Q: Do you need experience to go on a whitewater river rafting trip, or can you take beginners?

A: The wonderful thing about rafting with an outfitter is that you do not need any experience. When joining a whitewater rafting trip with Winding Waters, clients are at ease knowing we have trained, professional guides. The level of difficulty of a river is based on the character of its whitewater rapids. Beginners can join any of our river rafting trips, with rapids ranging from Class I (gently moving water) through Class IV (turbulent whitewater requiring skillful maneuvering). The classification of the rivers we run are as follows:

• Snake River through Hells Canyon: Class III-IV
• Lower Salmon River: Class III-IV
• Grande Ronde River: Class I-II.

In a paddle raft, our trained guides will provide instruction on how to paddle your raft. If you are in an oar-powered raft, you will simply enjoy the scenery while the guide does all the rowing.

Q: Do you have an age limit on your whitewater rafting trips, young or old?

A: Generally, children ages 5 and older can enjoy our Lower Salmon Whitewater Rafting and Grande Ronde River Trips. Generally, children ages 7 and up can join our Snake River through Hells Canyon trips. We do not have an upper age limit for any of our trips. We have found that general health and level of physical activity, rather than age, are the better indicators of a participant's ability to enjoy our river rafting trips.

Q: What kind of weather is typical on your trips?

A: The weather generally varies from river to river, as well as during times of the rafting season (May through October). Please check the weather forecast for each river area well before your trip and then again a week before. The following is a list of weather forecasts for each of our rivers and Joseph, Oregon:

• Grande Ronde River at Troy, Oregon
• Snake River in Hells Canyon at Hells Canyon Dam, OR & ID border
• Salmon River at Pine Bar Launch outside of Cottonwood, ID
• Joseph, Oregon

If there is unusual weather activity in the forecast we will let you know prior to trip departure. Meanwhile, here are some general facts about weather across our river operations area:

Hells Canyon is very warm and dry. Rain is not common in the summer, and it tends to get very hot during the afternoon.

The Lower Salmon River has consistently wonderful weather during the summer season. The days are usually hot and evenings are warm and dry for sleeping out under the stars.

Q: Can we charter a private trip? How many people do we need?

A: We are glad to offer private charter trips to groups of 12 or more. A charter trip means that your group makes up all of the trip's participants. We do not sell that trip departure to any outside guests.

Q: What about bathrooms?

A: We follow "Leave No Trace" minimum impact camping and traveling etiquette on all river trips. The bathroom facility we use is called the River Bank Toilet System. We set up the toilet in a separate, private area, complete with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. The guides will explain all of the details specific to each river before each trip is launched. This information is actually required to be provided to all guests, per the US Forest Service. Hand washing systems are set up for your convenience. Please do not hesitate to call us directly (877-426-7238) if you have more questions or concerns. Hundreds of thousands of participants enjoy overnight, multi-day camping trips every year in the US using these kinds of toilet facilities.

Q: What about showers?

A: You'll be thrilled to learn that we can provide you with a type of hot shower, Mother Nature style, on our river trips! We use Sun Showers, large black plastic water bags that heat up water while out in the sun, making for warm and sometimes hot water to bathe with. Hang the sun shower from a tree branch and enjoy a quick, refreshing shower. Only biodegradable shampoos and soaps are permitted in these pristine wilderness environments. We can help you with our personal favorites if you need brand suggestions. Please call or email us.

Q: What advice do you have regarding batteries for camera equipment and keeping equipment dry?

A: If you want to bring your portable video camera and/or digital camera, but are concerned about batteries running out, you have 2 options. One, bring extra batteries (at least 2 more than you think you'll need). Two, bring a portable solar-powered battery recharger. They do exist and we're pleased to report- they do work! As for keeping your electronic equipment dry, we provide small dry bags that stay with you on the boat during the day. We also sell small hard-shell, water-tight, and padded Pelican cases.

Q: Will you provide water for daily drinking on the trip? How do we stay hydrated?

A: We bring lots of water on every trip and will encourage you to drink regularly so you stay well-hydrated in the hot and arid Idaho/Oregon climate. You can bring your own personal water bottle or use a coffee mug for drinking water during the trip. We'll fill it with ice-cold water whenever you need it. Water is carried on every boat and always accessible.

Q: What equipment and services do you provide?

A: We provide the following equipment and services beyond guiding boats on every trip:

1. Paddle (if you're on a paddle boat), PFD (life jacket), and helmet (for those riding in inflatable kayaks).

2. Camping Equipment: tents and sleeping pads. Sleeping bags can be provided if needed.

3. Tents: You will have the choice of selecting your own tent site and setting up your own tent or simply letting the guides take care of this task. We are ready and happy to provide this service for you. We have found that many people appreciate taking part in this aspect of their vacation. We leave the choice up to you.

4. Meals are prepared in our complete "camp kitchen" and you will dine at tables with tablecloths, chairs, plates, silverware, and napkins. We take care of all aspects of food prep, from cooking to dish clean-up.

Q: What time and where do I meet for my trip? Where is the nearest airport?

A: Lower Salmon Meeting Place and Time: Quality Inn and Suites in Clarkston, WA @ 6PM the night before your launch.

• Pre-trip orientation talk will take place at the Quality Inn at 6PM the night before your launch date.
• Nearest Airport(s): Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport, Lewiston, ID
• Shuttle Service: Quality Inn has an airport shuttle. All-Ways Transportation (877-437-5237) offers shuttle service from Lewiston/Clarkston to Grangeville, ID.
• Rental Car: Hertz (800-654-3131) or Budget (800-527-0700)
• Transportation provided by Winding Waters River Expeditions to and from the River.
• Trip Put-In (launch site): Hammer Creek or Pine Bar, both approximately 1.5 hours from Lewiston/Clarkston.
• Trip Take-Out: Heller Bar, about 45 minutes from Lewiston/Clarkston.

Snake River & Multi-Day Grande Ronde River Meeting Place and Time: Chandler's Inn Bed and Breakfast in Joseph, OR @ 6PM the night before your launch.

• Pre-trip orientation talk will take place at Chandler's at 6PM the night before your launch date.
• Nearest Airports: Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport, Lewiston, ID, Boise Airport, ID, and Walla Walla Regional Airport, WA
• Shuttle Service: Rent a car from one of these airports or contact us for potential pick-up. We provide round-trip transportation to and from the river for most of our trips once you arrive in Joseph.
• Trip Put-In (launch site): Hells Canyon Dam, approximately 2.5 hours from Joseph.
• Trip Take-Out: 3-Day take out location: Pittsburg Landing, 4-Day take out location: Dug Bar, and 5-Day take out location: Heller Bar.

Grande Ronde Day Trips Meeting Place and Time: 9AM the day of your trip at the Joseph Community Parking Lot (corner of North Lake Street & East Wallowa Avenue in Joseph).

• Transportation provided to and from the Joseph Community Parking Lot to the river.
• Lunch provided on all day trips.

Grande Ronde & Wallowa River Fly-Fishing (Full & Half-Day) Trips Meeting Place: Joseph Fly Shoppe (203 North Main Street in Joseph).

• Meeting time depends on the fishing. We will determine a time with you.
• Transportation provided to and from the Fly Shoppe to the river.
• Lunch provided on full-day fishing trips.
• Fishing gear provided if needed, including rod, waders, and boots.

Q: What about medical issues or concerns?

A: Our river trips offer exciting rapids, opportunities for hiking in rugged country and, if you are on a paddle boat, the opportunity to paddle down the river. As you can guess, our guests generally engage in moderate physical activity during the trip. Given this information, here is what we suggest prior to a trip:

1. If there is question of participation, guests should check with their doctor prior to the trip to ensure they can engage in this sort of activity. In the event a guest has a medical condition, such as allergies, asthma, angina, etc., each guest is responsible for bringing and administering their own medication.

2. As with any outdoor adventure, accidents can occur. Each of our trips include guides trained at a minimum in basic first aid and we carry a well-equipped first aid kit and satellite phone on all trips.

3. As you might expect, conditions in the wilderness are unpredictable. Weather can change without notice and water levels can raise or lower during the trip. Further, rapids and hiking terrain can be unpredictable. Incidents and accidents can and do occur, which can result in serious injury. Moreover, while Winding Waters River Expeditions has never had a fatal injury on a river trip, some fatal accidents have occurred on these rivers. As such, we are required to have each guest sign a waiver and acknowledgement of the risks with this type of adventure. A copy of the waiver and acknowledgement form can be reviewed by calling or emailing us.

Q: Do I need to be a strong swimmer to come on your trips? What if one or more in my group doesn't know how to swim?

A: You do not need to be a strong swimmer, or even to know how to swim to enjoy a river trip with Winding Waters River Expeditions. All participants are required to wear a US Coast Guard-approved PFD, or personal floatation device (back in the old days, we called 'em Life Jackets). These high buoyancy jackets are designed to keep your head above water should you find yourself having an out of boat experience.

Now, that said, if you dod not know how to swim and you are afraid of water - river rafting is probably not going to be your cup of tea.

If, however, you don't know how to swim, but you enjoy the outdoors and adventure, and you are ok with the thought of floating in the water, perhaps through a rapid with your lifejacket (guests sometimes fall out of the boat during a rapid or, a raft may overturn), choose a less intense whitewater river (Lower Salmon or Grande Ronde River) for your first experience.

Small children (ages 5-7) typically aren't good developed swimmers, yet they love our trips. We have child-sized PFD's and look after our smallest guests with great zest and joy. Please note, all participants (or their parents/guardians) must sign the trip waiver before departing on a Winding Waters River Expeditions trip. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to call us directly at 877-426-7238. We're here to help!

Q: What should I wear on the river?

A: During the summer months, the weather is typically hot, dry, and sunny. We recommend wearing synthetic, quick-dry clothing and some type of river shoe (sandals). You will also want to think about wearing clothing that will protect you from the sun, such as a hat with a large brim, long-sleeved shirt, and long quick-dry pants (if you are very sensitive to the sun).