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Past Activity

Owyhee Rafting Trip

  • Start date: 04/24/2017

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 04/29/2017

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

Ready for a unique wilderness river trip in Oregon? Try 63 miles on the Owyhee! You'll be able to hang out on the guide's oar raft, be part of a paddle crew, or do your own thing in an inflatable kayak. This trip is rated Class III (moderate) and Ouzel is the guide service. We will leave Eugene on April 24, (locations TBD at pre-trip meeting), drive to Rome, Oregon, and then set up camp at a BLM campsite close to the launch site. Early the next morning (April 25) we will meet our guides and start our trip. You will be asked in advance of the trip your preference for type(s) of water craftt: oar boat, paddle boat w/ oar support or inflatable kayak. After 4 1/2 wonderful days on the river, we will take out on April 29 after lunch at Birch Creek and be shuttled back to the put in. A pre-trip meeting will be scheduled to arrange carpooling, post trip lodging and other trip details.

Online registration will open on February 15 for members, February 17 for non-members. We will be joining an existing trip - currently 6 spots available, a deposit has been placed on them. Additional openings may occur. The price of $1,140 ($1,145 nonmember) includes the Obsidian trip fee, all meals starting with lunch on April 25 through lunch on April 29, and a gratuity for the guides. A $100 deposit is payable within five days of signing up. The deposit is refundable only if someone takes your place. Send check payable to Obsidians to: Emily Rice; 1615 E. 43rd Ave., Eugene, OR 97405. Final payment is due March 23 and is refundable if Ouzel cancels the trip due to poor water conditions or if you cancel and someone if found to take your spot.

if you'd like to see a trip itinerary and/or personal equipment checklist before placing a deposit contact Emily at eannrice@gmail.com. You can also visit Ouzel Outfitters at www.oregonrafting.com for more information about their guide service and this trip.

  • Event Leader: Rice Emily

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Extended Trips

  • Area Type:

  • Departure Location: See Trip Description

  • Rating: Easy

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 750

  • Season: 2017

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Lunch and dinner on April 24 and breakfast on April 25 are on your own. You can bring these meals or purchase them at a café across from the camping site. Ouzel will provide all meals from lunch on April 25 through lunch on the 29th. You will provide your food preferences/restrictions to Ouzel in advance of the trip. You will be responsible for meals starting with dinner on the 29th until we arrive back in Eugene on the 30th. Ouzel provides all rafting equipment, kayaks, and camping gear (tent, sleeping bag and pad). meals and return transportation to Rome. You are rresponsible for your personal gear. You will receive a recommended list of items from Ouzel when you sign up. If you would like to see this list before you sign up, contact the trip leader and she will email you the list.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance:

  • Member Fees: 1140

  • Elevation Gain:

  • Non-Member Fees: 1145

  • Committee: Extended Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

April on the Owhyee was windy, cold and wild. The river was running high but only after we got off did we realize how high. We thought the river was running at 3 to 4,000 cfs but found out after we got off that it had peaked near 6,000 cfs on our 4th day. That was the day that Bruce, a guy who had kayaked the river @ 8 times before, flipped and was rescued by a talented guide and a paddle boat full of Obsidians. One other person (non-Obsidian) went in the water in the same rapids. Neoprene gloves, neoprene booties, and wet suits were worn by many people the entire trip.

Our group of 6 Obsidians joined 8 brave souls for a party size of 14. We were led and catered to by 5 experienced, knowledgable, and fun Ouzel guides. Brian, one of the Ouzel owners was also part of the group. In addition to their excellent river skills, the guides prepared delicious meals, including lots of fruits and vegies and 2 delicious dutch oven desserts. They even took us on some hikes on their "down" time.

We learned how to properly secure a tent from Brian, who often did an evening inspections and added reinforcements. Four large rocks were placed inside the 4 corners of the tent and numerous guylines were used to tie down the rainfly. The wind was wild and crazy. The camps were all at wonderful locations that offered the opportunity to hike on gentle terrain near the river or venture up a side canyon to explore the rim and geologic formations up close.

We spent most of our time in one of the 2 oar boats with paddle assist. We sometimes pleaded to paddle so we could stay warm! Chris, the most adventuresome Obsidian on the water, paddled an Inflatable kayak the first day and then wisely chose to wait til the last day for a little more fun in the IK.

Flowers and birds were just starting to make their appearance after a hard winter and spring, which made them all the more special. The geology and landscape was spectacular, so many interesting shapes and colors! We did manage to see some big horn sheep but alas, they were all dead - 1 carcass and 3 skulls. Despite the crazy river conditions, we all made it out alive!






Members & Guests signed-up & waitlisted

  • Number of spots on trip: 7
  • Number of spots available: 0
No. Status Full name Phone Transportation Needed? Trip Fee # Can Take?
1 Signed-Up Rice, Emily 541-517-0757 N 1140
2 Signed-Up Lindstrom, Lana 541-683-1409 N 1140
3 Signed-Up Terry, Judy 541-345-0720 N 1140
4 Signed-Up Strahon, Guy 541- 505-7605 N 1145
5 Signed-Up Shuraleff, Chris 541-954-4474 N 1140
6 Signed-Up Esch, Patricia 541-338-8280 N 1140
7 Signed-Up Hollander, Anne 541-338-9036 N 1140
8 Signed-Up Street, Annabelle 541-345-6307 N 1145
9 Waitlist Zola, Heidi 541-337-4260 N 1145
10 Waitlist Zola, Tatum 541-337-4260 N 1145
11 Signed-Up Masin, Rachelle 541-547-4742 N 1140