TRIP PLANNING
From packing lists to rental equipment and logistics to training, it’s all here. If your questions aren’t answered here, drop us a line.
GETTING HERE
Please don’t arrive to the Retreat unannounced or before the start day of your trip.
DRIVING:
Be in touch in the days leading up to your trip. We will most likely have you drive to the Retreat before heading out on our first day’s adventure. We’re a little more than an hour east of Portland, off of Interstate 84. If you’re coming from the east or west and on the Oregon side, you will have to cross the Hood River/White Salmon Interstate Bridge, which is a TOLL bridge. Without going into a lot of detail, the bridge, it’s future, and the current tolling system is less than ideal. You cannot pay the toll at the bridge, there are no humans collecting tolls, and there are no toll gates. You will be allowed to cross without a Breezeby transponder, and you will receive an invoice in the mail (they use your license plate).
You can pay that invoice online, or pay in advance of your crossing, here: https://csc.portofhoodriver.com/paytoll
If you’re curious about this microcosm of American infrastructure: https://hoodriverbridge.org/
The Retreat address is:
8 Tomahawk Rd.
White Salmon, WA, 98672
FLYING:
You must arrive to PDX International Airport in Portland, OR before 1:30 pm PST on the Saturday your trip begins. The 1:30 pm PST target time is in place so that the group can get on the river or trail that afternoon. You will meet other members of your group who are flying in and drive a GNAR company vehicle 1 hour east to the Retreat in White Salmon, WA. If you cannot arrive before 1:30 pm PST on Saturday, you will have to arrive a day early and arrange for your own transportation and accommodations at a nearby hotel, and then go back to the airport to meet the rest of your group on Saturday. Someone in your group will have to pay the parking fees and you will be reimbursed immediately upon your arrival at the Retreat. Your group will drive a GNAR company vehicle back to the airport the following Saturday, with departure time based on the earliest-departing guest. You will receive more details on airport logistics after booking.
COMMUNICATION
You MUST download and set up the WhatsApp messaging app on your phone. There will likely be international guests on your trip, and we will have to rely on WhatsApp for communication throughout the trip. This is particularly important for airport logistics and needs to be done whether you are driving or flying.
Apple Devices: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/whatsapp-messenger/id310633997
Android Devices: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.whatsapp&pcampaignid=web_share
RENTAL EQUIPMENT
KAYAKS:
We have a fleet of modern kayaks available for rent at $35/day. You will be prompted during booking to select whether you want to rent a boat or not. These are not broken, dilapidated boats- we are constantly cycling them in and out. The current fleet includes:
- Waka Puffy Steeze
- Waka Stoke
- Waka OG
- Waka Tuna 2
- Waka Goat
- Dagger Code M
- Dagger Indra M/L
- Liquid Logic RMX 96
- Pyranha Ripper 2 M
- Pyranha Scorch S
- Pyranha Scorch M
- Pyranha Scorch L
- Pyranha Scorch X
- Pyranha ReactR M
- Jackson Gnarvana M
- Prijon Beast
PADDLES:
We have a selection of Werner straight and bent shaft paddles available for rent at $10/day. These are almost exclusively fiberglass Surge and Powerhouse models. We have various lengths and offsets, including some left-hand control. You will be prompted during booking to select whether you want to rent a paddle or not.
BIKES:
We have access to a modern fleet of mountain bikes at $125/day. These are all 1-2 years old, well maintained, nice spec bikes. You will be prompted during booking to select whether you want to rent a bike or not. The current fleet includes:
- Transition Spur Carbon (S, M, L, XL)
- Transition Smuggler Carbon (S, M, L, XL)
- Transition Sentinel Carbon (M, L)
- Transition Ridpcord Alloy (24" kids)
- Trek Fuel EX 8 Alloy (S, M, L, XL)
- Norco Sight Alloy (S, M, L, XL)
- Giant Trance Alloy (S, M, L, XL)
WHITEWATER PACKING LIST
What To Bring:
- Download your boarding passes
- Passport if applicable
- Personal Medications
- Personal Toiletries
- DRYSUITS ARE MANDATORY
- Sprayskirt, Helmet, Lifejacket, Elbow Pads
- Pogies
- Kayaking shoes. These need to be ROBUST, NOT POOL SHOES.
- Paddling layers- consider a headwarmer
- Pin kit if you have one
- Daypack
- Water bottle
- Headlamp
- Sunglasses
- Rain jacket
- GoPro and accessories
- Charging cables and plugs
- Swimsuit – for the sauna and hot tub.
- Sunscreen
- A positive attitude
What Not To Bring:
- Breakdown paddle
- Flotation bags
- Illegal drugs
- Pets
BIKING PACKING LIST
What To Bring:
- Download your boarding passes
- Passport if applicable
- Personal Medications
- Personal Toiletries
- Helmet
- Pads
- Gloves
- Chamois
- Riding shoes
- Riding glasses/ Goggles (if that's you)
- Riding layers- consider a windbreaker
- Trail repair/tool kit
- Specialty tools (if you're bringing your bike)
- Spare set of brake pads (if you're bringing your bike)
- Hydration system- rental bikes have water bottle holders and bottles
- Daypack
- Water bottle
- Headlamp
- Sunglasses
- Rain jacket
- GoPro and accessories
- Charging cables and plugs
- Swimsuit – for the sauna and hot tub.
- Sunscreen
- A positive attitude
What Not To Bring:
- e-Bike
- Repair stand
- Tire slime
- Illegal drugs
- Pets
TRAINING/ PREPAREDNESS
We are at relatively low elevation here, around 200-1500 ft above sea level, so altitude is not an issue.
WHITEWATER:
If you can avoid coming off the couch, please do. Try to get a lap or two in on your local run and intentionally practice some rolls before you come. In the few weeks leading up to your trip, a stretching routine is recommended. Focus on your shoulders, forearms, obliques, hips and back. A running or hiking routine during the few weeks prior to your trip is recommended. The PNW is a rugged place, and while most runs have pretty easy access, some don’t. We don’t want you to be worn out getting to the put in. Conditioning is crucial to success on the Little White. This is one of the most exhausting day runs in the US. Prepare accordingly if running the Little White is a goal of yours.
BIKING:
If you can avoid coming off the couch, please do. The minimum target fitness level for our biking trips is the ability to climb 1500 feet in elevation over a couple of hours. You don’t have to be fast. You can take a few breaks. You can’t walk the whole thing. It would also be a good idea to get a few rides in to get over that early season saddle soreness. A stretching routine in the few weeks leading up to your trip is recommended. Focus on your lower back, knees, thighs, and calves.
BOOKING POLICIES
LIABILITY WAIVER:
All participants must sign our REALESE OF LIABILITY WAIVER. You can sign the waiver here: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/v/gnarlynates/
CAR RENTAL AND USE AGREEMENT:
Your trip includes transportation, which means that you will have use of our company vehicles. This will be important for shuttles, and AT LEAST ONE PERSON IN YOUR GROUP MUST sign this agreement. Those guests who don’t sign the agreement will not be allowed to drive our cars, which may be helpful for trips to the store, etc. You can sign the agreement here:
PAYMENT DETAILS:
You will be required to make a $700 initial deposit to reserve your space. The remaining amount is due one month before your trip begins. You will be sent a payment request for the remaining amount within one week of booking your trip. $700 of your total trip value is always non-refundable. See cancellation policy below.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Cancellations received in writing 30 days or more prior to your arrival will be refunded in full minus your $700 non-refundable initial deposit. Cancellations received within 30 days of your arrival are 100% non-refundable and guests will receive a 75% trip credit. If full payment has not been received 30 days prior to the start of your trip, GNAR reserves the right to cancel the booking without notice and re-sell the space. GNAR strongly recommends that guests purchase Trip Cancellation or Interruption Insurance. Please also note that insurance must be purchased when you make the deposit payment for your trip. You can purchase this insurance through Acera Insurance and others.
CREDIT POLICY:
In the event that GNAR issues a credit to a guest, unless stated otherwise, that credit will expire two years from the date of issue. Credits are held in the guest’s name, however they can be utilized as follows:
-Put towards the cost of a future trip for the guest
-Sold to another person
-Gifted to a friend or family member