Alaska, Oregon, and California whitewater river rafting and hiking trips Tatshenshini, Alsek, Noatak, Rogue and Klamath Rivers with James Henry River Journeys; special-interest educational programs.

On Tatshenshini River Trips, naturalist John Kipping will teach trip participants about an entire watershed from the ground up: from wildflower pollination, salmon cycles, to the the action of glaciers carving the land. Anthropologist Julie Cruikshank will discuss the prominent prominent role that glaciers have played in the recent human history of northwestern North America emphasing oral narratives and folklore and travel stories.

On these Alaskan trips, river outfitter and guide, Jimmy Katz will help photographers take more expressive images, help lead discussions on Alaskan indigenous literature and travel tales and play the role of head chef, delighting participants with his imaginative culinary skills.

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.

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ALASKAN SPECIAL-INTEREST RIVER TRIPS
Find out more about our Alaskan Facilitators and Guides

Tatshenshini-Alsek— Natural History and Landscape Photography; Tlingit Tales and Wilderness Literature
*Dates: July 10-22
Land Cost: $3150

It's one thing to raft a river, another to see it through the eyes of an expert naturalist and a nature photographer. 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 is also featured on the July 27 departure as well.

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.

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).

Tatshenshini-Alsek—Tlingit Tales, Bear Mythology, Cultural and Natural History; and Landscape Photography
Dates: July 27-Aug 8
Land Cost: $3150

alaska_river_trips_tatshenshini_alsek_river_rafting_glacier_bay_national_Park_natural_history 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 Knowledge, 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.
She has recently retired from teaching anthropology at the University of British Columbia and continuing to work with native people in the Yukon and British Columbia.

John Kipping, M.S. will also be present on this journey (see July 10 departure) to to teach about this remarkable watershed from the ground up: wildflower pollination, salmon cycles, the habits of the wildlife that inhabit the region, and the action of glaciers carving the land.

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).

Natural History and Landscape Photography Program; Tlingit Tales and Wilderness Literature
Dates: August 21-September 2
Land Cost: $3150

alaska_river_trips_tatshenshini_alsek_river_rafting_glacier_bay_national_park On this journey, Jimmy Katz and the veteran crew will facilitiate the trip. 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).

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OREGON SPECIAL-INTEREST RIVER TRIPS
Find out more about our Oregon Facilitators & Guides
Rogue River Naturally
Dates: June 1-4
Land Cost: Adults, $795; Youth, $695

We kick off our Rogue season with two terrific trips for families whose kids get out of school on the early side or adults who want to go down the river and have increased wilderness solitude. The canyon is fresh with springtime and wildflowers abound. With increased springtime flows, there is more time to hike and explore the surrounding side canyons.

*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.

Rogue Classical Music and Gourmet California Cuisine
Date: Jun 7-10
Land Cost: Adults, $795; Youth, $695

While sitting on the banks of the river and watching spiraling osprey, we'll enjoy Celtic and Baroque melodies that emanante from the violin of Cindy Albers, a featured violinist with James Henry River Journeys for the past 11 years. With the river uncrowded and wildflowers carpeting the hillsides, this is the best time to be on the Rogue.

Rogue River Crew Preparing Gourmet Cuisine
Rogue Classical Music, Wine Tasting, and Gourmet California Cuisine
Dates: June 13-16
Land Cost: Adults, $895; Youth, $830

There is no greater magic than the blending of classical music, fine wines, and exquisite cuisine with the sound of the river. Our lively duet of versatile instrumentalists includes flautis Rachel Streeter and harp accompanist Laura Zaerr. Our duet will warm your evenings along the Rogue with concerts featuring Renaissance, and Baroque music.

After a vigorous day running the rapids, river sojourners we will sample hors d'oeuvres from “The Cheezeboard” in Berkeley, California, enjoy the culinary delights of head chef Jimmy Katz, and taste the wines that have made Michael Havens of Havens Cellars one of California's preeminent winemakers.

For many a river season, Michael has provided our winebibbers with lush and velvety Merlots, exotic and peppery Syrahs, finely textured Bouriquots and aromatic and exotic Albarinos. We’re pleased to have Michael and Kathryn back for another season on the Klamath and look forward to their companionship and the tasting the fruits of their labor. Michael Havens’ website is www.havenswine.com

Rogue Classical Music, Wine Tasting & Gourmet California Cuisine
Date: Jun 20-24
Land Cost: Adults, $995; Youth, $995.

Shira Kammen, our resident violinist and recorder accompanist Tish Berlin, will entertain us with their Early, Renaissance and Baroque melodies and Celtic tunes as we relax on the banks of the Rogue and sip the uniquely crafted wines of our ecclectic winemaker, Sean Thackrey.

Traveling with Sean Thackrey, one of California's most celebrated winemakers, is always an illuminating experience. This seriously weathered friendly fellow will delight us with the mysteries of the craft of winemaking from ancient Sumeria to the present. And the interesting thing is that the Rogue is lined with “Vitis Californica”, the native California grapevine, and it was along just such rivers in the Caucasus where wine originated. A consummate story-teller and bon vivant, we welcome Sean back for his fifth trip down the Rogue.

Robert Parker has stated in The Wine Advocate that “Sean Thackrey's limited- production gems are among the most original expressions of winemaking in California.” Sean’s impeccably crafted "Orions", a full-bodied single-vineyard designate 100 year-old Rhône varietal with a fragrance of blackberries, smoke, and pepper or "Pleiades", a multi- dimensionally flavored blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mouvedre. As Sean describes his current release of Pleiades XI in his latest newsletter as “a complex, intriguing, direct and open, nuanced and mysterious; and ultimately, for all those reasons, a very fulfilling and delicious experience”. Three newer additions that will accompany our cuisine are his one-of-a-kind Pinot Noir, a full-bodied Sangiovese, and a Rhône varietal made from a Petite Syrah called “Sirius”. Sean Thackrey's website is: www.wine-maker.net

While exploring the flora and fauna on our layover day hike, naturalist John Kipping will introduce us to the wonderous ecology of the Rogue.

Rogue Autumn Wine Tasting, Classical Music and Gourmet California Cuisine
Date: Sep 16-20
Land Cost: Adults, $995; Youth, $995

Return to the Rogue with Jimmy Katz and the veteran crew and violinist Shira Kammen when the leaves are tawny and the salmon are running for a fall run down the enchanting Rogue. This is also a great opportunity to take advantage of the of the inspiring Rogue River trail (for hikers or runners). We’ll sample a selection of Ravenswood varietals provided by our host and gourmet gourmet fare will match our carefully selected wines. A true celebration of fall!
Ravenswood’s website is: www.ravenswood-wine.com

Rogue Photography, Hiking, and Rafting
Date: Sep 23-27
Land Cost: Adults, $925; Youth, $825

With low-angled light, exquisite autumnal reflecitons, leaping salmon, and bears foraging along the river bank, this ALL NEW, rafting, hiking and photography trip features the expertise of photo instructor, Jimmy Katz who has been leading trips down the canyon since 1973. Attention will be given to landscape, outdoor portraiture and adventure sports photography and additional time is planned for lush side creeks, intimate grottos, and keynote rapids. Photographers are welcome who work in all mediums. Warm days and mild evenings make this a terrific time to be journeying down the Rogue. Don't miss the season finale!

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CALIFORNIA SPECIAL-INTEREST RIVER TRIPS
Find out more about our California Facilitators

Klamath Baroque, & Classical Music, California Gourmet Cuisine & Wine Tasting
Date: June 27-29
Land Cost: Adults, $495; Youth, $395

Featured violinist Cindy Albers and viola di gamba accompanist Julie Jeffreys will provide exquisite music to trip members while they relax in camp and enjoy the delightful wines of Bill Easton, owner and winemaker of Domaine de la Terre Rouge in Amador County in California.

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 modestly credits “the well-drained, de-vigorated mountainous Sierrra Foothill soils for creating a unique terroir,” but his wines also greatly benefit from the skill he demonstrates in the winemaking department. Located in Plymouth, in the heart of Amador County, his winery puts on several winetasting and culinary events each year. Bill’s website is www.terrrougewines.com.

While we dine on wilderness gourmet fare and sample our winemakers understated wines, the exquisite sounds of Rachel Streeter’s flute and violinist Cindy Albers will fill the air with distinctive music of the late Renaissance, Baroque and Classical periods. Works by Bach, Handel and Haydn will be featured.

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Alaskan Facilitators

Oregon Facilitators

California Facilitators

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James Henry River Journeys/Wilderness Journeys

Alaska, Oregon, & California River Trips
Special Theme Departures
of James Henry River Journeys

Alaskan Special-Interest River Trips

Oregon Special-Interest
River Trips

Oregon-California
Special-Interest
River Trips

Alaska, Oregon, & California River Trips Special Theme Departures of James Henry River Journeys

Alaskan Special-Interest River Trips

Oregon Special-Interest River Trips

Oregon-California Special-Interest River Trips

Alaska, Oregon, & California River Trips
Special Theme Departures
of James Henry River Journeys

Oregon Special-Interest
River Trips

Oregon-California
Special-Interest
River Trips