Alaska, Oregon, & California
Whitewater
River Adventure Trips
Special Theme Departures
of James Henry River Journeys
Our Natural History, Anthropology, Wilderness Literature, Wine Tasting, and Musical Special-theme departures on Alaska, Oregon, and California rivers have been the hallmark of our whitewater rafting program since 1972. On these wilderness whitewater rafting trips on the Tatshenshini-Alsek, Rogue, and Klamath Rivers, we showcase the talents of acclaimed naturalists, anthropologists, photographers, storytellers, winemakers, and musicians who lend their expertise to the journey; informing and enhancing the experience for participants and crew alike.
On Tatshenshini River Trips, Naturalist John Kipping (Trip#2) will will lead hikes of discovery and inform participants about this watershed from flower pollination to salmon cycles to the action of glaciers on the land. Julie Cruikshank (Trip #2) will discuss the prominent role that glaciers have played in the recent human history of northwestern North America emphasing oral narratives and folklore and travel stories.
On all three of these Tatshenshini trips, river outfitter and guide, Jimmy Katz will also help photographers take more expressive images, lead discussions on Alaskan indigenous literature and travel tales and play the role of head chef, delighting participants with his imaginative culinary skills.
On the Canning River
On our Marsh Fork/Canning River departure Jimmy Katz and his veteran Alaska crew will lead a small group of adventurers into the high Arctic for this new departure.On Rogue and Klamath River Trips, our delightful winemakers; Steve Doerner, Morgan Twain-Peterson, and Peter Wellington break out their well-crafted varietals. Spirited musicians: Shira Kammen, Jim Oakden, Rachel Streeter, Maureen Brennan, Michelle Levy, Cindy Albers, Julie Jeffreys, and Tish Berlin provide a broad repertoire of Renaissance, Baroque, and Irish folk tunes. Naturalist John Kipping take us on hikes of discovery, revealing the Rogue's myriad wonders.
After you read the descriptions of these Special-Theme trips you might want to read about the Guides and Facilitators who will share their artistry with you.
Alaskan Special-Interest River Trips
Oregon Special-Interest
River TripsOregon-California
Special-Interest
River TripsTatshenshini-Alsek
Tlingit Tales, Wilderness
Literature & Photography
Mozart and Merlot on the Rogue: Wine Tasting &
Classical Music #5
ALASKAN SPECIAL-INTEREST RIVER TRIPS
Trip profile:Tatshenshini Trip Profile
Detailed Trip Itinerary: Detailed Trip Itinerary
Find out more about our Alaskan Facilitators and Guides
Tlingit Tales, Bear Mythology and Landscape Photography Program
Dates: July 10-22
Land Cost: $3595
Outfitter and veteran river guide, Jimmy Katz, will be leading this expedition and sharing his insights into this remarkable watershed: from salmon cycles to the habits of the wildlife that inhabit the region, and the action of glaciers carving the land. As a nature photographer and photo instructor, Jimmy will hone your landscape and close-up photographic skills on layover days (see Photo Workshops and The Alaskan Gallery).
In camp and around the campfire, trip members will read from Nora and Richard Dauenhauer's highly acclaimed books of Tlingit oral narratives and oratory, Haa Shuka, Our Ancestors and Haa Tuwunaagu Yis, for Healing Our Spirit and from Julie Cruikshank’s Do Glaciers Listen to give us dramatic insights into the indigenous cultures that were shaped by their environs. These readings will lay the foundation for discussions around the campfire.
Tatshenshini-Alsek—Glaciers, Landscapes and the Imagination; Natural History and Landscape Photography
*Dates: July 27-August 8
Land Cost: $3595
On this unique journey there will be three outstanding educators to illuminate trip participants about the environs that we will be traveling through.
Julie Cruikshank, Ph.d will join us again to lend her cultural expertise to our educational journey. Julie has lived in the Yukon Territory, worked with Athapaskan and Tlingit elders and written two books: “Life Lived Like a Story”, which received the Sir John A. Macdonald Price in Canadian history in 1991 and “Do Glaciers Listen; Local Eknowledge, Colonial Encounters, and Social Imagination.” Based on her research for this book, Julie will be discussing the prominent role that glaciers have played in the recent human history of northwestern North America. In the region through which we travel, aboriginal oral traditions, colonial expedition narratives and contemporary scientific research all pay close attention to glaciers. The impact of glaciers on human history lies not simply in their immense physical presence but also in their imaginative force. Julie will draw on readings from early explorers and discussions of oral tradition.
Julie has recently retired from teaching anthropology at the University of British Columbia, and continues to work with native people in the Yukon and British Columbia.It's one thing to raft a river, another to see it through the eyes of an expert naturalist. Join John Kipping, M.S. and as he leads us on a stimulating, richly woven interpretation of the web of life of this awesome river valley. You'll hike up rugged side canyons, ramble over old glacial morraines, and walk on living glaciers. As we float downstream, we'll observe bald eagles, black and grizzly bear, and mountain goats. John has being going down the river since 1978 and knows every nook and cranny of the river.
Those interested in taking more expressive images can count on trip leader/photographer Jimmy Katz to help participants find the subject matter that really inspires them, to capture the light and refine the designs of one’s compositions. This is usually the best trip for photographing the early summer wildflowers and snow-laden peaks.
Nature photographer and photo instructor Jimmy Katz will hone your landscape and close-up photographic skills on layover days (see Photo Workshops and The Alaskan Gallery).
In the evenings and on layover days, Jimmy and John will read Tlingit Tales and wilderness literature that will illuminate trip participants about the indigenous cultures that migrated up and down the river corridor for trade and subsistence and of the Western scientific and fact-finding expeditions that explored the region.
Tlingit Tales, Wilderness Literature and Landscape Photography Program
Dates: August 12-24
Land Cost: $3595
This particular journey is a perfect opportunity for trip participants to have group and individual photography sessions with nature photographer and trip leader, Jimmy Katz.
Designed for digital and film photographers, Jimmy will be able to assist individuals in making more expressive images by refining their compositions and exploring the quality and directional attributes of light.
Beginning and advanced image makers will come home with more refined skills and images that they can proudly share with their friends, family, or the larger photographic community.
Readings from Nora and Richard Dauenhauer's highly acclaimed books of Tlingit oral narratives and oratory, Haa Shuka, Our Ancestors and Haa Tuwunaagu Yis, for Healing Our Spirit and Julie Cruikshank's Do Glaciers Listen will give us dramatic insights into the Tlingit and Athabascan peoples who traveled and lived in this environment. Additional readings from John Muir’s books, Nora Dauenhauer’s plays and Gary Snyder and Richard Dauenhauer’s poetry will enrich our evenings around the campfire.
Landscape photographer Jimmy Katz will assist photographers in their quest for the expressive image. (See Photo Workshops and The Alaskan Gallery).
Marsh Fork and Main Forks of the Canning River
Wildlife Viewing, Photography, and Fishing
Dates: August 17-28
Land Cost: $4995
Satisfy your hunger for adventure! Explore the Marsh Fork and Main Forks of the Canning River, jewels of the ANWR! Experience the heart of Alaska's Serengeti and raft a lively Class II-III river. We will paddle through the very steep mountain valleys of the Marsh Fork, the Canning and then and out onto the coastal plain; interspersing our river days with layover days for hiking to your hearts’ content up the valleys and over the tundra; munching blueberries and observing and photographing caribou, grizzly, wolf, musk ox, fox and a plethora of birds. On those layover days, fisherfolk will have the opportunity to cast for Arctic Grayling and Arctic Char. Trip participants can take in the Northern lights while listening to Inupiat Eskimo Tales. This is a trip of a lifetime! Join outfitter/guide and photographer Jimmy Katz for this remarkable exploratory and capture through the lens some of the most captivating landscapes in North America. Plan ahead for this one one!
OREGON SPECIAL-INTEREST RIVER TRIPS
Trip profile and itinerary: Rogue Trip Profile
Find out more about our Oregon Facilitators & Guides
A Taste of Summer
Dates: Jun 2-5 (4 days)
Land Cost: Adults, $895; Youths, $725
We kick off our Rogue season with one departure for those who would like to have increased wilderness solitude. By joining an early Rogue trip, participants will experience the canyon with the freshness of springtime and an abundance of wildflowers. With increased springtime flows, there is more time to hike and explore the surrounding side canyons.
Wine Tasting and Gourmet California Cuisine
Date: June 8-11 (4 days)
Land Cost: Adults, $950; Youths, $810
After a vigorous day running the rapids, river sojourners will enjoy the culinary delights of head chef Jimmy Katz pared with the delightful, robust wines of Morgan Twain-Peterson, owner and winemaker of Bedrock Winery in Sonoma County, California.
We've known Morgan since 1991 when he accompanied his father Joel on our very first wine tasting trips trips down the Main Salmon river in Idaho. Morgan has inherited two estimable traits from his father Joel Peterson, of Ravenswood Winery: a natural bent for storytelling and a highly developed skill of fashioning the noble grape into fine wines. You can rest assured that his ancient vine Zinfandels, (over 100 year old stock) robust Syrahs, and Roses will resonate with our palates and convert us into loyal fans. Bedrock Wine Company's website is: www.bedrockwineco.com
Morgan's blog: Bedrock Wine Company blogWine Tasting and Gourmet California Cuisine
Dates: June 15-19 (5 days)
Land Cost: Adults, $1050; Youths, $950
At the end of a boisterous day of paddling, we'll sample hors d'oeuvres from “The Cheezeboard” in Berkeley, California and enjoy a wilderness gourmet fare that has been pared with the elegant and subtle Pinot Noirs, refreshing Pinot Gris, rich and balanced Syrahs, and intriguing Viogniers of Oregon's acclaimed winemaker, Steve Doerner of Oregon's Cristom Vineyards. You can read more about Cristom Vineyards; their wines, philosophy and great reviews at www.cristomwines.com. We are pleased that Steve will be traveling down from his home in the Willamette Valley to join us for his second outing down the Rogue.
Wine Tasting, Gourmet California Cuisine, Baroque and Celtic Music
Date: June 22-26
Land Cost: Adults, $1050; Youths, $950
There is no greater magic than the blending of classical music, fine wines, and exquisite cuisine with the sound of the river. Recorder and guitarist Jim Oakden and violinist Shira Kammen will entertain us with their Renaissance, Baroque and Celtic melodies as we relax on the banks of the Rogue. They will also have us kicking up our heels to a medley of old Irish and English tunes.
In the evening, while osprey are diving for their dinners and black bears roaming the shoreline for salmon morsels, our crew will whip up sumptuous dinners that will complement the savory wines that have made Bill Easton one of the top Rhône producers in the state of California. Since 1994, Domaine de la Terre Rouge has been turning out intense, blockbuster Syrah, sophisticated Viognier, and Enigma; a blend of Marsanne, Viognier, and Rousanne since 1994. Bill will also be serving up his hand-crafted non-Rhône varietals which he bottles under his namesake, Easton Wines. These include, crisp Sauvignon Blancs, white pepper spicy Zinfandels, nuanced Barberas, and complex Cabernet Sauvignons.
We are pleased to have him back on our journeys. Read more about his wines at http://www.terrerougewines.com/eastonwines.html*The youth fares on the above listed Rogue trips have been discounted in order to allow family vacations on the Rogue to be more affordable.
Mozart and Merlot on the Rogue: Wine Tasting, Classical Music and Gourmet California Cuisine
Date: Sep 19-23
Land Cost: Adults, $1050; Youths, $950
When the leaves are getting tawny and the salmon are running, it's time to join Jimmy Katz and his veteran crew for a fall run down the enchanting Rogue. In the evening, Shira Kammen, our resident violinist will engage you with her enchanting fiddle as she transports you from Early Music to the Renaissance and finally to the Baroque. Shira's Celtic, Bulgarian, and Klezmer solos have also been known to get our feet dancing under the starry nights. Visit Shira Kammen's website and listen to one of her "Top Tracks."
This is also a great opportunity to take advantage of the of the inspiring Rogue River trail (for hikers or runners) as the days a bit cooler for hiking. We’ll sample a selection of Ravenswood varietals and our fall robust gourmet fare will match our carefully selected wines. A true celebration of fall.Ravenswood’s website is: www.ravenswood-wine.com
CALIFORNIA SPECIAL-INTEREST RIVER TRIPS
Trip profile and itinerary: Klamath Trip Profile
Find out more about our California Facilitators and Guides
Klamath Wine Tasting & California Gourmet Cuisine
Date: June 29-July 1
Land Cost: Adults, $550; Youths, $395
After a vigorous day running the Klamath's boisterous rapids, we'll relax in camp; watch osprey and eagles soar above us; enjoy an array of hors d'ourvres; and taste the exceptional artisan French wines imported by our friends at Vintage59 in Washington DC. River sojourners will then enjoy the culinary delights of head chef Jimmy Katz and crew pared with these noble wines before lying down under a canopy of stars and listening to the sound of the river.
On this wine-tasting journey, we will move gracefully from the from the fresh whites of the Loire Valley, through the exotic reds of the Rhône and Languedoc, and finally to the lovely structured wines of Bordeaux.
While many importers represent a worldwide variety of wines, V59 focuses on what they know best. Their challenge is to stay abreast of who is making the exceptional wines in their favorite French appellations and bring those wines and their winemaker's stories to those who would appreciate them. From established vignerons profiled in textbooks to emerging next-generation stars of tomorrow, it is their mission and our passion to bring you not just great artisan wines, but also familiarize you with the people and places behind those wines.To read about some of the French winemakers whose wines we will be sampling, please go to our importer's website: Vintage59
1-800-786-1830
E-MAIL: jhrj@riverjourneys.com
415-868-0585
S.F. Bay Area
FAX: 415-868-0585
©2006. All Rights Reserved. Revised Jan. 2012.
James Henry River Journeys/Wilderness Journeys
All photos J. Katz
