ENGAGE
FEATURED COURSE
Jessie Longe
Summer Expeditions on the Salmon River By Molly Herber Creative Project Manager
W
hile many of us cope with cold weather by bundling up into unrecognizable shapes for outdoor activities, or by perfecting indoor hobbies (I am an unskilled but enthusiastic knitter), dreaming of plans for when the weather warms up can also help soothe the winter blues, especially as we plan on spending more time indoors than usual this winter. If you’re one of those people who needs to plan ahead to stay excited, then for summer 2021 I’d recommend you prioritize the Main Fork of the Salmon River. For senior NOLS Instructor Fabio Oliveira, “Rivers provide a wondrous way to travel through the land. You’re literally going with the flow of nature on this incredible journey.” One of the original rivers protected in 1968 by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Salmon River originates in Idaho’s
Sawtooth and Lemhi Valleys of central and eastern Idaho and runs west through areas populated by black bear, elk, and bald eagles. This river, one of the last free-flowing rivers of its size, is part of the ancestral lands of the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) people and contains gorges as deep as the Grand Canyon. Featuring both exciting rapids and calm stretches of smooth water, this river provides the perfect classroom for honing whitewater skills and appreciating the unique ecology of this alpine river. I’ll recommend two courses in particular: Salmon River Rafting for adults ages 23 and older, and (new for 2021!) Salmon River Rafting Adventure for ages 14-15. Days on the river are organized around learning paddling skills, sharing leadership responsibilities, and helping everyone stay happy and healthy during the expedition. This includes following protocols to guard
against COVID-19, but also playing games, telling stories, and feeding your curiosity about this unique wilderness area—something you don’t get on many river trips. Instructor SJ Johnson points out that “If you’re looking for this level of instruction outside of NOLS, you’d have to take a multi-day class with a kayak school or try to become a raft guide.” So as you’re dreaming, scheming, and putting together ideas for summer 2021, take a look at these courses on the Salmon River on the NOLS website and make a plan to grow your river expedition skills. Molly Herber loves the smell of her backpack and does her best writing before 7 a.m. When she’s not managing creative projects or teaching expeditions for NOLS, she’s running and climbing on rocks in Wyoming.
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