Frequently
Asked Questions
Rafting Oregon, Northern California, and Beyond...
What if I have a different question?
Call
or E-mail- we will be happy to help.
Oregon rafting with Momentum
River Expeditions
Reservations/Whitewater Trip
Details
How do I make a reservation? Just give us a call. For more info, check out our make
a reservation page.
Do I need a reservation? Reservations should be made early, if possible, although spaces
can be available up to the last minute, so don’t hesitate
to check with us. We only have two trips going at the same time.
This means the earlier you have an idea of your plans, the better
chance we have of offering the exact trip you want. We can also
make a tentative reservation if you need us to hold a date while
you gather a group together.
What if I cancel my trip? Please refer to our cancellations page.
Are there additional charges? Most of our trips have a 3-5% land/government use fee, and some
spring trips may require rental equipment.
Can my group or family have
our own trip? Yes, you can book a charter trip; please
see our Groups
and Charters page for more info.
When should I arrive? Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your trip departure
time for one-day trips. On multi-day trips, please arrive a little
earlier to allow for time to pack your personal items.
Is there a minimum or maximum age? We have trips suitable
for ages six and older. Minimum ages are generally indicated with
the information for each river. Call or e-mail to discuss trip
options for senior citizens.
Is transportation included? Of course. Many times we can even pick you up at your hotel or
bed and breakfast. For multi-day trips, we may also be able to
arrange transportation to and from the nearest airport.
Should I tip my guide? Tips are never expected but are always appreciated. If we meet
or exceed your expectations and you feel a tip is warranted, a
gratuity of $5-10 per guest on single-day trips and $8-12 per
guest per day on multi-day trips is common practice. Once again,
this is at your discretion, and tips are never expected.
Rafting Questions
Do the boats have guides? A guide captains every boat.
Safety is always our first concern, and this starts with our guides.
We draw from a pool of some of the most talented guides anywhere.
Our guides all have at least five years of guiding experience
and have guided on some of the world's most difficult whitewater
rivers. Whether you're a complete first-timer or someone who has
boated around the world, you will be treated with respect and
kindness. To read more about our
staff, click here.
Will I be taught how to paddle? Before every trip, we have an in-depth safety and paddle talk
that includes time practicing in the raft. Many of our rivers
have a “warm-up” stretch of easier water, allowing
us to further perfect our paddling technique. We regularly take
first-time rafters on most of our trips.
Can I just hold on? On
some of our trips, we can offer oar boats where the guide has
complete control of the raft. This gives you freedom to admire
the scenery and use both hands for holding on. Call or e-mail
for info about this option.
What do the river difficulty ratings
mean? The International Scale of River Difficulty classifies
rapids on a scale of I to VI, with I being flat water and VI being
unrunnable. For guided trips, class III is considered a beginner
level. Keep in mind that river difficulty can change considerably
with water levels. All our ratings are for normal water levels.
Will my trip be photographed? It is common on many rivers to have photography companies shoot
raft trips at strategic points along the river. However, the majority
of our rivers are in remote canyons that offer true wilderness
experiences. Not easily accessible by foot or vehicle, they do
not have the large volume of rafters needed to support a photography
company. You are welcome to bring a waterproof camera (a disposable
one works best, as there is always a chance you will lose it).
On some trips, we may have a staff member taking pictures.
Are restrooms available on the river? Facilities
are not available at some launch points and lunch spots. We will
always make an announcement when leaving for a place that does
not have facilities. On overnight and multi-day trips, we have
our clean and comfortable portable restroom, which is always set
up with a wonderful view.
What if the weather is bad? We almost never cancel
a trip due to weather conditions. Summer in our area is dry, so
rain is not very common. In the event of a cancellation by us
due to extreme weather, your money may be refunded or applied
to another trip. If you are a fair-weather traveler, consider
trip cancellation insurance.
What is Provided / What You Need to
Bring
What is provided on one-day trips? A friendly and talented
river guide, with more than five years of experience, to guide
your boat, and one of the two owners to lead the trip. Transportation
to and from the river is also provided, including hotel pick-up
and drop-off for some locations. We provide all necessary rafting
equipment, including lifejackets and helmets. Wetsuits and paddle
jackets are also provided if needed. Each boat carries accessible
drinking water and waterproof storage for personal items. Our
gourmet lunches are served smorgasbord-style, with tons of organic
fruits and vegetables, deli meats and cheeses, homemade salads
and hummus, fresh breads and pitas, and, of course, dessert. Snacks
and drinks are also served at the end of the trips; some trips
include a continental breakfast.
What do I need to bring on a one-day trip? For
summer trips, bring only quick-drying clothing, sun protection,
and perhaps a waterproof camera (disposables are recommended)
for on the river. We recommend shorts and a swimsuit. Sunglasses
and sunscreen are very important. For spring and fall trips, warmer
clothing may be needed to complement your wetsuit and splash jacket;
call for info. Each boat will carry drinking water, but if you
require a lot of water or don't wish to share with other passengers,
you should bring your own water bottle. On summer trips, keeping
hydrated can be very important. You can check out each river page
for local weather forecasts.
What is provided on overnight trips? Everything that
is provided on one-day trips, plus:
- Meals that include items such as fresh salmon, vegetarian dishes,
fresh desserts, beer, and wine. We have fun with our meals, so
menus vary considerably with the season and the mood of the chef.
We always try to have something for all tastes, but if you have
any special dietary needs, please let us know in advance, and
we will be happy to accommodate you;
- Items that make river camping comfortable, such as chairs, a
kitchen shelter, and a restroom with a view.
- Games, river activities such as building a river sauna, and
time to hike, swim, and sit around the campfire.
We also provide tents, sleeping bags, and pads (extremely comfortable 3" thick pads) if needed.
What do I need to bring on overnight and multi-day trips? Bring everything mentioned on day trips, plus a change of clothes
for camp, toiletries, personal alcoholic drinks, and a flashlight.
If you have a sleeping bag, pad, and tent, bring them, or we can
provide them if needed. Please see our Packing List for details,
and don’t be afraid to ask us questions. You may also wish
to bring extras such as a book or a frisbee. For downriver trips
such as the Owyhee, it is important to pack light because everything
is loaded on the rafts and brought downriver. On overnights such
as the Cal Salmon and Upper Klamath, space is not as important.
Can I rent equipment? Many people come with only
their normal vacation attire. We can outfit you with anything
you need for rafting or camping.
How do you keep my personal items dry? On downriver
trips, you will be provided with a dry bag large enough for your
clothing and sleeping bag.
Safety
What experience do I need? One of the benefits of guiding
is introducing what we love to people experiencing it for the
first time. Most of our trips do not require previous experience.
Call or e-mail if you have any questions or concerns.
Is whitewater rafting safe? Safety is always
our first priority and is one of the reasons we only employ guides
with at least five years of experience. However, safety in any
activity, including rafting, can never be guaranteed. Momentum
River Expeditions assumes no responsibility for personal injury
or for equipment lost or damaged in any way. Please see our Why
go with us page for more info on safety.
What if I get hurt? Although safety is always
our first priority, rafting trips carry some risk. We cannot assume
responsibility for personal injury or damage to personal belongings
or for time or expense incurred. We are trained and equipped to
handle emergency first aid and will arrange evacuation when a
trip leader deems necessary or desirable. Costs of evacuation,
such as helicopters, and medical care beyond first aid are the
financial responsibility of the ill or injured person.
Do I need to sign a liability release? Yes, you
will be required to sign a release of liability.
Food/Drinking
What is the food like? A big part of any river
trip, food is one of the things we pride ourselves on. Most people
are very surprised by the quality and diversity of our riverside
fare. It is nothing like normal “camping” or “backpacker”
food. We have fun with our meals, so menus vary considerably with
the season and the mood of the chef. We always try to have something
for all tastes, but if you have any special dietary needs, please
let us know in advance; we will be happy to accommodate you.
Our gourmet lunches are served smorgasbord-style, with tons of
organic fruits and vegetables, deli meats and cheeses, homemade
salads and hummus, fresh breads and pitas, and, of course, dessert.
We really let loose on dinner, which is prepared from scratch
and includes dishes such as stuffed chicken, marinated steak on
the grill, fresh salmon, fresh vegetables, big salads, and dutch-oven
desserts. Happy hour is served with appetizers such as bruschetta,
cheese fondue, and fresh dips.
Hot breakfasts may consist of an omelet bar loaded with choices,
eggs benedict, or a scramble with hash browns and sausage. Fruit,
orange juice, coffee, tea, and cereal are also provided. Some
of our one-day trips include a continental breakfast.
Is it OK to drink alcohol on the river? No; alcohol and
rafting do not mix. DO NOT DRINK BEFORE RIVER TRIPS. Guests who
have been drinking will not go on the river and will not receive
a refund. This is for your safety and the safety of your fellow
guests.
Can I drink from the river? It is not
safe to drink from most streams. We will carry our drinking water
with us. If you frequently desire water during the day or don't
wish to share with other passengers, we suggest that you carry
a personal water bottle with you.
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Momentum River Expeditions: Rafting Oregon, Northern California
and beyond...
