Snake River in Hells Canyon » Common Questions
| Flights, Hotel and Meeting Location - Travel Package | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q. I am flying out to meet you. How do I get to Cambridge, Idaho? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A: For guests flying into Boise, we strongly recommend the travel package described below: Boise, Idaho Travel Package with 2 nights lodging ($95) On our last day we return you to the Red Lion Hotel in Lewiston, Idaho. The Red Lion offers free airport service from 8:00am to 9:00 pm. Otherwise taxi service is available at a reasonable rate. |
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| Q. Where will I be staying? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Reservations have been made for you at the following properties:
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| Flights, Hotel and Meeting Location - Non-Travel Package | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q. I am driving. Where and when do I meet in Cambridge? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. If you are driving or renting a car in Biose and driving to Cambridge, please meet at the Frontier Motel at 7:30 pm the day prior to trip departure for an orientation meeting. Frontier Motel |
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| Q. Where and when does this trip end? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A. On our last day on the Snake River we will have lunch on the river and the trip will end at Heller Bar, from where we transport you one-hour to the Red Lion Hotel in Lewiston, Idaho. If you had your car shuttled north form Cambridge, it will be waiting for you at the Red Lion. Don’t forget our farewell dinner that evening! back to top |
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| Q. How do I get my vehicle from Salmon to McCall? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A. If you drive to Salmon and want your vehicle shuttled
to McCall, we recommend: River Shuttles 512 Guleke Salmon, Idaho 83467 800-831-8942 208-756-4188 back to top |
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| Luggage and Valuables | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: What do I do with excess luggage? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: Transfer all of your personal clothing and gear which
you will need on the river expedition into a small lightweight
duffel bag (approximately 14" X 21"). PLEASE DO
NOT BRING SUITCASES ON THE RIVER! As part of your camping
equipment package, we provide a water-resistant bag in which
you will place your duffel bag (approx. 14" X 21")
as well as the sleeping bag we provide for you. Ask your hotel
about luggage storage while you are on the river. Most properties
have complimentary storage for Western River Expeditions'
guests. back to top |
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| Q: What should I do with my valuables? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: You will want to havegovernment issued ID and a major
credit card with you in the event of an emergency evacuation
due to injury. This very seldom happens, but we want you to
be prepared. Since jewelry is a potential "loss"
item on your river trip, we recommend you leave all valuables
at home. You may want to have cash available for a tip for
your guides or to purchase items at Western River Expeditions’
retail store. If you are returning to the same hotel at the
end of your trip, you may wish to leave valuables in your
hotel's safety deposit box. back to top |
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| Camping Gear and Toilet Facilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: What camping equipment is provided? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Camping equipment provided on your expedition includes
sleeping bag with freshly laundered sheet, sleeping cot, plastic
ground cloth, small tent, knife-fork-spoon and cup, water
resistant gear bag for sleeping gear and your duffel bag,
and a water resistant dry bag for personal articles and camera
(bag is approximately 7" x 12"). back to top |
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| Q: When do I receive my camping equipment? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: Camping equipment will be issued at orientation. You
will have time to transfer your duffel bag, measuring no more
than 12"x14"x30" (see
our recommended duffel online), and personal articles
to the water-resistant bag and personal day-use storage bag.
Your smaller bag for day-use items will be secured to the
top of the boatload, and you will have ready access to it
during the day. The water-resistant gear bags, however, are
stacked and secured to the boat with tarps and ropes, allowing
access only in camp. back to top |
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| Q: What about toilet facilities? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: AWA uses a "port a-potty" and hand wash system
that is set up each day in camp in a secluded location that
assures privacy. The toilet is available from the time we
pull into camp until we leave the following day. An orientation
concerning everything from rapid safety to bathrooms will
be given at the beginning of your trip. back to top |
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| Clothing and Personal Checklist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: What will I need to bring along on the trip? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Clothing Check List
** SPRING AND FALL TRIPS - cold water neoprene gloves &
footwear, stocking cap, Personal Check List
Wetsuits for May and June Trips
RIVER WEAR When you reserve in advance, please inform River Wear |
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| Weight Limits for Packing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: What are the weight restrictions? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: Boat-carrying capacities make it extremely important
that each person bring no more than 20 pounds of clothing
and personal items. This 20 pounds weight allowance does not
include beverages or the provided camping gear. back to top |
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| Whitewater, Weather, Fishing, & Gratuities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: How are the rapids? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: In June, high water especially suited for the hearty
adventurer while July through September offers good whitewater
suitable for all experience levels plus great water for swimming
and kayaking. back to top |
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| Q: What kind of weather can I expect on my trip? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A: On the river, it's important to be prepared for all types of weather. Although the weather is warm and sunny for the most part, Mother Nature will occasionally surprise us with a renewing rainstorm or cooler temperatures. Temperatures can vary, but the following chart shows average temperature and precipitation for the months of May through September.
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| Q: Is there any fishing on the Main Salmon River Trip? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: Fly fishing and spin fishing are both common on the Main
Salmon. For spin fishing 4 to 6 lb. test line is recommended
with swivels and bright colored weight lures. Idaho regulations
require barbless hooks or hooks with the barbs bent down on
the Middle Fork. Fishing on the Middle Fork is catch and release
only. Please bring collapsible poles and rigid pole cases.
Fishing is best around August. You may purchase a short term
non-resident license in Stanley prior to your trip. For complete
fishing regulations please contact: Idaho
Department of Fish and Game |
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| Q: What about gratuities? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: Your guides will make every effort to see that your trip
is enjoyable and memorable. Gratuities for guides are greatly
appreciated and at your discretion, as a gesture of thanks
for their professionalism and service. The average gratuity
given on this trip is generally between 5-10% of the trip
cost per person. The common practice is to give the gratuity
to the trip leader on the last night. It will be later divided
equally with the rest of the crew. back to top |
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| Payments, Confirmations & Cancellations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: When do I need to pay my deposit? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: To secure your space, an initial deposit of $300 per
person is required for all Grand
Canyon vacations, Cataract
Canyon trips, Green
River trips, and Idaho
vacations. The deposit amount for the Colorado River Multisport
Adventure is $200 per person. You may make this payment by
credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express)
at the time of booking or you may send a check payable to: Western River Expeditions 7258 Racquet Club Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84121 back to top |
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| Q: When will I receive my confirmation and what should I do once it arrives? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: As soon as we have processed your trip deposit, your
confirmation packet will be sent. You should sign
and complete the Visitor's
Acknowledgement of Risk and Information Sheet and return
them to us immediately. Your confirmation packet
will also contain a packing list and clothing catalog, general
questions and answers, helpful travel information, and cancellation
insurance order form. If you booked through a travel agent,
your confirmation will be sent to them for forwarding on to
you. back to top |
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| Q: When do I need to pay my balance? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: Payment in full is due 90 days prior to trip departure
and may be paid by check (preferably) or credit card. For
your convenience, we will charge the balance due to your credit
card 90 days prior to trip departure (if full payment has
not been received). We reserve the right to cancel your reservation
if full payment is not collected by the due date. back to top |
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| Q: What if I must cancel my trip reservation? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A: If you must cancel any reservation, the information and reasons regarding the cancellation must be received in writing. The cancellation fee will follow the formula in the box below.
Our cancellation policy applies in every instance and there will be no exceptions for any reason. Western River Expeditions will not issue any refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. Western is not responsible for any expenses incurred due to travel delays, flight cancellations, or illness. If you are concerned about the possibility of having to cancel, we strongly suggest you purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect your vacation investment. Some of the most difficult situations we have had to deal with concern making a "win/win" out of a situation when a guest needs to cancel a few days before a trip because they broke their leg, an elderly parent suddenly gets sick, or some other catastrophic event requires cancellation. In these situations, we generally do not have time to refill the space. Yet, we have already spent considerable time, money, and energy preparing for your trip: scheduling vehicles, flights, drivers, guides and equipment, purchasing food, etc. Because of our short season and very limited number of available seats, we cannot afford the financial loss that cancellations cause. Therefore, in deciding whether or not to buy this insurance, consider the investment you are making in your vacation and whether or not you could afford the loss if you did have to cancel. For only $7.00 per $100 of coverage, this insurance provides reimbursement of all applicable tour costs associated with your cancellation according to policy details. Please see policy order form for coverage details. You can also purchase more comprehensive coverage to insure travel delays, baggage loss and other travel-related issues. A policy order form will be enclosed with your confirmation packet. You may also print this insurance order form or order cancellation insurance online. Again, we highly recommend you purchase insurance to protect your investment as our cancellation policy will appy in every instance. Western River Expeditions assumes no financial responsibility for personal injury, emergency evacuation, or equipment lost or damaged in any way. Transfers » |
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| Choosing Your Adventure | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: How Do I Best Choose My Adventure? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: We want to make sure that the vacation package you select
is an adventure of a lifetime. Rest assured, we will make
every possible effort to ensure your comfort and safety while
traveling with us. We have over a forty year history satisfied
guests, and we are excited to have you join their ranks.
During the pre-trip planning process, we often receive a number of questions related to choosing which trip is best for you, the nature of a river trip, what to expect during the trip, and what degree of physical conditioning is required for a river trip. While we have found that we can accommodate a wide range of abilities on all of our rafting trips, the better prepared you are, the more you will enjoy yourself. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Physical Requirements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: What are the physcial requirements for trips? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: Our primary concern is participant safety. The nature
of an outdoor adventure involves some physical exertion and
also possible exposure to weather conditions that can fluctuate
greatly due to heat, sun, wind, or rain. Although we do have
experience accommodating persons with a wide range of physical
challenges, disabilities, or medical and health conditions,
we have found that in some people the fact of age, weight,
lack of conditioning, heart or other disease, can create additional
hardship that diminishes the suitability or enjoyment of this
type of vacation. Please consider these conditions in making
your choice of river adventures. Please check with your physician
prior to your trip if you have any medical or health condition
or if you are taking any medications, and then notify us of
how we can better help you with these conditions. In general,
participants will need to meet the following physical requirements:
Our primary concern is for you and your fellow guests to have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. If you are concerned about any of these requirements, please call our friendly staff to further discuss which trip is right for you. Our Acknowledgement of Risk Form will more fully describe some of the inherent risks involved in these activities. We look forward to having you join us on the adventure of a lifetime. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Typical Day On The River | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q: What can I expect a typical day on the river to be like? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A:After meeting your guides you will be given a trip orientation
that will include how and where you can sit on the rafts,
how to hold on, and safety precautions while on the river.
A typical day will include rafting for a few hours at a time, stopping for scenic side-canyon hikes, bathroom breaks, lunch and possible swimming opportunities. Visiting with new-found friends and learning river lore and geology from our well-trained guides adds to the enjoyment of each day. After a full day of learning and fun we arrive in camp. Camp will be set-up on your behalf by your guides. Paco Pads, tents, sleeping bags, sheets, camp chair and water-proof gear bags will be provided for all guests. You’ll have no need to worry about bringing any of your own camping equipment. While you relax at the river’s edge, your guides will prepare dinner. Every night is different, but the menu may include items such as grilled chicken breast, steak with sautéed onions, pasta or fresh fish. At night, whether you choose to sleep in your tent or under the vast canopy of stars, the fresh night air and the rhythm of the river will lull you to sleep. Each morning, your guides will prepare a delicious breakfast. You’ll have a chance to enjoy eating before returning to your campsite to take down your tent and cot and pack up your belongings in your dry bag. After bringing your bag down to the boats, you are off on another fun-filled day of adventure. While a river trip is a participatory experience, the rewards are endless. The setting and pace of a rafting adventure gives you something you don’t find in other vacations. On a Western River Expedition, you will quickly discover why so many are calling this “the best vacation of their lives.” It’s the combination of drifting over tranquil pools of water under the shadows of towering rock formations, the exhilaration and thrill of rolling waves and crashing whitewater, the exploration of seldom-seen waterfalls and Native American history, the peaceful moments of reflection as you gaze up at the star-studded sky, and the fresh feeling of renewal as the morning sun slowly filters through winding canyons. All this provides an indescribable sense of belonging. A sense of oneness with yourself and those around you. A sense of adventure, reflection and renewal. Come discover the difference. back to top | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||



Click here to purchase your cancellation insurance online.
