Top 10 White-Water Rafting Trips in the World by National Geographic

Upper Alsek #1 ranked river in the World.

photo: Seth Tonsmeire

Alsek and Tatshenshini Rivers ranked #1 for Top 10 white-water rafting adventures in the World by National Geographic. We will be running an Upper Alsek trip on July 12th-23rd, followed by a Tatshenshini trip on July 30th-August 9th. The Middle Fork of the Salmon was ranked #3. We will be running Middle Fork trips throughout the summer. Check out www.wildernessriver.com for dates and prices for next summer.

Fisher Glacier Camp - Upper Alsek

Photo: Seth Tonsmeire

Check out more Alsek photos on a WRO facebook gallery.

Beachview Camp - Upper Alsek

Photo: Seth Tonsmeire

Middle Fork Salmon ranked #3

Photo: Veronica Herdon

Middle Fork Salmon - Veil Cave

Photo: Seth Tonsmeire

Check out more Middle Fork photos on a WRO facebook gallery.

Hope your having a great day!

Seth Tonsmeire

Middle Fork Salmon Kayaking Trip

The Middle Fork on June 16th is a great time for kayaking. The waves are big and the rapids are fun. For me June is the perfect time to be kayaking on the Middle Fork. The river is dropping at this point, bringing waves and rapid in that have been washed out earlier in the year. The higher water makes it deep enough to wave wheel all the way down. If playboating is not your thing, it is still a great to to get out there and just run some great Idaho whitewater. We are offering a kayak specific trip on June 16th, with a kayak guide and rafts to carry all the gear. The rafts are there if someone wants a break or if other friends and family that don't kayak would like to join the trip. I still have a fleet of Jackson kayaks for rent and would love to have anyone with kayaking experience join this great Middle Fork Salmon kayaking trip. Check out some photos of last years trip at the WRO kayaking photo gallery. RSVP this event on facebook. Also watch a video documentary of last years trip put together by WRO guide Matt Westfall on youtube.

Middle Fork Salmon Kayaking Video

Other attractions to this trip include fishing, hiking, great Idaho hot-springs, great food, good company, just to name a few!!!

“I just wanted to tell you that we had a great time on our Middle Fork kayak trip. I have wanted to do a trip like this with the boys for some time and it was everything I hoped it would be. The river, the camping, the fishing, the side hikes and hot springs were all great. You, Matt, Henry and Tyler really made the trip. Your experience, knowledge, boating skills, the way you put us at ease and your flexibility to what we wanted to do really combined for a great experience. When you can give the teenage playboaters all they can handle, keep the 11 year old in his comfort zone and not wear out the old men, you have accomplished something! I definitely want to talk to you in the future about another trip.”

Thanks,
Jason Darby 09’

Photos: Henry Munter

$1,400 plus $4/day FS fee

(Includes: kayak guide, all meal, transportation to and from river, all camping gear, and an all around great time!!!)

Contact Information:

Seth Tonsmeire

seth@wildernessriver.com

(406) 579 - 8677 cell

(800) 252 - 6581 office

RiverSide Kayak School

RiverSide Kayak School is a new section of Wilderness River Outfitters.  We have been doing kayak and canoe trips in the past, but we just got a little more serious about it.  There are now certain trips that are offered to kayakers, ranging from beginner to advanced.  I have been kayaking for around 10 years, and learned on the Main Salmon River in Idaho.  This river is perfect for someone wanting too learn how to kayak.  The warm water and fun but also gentle rapids make for the perfect combo for beginner kayaking.  We offer Main Salmon trips throughout the summer.   We now have a fleet of kayaks available for rent, as well as instructors can be hired.  So for someone wanting to start kayaking:  you can fly into Salmon Idaho, spend a day on our private lake with an instructor learning the roll and some basic paddle strokes, then jump onto a WRO six-day Main Salmon trip for a great introduction into the sport of kayaking.  Our specific trip for beginner kayaking is offered on August 25th, but a kayaker is welcome to add on any of our trips.  This trip is also great choice for someone who has kayaked before, but just wants some help getting more comfortable with class III rapids and basic kayaking skills.  From the Main Salmon there are trips that just keep stepping up in difficulty.  Middle Fork Kayak Camp is another RiverSide trip, this is an intermediate/advanced play-boating trip on the Middle Fork Salmon in June.  Trips also range to class IV-V for experienced kayakers, often providing raft support more than instructional kayaking on these runs.  Full web-page coming soon.  Feel free to call or e-mail me about different trips, pricing, kayak rentals, or any questions about RiverSide.

Seth Tonsmeire

(406) 579 -8677

seth@wildernessriver.com

Kayak Fleet

Jackson Hero – A full on river-runner.  Great for a beginner kayaker just learning, but also a great boat for running harder white-water.  This boat fits an average sized adult (140-190 lbs)

Jackson Fun (2) – This boat is a play-boat, but also paddles well down river.  If you are a go-getter beginner, this is great boat that will not slow you down in your progression.  Also a great boat for more advanced boaters that just like a little more room  than todays play-boats have to offer.

Jackson Star – This is one of today’s best play-boats on the market.  This boat will not hold you back from any of today’s newest play-boating moves, it’s a freestyle machine.  If you can keep up with this boats ability, your going to have a guaranteed good time.

Jackson Sidekick – This is a boat for the kids, or very small adults.  If you have a kid who really wants to learn how to kayak, throw him or her in this boat on any Main Salmon trip with an instructor and watch them go.

Jackson Rocker – This boat is designed for creek boating.  If you are a solid kayaker and would like to jump on a Jarbidge trip, this boat or the hero would be good choice.

Wavesport Project 52 – Another play-boat.  A good play-boat for an average sized adult.  This boat will not hold you back from any of today’s wave or hole tricks.

Pyranha S6 (190) – This boat is an older play-boat, but it was ahead of it time.  Still a great play-boat for a smaller adult or kids.  Once you have your roll down and want to start getting a little more playful, this could make a good choice.

Pyranha H3 (235) – This kayak is a great river-runner or big water boat for a smaller adult.  This boat has seen some river miles, it knows the way down.

*  Inquire about paddles, spray-skirts, helmets, and other kayaking accessories available. 

*  Kayaks also available for rent, even if your not joining a RiverSide Trip.

An Update From Idaho.

With the warm weather in February, many thought that winter was over. Turns out that I was skiing power again and waking up to zero degree mornings in March. The warmer February weather did not help out our early heavy snow-pack, but the recent weather change has put us back on track. The Salmon River Basin is currently at 94% of normal, the Flathead basin is holding at 89%, and the Bruneau and Owyhee river basins are holding strong with 95% of normal. The warmer weather in February did on the other hand give me a good window for working on the new WRO guide house. In legislative news, after getting shot down once, the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 did make it through the House of Representatives after some minor changes. This bill is now headed to President Obama, who is expected to sign without delay. With this bill passing, over a half million acres of beauty and prestige in the Owyhee Canyon Lands will be protected for future generations to enjoy. Throughout Idaho and Montana, with the snow we have thus far, many great river will continue to flow this summer. Despite the current failing economy. I have also included a picture of the progress I have recently made on my building project. I hope your having a great day.

Seth Tonsmeire