River Currents » Cari Morgan

Does Your Family Need a Tech Detox?

Cari Morgan — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:00:43 +0000

In this age of tablets, smartphones, iPods, e-readers and handheld video games, many of us (and our kids and partners too) have a near constant relationship with our devices. Is all of this technology really making our lives any better? Maybe. But now, perhaps more than ever before, it’s important to take time to unplug.

5 Ways to Stage A Tech Intervention at Home

1. Implement a mandatory weekly tech detox day. No TV, video games, computers, nada. From the time everyone walks through the door in the evening til’ when you all wake up the next morning. (Insert big kid and little kid tantrum here). But guaranteed your backyard will get more use in a month than it’s seen in a year.

2. Good old fashioned dinners. Remember when families had to sit around the dinner table and talk about stuff together? Bring those days back and make the dinner table a technology-free zone. No more scarfing down your meals in separate rooms, in front of separate devices.

3. Pull the plug on everything wireless. It’s super easy to change the password on your wireless router. Switch it up and then “forget” to let the rest of the family know for a day or two. They’ll be frustrated with their devices, but forced to get creative with their time until the issue miraculously fixes itself.

4. Bust out the big bribe. Example: Promise that the in-laws will stay at a hotel during their next visit, if your partner doesn’t bring the iPhone to bed for a week.

5. Book an “unplugged” vacation together. That means somewhere deep in the woods, out in nature (i.e. the boonies). Finding a cell signal at the bottom of a river canyon? Good luck.

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Guide Talk: Women in the Outdoors

Cari Morgan — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:00:04 +0000

After practicing law for three years, Erika Unhold found magic on the river and left it all behind. She’s now been a river guide with O.A.R.S. for 10 years. We caught up with this lawyer-turned-river goddess to find out what it takes to be a guide, why women make better guides than men (sorry guys!), and what it means to be a strong woman in the outdoors.

What prompted you to leave your lawyer life behind and become a river guide?

I was living in Flagstaff and I had a friend who worked as a guide for another company. She was determined to get me on a rafting trip. She did eventually convince me. As soon as I was there, I was gone. It was just one of those magical moments when the angels sing, and bells ring, and I knew where I was supposed to be.

Rafting is a demanding job. What drives you day in and day out?

It has been such a powerful thing for me—a healing—mentally and physically. I think it’s the way we’re supposed to be. We need to be outdoors. We need to be connected to these things, and in our day-to-day lives, we’re just not. So I really just appreciate bringing people out here and giving them that experience.

It seems like there are a lot of lady guides on the rivers now. Why do you think that is?

Well, it’s definitely a new experience for me. The last couple of years, particularly in Idaho, we’ve been getting a lot more women into the business. This year we actually are more women than men, and that’s a first. The men entertain and the ladies do the work, so it’s nice to have four ladies to do the work (laughter).

What do you think is attracting more women to guiding?

I think a lot of us find a home here. It’s good to be surrounded by other strong women. I think that’s a big part of it. We’re surrounded by other women who are like us.

What makes a strong woman?

You need a strong sense of self. To do this job, you have to have a lot of self-confidence. You have to be able to make your own decisions. In the middle of a rapid, you’re in charge of the people on your boat and you need to be able to take care of those people. So I think it takes a certain amount of strength to do that.

What’s the best moment you’ve had on the river?

I had a friend that I brought on a river trip. We visited a place that had turquoise blue waters. There was a spot where you could make a pretty good size jump into some really deep pools. He was just so excited about it. You could just see that sparkle in his eyes—that glint that he was truly alive. It let me re-experience my own revelation of what the outdoors can bring to you.

What does the outdoors bring to you?

Harmony. Balance. A sense of rightness. That feeling that this is what I was made to do. That I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Watch the full interview with Erika below…

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7 Incredible River Hikes

Cari Morgan — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:00:50 +0000

One of the added bonuses of rafting through a beautiful river canyon is the exclusive access you get to some of the best (and least traveled) hikes out there. After all, you need a boat to get to these hidden trailheads. And oftentimes there’s a big reward for making the trek, like water slides, hot springs or swimming holes to cool off in.

From Oregon to the Grand Canyon and everything in between, here are a few outstanding river hikes worth the trip…down the river, that is.

Stone Creek/Land of the Seven Waterfalls Hike
Location: Colorado River through the Grand Canyon
Accessible from two separate superb river camps in the Grand Canyon, above and below mighty Dubendorf Rapid, this one has it all: Ancient granaries, incredible geology, numerous swimming spots, and one waterfall after another. You can make it as long or short as you want, as leisurely or as active as you want. If you go long there’s an incredible cove an hour or so up. Or, you can up the adventure level and find your way into the final Quartzite slot, over boulders and around a few exposed ledges, to the best waterfall of all (a four-hour round trip including some hang time).

Jack Creek Overlook Hike
Location: Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho
This is a buns-of-steel hike approximately 1-mile straight up from Little Pine Camp. The pay-off after an hour’s worth of very steep and switch-backed hiking is unquestionably worth it, though, as the overlook’s summit gives an unencumbered view of the Impassable Canyon and incredible perspective on the far-reaching and wild Frank Church Wilderness. Hikers get unbeatable views of snow-capped peaks and forests for as far as the eye can see.

Loon Creek Hike
Location: Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho
Also worth the mention on the Middle Fork Salmon is the 1 ½-mile (one-way) Loon Creek Hike to hidden hot springs. The trail to the springs is easy to moderate and offers lots of options for hikers who might want to peel off and sit by Loon Creek or even go fly-fishing. For a longer, harder hike, going past the hot springs takes you into a gorgeous granite gorge. The trail climbs from there and gives a great view of a valley before descending back to the creek and crossing a lovely small bridge.

Tate Creek Slide Hike
Location: Rogue River, Oregon
Despite being a short, ¼-mile hike, the Rogue River Trail at Tate Creek Camp offers a special surprise that will leave a lasting impression. Following a creek bed on the moderate-to-challenging trail, hikers find themselves at a lovely waterfall. But this isn’t just a waterfall to admire. Lively spirits can go hand over hand up a rope to the top of the waterfall, turning it into a wild 10-foot water slide with a 5-foot free fall into a refreshing pool below.

Wind River Hike
Location: Main Salmon River, Idaho
Winding its way back into the Humboldt Wilderness, the Wind River Hike ranges from between 3 and 6-miles round trip. After approximately 1 ½-miles, the trail leads to a beautiful shady nook of pouring pools to cool off in. This is a good turnaround point for people looking for a shorter hike, or you can continue on from here for a longer moderate-to-difficult 6-mile round trip trek.

Doll House Hike
Location: Colorado River through Cataract Canyon
You have to wake up early to beat the heat on the 6-mile (round trip) Doll House hike into the remote Maze District of Canyonlands National Park. The trek starts out with a grueling 45-minute, 1,300-foot Stairmaster climb, but is well worth it once you arrive at the top of the canyon among playful rock formations that make up the iconic Doll House region. Here you’re also rewarded with an awe-inspiring, 360-degree panoramic view of the colorful spires of the Needles and Island in the Sky Districts of Canyonlands, and the Colorado River below you. Wander around the rim of the canyon to discover an Anasazi granary, and an area called the Refrigerator that offers a slot canyon experience with relief from the heat.

Seven Devils View Hike
Location: Snake River, Idaho
From Salt Creek Camp on Idaho’s Snake River, deep in Hells Canyon, take on a difficult ¾-mile round trip hike for stunning mountain and river views. The steep, semi-marked trail is a steady gradient with some need for scrambling. Reach the top and see a bird’s eye view of the winding Snake River below you, or look off onto the horizon to take in the Seven Devils Mountains, which make up the Idaho/Oregon border.

Insider Tip: The Ultimate Hiking and Rafting Vacation
While we’re talking about rafting and hiking, the proximity of the Tuolumne River in California to all the great trails and iconic landscapes in Yosemite National Park has to be mentioned. In fact, hiking enthusiasts can take a wild ride down the action-packed Class IV Tuolumne River and then spend a few days exploring Yosemite’s backcountry by foot on a special Tuolumne & Yosemite Hiker trip. If you’ve got 6 days, this might be the most epic hiking and rafting vacation you can take.

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California: A State of Whitewater

Cari Morgan — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:00:21 +0000

California leads the pack when it comes to states with the most whitewater action, according to the American Whitewater organization. From the popular American Rivers to the lesser-known, but thrilling Class IV+Stanislaus River, California whitewater rafting offers something for everyone. Not sure which river to conquer first? Take a look below at some of the best California whitewater rafting…

The Tuolumne River

A true wilderness trip on a "Wild and Scenic" river, the Tuolumne River (pronounced Too-all-uh-me) spills 18 miles into a desolate, awesome river canyon roaring with whitewater – big in spring, moderate in late summer. Offered seven months a year, a Tuolumne rafting trip works perfectly into a California vacation to San Francisco, Napa Valley and the California coast.
Clavey Falls on the Tuolumne River

Boaters tackle one of the Tuolumne River's most infamous rapids known as Clavey Falls. This rafting trip offers constant whitewater action and big thrills.
Lower Klamath River

The Lower Klamath River in California gently winds through scenic splendor in the northwest corner of this state near the Oregon border. One of the first rivers in California to be granted National "Wild and Scenic" river status, the Klamath River runs free for 180 miles to the Pacific Ocean. The Klamath is treasured for its scenic beauty, diverse wildlife and recreational opportunities.
Kid-friendly Rafting on the Lower Klamath

The Klamath's water bubbles with bouncy, easy rapids and warm, pleasant swimming holes ideal for young children and families. The focus of this rafting experience on the Lower Klamath is helping kids gain confidence and interest in the outdoors while the adults kick back and relax.
Middle Fork of the American River

Rafting the Middle Fork of the American River is a "must do" on all rafter's lists. The Class IV river rushes through a pristine, secluded canyon where a melee of pounding whitewater and the beauty of the Sierra Nevada foothills combine to offer an incomparable whitewater adventure.
Underground Rafting on the Middle Fork of the American River

In 1889, in an effort to divert the flow of the American River in search of gold buried beneath its waters, miners blasted a tunnel through the side of a cliff, unknowingly creating one of the most unique whitewater features anywhere. Now known as "Tunnel Chute", this long, tumultuous rapid is the heart-stopping highlight of a Middle Fork American rafting trip which concludes with a stretch of this pounding river disappearing underground.
North Fork Stanislaus River

The North Fork of the Stanislaus River boasts some of the most technical Class IV whitewater rafting in California. Also known as the “Stan,” this epic adventure starts at 4,000 feet and hurtles six miles, at a 70 feet per mile gradient, down to the feet of some of the most massive trees you'll ever see — the Giant Sequoia groves of Calaveras Big Trees State Park in Northern California. Granite gorges, meadows of wild azaleas and old Miwok Indian sites slip by one after another, amidst big waves, churning holes and plenty of technically demanding paddling.
North Fork of the American River

The most challenging fork of the American River and rapid after Class IV rapid deliver nearly non-stop, white-knuckling whitewater, followed by a stretch of more gentle Class II-III rapids. Intricate boulder gardens, rushing falls and staircase drops promise intense paddling and plenty of adrenaline-inspiring thrills through the beautiful American River gorge with 2000-foot cliffs, blankets of green grass, colorful wildflowers and black oak and pine forests.
Merced River

With the hillsides of California's Sierra Nevada gold-plated in orange California poppies and silvery alpine snows melting fast and furiously, the Merced River is a snapshot of a reawakening wilderness. In April and May, the Class III-IV whitewater just outside of Yosemite National Park is first class, the stuff of avid paddlers’ winter daydreams. For the rest of the whitewater season, the Merced churns with bold wave trains and slick chutes friendly to rafters of all levels.
South Fork of the American River

Steeped in Gold Rush history, the South Fork of the American River is lined with oak and pine forests which tumble through the Sierra Nevada foothills, creating rolling valleys and gorges which mirror the flows and rolling rapids of this classic Class III California river.

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Hit the Road: Utah’s Red Rock Country

Cari Morgan — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:00:14 +0000

Are you up for this incredible Utah road trip?

This must-drive loop through four National Parks, in the heart of Utah’s red rock country, is big on the miles, but a definite bucket list item. Check out the route…

Salt Lake City to Zion National Park

From Salt Lake, find your way to I-15S. As you near canyon country, veer onto UT-17S and then left on UT-9E which takes you through Utah’s first National Park, Zion. You’ll want to park your car at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center so you can hop on the shuttle and get into the heart of the park for access to areas like Weeping Rock and Temple of Sinawava (gateway to The Narrows—an entry-level canyoneering experience if you’re up for the challenge).

Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park

From Zion follow UT-9E to US-89N. After about 43 miles turn right onto UT-12E and then another right at UT-63S into Bryce Canyon. In Bryce Canyon, explore unique geology and find out what a “hoodoo” is when you stretch your legs on the 4-mile Hat Shop hike.

Bryce Canyon to Moab (via Capitol Reef National Park)

Follow UT-63N out of Bryce and make your way back onto UT-12E. Turn right onto UT-24E, which heads right through Capitol Reef National Park, one of the least visited parks in the country. Stop for a layover and have this geological wonder all to yourself.

Continue on UT-24E to I-70E. En route, check out the quaint town of Boulder, Utah. Take the exit for US-191S to Moab. Make Moab your base camp for exploring the wonderland of Arches National Park, mountain biking, or maybe even whitewater rafting before heading back to Salt Lake City.

Got another week? O.A.R.S. offers Cataract Canyon rafting trips from Moab through Canyonlands National Park (make that five national parks in one trip!).

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