Oregon And Northern California Rafting Blog
            Momentum River Expeditions: World-Class River Trips

We are in the heart of our summer season and looking forward to the rest of our trips – it has been an amazing year so far! However many of our returning guests and guests that have already rafted this summer are looking towards next spring and all the rivers that come alive for a short time in Oregon and Northern California. So, we just released our spring 2010 Rafting schedule. The California Salmon, Illinois, and Middle and Lower Owyhee all have 2010 dates and on some dates bookings have started. Give us a call if you have any questions or interest! Below are a few quotes from this years spring trips:

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.

We thrive off of the feedback that we receive from our river friends.  Each year we grow a little, learn a lot and hopefully improve with every trip we run.  We could not do it without the amazing emails, letters, and phone calls from all of you.  We would like to thank you all for your continued support, enthusiasm, wonderful stories, amazing personalities and overall love for the rivers and their magic.
Thanks!!

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

Momentum’s first 4th of July Parade!

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!