August, 2017, SOAR Northwest led a trip of seven vets from six states and two military branches for some whitewater rafting, fishing and getting out and about in the back-country of Idaho.
We travelled 80+ miles down the Main Salmon River, aka the River of No Return, going down more than 1200’ in elevation.
The veterans on this trip are amazing humans. They have a unique perspective on life, community and conservation. We hope that their time spent on the River showed the therapeutic power of bringing service members together for a scenic adventure, and we at SOAR Northwest are forever grateful for their service. Enjoying the campfire, sharing tales, discussing the day’s activities on the river, visiting the sites of Nez Perce pictographs and early American homesteads was time well spent. We were lucky enough to stargaze for a view of the Perseid meteor showers.
“The Salmon River float trip with Sierra Club Military Outdoors was a once in lifetime experience. The crew from SOAR Northwest, was professional, accommodating, and just a wonderful group of human beings. This opportunity to spend 6 days in one of the most remote areas of the U.S. with other veterans was both connecting and transformational…easily one of the best experiences of my life and something I will always be grateful for.”
– David R., Coast Guard
You can read the full article below:
https://www.sierraclub.org/outdoors/2017/09/finding-solace-river-no-return