While we are loving Stanley, Idaho’s cool, wet spring conditions. SAC guides have been taking advantage of Utah’s warm desert canyons. Cataract Canyon is a great way to kick it off the rafting season. Some of the largest rapids on the entire Colorado River are found deep within Cataract. Now add 30,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) of water and you have some stomping whitewater.

Photos: Beach-front accommodations at the Rio Colorado, SAC guides Jenna and Johnny keep’n it real, Thomas, Matt & Greg.

This week the SAC Crew will head north to join me on Sawtooth Adventure Company’s Annual Training Trip. We will run Idaho’s Salmon River of No Return at what could be very high flows. During this 6-day training course SAC guides will receive a refresher on River Rescue, Wilderness First Aid, Emergency Protocol, Area History, and all of the SAC systems. The entire week is a team building experience and an invaluable tool towards employing hard working, happy, fun, smart and safe guides for the 2009 rafting season

The season kicks off this week. Stay tuned for regular updates, announcements, and a glimpse of what its like to live, work & play in Stanley, Idaho and on Idaho’s Main Salmon River

Unlike the economy, the snow pack and weather conditions could not be better. It is going to be a great summer for rafting on the Salmon River

Last week I headed up to Stanley to attend the Stanley/Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce meeting and check out the Salmon River snow pack. Spring has been slow to return to the valley, but came with a vengeance last week. Temperatures approached 70 degrees and spiked the river to 5.5 ft. on the Yankee Fork gauge. Downstream the Salmon River of No Return swelled to 35,000 cfs at the Whitebird gauge. Current estimates have the Salmon River Snowpack at 93% of normal. Don’t worry, the current forecast calls for cold weather and snow for the next week. Great news for the river community and could swing us back towards 100% . The season for rafting the Salmon River is just around the corner. Are you ready?

Photos (clockwise): Shotgun Rapid (Class IV) at 4.5 feet (medium low level)
on the Salmon River near Stanley, A few of Stanley’s year-round residents relax and take in the sun, spring sunset, Top of Galena Summit looking north towards Stanley.