Rafting Oregon, Northern California, and beyond with Momentum River Expeditions.
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Momentum River Expeditions Rafting News

Read about our Oregon and Northern California rivers, check out rafting videos, and read testimonials from our guests.

Laynne Cooley : Guide

April 26th, 2008 admin

A guide for 13 years, Laynne grew up in California and has spent much of his time rafting the states many rivers. Including runs class V runs like the Forks of the Kern, Cherry Creek, and Giant Gap. He also has spent time guiding in Chile and managing various operations of one of California’s largest rafting companies. Layne also enjoys sailing, mountain biking, traveling, and losing to Pete in one-on-one basketball. He is a Swift Water Rescue Technician, an EMT, and is now studying to be a Paramedic. Layne is also infamous for his on river entertainment including his alter ego the “Minister of Whitewater”.

Roland Stevenson : Guide

April 26th, 2008 admin

Roland first went rafting on India’s Ganges River in 1988 while living in New Delhi as the son of a U.S. diplomat. He fell in love with rivers and rafting and made it his goal to share the lifestyle with as many people as possible. Roland has stayed close to fresh water ever since- visiting rivers, kayaking, and working as a professional guide in India, California, British Columbia, and on the Grand Canyon. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder, holds an MS. in Astrophysics from the University of British Columbia, speaks fluent German and limited Spanish and Hindi, and reads Arabic (holly cow!). He recently worked with the UN’s earthquake relief program in Pakistan-administered Kashmir where he was made a bona fide warlord! He is an Aquarius and hasn’t played Pete in one-on-one basketball. We are excited to have him join us this year!

Chad Woodward : Guide

April 26th, 2008 admin

Chad’s various interests have taken him throughout the country in pursuit of both pleasure and education. Originally from Vermont, his interest in politics led to a political science degree, which it turns out wasn’t a real job magnet. With an interest in alternative energy developing, Chad moved to Colorado to learn more. His passion for whitewater rafting began in Colorado and this passion created a gateway for new friends and allowed for adventures and guiding opportunities throughout the country on some of the nation’s best runs. All of these interests culminated in a decision that a law degree specializing in environmental and natural resources was the best career path. While Chad ponders his future law degree he continues to explore rivers with us.

Erik Sol : Guide

April 26th, 2008 admin

A native Wisconsinite, Erik grew up and was comfortable with the water long before he became a river guide. He has spent the last eleven years exploring and guiding on rivers throughout the western United States, India, Nepal, and New Zealand. He now lives here in Ashland where he runs the Outdoor Program and is a part time professor for Southern Oregon University. He is also a climber, a snowboarder, and a First Aid and CPR instructor. Erik loves sharing his knowledge of river environments and whether he is floating scenic canyons or running class V steeps he is always happy and at home. Eric just got back from a first river descent in Tibet and has some great stories! You can find out more about this trip at www.earthexperience.com.

Pete Wallstrom : Guide / Owner

April 26th, 2008 admin

Pete is originally from Vermont but has spent time living in Colorado, Wyoming, and now on the West Coast. Pete has been a guide for over 15 years and has run rivers all over the United States – including the upper Tuolumne (Cherry Creek) in California, considered the toughest regularly-run commercial trip in North America – as well as rivers in Nepal, Costa Rica, Argentina, and Chile. He has a degree and professional experience in landscape architecture and has further education in civil engineering and ecology, but guiding, traveling, and his love of wild places lead him to start Momentum River Expeditions. In addition to his river-running skills, Pete is also a great cook (he grew up in a restaurant).

Upper Klamath River

April 9th, 2008 admin

The Wild and Scenic Upper Klamath River is our signature run. Cutting a steep wilderness canyon through the Cascades of Southern Oregon, this stretch is one of the finest and most exciting class-IV whitewater rafting trips in the west. It’s fun and it’s addicting! While other rivers are experiencing low, rocky summer flows, the Upper Klamath still has more than enough water to make it feel like spring again. Over 30 major class III to IV+ rapids, from long turbulent drops to short charges through huge standing waves, pepper this beautiful volcanic high-desert canyon. The area is rich in Old West history with old cabins, mines, and long-deserted Indian settlements dotting the run. It’s also a major stop on the Pacific flyway, making sightings of bald eagles, osprey, and blue herons regular occurrences.

About Rogue River

April 9th, 2008 admin

The Rogue River begins in the Cascade Range of Southern Oregon and empties into the Pacific Ocean some 200 miles later in the heart of the spectacular Oregon coast. Its beauty earned it a spot as one of the eight charter members of the National Wild and Scenic River System. We offer 1/2 day trips on the “Nugget” section of the Rogue River.
The Nugget run of the Rogue is a great trip for those wanting a fun float with a few bigger rapids. We may see blue herons, golden eagles, and probably a fisherman or two. A very pleasant 1/2 day rafting trip capped with Nugget Falls and Powerhouse rapids. The Rogue is a wonderful taste of whitewater excitement, and is great for the intrepid first timer, families, and those on a short time schedule.

About Owyhee River

April 9th, 2008 admin

The Wild and Scenic Owyhee River is described in many ways; Grand Canyon of Oregon, the loneliest river in the U.S., bizarrely beautiful, and more. These descriptions are usually delivered with a reverence reserved for places that are always on the “must do list” but rarely actually done. Located in the remote southeast corner of the state, the Owyhee River is almost unmatched in its remoteness and beauty. The river travels through magnificent desert canyons with walls towering over a thousand feet overhead and is home to a wide array of wildlife and birds. The area is rich in cultural history with Native American petroglyphs up to 9,000 years old and abandoned ranches from a far more recent time. The Owyhee’s canyon is also home to beautiful side hikes, big sandy beaches, and riverside hot springs (oh yeah!).

Illinois River

April 9th, 2008 admin

Southern Oregon’s Wild and Scenic Illinois River is considered by some to be the best wilderness rafting trip in the country. Few rivers can match its combination of extreme isolation, solitude, beauty, and whitewater. The Illinois features crystal clear water, countless waterfalls tumbling into the river, a spectacular canyon with steep walls draped in moss and ferns, and world-class pool drop whitewater. This rafting trip is what wilderness river running is all about and we are honored to offer it.

The Illinois begins at the crest of the Siskiyou Mountains along the Oregon California border. The river then makes a very brief run through civilization before tumbling through the coastal mountains of the vast Kalmiopsis Wilderness (where we begin our trip). This section is one of the most inaccessible stretches of river in the country and the canyons and mountains are as rugged and steep as any in Oregon.

Lower Klamath River

April 9th, 2008 admin

The Wild and Scenic Klamath River is the second largest river in California and offers over 184 miles of whitewater rafting. Fun splashy rapids, spectacular mountain scenery, beautiful side hikes, warm water, and a staggering amount of wildlife make this one of the best summer multi-day trips in the west. The mild whitewater also makes this a perfect rafting trip for families with children, first-timers, travelers interested in a relaxing and fun wilderness experience, and for inflatable kayaking.


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Oregon Rafting and Northern California Whitewater Rafting Intro

Momentum River Expeditions - Rafting Oregon, Northern California, and Beyond
1257 Siskiyou Blvd #1178, Ashland, Oregon 97520
1 866 66 FLOAT