Archive for the ‘General News’ Category

Give a River Trip for the Holidays!

by ECHO Staff on November 25th, 2009

gift-certificateThe holidays are upon us and why not treat your friends and family to the gift of a river trip this year! We offer gift certificates for use on any of our trips. They are available in any dollar amount up to the entire cost of the trip of your choice and can be mailed to you or your loved one. Purchase before December 22 and receive 10% off the face value!

Gift certificates provide an excellent opportunity to gather your friends and family for a river adventure. ECHO trips are fabulous for special occasions, such as family reunions, bachelor parties, anniversaries or birthdays. Let them know of the adventures that await them this summer with an ECHO gift certificate!

Happy Holidays from the entire ECHO staff!

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Trivia Contest Winners!

by ECHO Staff on November 16th, 2009

We asked you on Friday to Name That Bird and were thrilled with all of the guesses we received!

Double-crested Cormorant

The bird in the photo is a Double-crested Cormorant, shown paddling the Rogue River last September. These large waterbirds have stocky bodies, long necks and webbed feet. As you can see from the pictured specimen, they swim low in the water often with only their necks and heads visible, which caused some ECHO guests to nickname them the “periscope ducks”. Excellent divers, these fish eaters can reach depths of 5-25 feet, however their feathers aren’t waterproof, so they are often spotted perched on rocks in the river with their wings outstretched for drying.

There were many correct responses but the ECHO hoodies will go to:

Mark L. of Solana Beach, CA
Bruce D. of Tacoma, WA
Robert G. of Newport Beach, CA

We also asked you to submit name suggestions for the new raft joining our fleet this year. After careful committee consideration, we’ve decided on “Wild Thing” in honor of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the ECHO hoodie will go to:

Sue V. of Chico, CA

Thanks to all for participating and we hope to see you on another ECHO trip soon!

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Sundance Kayak School

by ECHO Staff on September 30th, 2009

Sundance Kayak SchoolLast spring, the owners of ECHO acquired Sundance River Center, which has been a leading name in kayak instruction on the Rogue River since the 1970′s. Sundance has changed hands a few times throughout the years, but has maintained their emphasis on teaching fledgling paddlers the skills needed to travel safely downriver.

ECHO plans to continue this tradition by operating Sundance’s new kayak schools in the same way that we’ve managed our river trips for over 37 years. After purchasing a new fleet of boats, retaining some solid instructors and tweaking the menu, we’re proud to announce that Intermediate Kayak Schools will run throughout the summer of 2010. We’ve chosen a 6-day format that will include a day to practice and perfect necessary maneuvers on the Recreation section of the Rogue before heading out for a 5-day downriver trip through the Wild and Scenic section. If you’ve gotten your feet wet with river kayaking, but would like more instruction and raft support, you should know that Sundance Kayak School will offer the same excellent gear, food and guides you’ve come to expect from your trips with ECHO.

Learn more about Sundance Kayak Schools and view available dates by visiting the new website at www.sundanceriver.com!

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2010: Ready to Launch!

by ECHO Staff on September 4th, 2009

Rafting the Rogue RiverHard to believe that the 2009 season is almost over, but much like Santa on December 26, we are busy in our workshop planning for summer of 2010! Some special trips are already scheduled including the return of DeRiemer Adventure Kayaking for 2 trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River as well as a Discounted Family Trip on the Rogue River. You can help us make 2010 our best summer yet by telling us what types of trips you’d like to see on our schedule next year. Options include:

- 5 day trips on the Rogue River (includes a layover day)
- 4 or 5 day high water trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River
- 3 day lodge trips on the Rogue
- Rogue or Middle Fork fall fishing trips
- Wild Yoga (on the Rogue River)
- Preferred dates for Family Trips

Contact us this fall when we have flexibility with our schedule to create the perfect charter trip for your large group. River trips can be customized to bring together your friends and family for reunions, bachelor parties, anniversaries or graduations. Start planning by taking a look at our existing schedule of launch dates and then give us a call to reserve a trip for your group. Can’t wait to see you on the river next year!

View Rogue River launch dates

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Awesome Quotes from our Legendary Floats

by ECHO Staff on July 10th, 2009

We’re now half-way through the rafting season and here are some comments from our guests so far!

“Great people, great food, great fun, great rivers. I love you guys.” – J. Littman (Rogue River guest)

“I was way out of my element, but the guides took great care of me. They were pleasant and upbeat the entire time.” – M. Hardy (Rogue River guest)

“All of the guides were an absolute delight – not only were they knowledgeable about the river, wildlife, etc., they had great personalities and were able to engage the varied people that were on our trip.” – K. McLean (Rogue River guest)

“You guys were fantastic and delivered on everything promised. Clearly a great outfit and I would be happy to recommend you guys to my grandmother.” – G. Carter (Middle Fork of the Salmon River guest)

“Almost more fun than should be allowed with your clothes on.” – J. Gates (Middle Fork of the Salmon River guest)

“It far exceeded my expectations how all of the guides treated me like a friend rather than a client…. I was also highly impressed by the knowledge the guides had above and beyond basic requirements, such as plants, wildlife, and geology.” – K. McAllister (Middle Fork of the Salmon River guest)

“A truly once in a lifetime experience…In fact, my 19 year old daughter claims the trip was ‘life changing’. That’s pretty high praise coming from a teen!” – E. Schroederus (Middle Fork of the Salmon River guest)

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Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival Report

by ECHO Staff on May 19th, 2009

Upper Clackamas Whitewater FestivalECHO guides had a blast at the Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival last weekend and got to experience a mini-reunion before heading out to work at the Rogue or Middle Fork this summer.

Hata, Maggie, Lexey, Zach, both Billys, Al, Katrina, Paige, Colleen and Alex all participated and showed the newly trained guide schoolers just how much fun rafting can be. ECHO placed in multiple events including the cataraft slalom, the oar boat slalom, the cataraft rodeo and the down river paddle boat race. We want to give a huge thanks to SOTAR for providing gear and boats.

Check out more photos on ECHO’s facebook page!

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Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival

by ECHO Staff on May 5th, 2009

Upper Clackamas Whitewater FestivalBoaters will be getting wet and wild next weekend at the 26th Annual Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival in Estacada, Oregon. The festival offers boaters an opportunity to gain bragging rights among their peers and allows spectators a chance to see these titans battle the rapids for river-cred. Events include slaloms, sprints, and relays for hardshell and inflatable kayaks, catarafts, paddle and oar boats. Other fun events include the Cataraft Rodeo, Val’s Volleyball, a silent auction and there’s even a Dutch Oven Cook-Off!

Following ECHO’s Guide School in the Columbia River Gorge, our veteran and newly trained guides will represent ECHO on the Upper Clack in multiple events. We’re providing gear and guides to assist in the High School Cup on Saturday at 1 PM and also the Disabled American Veterans Armed Forces on Sunday at 10 AM and 11 AM. Help us usher in the boating season and cheer for your favorite ECHO guide!

When – Saturday, May 16 – Sunday, May 17
Where – 17 miles upriver from Estacada, OR

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Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 Signed on Monday!

by Janda on March 31st, 2009

On Monday, President Obama signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 resulting in stronger protections to 200,000 acres of public land in Oregon and millions more throughout the nation. Oregon legislators, Senator Ron Wyden and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, have worked for years to see this bill become law and both were on hand for the signing ceremony.

Pres. Obama’s remarks were peppered with remembrances of the vision of former Pres. Teddy Roosevelt, creator of the U.S. National Park System. “It’s a vision that sees America’s great wilderness as a place where what was and what is and what will be — all are the same; a place where memories are lived and relived; a place where Americans both young and young at heart can freely experience the spirit of adventure that has always been at the heart of the rugged character of America.”

The bill includes 170 separate lands, parks and conservation bills and establishes three new national parks.

  • 127,000 acres surrounding Mt. Hood now have permanent wilderness protection, the highest the government offers (this is the ECHO office’s backyard)
  • The Owyhee Public Lands Management Act designates more than 500,000 acres of ID’s Owyhee-Bruneau Canyonlands as wilderness as well as 315 miles of National Wild and Scenic Rivers and streams in this scenic high desert along the Owyhee River in Oregon and Idaho
  • 1,000 miles of rivers and streams have also gained Wild & Scenic protection including the North Fork of the Elk River in Oregon
  • Oregon Badlands Wilderness Act to protect 30,000 acres of desert wilderness in Central Oregon
  • Spring Basin Wilderness Act to protect 8,600 acres of scenic wilderness long the John Day River in Central Oregon
  • Copper Salmon Wilderness Act of Oregon to protect 13,000 acres of old growth forest along the head of the Elk River; one of the most prolific salmon fisheries in the west
  • Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Voluntary and Equitable Grazing Conflict Resolution Act of Oregon to protect 23,000 acres of pristine flowering meadows and old growth forests and insure voluntary relinquishment of grazing permits

Here at ECHO we were so inspired by this legislation that we felt like breaking into song:

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Report: Time in Nature is Good for You!

by ECHO Staff on March 9th, 2009

RiverScientists find that immersion in nature restores mental acuity. Two experiments show that workers who take their breaks in a natural setting return to their jobs more rested, relaxed and mentally sharper than those who take their breaks in artificial, man-made environments. In one experiment, psychologists found that looking through a window at real natural settings was far superior to looking at nature images, even images shown on HD TV. In another study, they found that taking a walk on a nature trail was much more restorative than walking on a city street. Learn more about the studies at Newsweek.

If looking through a window or walking a trail restores one’s mind, imagine what a multi-day trip down a wild river can do for you.

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Getting to the Rogue River – Great Offer!

by ECHO Staff on February 20th, 2009

Great news for those of you flying to Medford from Los Angeles, Las Vegas or Phoenix for your river trip on the Rogue River this summer. Allegiant Airlines has some of the lowest fares this year.

Allegiant now flies out of LAX on Monday & Friday into Medford (MFR), and if you purchase your tickets before March 11th the airfare is only $69 each way ($159.20 total roundtrip including taxes and fees). After the 11th, the airfare goes up to $89 each way – still a great deal, especially when you compare these prices with the other airlines servicing the Medford airport (often $350 to $400 round trip).

Allegiant also offers flights from Phoenix / Mesa for only $172.70 total round trip on Mondays and Fridays. There are flights out of Las Vegas to Medford on Mondays and Fridays for only $202.

After you get to the Medford airport there are several national car rentals available with prices running from about $205 per week. Another option is to take a taxi / shuttle to the Galice Lodge for about $80-$100 each way.

Hope this helps with your trip planning and we look forward to seeing you in Galice!

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