Decades spent guiding have taught us one thing: whitewater changes lives.

We've seen worries wash away from business men, genuine play incorporated back into a mom's day, and new raft guides travel the world exploring river cultures for a more fulfilling life experience.

It all started with attending a Guide School. Below are our top 7 reasons why this year's Wet Planet Guide School can do the same for you.

1. Raft all the best rivers in the Columbia River Gorge for less.

Since seventh grade physical science class, the movement of water through the earth's atmosphere has been obvious and easily understood. The sun warms water particles, transforming them into gas, or clouds, which later pour back down upon the earth as precipitation.

Despite these trusted facts, water in and around the White Salmon River continues to mystify whitewater enthusiasts. When other rivers have long turned to a mere trickle, the White Salmon continues to flow strong. And when snowpack is low, whitewater rafting on the White Salmon River delivers more thrills and excitement than any other Oregon and Washington rafting trip.

But, how can less snow equal more whitewater?

Unfortunately, that's not a simple answer.

A few days ago, Heather Herbeck and I grabbed a waterproof camera and went for an exploratory run down the Middle White Salmon River. While we were at it, we hiked upstream from the BZ launch site, past BZ Falls, to the Flume. The following is a series of photos and descriptions of what we found, starting with the put-in trail, and then moving downstream from the Flume and BZ Falls all the way to Husum

Follow the jump to continue reading and see more photos of the wood on the White Salmon River. After reading this post, please "like" or "share" it on Facebook and help get the word out about the wood. Thanks!

Weddings showcase the love and life two people have built together. Friends and family members travel great distances just to take a glimpse into the world of the happy couple.

For newly engaged whitewater kayakers, that world has likely befuddled the non-river recreation types within the family, eliciting questioning stares and rolling eyes.

However, a wedding offers a glimmer of hope.

Finally, the opportunity has come to show everyone why you've followed the flow of the river. It is the moment when you can illuminate the rewarding qualities behind the crazy, alternate lifestyle of a whitewater boater that has eluded your friends and family members since you took your first river trip.

It's time to get your friends and family out on the river to celebrate your big day with the best outdoor wedding activity.

On Wednesday, representatives from PacifiCorp, county commissioners and local White Salmon River valley residents convened to discuss the progress, schedule, and problems arising with the recent removal of Condit Dam.

Largely instigated by the damage to their wells near the drained reservoir, the cabin and home owners within the Northwestern Lake community had the opportunity to present concerns to PacifiCorp engineer Tom Gauntt and Director of Compliance (go-to man for the project on the White Salmon River) Todd Olsen. The evening was also an opportunity for PacifiCorp to field other questions and provide an update to the decommissioning process.

The White Salmon Valley was hammered by a winter storm this past week. A week of snow events, followed by freezing rain, then more snow, and then more freezing rain left the area blanketed in heavy snow and ice. Finally, the weight of the ice overwhelmed the trees, dropping trees across roads, power lines, and even buildings. The result was a week of power outages. Most people in the valley were out of power from Thursday through Monday, but there are still areas that have no power even now. Most of the homes near the White Salmon also get their water from wells. No power, means no pumps for the well, which means no water. What a mess!

With no power or water, and the rivers too full of falling trees to paddle, I had some free time on my hands this weekend. So, I dug out the truck, and drove around taking pictures. If you were wondering why your power was out for so long, or you're from Portland and wondering just what this winter storm looks like, check out these pictures.

To see more photos from the weekend, follow the jump and continue reading!

Despite it's small size, the Latin American country Costa Rica has taken a stand on the international stage.  In a world of resource acquisition and the diffusion of cultural heritage, Costa Rica has made the preservation of its environment and its people the number one priority.
  
Now a leader in sustainable tourism, Costa Rica has preserved that which makes it so unique: a diverse natural environment, a thriving society, and a strong cultural identity.
 
For an intrepid adventure traveler, this means even more than pristine habitat, thrilling and safe adventures, and authentic gifts at artisan markets.  According to an independent research group in Britain, Costa Rica ranks #1 as the "happiest place in the world," perhaps due their prioritization of their environment and their people.

Their happiness could also be due to two simple words that have infiltrated nearly every moment of Costs Rica's daily life.

Just three months after the big breach of Condit Dam, a stretch of the White Salmon River has been opened to hatchery steelhead fishing.

Despite concerns for the river's health and the future of fishing on the one of the Columbia Gorge's best runs for salmon and steelhead, the river has already begun to repair itself.

Heavy sediment loads will continue to make their way down the river as the famous Pacific Northwest winter rains begin to fall, but the fish will likely find a way to survive. More importantly, PacifiCorp has deemed the river banks below the powerhouse safe enough for intrepid fisherman looking to acquaint themselves with the new river.

Signing up for a kayak course in the Columbia River Gorge could entirely change your life.

You've seen images of the classic Pacific Northwest rivers, you've heard how paddling over waves can feel like riding a roller coaster through paradise, you are ready to sign up.

However, few people understand how important it is to have a supportive and successful experience. The quality of instruction, equipment, and service can make learning easier or completely ruin the experience.

At Wet Planet we have begun to develop specialized kayak courses that bring together people with a common interest. By teaching the fundamentals skills and techniques of whitewater kayaking through a common element - such as a group of all women or yogis - the shared experience becomes one of support and encouragement helping students to feel more comfortable on the water.

When the Pacific Northwest rain begins to fall and the winter months slyly creep into our daily lives, the whitewater rafting industry does not hibernate. Granted, it does get some much needed rest.  The industry simply shifts into evaluating, planning, and brainstorming for another season.

This period of reflection begins in early December with the annual American Outfitters Association industry tradeshow in Reno, Nevada.

River rafting outfitters, kayak schools, and manufacturers of rafting and kayaking equipment benefit from this natural break in the cycle of business. The time enables the industry to evaluate and improve upon our services.

For our guests, this means the whitewater experience is likely to get better every year.

As far as blogs that incite my intrigue immediately, this one is topping the charts lately.

Andy Maser and Steve Stampfli have kept the public informed and entertained with news, photos and video of the removal of Condit Dam and the restoration of the White Salmon River through White Salmon Restored: A Timelapse Project.  

This week we can see:

Salmon won't be solely relying on the White Salmon River habitat to continue the propagation of their species as they swim by the former Condit Dam site. Side creeks and tributaries provide additional premier real estate for creating their precious nest egg (called a salmon redd).

In the lengthy process of river restoration along this iconic whitewater destination in southern Washington, it is one of these side streams that has received the first chunk of funding.

The restoration of the White Salmon River has already been an intriguing process.  In just a few short months the river bed has transformed, revealing debri and structures buried for the last hundred years.  Thanks to local Heather Herbeck with Sheer Madness Productions, we can see some great comparison photos. 

The following are two emails sent by PacifiCorp's Russ Howison and Todd Olson. They are working hard to keep us informed about changes to access on the White Salmon River. These emails address the recent, temporary closure of the Northwestern Lake take-out.

For the past three weeks the removal of Condit Dam can be found on nearly every major news source throughout the country, from Portland's Oregonian to CNN. 

A landmark river restoration event, everyone wants to display the impressive images of the blast.

However, it has been the work of one individual's dedication to the highest quality photography and video that have gotten the news spread so far and wide.