Page 59 - Southern Oregon Magazine Spring 2018

WHITE WATER

S AFAR I

No Passport Required

LESLEE RYERSON PROVIDED BY MOMENTUM RIVER EXPEDITIONS

t’s no surprise that Momentum River While you’re waiting, you’ll notice how loud
Expeditions has been voted Best Rafting the rushing water is. What makes the Upper
IOutfitter and Guide company two years Klamath consistently fierce all summer is that
running in the Southern Oregon Magazine it’s a dam-fed river. You wait to embark until
Readers’ Choice Awards. the water from the J Boil Dam is released,
reaching optimum flows for maximum fun.
Pete Wallstrom, owner and guide, has After a safety talk and explanation of the
assembled an expert team of guides to bring day’s itinerary, the trip starts out with an
you the best white water trips around. One exhilarating class III stretch of rolling rapids.
of the favorites is right here in Southern
Oregon. The two- or three-day Upper After about three miles of pristine white-
Klamath Whitewater Safari is action packed, water and gorgeous wilderness, the canyon
with some of the longest roller trains around, constricts, the river drops out of sight and
amazing food and a unique, multi-sport you enter the famous Hell’s Corner section
experience. of the canyon. It begins with a 150-yard-long
rapid known as Caldera. There are very few
Offered from mid June through September, stretches of summer whitewater like it: it’s
this trip will be the highlight of your summer. almost two football fields long of continuous,
Guests are picked up in Ashland and shuttled rolling rapids. It’s not scary, but pure fun that
up gorgeous Highway 66 to the put-in. As keeps going and going and going.
the guides ready the rafts, guests enjoy the
first of many scrumptious meals. Creative After a pit stop for lunch, you hit the water
and delicious, Momentum takes care to use again for a leisurely float to camp. Here is
as much local produce and ingredients as where you have the best activities of summer
possible. without the work. It is “glamping” at it’s finest!

spring 2018 | www.southernoregonmagazine.com 57