River Soul Journeys - Spiritual River Rafting Retreats

Overview

ROW's River Soul Journeys are river-based spiritual retreats that combine guided meditation, yoga and river rafting in secluded portions of the American West. ROW has created a stimulating spiritual river retreat program in a variety of scenic river settings. Each River Soul Journey offers different levels of whitewater challenge, outdoor activities and spiritual growth paths. No matter which River Soul Journey you choose, one thing is guaranteed - a noticeable shift in your consciousness.

       

• Trip Duration: 3-5 Days
• Intensity: Easy, Intermediate, Class II-III
• Season: June-September
• Minimum Age: 16
• Closest Airport: Lewiston, Idaho or Spokane, Wash.
• Highlights: Riverside yoga, guided meditation, self-discovery, spiritual growth.
• Other Highlights: River scenery, fun intermediate whitewater, wildlife, excellent food.

Details

What are River Soul Journeys and Spiritual Retreats?
By definition, a retreat is the act of withdrawing into privacy by finding a place of refuge or seclusion. After years of floating through secluded mountain river canyons where the solitude and serenity of nature abound, ROW developed its River Soul Journeys program. Expert guides, inspiration and adventure guide us on these remote wilderness rafting trips. Idaho's rivers are the perfect place to find refuge in the embrace of Mother Nature. While you rest, relax and explore these magical river canyons, you will rediscover your true and powerful self.

ROW has created co-ed and women-only spiritual retreats. Each River Soul Journeys includes fly-fishing, hiking, yoga, journaling, guided and independent meditation, and education about native plants and animals. New friendships, self discovery and nourishing food feed our souls on these multi-day rafting trips. Idaho rivers allow you to expand your awareness in a place far from the stresses and distractions of your everyday life. On the river, you can absorb the peace, security and authenticity of nature.

River Soul participants are encouraged to join our caring and talented guides in a journey to find meaning, balance and clarity which will lead you to aliveness, adventure and accountability. To know that we each hold the power of choice and creation in our own domain is a gift with infinite value.

Each River Soul Journey is accompanied by a yoga instructor. Yoga is a practice of skillful actions to quiet the mind. Participation is voluntary, but yoga helps to calm the mind and sooth the spirit which contributes to inner peace. Riverside yoga practice enhances your creativity with sustained energy and stamina. We'll focus on breath work, meditation, and relaxation healing.

You are your only limitation on these trips and we support full discovery of what you want to create. Due to the activities on our spiritual retreats, we recommend participants be at least 16 years of age.

About Your Guide:
Brenda Schweitzer is our leader on our River Soul Journeys. Brenda was born and raised in the West and fell in love with rivers at an early age. She has extensive training in personal development and communication and a Master's degree in Environmental Education and Biology with a focus on aquatic ecology. Brenda has more than 14 years of experience in emergency and wilderness medicine. In the off-season, she is an avid backcountry skier and works with Friends of the Teton River, where she creates water education curriculum and incorporates it into local schools. Brenda was the inspiration for River Soul Journeys and has led many river trips in Hells Canyon. Prior to joining ROW, she worked for the Hells Canyon Preservation Council, a non-profit organization working to protect Hells Canyon.

If you need to purchase some gear before your whitewater rafting trip, ROW has assembled the more common items at our ROWear online store, hosted by New Headings.

Itinerary

Release, Rebuild and Rediscover
Snake River: 3-days (Women Only) : Sept. 10

Class IV whitewater, oar boats, paddle rafts, duckies (inflatable kayaks), yoga, journaling, hiking, fishing and connecting with new friends.

GOALS: While we release the stresses of every day life and rebuild our individual power, the strength of the river supplies inspiration to reach new heights and rediscover what we truly want to create in our lives.

Journaling will be highlighted as a way to capture unique times, feelings and places as well as the adventures and people who make this journey so unforgettable. Through the act of writing we discover what we have always known and we create the time and sacred space to choose to take action in our lives in new and exciting ways. This trip is more intense than our June 22 adventure on the Grande Ronde. Not only do we have more challenging whitewater to enjoy but we also create amazing openings and realizations through deep connections to the ancient Nez Perce people and their sacred places in the river canyon.

Serene riverside campsites will offer an incredible backdrop to enjoy morning yoga practice lead by a Yoga therapist and teacher. We will also focus on the re-connection to mother earth in this canyon by interpreting the legacy of a people that lived in harmony with this sacred place.

The adventure begins at Hells Canyon Creek, where we enter the upper wilderness section of the Snake River Wild and Scenic corridor. Surrounded by heaven-spiraling mountains where native wildlife is abounding, the magic begins. In exploring the rich cultural history of the Nez Perce tribe we visit many sacred places and take numerous hikes in the canyon.

This 5-day river trip will include many exciting rapids including two of the largest in the Pacific Northwest, Wild Sheep and Granite, both considered to be class IV. There are plenty of other class II and III rapids as well, and beginners are welcome. The classic pool drop structure of this river means there are lazy pools of sun-drenched water between the rapids - the perfect place for a swim.

We offer several different boats to choose from on this trip so you can choose the level of activity you desire. Ride in an oar-powered raft where a guide does all the work. Or, grab a paddle and climb aboard a paddle raft where everyone participates and helps maneuver under the calls of a guide. Finally, for the most daring, inflatable kayaks are available.

Our talented and experienced women guides are excited to share their passion for this canyon and the river with you. September weather is sure to lend a late summer twist to this rejuvenating journey that will positively change the way you look at life, long after you return home.

A cargo raft will travel ahead of the group each day, arriving in camp with time to set up tents and our comfortable kitchen area, replete with dining tables and chairs. Delicious and healthy meals are often yet another highlight and the meals we serve will complement the spirit of the journey and the inspiration of the canyon.

First time campers are encouraged to join us. Our river trip will be interactive and fun, gentle and as exciting you choose. All hikes are optional.

Release, Rebuild and Rediscover
Salmon River Canyons - 5-days (Women Only) : August 29

Discover Class III-IV whitewater in oar boats, paddle rafts or duckies (inflatable kayaks), practice yoga, journaling, hiking, fishing and connecting with new friends.

GOALS: The beauty of Salmon River Canyons provides the perfect inspiration to reach new heights and rediscover what we truly want to create in our lives. Through the discovery of self via journaling this 5-day trip is guaranteed to create a noticeable shift in consciousness among all of our guests as well as guides. Through the act of writing we create the time and sacred space to choose to take action in our lives in new and exciting ways.