Each night we pulled ashore and set up camp on a sandy beach. Pam LeBlanc photo
I’m still shaking the sand out of my gear after last week’s whitewater rafting trip on the Salmon River in Idaho.
The trip – five days of rafting, swimming in cool, swirling waters, sleeping on a tarp under the stars, and hiking up hillsides to watch bighorn sheep as I sipped hot tea – reset my mind. I need nature and water and big open spaces to feel right, and that’s what I got.
An all-female crew led our group down the Green, Cougar and Blue canyons on the river, where we blasted through Class 3 and Class 4 rapids with names like Bodacious Bounce, Checkerboard and Snowhole.
I’m writing about the trip for the Austin American-Statesman, but here’s a sneak peak at some of the photos I took along the way.
Jess Christianson looks across the Salmon River during a five-day whitewater rafting trip with AdventureWomen. Pam LeBlanc photo
One of our rafts blasts over Snowhole Rapid. Pam LeBlanc photo
We spotted five bald eagles along the way, and plenty of osprey. Pam LeBlanc photo
We hiked to an old homestead. Pam LeBlanc photo
Valerie waking up on the beach. Pam LeBlanc photo
That’s me, enjoying happy hour on the beach.
Bri fries bacon for breakfast. Pam LeBlanc photo
Guidebooks and maps are vital cargo on a river trip. Pam LeBlanc photo
Stoking the fire. Pam LeBlanc photo
Blasting through Snowhole Rapids. Pam LeBlanc photo
Rebecca rows an oar boat while Jess paddles a solo inflatable kayak. Pam LeBlanc photo
Betsy Bowen, co-owner of ROW Adventures, pilots an oar boat down the Salmon River. Pam LeBlanc photo
The terrain changed from dark rock canyons to wide open grassy hills. Pam LeBlanc photo
We hiked to this old stone home where a Chinese miner once lived. Pam LeBlanc photo
One of our rafts blasts over Snowhole Rapid. Pam LeBlanc photo
Rebecca rows an oar boat while Jess paddles a solo inflatable kayak. Pam LeBlanc photo
About Pam
I’m Pam LeBlanc. Follow my blog to keep up with the best in outdoor travel and adventure. Thanks for visiting my site.
