The 7th Annual White Salmon Riverfest and Symposium is shaping up to be the biggest celebration of our river ever. 

On Saturday June 9th we'll take you on a full-tour of the White Salmon River, help you take home awesome prizes from your favorite local businesses and river gear manufacterers, and give you some stompin good music for dancin the night away.  

We invite local community members, kayaking and rafting enthusiasts, and visitors to come immerse yourself in this mighty river for one great day of events that include an exclusive tour of the Condit Dam site, a Community Raft Trip, kayak and raft races and much more.  

Deconstruction of the Condit Dam Project continues on schedule with another big hurdle crossed earlier than expected.  River recreation enthusiasts - especially those who have longed for the Lower White Salmon River's perfect class II-III whitewater - will be pleased to hear that the new take-out is only days away from completion, according to PacifiCorp's Project Manager, Russ Howison.

As the erosion wore away at the thick mud slabs lining the river banks, the White Salmon River dropped lower into the canyon.  Three months after the initial draining of Northwestern Lake the timber crib bridge only just began to emerge from beneath the depths of the sediment.  The former bridge, serving as a sot of time capsule, stood in contrast with the Northwestern Lake bridge, just feet downstream.

The results from last year's sustainability practices data collection are in and it looks like Wet Planet is turning a brighter shade of "green." 

After a season of hard work, we have finished our homework.  Sustainable Travel International has completed its annual review of our practices and given Wet Planet the STEP 2nd Party Evaluation Award.  

The award is not just another fancy logo. It is the recognition of our commitment to what Sustainability means to us. We are also looking at the results of our efforts to begin tackling the upcoming season's goals.

One of the best parts of learning to raft or kayak is joining a community of people who view recreation, travel and adventure as a necessity in life.  They like nothing better than to come together, paddle through the most scenic landscapes, laugh around a campfire, and celebrate the rivers that helped them realize this fulfilling and passionate lifestyle. 

Whitewater events bring together new and old friends, reminding us of the vast community of like-minded whitewater enthusiasts out there.  Be sure to hit up one, or all, of the spring 2012 line-up of whitewater festivals and races in the Columbia River Gorge, even if you don't plan on competing. 

Northwest Creeking Competition

Sandy River Showdown

Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival

Little White Salmon Extreme Kayak Race

White Salmon River Fest and Symposium

Pat Summitt, the influential coach of Tennessee's Lady Vol basketball team, has positively influenced more than just the girls on her team. Since 1974, Summitt has led the Lady Vols to win more titles than any other NCAA basketball team.  As the sad news of her early onset of Alzheimer's Diease becomes a reality, we are beginning to better comprehend the widespread affect she had upon her fans, followers and athletes. The countless wins on her resume may provide statistical proof of her proficiency as a coach, but it is the guidance and wisdom imparted on her team and her fans which elevates her to such a high status among sports fans across the country.

Good coaches, it would seem, teach more than technical skills and impact more than just the individual players.

Kayaking, a sport that fluctuates between an individual pursuit and group effort, also depends on leadership and guidance similar to coach Summitt's. She and the best kayak course instructors share a commitment to the sport from the beginning - no matter what lifestyle sacrifices come along with it - and a lasting popularity and demand amongst would-be athletes and adventure seekers.

For the past four months, the deep and rugged lower gorge of the White Salmon River has sat behind a veil. Video of the explosive breach of Condit Dam and the dramatic draining of Northwestern Lake back in October has continued to stir the interest of a national audience. Other than Andy Maser's timelapse photos, only deconstruction crews and a handful of cabin owners have seen evidence of the restoration progress within the canyon since that day.

While we may not see it, PacifiCorp has been busy on the White Salmon River.

The power company recently released an updated assessment report that addresses the remaining sediment sitting above the dam.   Also included are diagrams for the new boater take-out at Northwestern Lake. Using these reports and the comments of PacifiCorp employees, we can lift the veil enough to get a taste of the restoration action on the White Salmon River.

Hood River, Oregon whitewater enthusiasts will get their fix for adventure and exploration this week during Erik Boomer's Ellesmere Island Expedition slideshow.

For 104 days last year Boomer and partner John Turk circumnavigated the world's tenth largest island, which just so happens to be located in the polar reaches of our planet.

Using skis, kayaks and boots, the two men traveled 1,485 miles through some of the remotest locations in some of the harshest conditions imaginable. Melting ice, shifting glaciers and the threat of local predators made every day a challenge and every night a celebration.

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.

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!

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.

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: