lot to talk about in this newsletter - This winters trips to Patagonia, Our 2010 schedule and online booking discount, and a brand new fall newsletter section on protecting the rivers we run. But, as always, we want to start off by thanking all of you for making this past season, once again, the best season yet.

With the economy we realize that many people were making hard choices about what they could and could not do. And as the season went on we realized more acutely how important your support, word of mouth recommendations to friends, and online reviews on places like Yelp and Trip Advisor are to us. For those who had a chance to join us this year we are honored that you chose a trip with us and we are deeply thankful that you chose to share your personalities, interests, and amazing life stories. And for those who were unable to join us this year for whatever reason we hope that you will have a chance again in the future. You all continue to help shape Momentum –Thank You!

Below there is more info on:

- Chile this winter - For many of us this is our favorite river in the world and now is the time to start getting plane tickets.

- Our 2010 schedule is out and many of our popular spring trips and next summer’s trips on the Rogue are starting to book. We are also doing an early booking online discount.

- Our new “What is happening on the river(s) you have run” section. Basically it has information on what is going on in each watershed to protect it and, if you would like, what you can do to help. We are very excited about this and hope to make it a yearly part of the fall newsletter!

We have also compiled some of the best photos we have of this year’s trips on Facebook here. If you have any good ones you would like to share you can add them to the Momentum page – we would love to see them!

For those who are not joining us down south have a great winter and hopefully we will see you next year! Thanks again for another incredible season!

Kind Regards,

Pete and the staff of

Momentum River Expeditions

Winter Trips and our 2010 Schedule –

Chile - Patagonia’s Rio Futaleufu: - Join us for our annual 9-day luxury wilderness journey into the heart of Patagonia. This is truly one of the earth’s magical places and a trip of a lifetime (and my personal “favorite river in the world”).

The trip includes:

- One of the world’s greatest and most beautiful whitewater rivers.

- Whitewater from high volume class III to some of the biggest class V run in the world (your choice).

- Luxury wilderness camps set among glacier-capped peaks.

- Tons of other activities - hiking, mountain biking, word-class fishing…

You can see a video about the trip at: http://www.momentumriverexpeditions.com/chilevideo.htm.

Now is the time to get the best flight deals - If you are interested or have any questions call or email!

Our 2010 Oregon and Northern California Rafting Schedule is Out - Check out our 2010 spring and summer rafting schedule. Many of our popular spring trips and next summer’s trips on the Rogue are starting to book. We are also doing a pre season online booking discount for 2010 trips! We have just finished our first year of our new online booking system and so far it been a huge success! So this fall we are offering a 10% discount for any 2010 domestic trip booked online (or online inquire made) by Dec 30th 2009. Find the trip and date that works best for you – click “book online” on our web site, and when you get to the “pricing” section enter the promotional code. The only catch is you need to check out our Momentum Facebook Page. You don’t have to have a Facebook account to do it, but if you do you should become a fan – we update the page with pictures and news all the time! For those of you who feel like Facebook is about the most annoying thing in the world – we understand – it will only take a second to get the code….

What Is Happening On The River(s) You Have Run?

We love the rivers we run and feel that it is critical to preserve their wildness, remoteness, and beauty. As a company we have always supported and been very involved in protecting them and we are lucky to live in an area that has an especially rich array of groups that look for effective, logical, and broadly supported solutions. Lately we have also been thinking about ways that we could give you the option to either become more educated about the rivers you have visited or to help out. So every fall we are going to include this section in our newsletter and update you on what is going on in each watershed. We are also going to have much more frequent updates from the groups involved posted on the Momentum Facebook Page and on our Blog for those wanting to keep up with things as they happen.

We are in a time when nobody seems to agree on anything and facts, common sense, and a willingness to find common solutions give way to emotion, anger, and a mind set that can be compared to a small child stuffing their fists in their ears and hollering “I’m not listening, I’m not listening!”. Because of this we tried to choose campaigns that would be effective and have broad support. However, we understand that we all have very different opinions and we understand that our most important job is to show you these places, give you a break from everyday life, and run the highest quality river trips in the west.  After that it is up to you.

So this yearly section should be a great way to learn more about the rivers you have visited, and if you are so inclined and find it to be an idea you support, a great way to help keep them in the state you enjoyed them!

The Rogue River, Illinois River, Lower Klamath River, and Clear Creek -

Siskiyou Crest National Monument – We love this possibility!

The visually stunning and ecologically diverse Siskiyou Crest straddles the Oregon/California border and includes the headwater streams of the Applegate, Illinois (major tributaries to the Rogue) and Klamath Rivers (including Clear Creek). The mountain ranges and river valleys that define this region are some of the most spectacular in America, it is a world renowned hub of biological diversity, and a day of walking through the area can feel as if hundreds of miles have passed.

The Siskiyou Crest has garnered attention for years and a campaign was launched in July 2009 to make it America’s next National Monument. The “National Monument” designation is a great way to integrate a wide array of traditional and growing uses, protections, and local community and tribal needs. This effort will likely take years and help is needed for a variety of grassroots tasks, including sending letters to the editor of newspapers in support of the proposal, gaining business endorsements, and organizing or hosting educational events and presentations. This campaign is in its early stages, and we are so excited about the possibilities! For more information, visit www.siskiyoucrest.org (they have a great interactive map).

The Lower Rogue River -

Save the Wild Rogue:

The Rogue is one of America’s most famous wilderness rivers. A coalition of local and national outdoor industry businesses, rafting and angling companies and conservationists launched a campaign in 2007 to strengthen protections for the Lower Rogue River. The “Save the Wild Rogue” campaign proposes to protect the tributaries of the Zane Grey Roadless Area. For those who have been on the river these tributaries are the beautiful, cool, side streams that we stop at to hang out by and swim in. In June 2009, bills were introduced in the U.S. House and Senate to add 143 miles of Rogue tributaries to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This legislation would safeguard tributaries that provide important cold water to the Rogue River and valuable fish habitat for salmon that migrate upstream from the Pacific.

Recent economic studies by ECONorthwest found that, in 2007, recreation on the river provided $30 million in economic benefits to the state of Oregon through fishing, rafting and hiking. In total, the studies determined that Rogue River salmon runs provide more than $1.5 billion in economic benefits to West Coast Residents each year, including the ‘non-use value’ of these fish.

This is essentially the monetary value people place on the existence of a natural resource, the ability to pass it on to future generations, and the option to use it in the future. This effort has very wide ranging support and just needs a final nudge so it can finish its long journey through our government and become law. To help take a few minutes to make two phone calls in support of this effort. Please call Senator Ron Wyden (202-224-5244) and Representative Peter DeFazio (202-225-6416) and 1) thank them both for introducing the Wild Rogue legislation and 2) ask that they work to get this bill through committee and passed into law this year. For more information, visit www.savethewildrogue.org.

The Owyhee River -

Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness Area:

Straddling the intersection of southeastern Oregon, southwestern Idaho, and northern Nevada, the Owyhee Canyonlands encompasses 3 million acres of public land – twice the size of Yellowstone National Park. This region is the largest expanse of undeveloped and unprotected wildlands left in the United States outside of Alaska. The Owyhee’s vast network of deep basalt river canyons and sagebrush-peppered plateaus provide key habitat for a number of threatened or sensitive species including the world’s largest herd of California bighorn sheep, several species of bats, sage grouse, redband trout, peregrine falcons, golden eagles, pronghorn antelope, elk, longnose snakes, bobcats, and pygmy rabbits.

Over the next year The Oregon Natural Desert Association will be ramping up efforts to work with local agencies, individuals, and communities to create the Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness Area. ONDA has been very good about understanding the importance of ensuring decisions made about wilderness are beneficial to all the parties involved. This is a very new campaign and up to date information will be found at www.onda.org.

The California Salmon -

The Salmon River Restoration Council:

The Salmon River Restoration council is one of the most unique grass roots groups we have seen. Drawing from a diverse and extremely off the beaten path community of less than 200 people the group manages to do an amazing amount of work protecting one of our all time favorite rivers (in fact they are so busy it can be difficult to even get a hold of them!). Check out their web site at: www.srrc.org.

The Klamath River -

The Klamath Basin is widely recognized as one of the most ecologically important watersheds in the United States. It is also the site of a long simmering conflict over water policy, wetlands, and endangered species. There is a huge need for viable solutions to the basin’s fundamental problems. However, the problems are among the most difficult, confusing, and politicized issues facing any river in the United States. Basically, the river’s water is over allocated, the water is naturally warm and full of nutrients but farming and reservoirs have made the temperatures and nutrient levels bad for indigenous fish, and declining fish runs have damaged the economies and lively hoods of downstream Tribes and Fishing Industries.

There are a host of environmental, Tribal, Fishing, and farming groups involved. Many have different solutions and issue. If you are interested in the challenges facing one of our favorite rivers please email us for more info.

]]> http://blog.momentumriverexpeditions.com/2009/10/05/our-2009-fall-rafting-newsletter/feed/ http://blog.momentumriverexpeditions.com/2009/09/30/great-news-for-the-rogue-river/ http://blog.momentumriverexpeditions.com/2009/09/30/great-news-for-the-rogue-river/#comments Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:21:09 +0000 pete http://blog.momentumriverexpeditions.com/?p=182 This news just came out yesterday. It is one more step towards taking out Gold Ray Dam on the Rogue River. For those who have not heard Gold Ray Dam Removal has very broad support and would open up 157 miles of free flowing river! It may also open up a great day trip rafting option form the Ashland Oregon area.

If Gold Ray Dam goes, county now has firm for the job

September 29, 2009

]]> http://blog.momentumriverexpeditions.com/2009/09/30/great-news-for-the-rogue-river/feed/ http://blog.momentumriverexpeditions.com/2009/09/02/our-2010-oregon-and-northern-california-rafting-schedule-is-out/ http://blog.momentumriverexpeditions.com/2009/09/02/our-2010-oregon-and-northern-california-rafting-schedule-is-out/#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:14:03 +0000 pete http://blog.momentumriverexpeditions.com/?p=181

Our full 2010 Rafting schedule is out for Oregon, Northern California, and for our Ashland based river trips. You can check out the full schedule here. You can also go to any one of our river pages for that rivers schedule. We will add more trips as the winter progresses. Some of more popular dates (especially for spring trips and trips on the Rogue River) are already starting to fill. Don;t forget, we LOVE doing custom trips. Call us or email if you have any questions.

We still have more trips coming up this year, but many of you are already looking forward to 2010 so our schedule is up and we have started taking reservations. You can check out the schedule on our Rogue Rafting Page. We already have a few wine tasting trips scheduled and we will be adding at least a few more specialty trips as the winter progresses. As many of you know we LOVE doing custom trips. The Rogue is much more heavily regulated them most rivers (a good thing - it protects it wilderness feel) so with custom trips we just need to plan farther ahead to make sure we can get dates and spaces that work for you. If you have any questions give us a call!

As summer comes to a close and we start to contemplate school, cool weather and the changing colors we think to ourselves….Wait a second!  There’s still some great rafting to be had!!!!

Just because it’s almost September doesn’t mean it has to end!  We still have amazing river trips from half day trips to multi day excursions.  Some of our best is yet to come!  Come and join us on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River for one of our cozy 3 day lodge trips and some of the best fall fishing on the west coast!  The Salmon and Steelhead runs are just starting and there are some big fish coming up river!  Enjoy an evening next to the fire with a beverage, a good book and delicious food in a rustic river lodge!  The perfect fall getaway!

One of our all time favorites, the Upper Klamath, is the ultimate fall weekend trip with its warmer waters, its consistent flows and its abundance of whitewater!  While everyone else mourns lower water levels around the country, we delight in knowing that we’ve got plenty of it!  Day trips from Ashland return with plenty of time for dinner and the theater.

Reasons we love this time of year? The crowds are gone!  The colors are changing!  The fish are jumping! The warm, fall light is here and….we don’t have to stop doing what we love! (at least not for a little while longer)

Call today or send us an email! We have Rogue Lodge trips scheduled through October and the Upper Klamath will be holding steady well into the fall.  Let us show you why we love late summer and fall on the river!

Steps toward removing the Rogue River’s second largest dam are well under way.  With the removal of the Gold Ray Dam, the Rogue River would flow freely for nearly 157 miles to the ocean! Recent articles focus on sediment testing behind the dam to determine the toxicity of reservoir sediments. Local geologists took core samples and tested them for contaminents.  Click on the links below for more. A recent public meeting discussed the pro’s and con’s of removing the 100 year old dam.  Public comments are being taken until August 28th that will be included in a report for the Jackson County Board of Commissioners.  Let your voice be heard! And let’s see our Rogue River flow freely once again! Send comments to Pat Foley at Rogue Valley Council of Governments 155 North First St. Central Point, OR 97502 or by email to pfoley@rvcog.org.

http://rogueimc.org/en/2009/08/15277.shtml

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090807/NEWS/908070328/-1/rss01

Just wanted to say thank you for such a wonderful time last weekend! I was so impressed with the professionalism of your guides, as well as the incredible relaxing but enthralling trip. I’ve never seen such impressible cohesiveness and talent.
– Anne – California Salmon Rafting

I just wanted to thank you again for the great Illinois trip a few weeks ago, it was definitely one of the best multi-day trips I have ever been on and, as usual, the attention to detail that you and your guides adhere to is astounding and very much appreciated.
– Paul - Illinois River Rafting

Your excursion was awesome, the food unbelievable (didn’t expect anything that great on a raft trip) and the guides were super. I’ve never seen five people work so hard and make it look so effortless.
– Susan - Owyhee River Rafting

For the first time in over a century, the Rogue River may flow free of dams for 153 miles to the ocean.  Over the last 3 years, three dams have been removed or opened up to the natural flow of the Rogue’s waters.  With the proposed removal of the 38 foot high Gold Ray Dam, the Rogue River will be history in the making (and we may end up with a beautiful full day rafting trip on the Rogue from Ashland!).  An unprecedented event for rivers throughout the country with the removal of three dams in three years!  Check out the recent articles about the, the cooperation of the county, environmental groups, and fisherman, stimulus money for the Gold Ray Dam removal, and sediment testing behind the dam at the links below.

Highlights from 2009:

“I’ve traveled with Pete on 4 river trips, 3 of them covering multiple days. In every case, his professionalism shines and in each case, my experiences have been nothing less than brilliant.”
~Guest of many trips - the last being the Illinois River.

“Hi Pete,
I know we haven’t met, but I wanted to take a moment to complement you on your company and crew.  I took a quick trip down the Upper Klamath last Friday, July 3rd. Needless to say I was not disappointed.  Erik was my guide for the day and as I’m sure you know his service is second to none.  While I can’t speak for the rest of the people that day, I can say that he made the experience that much more enjoyable.  His knowledge of the area and his craft was nothing short of amazing.  While I was with Eric most of the day, Adam, Jon E, and Derek where also equally as awesome; I had the opportunity to pick all of their brains at one point or another during the day.  I grew up on the rivers of Montana and used the opportunity with your world class crew to sharpen my knowledge on the rivers of Oregon.  Don’t worry…I wont be starting an outfitting business anytime soon, I know I wouldn’t be able to compete with the business you’ve started and fostered into a truly great business that has a solid future no matter the economic outlook.  Thank you again for providing such a great service.
Here at Nike one of the principles we live by is “There is No Finish Line”.  I employ you to adopt the same mentality.  You have a truly great business and will only benefit to continue building upon it.”
~Upper Klamath Rafting guest

“I just wanted to thank you again for the great Illinois trip a few weeks ago, it was definitely one of the best multi-day trips I have ever been on and, as usual, the attention to detail that you and your guides adhere to is astounding and very much appreciated. Take care, and I hope to raft with you guys again soon. See you on the river.”
~Illinois Rafting guest

“I know it’s rare, but Momentum is a company that delivers everything they promise.  Great guides, great food, great gear, great times.  Support this company!”
~California Salmon Rafting guest

“Pete, I just wanted to drop a quick note of thanks and feedback from my Momentum IK trip. I can best describe it as great, greater, greatest. All you promised and more. Concern for client safety, welfare and satisfaction is beyond words but can go with the three mentioned. Food and lodging were far more than expected. A unique rafting trip to say the least. Would not hesitate to recommend Momentum Rafting to anyone, without reservation. Hope to do another, would probably have to be the same trip, I am spoiled. Wish my best the Anthony and the support and encouragement he provided throughout the trip. Thanks to you Pete for bearing with me through all the questions before the trip. Hope to be back in Oregon sooner than you think. Thanks again.”
~Rogue Rafting guest

“Just wanted to say thank you for such a wonderful time last weekend! I was so impressed with the professionalism of your guides, as well as the incredible relaxing but enthralling trip. I’ve never seen such impressible cohesiveness and talent. You truly have an amazing job, and a wonderful cohort to work with. I’m looking at your Chile trip for Feb, so hope to see you there. Thanks again!
~California Salmon Rafting guest

“Hi Robyn. Just wanted to let you know we had an absolutely FANTASTIC time yesterday, Sunday, July 12th on our raft trip on the upper Klamath river with Anthony, Johnny and Adam. The entire team was top notch. Johnny happened to be our river guide and he was fantastic! Our entire experience with your company from booking the trip with you to the delicious food to the equipment could not have been better. (Even the weather cooperated!) We will definitely recommend your company and the trip to others. Please forward this note to the owner, Pete, as we want him to know what great people he has working for him. Thanks so much.”
~Upper Klamath Rafting guest

“Hello, Pete! I just wanted to let you know what an amazing weekend we had on the Salmon. I’d also like to thank Anthony, Rachel and Derek for being such amazing hosts to us. We were blown away by the hospitality. Not only are they extremely professional on the river but great people to be around in camp! I could not think of better people to show us such an amazingly good time than those three. Please send our regards and well wishes for the future to all to them! I will definitely be recommending Momentum to anyone I know that will be rafting in California and Oregon. Thanks again!”
~California Salmon Rafting guest

One of the perks of living in Ashland Oregon is not only the amazing whitewater within close proximity but its abundance of restaurants and eating options!  One of our favorites for a casual, quick and light meal (as well as some of the best margarita’s in town) is Agave.  Apparently we cannot get enough of this place as we also use their carnitas in one of our own river meals.  It is ala carte style but you can order platos for a more filling meal.  It is small in size but cozy, colorful and has sidewalk seating.  We recommend the carnitas, tamales and home made chips and guacamole!  And of course, margaritas!  Agave is centrally located to the downtown plaza area and is only minutes away from the Shakespeare Theatre.  Another reason it is one of our favorites…it’s priced for a river guide!

Agave Restaurant

541-488-1770

92 N Main Street

Ashland, OR 97520

www.agavetaco.com

After two days of planning, building, painting, and finally putting it all together, we completed our first 4th of July parade float!  Complete with Salmon swimming the waves, we paddled down Ashland’s Main St. to the cheers of almost 20,000 people!  Our happy paddlers waved to the crowd and welcomed the occasional squirt from a water gun (it was close to 100 degrees that day!)  If anyone hasn’t ever witnessed Ashland Oregon’s Old Fashioned 4th of July parade, it’s one not to miss during your travels! We had a great day and can’t wait until next year!

Inflatable Kayaks (IK’s) are one of our summertime specialities!  We’ve run some awesome trips so far and have many yet to come.  Lower Klamath trips through Rattlesnake and Dragon’s Tooth, the Rogue River through Wildcat, Slim Pickens and Graves Creek Falls, and even a 6 day self support IK trip down the Lower Owyhee!  (We can’t wait to hear the stories from Anthony and Adam).  IK’s are one of our favorite ways to see the river: personal, intimate and the master of your own craft!  Brave the whitewater, surf the waves and feel the adrenaline from your own Inflatable kayak on a number of the rivers that we run.  They are fun for everyone!!  They are also great for anyone who has ever considered getting into whitewater kayaking but has been apprehensive.  You will learn all of the basics of kayaking with the comfort of an open inflatable kayak.  The perfect beginning for those eager to learn!

Come experience the river up close and personal with Momentum on one of our amazing Inflatable Kayak trips! We’ve still got availability on some of our Rogue and Lower Klamath trips through August!  See you on the water!

Hello everyone. I just got off our first lodge trip of the year on the Rogue - it was amazing! We finally have set up our Rogue facebook page - it has lots of new pics and we will add a ton more as the season goes on - we also encourage others to add pictures they enjoy. All the dates for this years trips are on our website on our Rogue Rafting page.

We here at Momentum are excited for summer and the begginning multi-day river trips on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River!! Known as one of the best multi-day river trips in the country, the Wild and Scenic Rogue is 32 miles of wilderness canyon full of exillerating whitewater, abundant wildlife, rich history and amazing scenery.  It is a must do for any river connoisseur as well as those who are first timers to the river world!  The Rogue is the perfect get away for families and friends looking for a little beauty and relaxation, a break from the hustle and bustle of the “real world”.  Take a trip into the history and lore of the Takelma Indians native canyon, the favorite fishing holes of Zane Grey and the filming location for movies like The River Wild.  Jump in one of our inflatable kayaks for some up close and personal river excitement through rapids such as Wildcat, Graves Creek Falls and Horseshoe Bend.  Take some solo time on an evening stroll along the Rogue River Hiking Trail.  Explore the waterfalls at Tate Creek and make sure the kids give the natural water slide a go!  So much to see, so much to experience! We offer lodge based trips as well as our famous camp trips, both comfortable and restful.  As always, Momentum’s delicious meals will tempt and satisfy! And, as if that weren’t enough, wine tasting, hiking and world class fishing are even more reason to come experience the magic of the Wild and Scenic Rogue River. Our Rogue season is in full swing and looking good!  Water levels are perfect, the weather is warming, and the river is waiting!  Our summer trips are filling up fast and our guides can’t wait to get back to “the Canyon”.  Snow pack for the Rogue drainage basin is above average and flows for the river look solid for the summer according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the US Army Corp of Engineers.   So what are you waiting for?  Come play with us on The Wild and Scenic Rogue River!  Let the Momentum crew treat you to a few days of beautiful wilderness, exciting rafting, good food, friends and an amazing river trip!!!

It’s that time of year again, when one of our favorite rivers shows us the beauty of the Northern California wilderness.  The California Salmon has been running at excellent flows and has hosted us with superb weather.  Wine tasting, whitewater and wonderful people have filled our recent weekends and we are loving the spring!  We’re hoping for a couple more weekends of this magnificent place and some more spring magic.  We still have room for those eager to jump on a last minute trip!

Thanks to all of those who have joined us already!!!  We’ve had a great time and hope that you did too.  For those who have yet to…we can’t wait to see you soon!!!  Come experience the magic of the California Salmon River and join us for a weekend you will never forget!!!