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Equipment needed on Idaho river tours will depend on duration of the trip and time of the year. Most Idaho river outfitters provide all but personal items. On our summer day floats, which have trivial whitewater, you would need very little-- sandals or sneakers that can get wet, swim suit, and tee-shirt, maybe a light jacket preferably of polar fleece, maybe a rainsuit if weather is threatening. Like most Idaho river outfitters, we provide life jackets.
In colder water or heavier rapids, a wet suit or helmet may be needed. We provide and require use of helmets in paddle boats. Wetsuits sometimes are needed in high, cold water, especially for people in paddle boats. We do not include them, but they can be rented at the beginning of the trip from the River Wear store. Multi-day Idaho river tours will require sleeping bags and additional clothing. Like most Idaho river outfitters who run overnight trips, Aggipah provides tents. We also provide sleeping pads, waterproof duffle bags for your gear, and day bags and boxes for cameras, sun tan lotion, sun glasses, etc. Most people bring their own sleeping bags, but we do have rental bags available. We bring folding dining tables and chairs.
Multi-day trips require appropriate clothing for changing weather conditions. Layers are the key. You need a good rain suit as an outer layer. It can shed splash as well as rain. A nylon windbreaker, both jacket and pants, can be very nice on a chilly but dry day. For insulation, pants and tops of polar fleece or polypropylene-type fabric should be available. Wool is good but dries slow. Cotton, except T-shirts, should be avoided for river use. Most summer days are warm and sunny, and sandals, shorts, and T-shirts are normal wear. However, you need to be prepared for chilly or rainy weather, just in case.
We furnish tents, life jackets, waterproof duffel and day bags, camera boxes, and basic first aid equipment. We use two-person tents, which have floors and mosquito netting (although mosquitos are usually not a problem). We furnish self-inflating sealed foam sleeping pads. These pads are the most comfortable we’ve found, and eliminate pumping up an air mattress. You may want to bring a small pillow, and a ground cloth to keep your sleeping bag clean and dry if you decide to sleep under the stars without a tent. Sleeping bags are available by reservation on a rental basis, to cover cleaning.
Night temperature can drop into the 40s, especially early or late in the season. You may wake up to frost the first morning of an early-season Middle Fork trip, though day-time temperatures warm quickly--usually rising 40 degrees by mid-afternoon. As the trip progresses and we lose elevation, temperatures rise. Daytime temperatures are warm in mid-summer, and can be downright hot, into the 90s in mid-summer.
Most people wear shorts and T-shirts in warm weather, but you will want long pants and a jacket in the mornings until the sun gets down into the canyon. We strongly recommend some polypropylene/polar fleece clothing, either/both outer clothing or long underwear. It is light, warm, and quick drying, and retains some warmth when wet. The outer clothing is very warm around camp and under rain gear in wet weather. Many paddle boaters use polypropylene long underwear when water conditions are chilly, but not cold enough to require a wet-suit. Polypropylene is not very wind-resistant. Nylon shell clothing over poly-pro helps shed wind and splash. Cotton clothing such as jeans is slow to dry, and wicks water up pant legs and cuffs to wet the whole garment. It’s not well suited for river travel, though it may be comfortable in camp. You may want a pair of neoprene or poly-pro gloves, especially if you paddle.
You may not need rain gear, but if you do need it, you’ll appreciate good quality gear. It can also keep you dry in whitewater. A two-piece hooded suit works best. Poly-pro clothing under a rain suit is usually sufficient for the colder conditions after the beginning of July, or in the oar boats. Good rain gear is important any time. If it doesn’t rain, you might think my brother-in-law owns the rain-suit store, but if it does rain, you might wish the rain-suit store was with us.
If you enjoy hiking, bring light nylon hiking shoes. They’ll also be dry and comfortable in camp. On the boats, you’ll want sandals or sneakers. Try to get a rubber sole. Most soles are a nylon substance that is very slick when wet.
In June, wet suits are recommended for people who want to use paddle boats, but full wet suits are usually unnecessary after the beginning of July. They can be helpful in inflatable kayaks throughout the season. Wet-suit booties or neoprene or poly-pro socks are a good idea for the upper end of the Middle Fork for the first couple of days. You can get polar fleece clothing, rainsuits, and rental wetsuits in Stanley and Salmon.
You will probably want to bring some other personal items. A personal water bottle is a good idea. We provide cups. You may want to bring a small day pack, camera, a book or two, playing cards, or whatever your personal interest suggests. We don’t furnish pop or alcoholic beverages except for a little dinner wine, but we do have ice for drinks. Please minimize glass containers. Cell phones are not appropriate on a wilderness trip. Reception in these canyons is rare anyway.
Many Idaho river outfitters, including Aggipah, will provide you with a suggested gear list. This will be included with trip confirmation.
For More Information: Call 1-208-756-4167 or Request Information on Trips and Availability.
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