We just set May 13-18, 2012 as our next professional guide school. If you’ve ever been interested in learning to row a raft or become a professional guide, this is the trip for you! We’ll spend 6 days traveling down the famous Wild and Scenic Rogue River learning basic whitewater skills, the art of wilderness cooking, camp set-up, and boat rigging.
Camp Cooking!
To learn more and sign up, please visit our Professional Guide School page.
Thank you to everyone who joined us this summer on the Rogue and Middle Fork of the Salmon Rivers. You are the reason we get to do what we love.
And, of course, thank you to all our hard working and dedicated river guides. You are the reason our trips are so special.
Having Fun on the Last Day of the 2011 Season
- Lexey, J.R., and Billy running amazing trips on the Rogue in May. Even when it rained everyone had fun!
- Our guide school with Lexey, Billy, and Alex was special for everyone involved.
- Uniquely high water on the Middle Fork in June. Our first few trips were “full on” adventures and we all saw something special.
- Vlad and Zach’s trip to Siberia. They ran the first ever commercial trip on the Kaa-Khem River in a remote part of Russia. (read their trip report)
- Our Yoga Trips on the Rogue River were amazing beyond belief. Everyone on both trips left with a glow.
2011 was our 40th season and a summer that will not be forgotten. Thank you to everyone involved.
Join us for a four-day, three-night rafting trip/writing workshop on Oregon’s beautiful Rogue River. The workshop will be led by Ellen Waterston, an award-winning writer, poet, and speaker whose books include Where the Crooked River Rises, a collection of essays about central Oregon; Then There Was No Mountain, a memoir; and Between Desert Seasons and I am Madagascar, collections of poetry.
She is also the founder and director of The Nature of Words and the Writing Ranch, institutions dedicated to the teaching of writing. She has the special gift of being able to listen closely, and to deliver both constructive criticism and inspiration to writers of all levels.
Ellen Waterston
“Writing with Ellen is an illuminating experience. She’s a perceptive workshop leader; her suggestions are insightful, and the benefit of her instruction last long after the workshop has ended.”
- Michel DeSilva, winner of the Nature of Words Rising Star Award in 2007 and 2009
“When Ellen commented on what I had written she made me feel that I might have some talent, yet at the same time showed me how I could be better. That’s an amazing skill.”
- Dick Linford, workshop participant
Ellen will begin each day with a “writing prompt”, or a topic that we can focus on as we float the river and explore side canyons. At lunch and in camp before dinner we will have an opportunity to put our thoughts and ideas on paper. After dinner we can present our material to the group.
Camping at Doe on the Rogue River
The Rogue River winds though the coastal mountains of southern Oregon and offers much in the way of inspiration for our workshop. Its exciting rapids, warm weather and water, scenic beauty and abundant wildlife combine to make it one of the finest rafting rivers in America. Bald eagles, osprey, Great Blue herons, snowy egrets and deer are common, and it is not unusual to see back bears (too timid to be a threat) and river otters. There are beavers living across from one camp, although they are very shy.
This is camping at its most comfortable. ECHO supplies tents, sleeping bags and air mattresses. The guides do all the cooking and cleaning up, and you will be amazed at the quality of the meals. ECHO furnishes beer and wine to complement the appetizers and meals.
Egret Flying Above the Rogue River
This workshop is for writers of all levels, and is based on the premise that we all have interesting things to say.
Oregon is home to many natural wonders which are within driving distance to the Rogue River. By combining your river trip with a stay at one of these amazing lodges, you’ll experience camping along one of the West’s most beautiful rivers and spending the rest of your vacation at a historic lodge complete with rustic charm and modern conveniences.
Visit this natural wonder located in central Oregon 3 hours from Galice before or after your Rogue River trip. Not many lodges boast their location on the edge of a caldera, but when the caldera is filled with stunning blue water plunging almost 2,000 feet deep, Crater Lake Lodge maintains bragging rights for views. It began almost 7,000 years ago when Mount Mazama erupted in an explosion 42 times as powerful as Mt. St. Helens leaving a hollow shell that eventually collapsed inward. The caldera filled with rainwater over the years, and because the water didn’t arrive via streams, the intense blue lake provides record visibility to 120 feet.
Crater Lake Lodge
The original lodge opened with a tar-paper covered exterior that nonetheless had visitors flocking up the mountain to see this natural wonder. Extensive reconstruction in the 1990s now offers an atmosphere that pays homage to the original 1920s charm, but is much grander. A huge deck offers a place to relax with a glass of Northwestern Pinot Noir as you watch for “the Old Man” a 30 foot log that has bobbed vertically in the lake since 1896. The massive stone fireplace in the Great Hall welcomes you to relax in the evenings.
Have your car shuttled to the take-out location and then make the short 1-hour drive to the Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge after your Rogue River trip. This more modern lodge is named for the Tu Tu’ Tunne “Rogue” Native Americans. The river was named for these stubborn and fierce tribes that waged battles along the river in the hope of preserving their way of life as settlers moved in to farm the Rogue’s rich valleys.
Tu Tu' Tun Lodge
The lodge is a short distance to Gold Beach, OR where you can see the Rogue River empty into the Pacific. You can hike through the coastal forest to tide pools and panoramic views before indulging yourself with spa services and a feast of local Northwestern cuisine. Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge was just listed as one of the top adventure lodges in Outside Magazine!
This 6-story chateau is located at the Oregon Caves National Monument just 2 hours south of Galice. The huge double-fireplace made of marble greets you in the lobby and the rustic staircase of oak, madrone and pine will lead you up to your guest-room or down to the Chateau’s dining room and original 1930s Caves Coffee Shop featuring old-fashioned style malts.
This amazing feat of construction spans a small gorge created by a creek that flows from the caves and is channeled through the dining room of the Chateau. The building is chock-full of original arts-and-crafts style furniture with each guest room offering its own unique charm. The Chateau is only steps away from the entrance to the “Marble Halls of Oregon”, which is one of the few marble caves in the world. You can also hike through old growth Port Orford Cedars and see one of the largest Douglas-firs in Oregon!
Once again, we’ve coaxed renowned bluegrass musicians, Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum, to join us for a river trip this summer! Laurie and Tom will accompany the trip down the Rogue River leaving July 27 for 4 days. Each evening you’ll enjoy an intimate bluegrass performance at one of the Rogue’s scenic campsites. You’ll wake to hot coffee and breakfast before heading down the Rogue’s scenic corridor and on to the next camp. Laurie loves the Rogue’s warm water and plentiful wildlife and their sweet strumming sounds even better with the river singing back-up. Guests are welcome to bring their “river instruments” along to join in the jam.
Bluegrass Musicians Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum
The trip is limited to 20 guests and the spots are going fast, so call today to ensure you’ll have a seat at the best chair circle on the river.
At this time we want congratulate Dewi Butler, and thank him for the incredible thirty years he has been working for ECHO. In this business most guide careers are about as long as NFL football careers. Not that river guides get hurt like football players, but guiding is a young person’s game. Sleeping on the ground for months, working 16-hour days, spending too much time in the sun and scrambling for winter work – it all takes its toll. No matter how much they love it, guides wear out. After a few great years they tend to get married, become teachers, go to graduate school, buy a house and otherwise enter what we call “the other world.” (not the real world. The other world). Not Dewi. He is a true outdoorsman, and made of oak.
Dewi Butler in 1981 and 2010
Dewi was born in the small town of Llanberis (pronounced “shamberis”) in Wales. He went through college there, and taught mathematics and physical education for a while. He also started mountain climbing, a sport that brought him to the US in 1975. He fell in love with Yosemite and California weather, and returned to the US with a green card in 1978. He settled in Santa Cruz, California, but spent as much time as possible climbing in Yosemite. He also learned how to row a raft.
In 1980 ECHO we grossly underestimated how busy we were going to be, and found ourselves desperately short of guides. We sent the word out to the outdoor community, and an old guide recommended someone he knew to be good. We hired him sight-unseen. That someone then said he had a friend. We said “bring him!” That was Dewi, which makes him the least vetted person we ever hired. Boy, were we lucky!
In the thirty years that Dewi has been with us he has guided on 17 of the 19 rivers we have run trips on. He has worked as a guide and lead guide, and has managed our operations in Oregon and Idaho. He first balanced his river guiding with working on ski patrol at Park City, where he rose to the position of Director of Snow Safety, and was supervising 135 ski patrollers. These two jobs still gave him two months every spring and two months every fall to climb. And climb he did, in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. He eventually phased out of ski patrol, and works as a property manager (his own and other people’s), bar tender and caterer. He still guides for ECHO on the Middle Fork, and he still climbs four months a year. Last spring he climbed on the Greek island of Kalymnos.
Dewi is also the only guide we have heard of who has flipped a raft without getting wet. It was at Clavey Falls on the Tuolumne. Dewi’s raft went into the hole and got spun around several times, throwing everyone out but him. The raft then surfed over near the left wall, and began to flip. Dewi calmly stepped onto a small shelf on the wall, waited for the raft to land upside down, than stepped back onto the boat’s floor. The raft slipped out of the hole and he grabbed the people who had been thrown out and pulled them onto the floor with him. People watching from the other side of the river thought he had either levitated or walked on water but what he did was almost as fantastic. When asked how he had the presence of mind to do what he did, he said “Well, I just didn’t want to get me bum wet.”
ECHO co-owner Dick Linford says “We have had many outstanding guides over the years, but of all of them, Dewi would be my first choice when choosing an all-time, all star ECHO crew. He is great on the water and great in camp. He can fix anything on the river, and he makes good decisions. If I have questions about anything in ECHO, I ask Dewi.” Co-owner Joe Daly says “I have climbed Mount Shasta with Dewi, and rafted with him on high water and low water and in hot sun and pounding rain. He is always fun, and you can count on him when it matters most.”
Dewi is also the only guide we know who can recite poetry in Welsh. It takes a lot of gin to get him to do it, but Welsh is a lovely language when Dewi speaks it.
Congratulations, Dewi! Here’s to keeping your bum dry, to Welsh poetry, and to another thirty years!
“It’s going to be a hot one!” was the cheery announcement from Katrina, our trip leader. There were 5 of us in the front of the truck – still groggy and waiting for the coffee to kick in. The truck, affectionately named Howie, was loaded for the trip – trailer with rafts and soft gear, the truck with all the coolers and boxes. We started down the drive, honked the horn good-bye to the guide house and another trip on the Rogue has started.
Upon seeing the boat ramp at Almeda was already crowded with boats and people, we continued downstream to the Argo launch. With five senior guides, the deconstruction of the load job was easy. Boats were topped off, frames strapped down, coolers placed and kayaks inflated. All we needed now were some willing participants and we were ready to go. Katrina and Ian left to meet the guests and Maggie, Nick and I stayed to put the finishing touches on the rigging.
Forty-five minutes later the van rolled up and our new companions tumbled out. The parents gazed around, examining the gear and eying the life jackets, taking in the craggy walls across from the launch spot and the osprey circling above. The kids immediately started to run around- darting from boat to bags to kayak and back to parents. The excitement was palpable. Katrina gave the safety talk, we fit everyone with their jackets, and introduced them to the inflatable kayaks. It is time for the river!!
Rogue River Rafting
Ahh… the start of another Rogue River trip. This season on the Rogue started with chilly weather and high water. Oregon delivered up rain for much of May and the early part of June which brought great, fun water levels for early boaters. Our first trip of the season launched with just over 4000 cfs. The rapids were big and fun with Blossom Bar uncharacteristically filled with water. These boaters were hearty- and well equipped with rain gear. Additionally, our new tarps (thanks River Hardware!) worked like a charm so camps were cozy and mostly dry. Of course a hot meal cooked riverside will warm up anyone!!
By mid-June however, southern Oregon weather was turning to its usual summer pattern. Clear sunny days were followed by mild, starry nights- perfect for sleeping outside.
Evening on the Rogue River
The water levels started to decline, approaching normal July flows of around 2000 cfs. Those levels will continue to slowly decline through the summer. The upstream dams keep water flowing throughout the summer on the Wild and Scenic stretch – great for rafting!!
The wildlife on the Rogue has been outstanding this year. The osprey population continues to dominate the sky and the fishing. Bald eagles make frequent appearances – often to challenge the smaller osprey for their catch. The ‘dogfights’ between these great birds of prey are something to see!
Osprey flying above the Rogue River
The merganser and Canada geese families are common to see this time of year. When they are really small, the merganser ducklings will hitch a ride on their mom’s back. Sometimes the whole brood will end up there! It gives new meaning to the term ’mamma duck’! Kingfisher, stellar jay, and all variety of songbirds greet the morning (and all of us!) each morning.
The biggest excitement of course is to see a bear. Every trip on the Rogue so far this year has had at least one sighting. One lucky trip watched a sow and two small cubs eating and cavorting across from their camp at Lower Solitude. Another trip watched a young bear eating riverside grass as they floated by in the boats. He glanced at us a few times but seemed wholly unconcerned and kept grazing.
Of course, as usual, the food has been great. There were a few minor changes to our usual menu. We added a yummy Mediterranean pasta salad for lunch and are adding more and more organic and local products to the shopping list. With an increasing number of our guests being vegetarians, our chefs are experimenting with veggie options. Grilled portabellas with balsamic and feta, Curries with tofu and bean salads are all making more and more frequent appearances.
We’ve had several of our specialty trips run already. Our June Kid’s Trip was a raucous success with fully half of the 20-person trip under the age of 16. Water fights and camp games including blazo (boatmen’s tug-o-war) and adventure bocce ball ruled the day. The last morning dawned “Pirate Day” complete with eye patches and pirate flags!
Musicians Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum headlined our annual bluegrass trip. The Rogue’s clear mild evenings lent themselves well to starlit concerts around the chair circle. An impromptu guide skit lent to the festive air with dancing and glow sticks adding to the atmosphere of celebration.
Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum on the Rogue River
Yes – summer on the Rogue can’t be beat. The water is warm, perfect for swimming and inflatable kayaking The camps are beautiful and the dining is great (and you don’t even have to do the dishes!). And of course, the river – the slower more contemplative sections and the bouncy fun whitewater – is incomparable. Come join us!!
We’ve got a trip brewing this fall that no beer lover will want to miss. Join us Sept. 11-14 on this 4-day Rogue River trip with special guests from the Double Mountain Brewery in Hood River, OR. Each evening, they’ll transform your campsite into their taproom as you sample and savor craft brews.
Double Mountain brewers create unfiltered and long-aged brews in the hopes of delivering maximum character and flavor. Four main crafts are accompanied by over a dozen rotating seasonals, so they’ll most likely have something special brewed up in time for this trip! You’ll join co-owner and brewmaster, Matt Swihart to sample craft beers paired with a special menu prepared by our river guides. Based on Matt’s suggestions, we’ll pair the versatile Double Mountain IPA with gourmet burgers, the Kolsch is perfectly suited for hearty German sausage, and the infamous Hop Lava will complement a spicy stir fry.
As always, your trip will include all gear, safe navigation and delicious meals. Days will be spent enjoying the gorgeous natural environment of the Rogue River valley, gazing at the plentiful wildlife and running the mighty rapids. Each evening, you’ll have plenty of time to relax, hike, read and sample Double Mountain brews in the finest “taverns” around. Join us for this one of a kind trip that we hope becomes an annual tradition.
Sept. 11-14, 2010
$895/person
Few things complete a day on the river better than a good meal followed by great music. There’s something about the strumming of an acoustic guitar accompanied by the crackling of a fire that harkens back to a simpler time when a full belly and friends were more than enough to satisfy our needs. Bluegrass music had its beginnings in the mid-1940′s as a result of needed entertainment for post-WWII rural areas. Banjos, fiddles, mandolins and guitars can be played just about anywhere, which is one reason that this genre of music works so well for a river trip.
ECHO is once again honored to have Grammy-winning Bluegrass musician Laurie Lewis and mandolinist extraordinaire Tom Rozum along for the ride on our August 8th Middle Fork trip. Both of these accomplished artists will accompany the trip as it winds through the impressive rugged beauty of Idaho and treat guests to evening jams each evening in camp. Laurie and Tom’s crooning, strumming and fiddling will have everyone tapping their feet and singing along as they take their show downriver.
Guests return year after year to join these self-proclaimed “river rats” for this unique adventure. The Middle Fork of the Salmon River is without a doubt the best multi-day alpine rafting trip in the country. You’ll discover fantastic scenery, experience natural history, view wildlife, eat great food and hear exceptional music. What more could you ask for?
The cracker jack staff at ECHO World HQ has put together an incredible program for aspiring river guides. We will kick off with Professional Guide School May 9-15 in the Columbia River Gorge. We will stay at a base camp near Hood River and each day we’ll spend time teaching techniques that are essential to a river guide’s success. We will explore different rivers in the area including the Hood and Klickitat. Evenings at base camp will include river recipes and camping tips. You will finish this course with wealth of knowledge necessary to all professional river guides’ repertoires.
Once you’ve gotten your feet wet with guide school (and we mean this literally), it will be time to show off your skillz at the 26th Annual Clackamas River Festival May 16-18! This event, hosted by the Northwest Rafter’s Association, is a must for river rats. There are sprints, slaloms, relays and dutch oven cook-offs. You can row cats, rafts, IK’s or hardshells. This is a great event and will add a whole lotta fun to your river education.
And wait, there’s more! After you’ve picked up your pro guide skillz and competed with genuine river rats at the Clackamas River Fest, we have scheduled a Whitewater Rescue Technician (WRT) course May 19-21! The course will be offered by our friends at Wet Planet Whitewater on the White Salmon River in Washington. This is required training to work for most outfitters, including ECHO. You will learn great rescue techniques and boating safety in this 3-day course.
If you can make it through almost two weeks chalk full of river training with no tears, we’ll consider you well on your way to becoming a Professional River Guide!
National
Geographic Traveler listed our expedition to the Kaa-Khem in Siberia
as the Tour of a Lifetime.
Our
expedition to Siberia was also selected as one of
Outside Magazine's 2011 Trips of the Year.
ECHO was Selected by National Geographic Adventure Magazine as as one of the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth.
We are a member of Adventure Gateway, an organization representing America's top river outfitters.
