Whitewater River Rafting and Adventure Research blog at Triad River Tours. An inquiry into the state and nature of the river running industry and a guide to vacations and mountain adventures with professional guides.
Micro-Adventures: Reasons Why Washingtonians Should Vacation Close to Home
Many envision hopping on a plane when going on a vacation or traveling. When you live in Washington, you don’t need to travel far for a sustainable adventure and natural beauty. Here are some reasons why taking a vacation locally might just be better than a long distance vacation.
In the Pacific Northwest, opportunities for adventures are growing exponentially; recreational participation is becoming increasingly popular, and attention to inclusion has made the outdoors more accessible than ever. Hopping on a plane to travel far away is no longer necessary in order to experience great adventures.
If you’re from the Pacific Northwest, you are most likely surrounded by an abundance of beauty and natural resources. Especially in Northwestern Washington, rivers like the Nooksack, Skykomish, Sauk, Snoqualmie, and Skagit rivers provide for notoriously epic scenery. Bodies of water cover about 4,842 square miles of Washington land which can ensure water exploration in almost any area in the state.
The diverse landscapes of Washington make it easier to find an assortment of activities in the outdoors to do. There are over 60 mountain ranges in Washington, meaning snow enthusiasts will always feel close to some powder. A seemingly endless supply of rivers and lakes web across the state for the river rafters and water lovers. Trails span almost 700 miles of Washington State parks, and that’s not even including trails in urban settings. The ocean, you ask? It’s only a road trip away from anyone in the state. Needless to say, Washington has a little something for everyone outdoors-wise.
Jasmine Goodnow, the associate sustainable tourism specialist at Western Washington University, in Bellingham, WA advocates for local travel. She calls it locavism a term meaning short-distanced, sustainable travel. In a 2020 interview, Goodnow explained the environmental drawbacks to travelling great lengths for fun.
“The minute we get on a plane, in my opinion, we really can’t call this sustainable tourism… The greenhouse gas emissions produced by planes due to tourism contributes up to 5% in the world's global greenhouse emission.”
Tourism, especially tourism involving plane rides, requires the heavy use of fossil fuels to travel far (unless you’re riding in a horse-drawn wagon). An experience close to home impacts the environment much less than traveling far for a similar activity.
Packrafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, and kayaking are among the countless sports that Washington’s beautiful outdoor features attract. The participation in these sports cultivate community within the locality. Goodnow advocates for adventuring in one’s local space not only to build relationships with people but to nurture a relationship with nature in one’s backyard. She said that one cannot develop a care and respect for the wild without firsthand experience. Often these experiences aren’t pursued because of the notion that a trip has to be located physically far away.
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, travelling far away isn’t always possible anyway. Washington State’s tourism industry employed about 165,000 people in 2019 but accounted for 42% of all job losses in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is crucial to support local areas in the form of “micro-adventures” in order to invest in recreational opportunities that are so integrated into Washington State. Recreating is also a great outlet during this time period. Adventuring in your own backyard offers therapeutic exploration that has become harder to experience amidst the pandemic as many opportunities for excitement are on hold.
Not only are micro-adventures a sustainable way to make memories and have fun, touring your locale is available to everyone and costs much less than the far away vacations many associate with adventure. Many people experiencing poverty are at a disadvantage for enjoying the leisure of faraway vacations. Paid leave isn’t always accessible to everyone, and modes of transport to places outside of one’s local sphere can be expensive to achieve. Micro-adventures open up opportunities to find wonder and escape without needing to travel far when money is tight. The bus fare from Seattle to Snoqualmie Falls costs $6-7, the equivalent cost of two or three bags of beef jerky, which is much more affordable than a ticket to Hawaii.
Moral of the story: Pack a bag to explore the Pacific Northwest with the same gumption you would to fly to a different country. Don’t hesitate to visit that quaint brewery after a long day white water rafting on the Skagit River. Rent your gear from the local store owner that will remember your name months later.
Lastly, appreciate your home with a fresh pair of eyes: Experience Washington as a tourist would.
Sources:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DwLMEGO15J8wBtvCIQp_rHKcBlnmNoEKtmo3kBxFIAQ/edit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DwLMEGO15J8wBtvCIQp_rHKcBlnmNoEKtmo3kBxFIAQ/edit
https://www.washingtoncountyinfo.com/for-tourists/how-many-mountains-are-in-washington-state.html
How the Salish Sea got its Name
The Salish Sea is a popular body of water that encompasses the Strait of Georgia, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Puget Sound. Locals are enthusiastic about its important role in the ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest, but despite its importance, it was nameless until only recently. Read on if you want to explore the history behind the Salish Sea’s name.
The Salish Sea is a beloved feature of the Northern Cascades. Its northern-most location is the Johnstone Strait in British Columbia, branching south and ending at Cape Flattery in Washington. The sea is the foundation of life on the surrounding land. Home to over 8 million people, life has congregated around the body of water, and big cities like Seattle, WA; and Vancouver, BC border the Salish Sea.
The size and importance of the Salish Sea is why I was surprised to learn that it didn’t get named until recently. I assumed most geographic locations in the US had been named long before I was born, but the Salish Sea was only officially named in 2009. Naming the Salish Sea was important in order to cultivate an attachment to the sea and creating empathy for its ecosystems.
The first time I truly experienced the Salish Sea, I was in high school on a trip in the Hood Canal hoping to be certified as a scuba diver. I had been taking a three-month long course, and the trip was going to secure my certification. It was also March, and the water temperature was just starting to recover from the chill of the winter months. Even wearing a full body wetsuit with a hood and booties wasn’t enough to stave away the intensity of the sea. The beauty of the waters wasn’t dampened by the chill, though. I felt calm being immersed in the water despite the intensity of the currents. I was in proximity to aquatic life I’d only seen in movies before, close enough to see them breath, move and live. The Salish Sea became real to me then.
If you don’t know much about the Salish Sea, the total surface area is 6,950 square miles in total which would be the equivalent of filling up about six Grand Canyons with its water. Seven major rivers, including the Fraser, Nooksack, Nisqually, Puyallup, Squamish, Skagit, and Snohomish rivers feed into the Salish Sea. The sea consists of the Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Strait of Georgia, but referring to the body of water as a whole isn’t intended to replace the three’s individual local identities. Rather it provides one label that unifies the connected ecosystems despite their local distinctions.
Marine biologist, Bert Webber, proposed the name Salish Sea in 1988, but it was rejected in 1989. He wanted to express the connectedness of the bodies of water that made up the Salish Sea since they were so individualized. Webber found the value in naming the sea to cultivate a sense of attachment to the water in order to raise concern for the pollution affecting the water as well. A name has the ability to affect one’s relationship with conserving the local environment.
Other names that were proposed were the Western Sea in the 1950s, the Georgia Basin-Puget Sound, and the Gulf of Georgia by Captain Vancouver in 1873. The Ish Sea was also suggested as a name to honor the Indigenous people of the land. Duwamish, Stillaguamish, Samish, and all of the tribes of the area are connected by the “ish” at the end of their tribe’s names.
The Salish Sea ended up sticking as the name because it was popularly used by locals. Surprisingly, the naming of small-scale bodies of water is a grassroots process. Local language usage usually decides the official name and the Salish Sea was plentiful on local’s tongues. A significant detail about the naming process, as well, was that local Indigenous people supported adopting the name the Salish Sea. In addition to this, Salish Sea has alliteration that rolls of the tongue naturally that probably didn’t hurt.
The word Salish is an homage to the Indigenous and First Nation people who lived on and used its waters first. Even though it’s a payment of respect, the name is not a traditional Indigenous word, but instead a European word. It refers to the First Nation and Indigenous People living in the upper Pacific Northwest who share a language group. By using a word that wasn’t affiliated with one specific tribe, all tribes in the language group were included in the term.
It was during the initial moments of scuba diving when I was getting my certification that I first felt a deep appreciation for the Salish Sea. By swimming in its waters, I developed an attachment to the waters. I hope other Pacific Northwesterners will find inspiration in the animate existence of the Salish Sea as I did when I was diving in the Hood Canal. For now, being able to find importance in the Salish Sea through a name is a good place to start.
https://www.eopugetsound.org/articles/list-salish-sea-fish-grows-253-species
How to Keep Your Dog Safe on a Whitewater Rafting Trip
Water safety for when you want to take your dog whitewater rafting.
If you own a dog, you know they’re a part of your family. You feed them, play with them, even pick up their poop, and in exchange, they love you unconditionally. You want to share your life experiences with your canine companion, so why not take them whitewater rafting? Many people also depend on support dogs for a variety of health concerns. Since health issues don’t stop on a raft, support dogs shouldn’t either.
However, whitewater rafting can be hazardous, with obstacles ranging from rocks to unpredictable water, and dogs aren’t immune to a river’s wrath. How can you keep your canine companions safe in these conditions?
Expose your dog to rafting slowly
Before going on a long trip, or taking on difficult rapids, practice helping your dog feel comfortable in the raft. Floating on calm waters for short periods of time will help introduce the feeling of the boat to your dog. Consider if you were in this situation and it was your first time floating on water. Kinda scary, huh?
Be realistic and put your dog’s wellbeing first
Some dogs are simply not going to be the giant river rats you’re hoping they’ll be. Even for dogs that love water, there are some levels of whitewater that are barely manageable for humans to explore, and if so, they are definitely too dangerous for a dog. Class 3 and 4 rapids are the general cutoff for a safe trip with your dog. Leaving your dog at home might mean they miss out on the experience of rafting with you, but a bored dog is better than an injured one.
Before a raft trip, exercise them so they’ll be less antsy
If I’m going on a long road trip with my dog, I’ll always go on a run with her before beginning the journey. It’s a win-win because she runs her energy out, sleeping the rest of the car ride, and I get to drive in peace without her attempting to be a 60 pound lap dog. The same ideology applies to whitewater rafting. Exercising your dog beforehand makes for a calmer, easier rafting trip.
Ensure you purchase a quality PFD
This is crucial. PFDs are essential to both humans and non-humans when it comes to whitewater rafting. In 2017, 84.5% of people who drowned during boating accidents weren’t wearing lifejackets. For dogs, a jacket with a handle on top is recommended so that it’s easier to pull them out of the water if they’ve fallen out of a raft.
Brands that sell quality dog PFDs:
NRS
Kong Sport Aqua Pro
Outward Hound
Paws Aboard
Astral
Stohlquist
Triad River Tours sells NRS dog PFDs that you can find here.
Educate yourself before hitting the rapids
It’s easy to get ahead of yourself when faced with the excitement of taking your dog on a rafting trip. Understand the etiquette of taking a dog with you into the wilderness. Make sure that everyone accompanying you on the trip knows that your dog is coming too and include your dog in a headcount so the raft isn’t too crowded. Most importantly, do not tie your dog to the boat. For the sake of avoiding getting too graphic, I’ll just say it’s very dangerous to be tethered to a raft.
Bring a First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is handy if your canine friend gets hurt on the river. Gauze, cotton balls, a towel, and Vetericyn antimicrobial hydrogel are basic additions to a first aid kit for dogs. Vetericyn is a miracle product as it treats most sores, allergic reactions, rashes or cuts so you won’t have to pack separate products to prepare for each issue. Also, if accidentally consumed, it won’t cause harm to your dog. Rain ponchos are also recommended gear to pack in the first aid kit if the day offers more rain than sun.
At the end of the trip, check your dog for ticks and places where they might have been banged up. Give them lots of treats and hugs because whitewater rafting is no small feat for a dog!
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/pet-therapy/art-20046342
https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/blog/water-dogs-rafting-and-floating-safety/
http://www.kentuckymonthly.com/explore/field-notes/pfds-save-lives-%E2%80%A6-when-they-are-worn/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-first-aid-kit-essentials/
What Foods Should You Pack for a Whitewater Rafting Trip?
Getting enough nutrition is essential during white water rafting trips. Here are some food options that are great fuel for a days’ hard work on the river!
If you’ve spent a lot of time on the river, you know that the best feeling ever is taking your first bite of food after a long day. Whether you’re white water rafting for a few hours or going on a week long excursion, the food you bring on a trip can make or break your experience.
Breakfast:
A proper breakfast will start your trip off strong. Too little carbs can leave you feeling unsatisfied, with little energy to guide your raft through turbulent water, but too many carbs could lead to dozing off during the times you need to be the most alert.
Instant oatmeal, dried apricots, dried bananas and honey - Personally, I’m a major fan of dried fruit. I have a stockpile of dehydrated novelties because they are easy to pack on a wilderness trip, don’t take up much space, and don’t go bad. Apricots and bananas might seem like unconventional ingredients in oatmeal and even more unconventional paired together. The two surprisingly compliment each other, though. Apricot is one of the most protein-filled fruits, so starting your day off sweet instead of savory won't be a problem.
Snacks:
A good whitewater rafting snack is easy to access and relatively quick to eat. Snacks are meant to give you a boost of energy before your next meal.
Half a grapefruit - Cut a whole grapefruit in half before you get on the water and wrap it with either plastic wrap or beeswax wrap, a more sustainable alternative to plastic. Grab a spoon and dig in!
Trail mix - An oldie but a goodie. Make sure to bring trail mix with lots of nuts and other protein-rich ingredients.
String cheese sticks - Another fundamental snack on the water or off. The packaging is water proof so eating in rough water is much easier with string cheese.
Lunch:
The midday recharge is key to a successful afternoon of rafting. During this time of day, you’ll start running out of steam and need food that will tide you over until dinner. This meal doesn’t need to be quite as hearty as breakfast or dinner, though, since it comes mid-exertion.
Black beans, hummus, and spinach stuffed into a pita pocket - The black beans and hummus provide protein, and the pita pocket makes for easy eating if you’re trying to get on with your trip quickly or want to eat on a mellow section of river. If you’re a meat lover, you can add chicken if you cook the raw meat on a cast iron over a campfire before you head out on the water.
Chia seed pb&j - If you want a lighter meal for lunch, this spin on the classic pb&j sandwich is a great alternative. By sprinkling a few pinches of chia seeds in the sandwich, your quick meal instantly becomes healthier and more protein-rich.
Dinner:
This is the last meal of the day so you’ll need to think a lot about how to set your body up for recovery. Eating until you’re a bit too full isn’t a problem because you’ll probably be passed out in a tent soon. This is also a meal you can be a bit more creative with since a campfire and the luxuries of land are on your side.
Whatever fish you can catch and rice - If you’re rafting on the Nooksack, Sauk, Skagit, or Skykomish rivers, there will most likely be salmon or steelhead running beneath the water you’re floating on. As long as you’re abiding by the laws and fishing ethically, you can pull out your fishing pole and catch your own dinner! Also, rice is one of the holy grails of outdoor dining; it’s non-perishable, pairs well with most food, and it’s easy to make over a fire.
Dessert:
When I would go camping as a child, my family would always tie each night up with a campfire-involved treat. Sweets are a great reward for a day of hard work on the river, for kids and adults alike.
Campfire Cones - One of my favorite desserts while camping, aside from s’mores, are campfire cones. To make a campfire cone, put marshmallows, chocolate chips and trail mix inside an empty ice cream cone. Wrap the cone in tin foil and place it in the fire until melted. A word of caution: You might want to pack some wet wipes if there are messy eaters in the group; campfire cones can get a little sticky.
Sources:
https://www.smallcarcamp.com/how-to-cook-rice-when-camping-11-examples/
https://www.windingwatersrafting.com/gearboatchronicles/best-meals-for-whitewater-rafting/
The Nooksack Dam Removal
A look at the history and impact of the Nooksack River Dam on the river’s ecosystem.
The Nooksack River is worn out.
When rafting on the Nooksack, visitors are introduced to uninhibited scenery of Northwestern Washington. The white caps of the water curl upwards to warn untrained excursionists, and the heavy branches of a fir tree droop down to greet wildlife teeming on the floors of underbrush. The Nooksack hasn’t always been so uninhibited, though.
Until last July, the Nooksack River’s diversion dam was a jolting decoration in the river, interrupting the rawness the area otherwise endorsed. The Nooksack River watershed covers 830 square miles of land, consisting of over 1,000 miles of rivers and streams. Lush forests loom above the curves of the rapids. At the middlefork of the Nooksack, a 25 foot tall dam perched between the banks supporting the man-made structure.
Western Washington depends on the immense river to nurture plant and animal life as well as the livelihood of humans. Survival is hinged on the health of the Nooksack so much so that the river is approaching exhausting all of its resources. One of the most intense utilizations of the Nooksack was the large middle fork dam because of its effect on water levels and its dictation on where and how animal life could present itself. Logging, farming, and levees have whittled the fertile river down to the bone. The Nooksack is literally being loved (or used) to death.
The Nooksack was given another chance to foster the land the way it once did in July of 2020. A demolition project was incited to remove the dam which would allow the river to heal.
The Nooksack dam was built in the late 1950s without any fish ladder or means for the trout and salmon to surpass the structure. As a result of this blockage, fish wouldn’t have access to essential habitats being obstructed by the dam for spawning and survival. The Nooksack is special in that it houses five different species of salmon and two significant species of trout. The Chinook salmon is an essential food source for Southern Resident killer whales, a species that’s suffering from endangerment in the Puget Sound Region. Consequently, the killer whales have changed their migration patterns to compensate for the lower salmon population.
Removal of the middle fork dam would increase the populations of Chinook salmon by 30%, providing a more stable food source for the killer whales in the Salish Sea. It would also allow for the thriving of other species of salmon and trout because it would open up 16 miles of the river for fish to spawn.
The damming of rivers in Washington has led to salmon territory being cut in half. Salmon can no longer swim upstream with the same force as they used to, which in turn halts their lifespan blueprints. Adult salmon journey back to the same river they were born in. It’s ingrained in salmon’s DNA and as instinctual as finding food when they’re hungry.
The Lummi Nation and Nooksack Indian tribes partnered with the Endangered Species Act to propel the project of taking down the Nooksack River’s Middle Fork Dam.
Surrounding tribes including the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Indian tribes depend heavily on the flow of the Nooksack. The water of the rapids attract and cultivate diverse species of animals and fruitful foraging foods. Most importantly, the Nooksack River attracts salmon. The fish that run the river are the subject of spirituality for surrounding tribes.
The damming of a river means much more than the harnessing of a powerful natural feature to an Indigenous person, it’s the caging of the river and the denial of a sacred symbol. After 60 years of operation, the dam has been demolished and the river was reclaimed by the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Indian tribes.
Washington State leads the US in dam elimination. Two dam removals on the Elwha River preceded the Nooksack removal and set a precedent for the rest of Washington rivers. Salmon populations began to bloom after the Elwha was removed and scientists have hopes that the same is soon to come for the Nooksack.
Sources:
https://cob.org/services/environment/restoration/middlefork/middle-fork-background
The Best Places for Environmental Volunteerism in Washington
Washington is known for its environmental havens and diverse ecosystems. Here’s a list of outdoor volunteer opportunities to help maintain the different environments the state is home to.
Washington’s outdoors attract people from all over the world. The beautiful scenery consists of intricate ecosystems that balance delicately on the actions of humans. Volunteering in Washington’s wilderness is a great way to maintain the ecosystems that are so appreciated. Firsthand volunteerism outdoors garners a sense of responsibility for the environment. By experiencing nature directly, especially when focusing on cultivating a healthier ecosystem, volunteers feel attachment and a sense of place rooted in the wild.
Skagit Marine Resources Committee (Skagit MRC)
The Salish Sea is a beloved body of water in the north Cascades and is one of many projects Skagit MRC is heading. All volunteers need to go through a 40 hour training to learn about local marine environments and how to most effectively help each area as a volunteer. Classes and workshops are available on the Skagit MRC website on how to sustain Puget Sound aquatic environments if volunteering doesn’t quite fit into your schedule.
Student Conservation Association (SCA)
The SCA is a national program that was born in the Pacific Northwest. Volunteers in the Northwest chapter serve the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie area, Olympic National Park and North Cascades. The program removes invasive species and replaces them with indigenous plants while educating volunteers about the ecosystem they’re interacting with. The SCA is a wonderful opportunity to explore local beauty while improving the environment.
Washington Trails Association (WTA)
WTA is a popular Washington environmental volunteer program. If you hike in Washington a lot you’re bound to see a WTA work party improving trails. The definition of a “hike” is no longer a twenty mile excursion up a treacherous mountain. A hike can be a short walk in the woods or even a picnic in a scenic area of town. WTA is focused on inclusion in volunteer opportunities and helping make the outdoors feel safe and accessible for everyone. Intergenerational environmental education is especially important to the association; they offer programs involving families, youth, and educators to form relationships with each other and the outdoors they call home.
Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG)
This volunteer group works in western Washington’s Hood Canal Watershed. The program focuses on salmon restoration and sustaining the local ecosystem but also incorporates opportunities to volunteer in environmental education and micro agriculture. The goal of the program is to foster an abundant salmon population in western Washington, and connect community members to the land.
Seattle Tilth Alliance
Small scale farming and community gardens are super trendy in the Pacific Northwest right now, and for a good reason too: Growing food locally is more sustainable for the environment, and encourages community building. It also allows people who wouldn’t necessarily be able to afford fresh food to have the option to eat what they’ve grown. Volunteer opportunities are available in gardens and small farms throughout the Seattle area. Composting has never been so cool!
Conservation Northwest
If you’re not super keen on going outside and getting your hands dirty but still want to advocate for the environment, a great option is to interact with the government on environmental decisions by signing up to be an activist through this program. There are also opportunities to get hands on volunteering experience through Conservation Northwest work parties and monitoring of community wildlife. Be aware though, since the wildlife monitoring program is so popular there’s often a waitlist for the project.
If none of these programs appeal or are accessible to you, try looking into volunteer opportunities through your local schools or neighborhood events!
Skagit Marine Resources Committee:
The Student Conservation Association:
Washington Trails Association:
Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group:
https://www.pnwsalmoncenter.org/
Seattle Tilth Alliance:
http://www.tilthalliance.org/get-involved/volunteer/index_html
Conservation Northwest:
Open Doors to the Outdoors: Inclusion in Washington State Wilderness
Participation of Washington outdoor recreation continues to be homogenous, consisting of mainly white faces. The discussion is layered in history and deeply engrained biases, but beginning to explore historically underrepresented people’s experiences is the first step in understanding how outdoor spaces are shaped to exclude certain groups.
Close your eyes. Imagine a stereotypical outdoorsy person, perhaps someone you look up to. They’re sporting hiking boots, a beanie, a large backpack strapped securely around strong shoulders. Maybe this person is perched on Mount Baker, snow scattered around worn in shoes.
Now open your eyes.
What was the skin color of the person you envisioned? Did they have a disability? What was the gender, sexual orientation, or native language of that person?
Often, the general population supports diversity in the outdoors but seldom advocates for it. Brown bodies are still not being represented in outdoor spaces in Washington despite the recent trend of companies including historically underrepresented people in ads and campaigns. Although this increase in inclusion takes a small step towards equality, it’s merely performative if there isn’t a follow up in its message. The outdoors remains dominated by white faces and other identities that don’t challenge the biased conception of an “outdoorsy” person.
Justine Nishitani is a wilderness ranger with the Mount Baker/Snoqualmie area. In the summer of 2020 she was the only woman out of four forest service crews to be working in the area. Even though Nishitani loves nature and the ability to be a part of the outdoors for a living, she expressed the challenge of being different from her cohorts and other people she interacts with in the wilderness. In an interview with Nishitani, she said,
“It doesn’t always feel like that welcoming [of a] place [when there’s not] people that look like me here or have the same issues as me.”
One obstacle standing in the way of equitable outdoor participation in local Washington communities is the lack of accommodations provided in the outdoors. Insufficient language options in park information, difficulties with transportation, expensive gear and an absence of diverse wilderness leaders restrict access. These barriers discourage underrepresented groups from exploring green space.
Everyone deserves to feel the Washington wind blow through Doug-Firs and smell the Nooksack River as it splashes against rocks. The experience of wild space is a right for everyone, no matter one’s personal beliefs.
Since urban landscapes in Washington, especially the Seattle area, are growing at an increasing rate, demographics of people with varying backgrounds and underrepresented cultures are increasing. This creates a disparity between marginalized people and the identities western environmentalism is structured to welcome. There are more and more people missing out on the benefits of the outdoors.
Everyone has the ability to make the environment more welcoming for people who aren’t represented enough in the outdoors. Accountability is a good place to start. Everyone plays a part in the perpetuation of racism, sexism, and all the “isms” that burrow their way into the culture of the social wild.
Don’t mistake accountability as a replacement for the voices that have been left out of discussions involving the exclusivity of the outdoors. Laura Wagner, a white leader in the Huxley Environmental program at Western Washington University related the emphasizing of under heard voices to the Dr Seuss book, The Lorax:
“The Lorax said, ‘I speak for the trees, because the trees don’t have a voice.’ He has to speak for them. But people of color, LGBTQ people [and all other historically underrepresented groups] have voices of their own; you don’t need to speak for them. You just need to provide them spaces where they can be heard, or find ways to amplify their voices.”
Equity is in the best interest of involving underrepresented groups not heroism.
Nishitani, the wilderness ranger in the Mount Baker/Snoqualmie area, reflected back on one of her first experiences outdoors during a canoe trip at Ross Lake. Mountains loomed and reflected off of the huge lake as she breathed in the wilderness’ purified air. Hills and trees put distance between her and her home in Seattle. She hadn’t showered in days, feeling one with nature-and smelling like it too. There are aspects of nature that never cease to make her comfortable in the outdoors despite challenges she’s had to face:
The environment doesn’t judge; it challenges, but doesn’t threaten, and human opinions aren’t prevalent. She described the serenity of being able to experience nature for the first time,
“You can let the voices fade away, it’s really nice.”
The soundscape of birds, wind, and water filled her ears instead.
The health benefits and wonder of nature is what every human being deserves and has a right to experience.
Sources:
Interview with Justine Nishitani, October 2020
https://theplanetmagazine.net/voices-of-huxley-70382315670f
www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/documents/psw_gtr210/psw_gtr210_123.pdf.
PNW Podcasts You Should Listen to When You're Itching to go Outside
Pacific Northwest Podcasts that will hold you over until your next adventure.
The Pacific Northwest is notorious for a slew of adventure sports and a culture that prides itself on craft beer and coffee. Perhaps the most notable aspect of the PNW is the iconic wildlife and enviable bodies of water that allow for these activities to exist. No matter how many adventures in the Pacific Northwest you’ve encountered, there seems to be an endless supply of experiences to discover. Though, not everyone has time for constant rafting, hiking, and exploring the gems of the upper Cascadia, nor time to research every nook and cranny. Luckily, the PNW is home to proud locals wanting to spread awareness through podcasts on how beautiful the local nature is and how to stay safe when interacting with the environment. Pacific Northwest podcasts offer a window into the lush landscape of the mountains and rivers of the upper left. Plug your headphones in, listen to the sounds of the local land, and get inspired for your next roadtrip.
1. Future Ecologies by Mendel Skulski and Adam Huggins
Skulski and Huggins interview experts over the background of the rich soundscape of Vancouver Island. The podcast chronicles the relationship between nature and humans all the while dropping some Pacific Northwest centric stories in the discussions. The podcast includes a wide array of subjects including the intricacies of parasites, west coast fires, and a splash of existentialism that will make you question if nature is even real. The podcast advocates for Indigenous voices and exudes authentic passion for each episode as the two dive deep into each subject.
2. The Nick Zentner Geology Podcast
Nick Zenter is a geology teacher at Central Washington University. He puts his teaching skills to work as he describes landscapes and geographic histories of the Pacific Northwest. Zentner explores local volcanoes, tectonic plates, and the North Cascades with holistic descriptions of location and outdoors. His descriptions are perfect for the Washingtonian hiker, white water rafter, or outdoor adventurer as he unlocks the secrets of the landscapes on PNW trails. The Olympic Mountains you hike on and the San Juan Islands you kayak around will make a lot more sense when listening to this podcast. Zentner also has a Youtube where he provides a more visual path to learning about geology with the same dry sense of humor he brings into the podcast. Listening to this podcast will help you build an appreciation for Washington’s natural curves without getting lost in the science and language of geology.
3. The Wild with Chris Morgan
This NPR podcast focuses on the Pacific Northwest but expands across countries around the world to explore ecosystems and environmental advocacy. A few episodes in the series take a break from information-heavy content and provide for relaxation by immersing listeners in a cacophony of Northwest wilderness sounds. Morgan’s English accent is relaxing yet engaging. Listening to The Wild feels like a slightly more intimate, less scaley version of The Crocodile Hunter with Steve and Terri Irwin. The Wild is a fusion between a nature documentary and a gripping story providing for a podcast that’s educational and interesting.
4. Cascade Hiker Podcast by Rudy Giecek
The Cascade Hiker Podcast begins each episode with a folky tune and a warm welcome into the world of outdoor adventures. Everyone is invited to take part in the hiking world, no matter how much experience you have with the outdoors. This is perhaps the most personal podcast of the list. Geicek shares his own experiences in the Cascade wilderness on the trails with family and friends. He also interviews outdoor enthusiasts that offer different perspectives on the Northwest wilderness. There’s a branch of this podcast called Kids Cascade Hiker where Rudy and his two daughters talk about camping, backpacking, and experiencing the outdoors from a kid’s perspective. The Cascade Hiker Podcast will make you feel like you’re listening to Geicek and fellow outdoorsy friends exchange hiking stories and guidance at a neighborhood campfire.
Honorable Mention:
5. Cascadian Beer Podcast
This podcast isn’t necessarily an outdoors-themed podcast, but it’s definitely worth mentioning if you want a daily dose of the Pacific Northwest. And what’s better than relaxing with a cold brewski in hand after a long day of exploring Cascadia? Each episode focuses on one brewery, highlighting the history of the local area. If you’re a hop head hoping to learn more about the beer culture of the Pacific Northwest, Cascadian Beer Podcast is a must-listen.
All five of these podcasts are available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Future Ecologies:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2mh8pts42Iu7HA9nnpFV56?si=fIms11tVRHe8CL0peA34Yg
The Nick Zentner Geology Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/21CA0GzQqRkv1goyer7ZFs?si=py23fWTUTNa71y8qDflP3A
The Wild With Chris Morgan:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2mh8pts42Iu7HA9nnpFV56?si=fIms11tVRHe8CL0peA34Yg
The Cascade Hiker Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/6aod8WGZBCnxKRZ4H1xBYi?si=7CX2ZdenRfeeuSohbizKOg
The Cascadian Beer Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1VOw7rRPltt1plCZtVo8wV?si=LVvVmQ3-TRahYerIW7xYEQ
Salmon: The Lifeblood of Pacific Northwest Indigenous People
Many people associate salmon as an option on a restaurant menu, but the fish are much more significant to Indigenous tribes in the Pacific Northwest. Salmon runs in the blood of Washington Indigenous people so much so, they’re called the Salmon People. Salmon are not only their main source of food sustenance but also a driving force in spiritual sustenance.
Sherman Alexie, an Indigenous man from the Spokane Coer D’Alene Indigenous community spoke on the importance of salmon to native tribes in the Pacific Northwest. The fish are so sacred salmon to PNW tribes are the bread and wine to certain Christian sects. As he explained it, salmon are the Eucharist or blood and body, of native culture in Washington.
While rafting on a trip with Triad River Tours along one of the Western Washington rivers, you might notice red flashes of salmon swimming upward against the rapids. These unique fish have shaped the ecology and Indigenous population of the region for at least 12,000 years.
In the Puget Sound region, a variety of salmon support the survival of local tribes. Coho, Sockeye, Pink, Chum, King and Chinook all provide reliable sustenance due to high nutritional value and dependable spawning patterns. Tribes like the Lummi, Nooksack, Snoqualmie, and Sauk-Suiattle were shaped by these patterns and often centered their lives and traditions around rivers. Food like salmon is sacred because of its interconnection with the environment and ability to nourish so many tribal communities.
Salmon are a keystone species in Washington’s ecosystem. They swim up rivers that span across the entirety of Washington providing food for bears, snakes, bald eagles, and humans as well. Before entering the rivers and after returning to the ocean, they are prey to a variety of sea animals in the Salish Sea. The fish are rich in vitamin D and omega fatty acids that the Pacific Northwest’s dynamic environment fosters with its stable rain and dense vegetation. The abundance of nutrition from the salmon sustains Indigenous locals as they are the main food source for pacific tribes.
In 1915, Chief Weninock of Yakama explained how essential salmon are in the survival of Indigenous people:
“My strength is from the fish; my blood is from the fish, from the roots and berries. The fish and game are the essence of my life. I was not brought from a foreign country and did not come here. I was put here by the Creator.”
Not only are salmon a vital food source, salmon are a significant symbol in the Indigenous people’s culture, appearing in many tribal traditions. The spawning of salmon is an especially sacred tradition observed in the form of a celebration called first salmon. Salmon bakes, storytelling, and pow wow dancing entail during first salmon to honor the importance of the fish in Indigenous tribes’ lives. The religious beliefs of the Pacific Northwest tribes saw the fish as a gift from the salmon king. Paying tribute to the king each season is essential to ensure salmon return year after year. An aspect of the first salmon ceremony involves allowing the fish to run the river without hunting them for the first few days. This respect for salmon is a form of sustainability that honors the cycle of the fish and allows space for the population to thrive even after the fishing is done.
Much of the art in Pacific Northwest indigenous communities is influenced or made from salmon. Vertebrae can be used for earrings. Once dried and tanned, the skins of the salmon can be used to make baskets. Iconic carvings of salmon often seen on totem poles embody nourishment, fertility, and abundance. These forms of art are invaluable to native groups, as they represent the community as a whole and the values most important to them.
Salmon are so deeply ingrained in Indigenous culture that art and sacred traditions celebrate their meaning and cause for vitality. They are quite literally a part of native people, being the main food source for tribes living on Washington rivers. You can feel the spirit of salmon swimming through native communities, swinging from the earlobes of a Nooksack woman, and warming the stomach of an elder.
Sources:
https://ecotrust.org/genetically-engineered-salmon-valerie-segrest/
https://www.nwcouncil.org/reports/columbia-river-history/firstsalmonceremony
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM3UPvMVjFY
5 Major Health Benefits of River Rafting
A look into the controversial subject of outdoor recreation as therapy for what ails you.
There are many more reasons to go river rafting other than just because it’s fun!
White water rafting has become an extremely popular activity in the United States. Statista reports that “In 2017, there were approximately 3.48 million participants in rafting in the U.S.” Although many pursue the water sport for the thrill it provides, there are several health benefits linked to it as well. Learn all about the health benefits of river rafting ahead.
Great Exercise
If you are looking to get some exercise and have some fun, white water river rafting is the activity for you. White water rafting requires you to use your arms and navigate through the water, which in turn, helps you gain muscle. White water rafting is also a great cardio workout, as participants will burn a lot of calories.
Reduces Stress
Life throws many obstacles at us, and the stress can become overwhelming if you are not careful. White water rafting is an excellent option to reduce stress—it’s a simple, yet healthy way to take your mind off life’s uncertainties. Spending a day out on the water and experiencing nature’s beauty can change your tune quickly.
Vitamin D
White water rafting is also a great source of vitamin D. Spending all day outside in the sun is a great way to collect essential nutrients that you need for your health. Vitamin D boasts an array of health benefits—it can help fight disease, reduce depression, and boost weight loss.
Teamwork
An added health benefit of river rafting is participants must use teamwork. The skills participants gain from working with others to navigate the rushing water can assist in all aspects of life. That is why white water rafting is a great activity for families and co-workers, as you put differences aside, build healthy communication, and tread through the rapids together.
Promotes Confidence
White water rafting isn’t easy and getting through the water safely can give you a sense of accomplishment. With the help of a guide, successfully finishing the course will have you celebrating and fresh off the buzz of adrenaline.
If you are interested in taking up white water rafting in Washington, contact Triad River Tours—we’ll show you why life is better on the river.
Read more:
Five Reasons You Should Definitely Sleep Outside At least Twice A Year
It's Time to Enjoy This Summer: 3 Great Outdoor Activities to Try
The Differences Between Rafting and Kayaking
To raft or to kayak? Most experienced kayakers find that they have a closer relationship to the river in their smaller craft, while rafting appeals to the beginner. Which is the preferred option for you?
From tubing to skiing, some of the most popular outdoor activities take place on the water: the Outdoor Industry Association reports that “almost half—49.0%—of the U.S. population ages 6 and over participated in an outdoor activity at least once in 2017.” Two other popular water activities include rafting and kayaking, but some people don’t really know the differences between the two. If you’re interested in either endeavor, learn the main differences between rafting and kayaking to find out which one will work best for you.
Rafting
Water rafting is a much safer way to float down the river compared to kayaking: the boat is bigger and inflatable, and it also doesn’t move as fast. This makes water rafting perfect for a larger group of people as well as a great family activity. Still, as with any water activity, you’ll want to wear some protective equipment such as a helmet and an inflatable life vest. At Triad River Tours, you’ll be equipped with an experienced guide who knows the water, as well.
Kayaking
A major difference between rafting and kayaking is that the latter is better for smaller groups of people, as kayaks typically fit no more than one to two people. Kayaks are also smaller in size and allow the individual to navigate from both sides on their own. They’re more akin to canoes in the sense that they’re swifter, nimbler, and more easily navigated by a single passenger.
Rafting and kayaking are two of the best outdoor experiences. The activities are fun, and they also come with plenty of physical and mental benefits, too. You can experience both activities at Triad River Tours, which offers the best kayaking and white water rafting in Seattle. If you aren’t familiar with water sports, we offer instructional classes that will help you navigate the waters.
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Why Rivers Matter
An investigation into the value of rivers for nature and humanity.
Rivers are important.
From a scientific, economic and agricultural standpoint this is a very easy position to defend; we rely on rivers for transport and trade, to water our farms and supply drinking water to our cities. Since the dawn of settled human history we have built our civilizations around rivers for these very reasons. But there is more to the importance of rivers than just trade quotas and marine highway statistics. It is easy to quantify the importance of rivers, to throw out impressive numbers to prove how much we rely on them in a dozen different aspects of our daily lives; but few people fall in love with numbers. We do not love the rivers for their contribution to international trade or the annual allotted drinking water; it is something more, something far from the dry lists of numbers and research results, that keeps us coming back again and again and ties the rivers so thoroughly into the culture of the Pacific Northwest.
Numbers aside, rivers are one of the most important parts of nature.
The west side of the North Cascades is a land defined by water. Rain starts in the mountains, slipping down over the foothills in Seattle’s famous gray clouds until it reaches the coast; then the ocean swirls it away, marking its own defining line along the edge of the Sound. Between mountains and ocean—source and sink—run the rivers. They are as woven into the rhythm of life here as the rain. They slip quietly through city parks, splay broad deltas along the coast, roar down the steep slopes of the mountains. It is here—in the quiet bends, the thundering wave-trains, the braided saltwater channels of the deltas—that we fall in love with our rivers.
The sheer wildness of the rivers draws us in first. It’s easy to see in the young mountain channels, the playgrounds of whitewater kayakers and weekend rafters, where standing waves circle behind enormous boulders and the rush of the current drowns out every thought but the next paddle-stroke. But even the quiet parks further down the valley remain wild; the water is smoother and deeper, but there is still a wildness to it, a mystery you can feel but never truly comprehend no matter how many times you run the river. Time spent with the rivers of the Pacific Northwest is a glimpse into something much larger than yourself.
If it is the wildness that draws us in, it is the comfort and camaraderie that brings us circling back, again and again. Rivers are a catalyst for friendships that last a lifetime; they bring people together in a way only true wilderness can. As the site and source of lasting friendships, of family camping trips that truly brought people together for the first time in years and whitewater rapids that taught real trust to a group of near-strangers, rivers are where we find true solace, a haven from the stress of everyday life and the terror that dogs every news headline. Rivers are a place of safety as much as danger—it sounds odd, true, but if you’ve spent time with the Pacific Northwest’s rivers you know what I mean.
Rivers are worth far more than the dry numbers of their economic and scientific contributions to human society. They are a bastion of wildness even in the heart of the city, a haven from the tensions of everyday life, the catalyst for friendships and family bonds that can stretch a lifetime. They are far more important than any spreadsheet could possibly impart. It isn’t something you can list, something you can quantify—but if you sit by the river long enough, listening to the waves and the rocks and the slow dappling of rain over the rapids, you will understand.
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Five Key Components of a Good Rafting Story
Professional Whitewater River Guides are the jack of all trades of the outdoor industry, and no good river guide sets out for their day without a plethora of good material to choose from when entertaining their guests. Here are some basics to developing this crucial skill.
It’s easy for the audience to tell a good story from a bad one. If you’ve ever been trapped in the third retelling of your rafting buddy’s favorite, absolutely plotless story about “that one time he flipped a raft”, you know exactly what I mean. A good rafting story is like a good whitewater run—it pulls you straight into the moment, keeps you on the edge of your seat with a white knuckled grip on your paddle, and swoops through the boulders and into the next eddy at precisely the right time. A good rafting story makes you feel as though you ran the wave-train or fished out the swimmers yourself.
A good rafting story makes you feel as though you ran the wave-train or fished out the swimmers yourself.
Some storytelling skills are instinctive; there are a few people who are born storytellers, who can weave a compelling tale out of nothing without really trying. But what makes those stories good? Some of it is a nebulous “je ne sais quois”, the mystery “something” that separates a great whitewater rafting story from a bad one, but a few key components are shared by every good story.
1. Plot
A good story has a beginning, a middle and an end. It sets the scene, rolls into the rising action, comes to a peak and then resolves it in a way that makes sense. It’s more than just a long, jumbled ramble about something that happened; it has a clear sequence that draws in listeners and keeps their attention.
2. Humor
Not every good rafting story has humor, but it definitely helps. Most people are more ready to listen to a funny story than any other kind. Sometimes this means laughing at yourself as much as your fellow rafters, but hey—it’s supposed to be good for you.
3. Clear wording
If you forget every third sentence or repeat anything you aren’t sure you already said, both you and your audience will be incredibly confused. If the fact that you have no memory of what actually happened is the base of your story, go for it—but if it isn’t, try to keep things in order for the sake of storytelling clarity.
4. Hand gestures
Not entirely necessary for a good rafting story, but if you act out what happened with as much exaggerated drama as possible it will definitely keep your listeners entertained. Even a boring story can be spiced up into something interesting and engaging with enough bordering-on-the-ridiculous hand gestures. Bonus points for making your friends use a bench or picnic table as a stand-in raft and act out the story as you tell it.
5. Passion
If you don’t care what happens in your story, no one else will either. But if you tell a whitewater story you really feel—one where you were exhilarated, or terrified, or went for your first swim in glacial meltoff—your audience will pick up on that passion and bring it into their listening. This is the most important part. You can backtrack, you can wander off on a tangent, you can forget to gesture out a single event, but if you’re passionate about your story your listeners will be too.
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Best Books for Getting to Know the North Cascades
Nothing feels better than cuddling up in your sleeping bag and getting into some reading about the wilderness around you. We live in an area rich with wildlife, history, and lore. Here are some great books to bring with you on your next wilderness rafting adventure!
There’s no substitute for getting to know a mountain region through your own two feet, or its rivers by your own paddle. But the written word is a wonderful way to learn how those mountains got there, how a culture grew around them, or how humans throughout history have felt about the peaks you currently call home. If you want to really get to know the history—natural history, human history, or how both intertwine—or just want to kick back with a book about the iconic mountains of the Pacific Northwest, here’s some of the best books for getting to know the North Cascades.
Geology of the North Cascades by Ralph Albert Haugerud and Rowland V. Tabor
The Cascade Mountains are packed full of both information and inspiration: a great combination for writers and readers.
This is an excellent book that gives a broad geologic overview of the region (comprehensible even to non-geologists) as well as a specific history of the North Cascades. The best part, though, might be the second half of the book, which lists hikes of geologic interest with descriptions of the rocks, formations and features you will see along the way. You’ll find a new appreciation for the role of the North Cascades rivers in shaping the mountains after reading this book.
Riprap and Cold Mountain Poems by Gary Snyder
It is hard to find a more iconic description of summer in the peaks and valleys of the North Cascades than Gary Snyder’s poems, written when he worked as a fire lookout at Sourdough Mountain. Over weeks spent high above the Skagit River he composed some of the most poignant descriptions of mountain life, and of the North Cascades in particular, of any poet.
North Cascades Crest by James Martin
With a combination of beautiful photography, musings on the North Cascades and their rivers, and stories of specific climbs and hikes the author has done in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, this book is a window on the mountain world of the North Cascades. The author’s prose is as rich in imagery as his photos.
Poets on the Peaks: Gary Snyder, Philip Whalen and Jack Kerouac in the North Cascades by John Suiter
The North Cascades were a common pilgrimage for the foremost writers of the Beat Generation. Gary Snyder, Philip Whalen and Jack Kerouac all spent time as fire lookouts in and around North Cascades National Park; Kerouac’s iconic The Dharma Bums is based partly on his experiences as a lookout on Desolation Peak. This book is a wonderful history of the beat generation and of decades of literary tradition on the peaks above the river valleys of the North Cascades.
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Seattle Staples: The 4 Pacific Northwest Essentials (For Whitewater Rafters and Residents)
A look into the key ingredients to adventure while spending time in the Pacific Northwest.
With how much rain the PNW gets, it’s a good idea to stock up on some of these rainy day essentials.
Here in the Pacific Northwest—land of rivers, rain and an astonishing number of Subarus—there are a few essentials that every long-time resident or frequent visitor keeps handy. Whether you’ve been commuting from Seattle to the mountain whitewater every weekend for decades or you just came out for your first rafting trip, you’ll find these staples handy.
1. Rain Pants
Anyone who spends a lot of time in Seattle and surrounding areas should pick up a good pair of rain pants. Waterproof (though not, outside the Pacific Northwest outdoor community, particularly fashionable) and easy to pull over your street clothes, these can keep you dry anywhere from your morning bike commute to a mountain trail. They are also, apparently, somewhat unique to this area; in many drier regions most hikers and whitewater rafters haven’t even heard of them, and certainly don’t keep a pair nearby at all times.
2. Coffee
When it’s gray and rainy three hundred days out of the year you sometimes need a caffeine boost to keep yourself going. In Seattle, the ancestral home of Starbucks, caffeine is pretty easy to find. Once you’re out in the mountains, though, it gets harder. A thermos—or, for the truly dedicated, a backcountry French press and a Ziploc of ground coffee—of coffee is perfect for easing into a morning river run or warming you up after a day of running snowmelt rapids.
3. Fleece
Truly a staple of the Pacific Northwest, fleece is perfect for camping, backpacking, rafting, or just walking to work. Warm when wet and more windproof than most down jackets, fleece is the workhorse of any outdoor wardrobe in the rainy environs of Seattle and the surrounding wilderness. Many Pacific Northwest natives own a selection of fleeces—a lightweight outdoor fleece, midweight outdoor fleece, heavy outdoor fleece, “fashion” fleece (usually with less dirt and burn holes), and maybe a vintage fleece for visiting downtown coffeeshops (I own two, and they’re incredibly comfortable; I don’t care how hipster they make me look). Perfect for throwing on after a whitewater run or while waiting by the river on a chilly morning.
4. Blue Tarp
If you’ve ever camped in the Pacific Northwest you’ve probably watched the blue tarps go up, like a bloom of odd flowers all across the campground. After the first time you try to cook dinner on a picnic table in the pouring rain you’ll want one too. Just bring some good rope and find a campsite with well-spaced trees and you can build your very own outdoor dining room, complete with roof, and cook without fear of a sudden gust of raindrops extinguishing your stove. Make sure to wear your rain pants on the wet benches though.
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The First River Runners
Triad River Tours was founded in 2012, but humans have been on the rivers for hundreds of years before us. Many pacific Northwest tribes have historically relied on the region’s rivers for survival; they provided transportation, food, and water year-round. These tribes gained a deep understanding of the rivers and how to live in balance with them, keeping what they needed without destroying the river. One of our goals as a whitewater rafting company is to keep this balance ourselves. Here are some of the tribes that made their homes around the same rivers we raft today.
Upper Skagit
The Upper Skagit tribe consisted of many villages along the river, as opposed to one group. Like many tribes in Northwest Washington, they traditionally speak a form of the Salish language, Lushootseed in particular. According to the Upper Skagit NPAIHB page, “Elders’ stories were woven from the river and its surroundings. The stories revealed to the next generation where the best salmon fishing was and where to hunt game in the mountains, how to find sacred ground in the mountains, and where to bathe in the river for healing. Spiritual ceremonies also were held, with smoke and fire as a medium.”
Sauk-Suiattle
The Sauk-Suiattle tribe is also known as the Sah-ku-mehu. Like the Upper Skagit, they speak the Salishan language Lushootseed, which now only consists of a few living fluent speakers. The rivers they ran included the Sauk, Suiattle, Stillaguamish, Cascade, and Skagit rivers. White Horse Mountain in the North Cascades was their homeland, but they would travel in their hand made canoes to Puget Sound, where they harvested fish and shellfish. According to their website, the Sauk-Suiattle tribe had dwindled down to 18 members in 1924, but currently stands at over 300 today.
Nooksack
Many pacific Northwest tribes have historically relied on the region’s rivers for survival; they provided transportation, food, and water year-round.
The Nooksack tribe is one of the oldest surviving tribes in the Washington area. They speak Lhéchalosem, a Salishan language. Nooksack translates in their language to “always bracken fern roots.” They reside in Deming, Washington, about 15 miles east of Bellingham. Their website states that they have lived on the land since the very first humans lived there. They used skills such as fishing, hunting, clam digging, and root gathering for survival, and created allies with neighboring tribes to trade with. Since receiving full federal recognition in 1971, they have increased their land holding to 2,500 acres, and have increased in population to around 2,000 compared to 250 years ago when there were only 1,200 to 1,500 people.
Snoqualmie
Along with the Nooksack tribe, the Snoqualmie have been a part of the Washington area since time immemorial. They lived on the Snoqualmie River from North Bend to the Skykomish River junction. They speak the southern dialect of Lushootseed. Despite this language’s status on the endangered list, they are making efforts to preserve it. They are also very involved in environmental preservation. Many of their beliefs are rooted in their relationship with nature, and how it connects them to their ancestors. They’ve created Environmental and Natural Resources, an organization that, according to their website, “works to enhance, protect, and preserve the environment of the Snoqualmie reservation and traditional Tribal lands through habitat and water quality improvement projects, waste reduction and recycling, energy conservation, and education.”
Lummi Nation
The Lummi Nation has inhabited Puget Sound for thousands of years. They are the third largest tribe in the U.S., with over 5,000 tribe members and 13,000 acres of land. Currently, they reside in a peninsula between Bellingham Bay and Georgia Strait. They speak the traditional Salishan language, with a Georgia Strait dialect. They take pride in finding a balance between using modern technology and honoring the traditions of their ancestors.
While this just barely scratches the surface of the tribes that ran the rivers, I hope you feel inclined to read more about these indigenous tribes. I’ve attached their main websites along with some other sources below so you can read even more about their cultures, histories, and the impact they had on the area.
Sources:
https://www.washingtontribes.org/tribes-map
Upper Skagit
http://www.npaihb.org/member-tribes/upper-skagit-tribe/#1450475820391-49a99642-a785
Sauk-Suiattle
http://www.npaihb.org/member-tribes/sauk-suiattle-tribe/#1450733500099-3a73d48a-0223
Nooksack
https://nooksacktribe.org/about/
http://www.npaihb.org/member-tribes/nooksack-tribe/
Snoqualmie
http://www.npaihb.org/member-tribes/snoqualmie-tribe/#1450475820392-65215ee8-17e6
Lummi
http://www.npaihb.org/member-tribes/lummi-nation/#1450475820391-49a99642-a785
Read more:
Six Things I Learned From the River
Four Reasons Life is Better on the River
Common Butterflies Near Triad River Tours
When it comes to summer insects, my first thoughts are far from positive. Gnats, ticks, and mosquitoes have been the bane of many an outdoor adventure, but they aren’t the only insects in town: summer is also the season of butterflies! They can be found all over the Pacific Northwest, especially during rafting season. I’ll be covering a few of the most common butterflies in our neck of the woods, but there are plenty more in the Washington area to explore here if you’re interested!
Painted Lady
The painted lady is one of the most common butterflies in the world, found on every continent besides Antarctica. The patterns on their wings are somewhat similar to a monarch butterfly’s, and are commonly mislabeled as such, however, monarchs are typically only spotted in eastern Washington, if spotted at all in our state. They are most prominent in California, which is part of their yearly migration pattern, but more and more have been finding their way to our northern states. WSU associate professor of entomology David James has two theories. The first is that the heavy rain California has been getting has caused a major detour in their migration. His second theory is that their sudden rise in population is due to elementary classrooms that have raised entire generations of the butterflies and then released them into the wild, which really isn’t as crazy as it sounds! Either way, the painted ladies are here and they can be spotted on all over our rivers!
Western Tiger Swallowtail
While tiger swallowtail butterflies can be found in nearly every state, there is one species often spotted here in Washington that can only be found out west. The Western Tiger Swallowtail varies slightly from its eastern counterparts with thicker and darker inner body stripes. They are most active between the months of June and July, but can be spotted year round in some areas where the temperature stays warm through the winter. Their ideal breeding ground is wooded areas around rivers and streams. You can spot them near their food source: the wildflowers that grow in the area.
Red Admiral
This is another very common species around the world. The Red Admiral feeds on tree sap and fermented fruit (one of the few species that only drinks flower nectar as a last resort), so it prefers wet, wooded areas. These hardy critters can live almost anywhere they want year round, and they change colors based on the weather they are in. In the summer, their vibrant orange and red spots shine bright on their large brown wings, but in the winter their color dulls down and they actually become smaller.
Butterflies are notoriously friendly and it is not uncommon to meet brave ones that aren’t afraid of humans. Book your next whitewater river rafting trip with us today to see if you can spot any of these butterflies on your trip, and possibly make a new winged best friend!
Sources:
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/may/28/once-common-in-eastern-washington-the-monarch-butt/
https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Vanessa-atalanta
Read more:
Six Tips for Picking the Best Post-Whitewater Rafting Campsite
Camping out the night before or after a whitewater rafting trip is a rite of passage that many of our guests partake in. But during summer months, planning for a campsite on busy days can be difficult. Some of us have the same campsites we like to revisit each year, others find new campsites each time. Here are some important points to note when locating your campsite on you upcoming overnight rafting adventure.
Selecting the right campsite can be more an art than a science. It is, indisputably, one of the most important parts of your trip—this is your home for the weekend, the base for all of your whitewater adventures, the background for half of your group photos and every candid shot of your best friend accidentally lighting his own towel on fire. The right campsite can make or break a trip. But how do you pick the best spot to pitch your tent or park your car after a day in the rapids of a North Cascades River?
1. View
The most memorable campsites have a great view. Whether that view is an alpine vista or a bend of rushing whitewater, it’s the picture window of your weekend living space, wrapping every memory of the campsite with a sense of awe at just where you are sitting. Plus, all those camping pictures look a thousand times better with one of Washington’s ice-covered volcanoes or turquoise mountain rivers in the background.
2. Surface
You’ll only have a thin pad between you and the ground, so you want a surface that’s nice for sleeping on. After a day of whitewater you’ll think you are exhausted enough to sleep anywhere, but enough rocks can keep even the weariest rafter awake. Try for grass, smooth dirt or—if it’s early season and high in the mountains—snow.
Choosing the correct camping sport can make or break your trip. Be sure to do your research and choose wisely.
3. Elevation
A flat spot is the best place to pitch a tent. Make sure you aren’t camped at the lowest point of a valley or ravine, especially here in the Pacific Northwest where rain is almost a given; a puddle will form beneath your tent and can soak through the tent floor. Camping on a hill isn’t ideal, but if the only spot you can find is a slope pitch your tent or park your car with your head on the uphill side.
4. Bathroom proximity
If you’re too far away from the campground toilets you might start your midnight trek to the bathroom, hear a few too many rustles from the pitch-black undergrowth, and give up on the excursion entirely. Pick a site that isn’t so close you can smell the toilets but still gives you easy nighttime access.
5. Water
This is key, especially at minimalist or backcountry campgrounds. Make sure your campsite has potable water so you don’t have to haul in your own water jugs. After a day in the whitewater the last thing you want to do is haul more of the river back to camp.
6. Trees
Large, well-spaced trees are important to your campsite selection process for a number of reasons: they provide shelter from both rain and sun, make great anchors for hanging hammocks or clotheslines, and support your network of blue tarps when the inevitable Washington rainstorm blows in. As an added bonus, most of our local evergreens smell great.
Now that you’re ready to select your post-rafting campsite, book your whitewater experience with us today!
Read more:
Five Best Campgrounds Near Seattle
Five Reasons You Should Definitely Sleep Outside At least Twice A Year
Four Reasons Life is Better on the River
The value of a whitewater rafting trip in Western Washington goes far beyond big whitewater, thrills, and danger. The benefit of connecting with nature and each other brings forth an almost indescribable sense of calm awareness and quality of life. Here’s a look into some of the intrinsic (and often overlooked) benefits of spending time on a rafting trip.
1. Fresh Air
It’s more than just a feeling; it’s scientific fact. You feel better in fresh air, away from smog and dust and chemicals. Out in the whitewater, where the harshest particles in the air are wavetop spray and lingering threads of dawn fog, you can almost feel your lungs growing cleaner with every deep breath. The crisp spice of fir needles mingles with the sharp, indescribable smell of snowmelt along the shoreline, chasing away even the strongest memories of city grime; the world feels at once brand new, clean and bright, and spun from uncounted centuries of rainstorms and running water.
2. No Emails
On the river, the world feels at once brand new, clean and bright, and spun from uncounted centuries of rainstorms and running water.
When you’re plunging through rapids in the Washington mountains you are, for once, unreachable by that most aggravating of modern communication methods. Your boss can’t email you asking for more weekend hours in the office; your coworkers can’t ask three more questions about a spreadsheet that they could read for themselves if they’d just bothered to show up to the last meeting; your family members can’t forward yet another email chain from the neighbor down the street that they’ve been passive-aggressively feuding with for the last three decades. In the whitewater, away from the bombardment of ads and “urgent” memos, your only concern is the moment.
3. Camaraderie
Friendships forged on the river are friendships that last. When you go through the rapids together—paddling frantically for a standing wave, scraping your way through a hole, threading the needles of a boulder field—you bond with the people in your boat in a way that is often lacking in everyday life. When you’re on the river you know, with the solid trust only experience can bring, that these people will have your back when it matters. It doesn’t matter where you come from—when you’re on the river, all that matters is how well you paddle through the next stretch of whitewater.
4. Better Food
The food itself probably isn’t better, per se, but it sure tastes amazing. There’s nothing like coming off a river trip and pulling out your packed lunch or camp stove and dinner on the shore. Just the location is often incredible—the perfect flat rock perched above a Washington whitewater run or hidden crescent of warm sand. After a long day of paddling, though, everything tastes better. Even granola bars taste good when you’re just through the rapids and absolutely ravenous. Between the location and the hunger of a group of whitewater rafters, the simple camp meal you make with your friends beside the river can outshine any restaurant.
Read more:
Winter Bird Watching
The Skagit River is an incredible bird watching destination. While best known as the wintering ground of hundreds of bald eagles (sometimes more than 100 sightings in just one rafting trip!), the Skagit is a winter home for many other fascinating and beautiful bird species. While maybe not as well known as the national symbol, they are still beauties you might recognize!
Trumpeter Swan
A fully grown trumpeter swan can live up to 20 years old.
Trumpeter Swans are characterized by long white necks and black feet and beaks. They used to reside throughout all of North America, but now are rarely found outside of Canada. Washington is the exception in the winter however, and you can find many of them nestling near the rivers, where the water stays active and unfrozen all year long. Nests can be found as close to the water as the partnered swans could make it. They can often be found in pairs, but less commonly in large groups.
Snow Goose
The black outline of their lips is called their “grinning patch” or “smile”
Unlike the Trumpeter Swan, snow geese prefer the company of dozens of fellow snow geese during their travels. While they are difficult to see on the ground due to their unique markings, you will be able to see plenty just by looking up. Click the third link below to see their different color variations. Their breeding grounds are on Arctic tundra. Washington, however, is the exception, and you can find them here in the winter.
Tundra Swans
While Tundra Swans (A.K.A. whistling swan) look nearly identical to the Trumpeter Swan, there are some unique differences between the two. First of all, their populations have not been endangered in the U.S. due to their keen adaptability, so they are much more common than the trumpeter swan. Their young are tinged gray on their heads, wings, and neck. As they grow older, they become whiter, and their beaks have an orange base.
Check out skagiteales.com to book a trip down the Skagit River in the winter for a bird watching trip like you’ve never experienced. If the cold isn’t your thing, book a trip with us here on our website for a warm, summer trip today!
Sources:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Trumpeter_Swan/id
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/trumpeter-swan
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snow_Goose/id
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/tundra-swan
Read More:
Bald Eagles, Salmon, and Winter Floods: The Annual Migration
Skagit River Bald Eagle Rafting