If you’ve ever felt like getting away from the smartphones, rent bills, and stress of school, the Rogue River might provide sanctuary for you like it did for me. It was the weekend of Oct. 17 when I went with a group of Central Oregon Community College students on a 40 mile adventure down the Rogue River. Drew Oldfield, COCC student and friend, organized the trip with 15 people and a weekend packed full of outdoor adventure.
We started our trip at the Almeda Bar put-in on Oct. 17 and pushed off on the river with four rafts and seven kayaks. We made our way down through the jaw dropping scenery, playing around in the class two and three rapids around every corner.
Toward the end of the day we came to the biggest rapid of our trip, Rainy Falls, a class five rapid. The class system of rapids is somewhat objective, with one being flat water to five being a very technical hazardous rapid or waterfall.
No matter where you go on river trips, there is always an element of risk and adventure that makes you feel alive.
Joel Metcalfe, one of the participants, enjoyed the experience to get away from everyday routine.
“Seeing wildlife, getting far enough away where you see scenery that you wouldn’t normally see,” Metcalfe said. “You can unplug from everyday life and tap into your natural instincts.”
Every day on the Rogue there were black bears, bald eagles, osprey, countless deer and fish jumping everywhere you looked. The fishing was phenomenal and every night we shared fresh steelhead salmon and trout along with dinner.
As the trip progressed, each day turned into a whole new experience as the river worked its way through the Siskiyou Mountains wilderness toward the coast of Oregon.
Out on the river, it’s about living life and creating the best possible experience, explained John Adkins, a COCC student and participant in the trip.
“On the river its back to basics,” Adkins said. “You live a simple existence that is matched by the incredible scenery and excitement of the water.”
Our trip ended when we took out at Foster Bar to begin the six-hour journey back home.
Anders Hatlestad
The Broadside
