Alumni River Trip | Salmon, ID
A note from the Task Force Director.
Big Sky Bravery Supporters,
My cup runneth full as I sat down today to try and share the experiences of our week running the middle fork of the Salmon River. This year was my third season being graced with the opportunity to lead another group of Alumni on this spectacular trip, and it was the “goldilocks” week of the three. From the incredible return staff at Boundary, to the perfect sunny weather, to the clear clean water teaming with fish, to the giant rumbling rapids everything was excellent! The one constant from the prior years was “River time”. At Boundary they have a motto “life at 3 miles an hour” and we fell into that immediately, and literally for myself, as I got dunked hour one off the launch.
The crew of Gentlemen that joined me this year were brothers from prior trips, dating back as far as TF 23 in 2019. To say it was amazing to catch up and reconnect is an understatement. It was ethereal. I also had a friend, brother, and fellow volunteer Weston Comfort who will be taking over the trip and leading next year's group, and there is no one better to do so. “Thanks for hulking us back in the boat after “Rubber”!!
So I guess the best way to sum up the week would be with a brief story. Day one at the airport as I picked up the guys, it was apparent that they had not lived at 3 miles an hour in a long time, if ever, in fact they were probably more used to life at 1000 mph. One of them was juggling two phones till almost midnight trying to wrap things up before leaving civilization. Once on the river the phones were useless and instead got replaced with paddles, fishing rods, and even a guitar! Point being that man walked over to me several times and expressed just how long it had been and how freeing it was to be unplugged, unreachable, and disconnected.
There is something to be said about the indescribable power of mother nature and its ability to recharge, refresh and heal the soul. I know my soul is recharged and I am confident that the other six men on the trip feel the same. Long sunny days floating down the canyon walls, soaking in hot springs with a cup of coffee, singing late night to the guitar strumming around the fire, fishing to hungry cutthroat trout, laughter and great conversation filled our days for the week and will provide memories for a lifetime.
From the depths of my soul thank you to the incredible men who joined me on this Journey. A huge thank you to Boundary expeditions for your impeccable service and skills on the river. It is truly a world class outfitter and the best in the game. And a big thank you to all of those behind the scenes at the office, in the community and around the country who help make Big Sky Bravery possible and successful. I am Grateful!! And thank you to all the men and women around the globe who are still in the fight and protecting our freedoms!
Sincerely,
Blake Dobson
Task Force Director
Volunteers to Thank:
Blake Dobson, Task Force Director
Weston Comfort, Assistant Task Force Director
Patriots to Thank:
Boundary Expeditions
Outlaw Partners
Eli Kretzmann
Marriott Bonvoy [Bozeman]
FlasKap
Graplrz
Melissa Ferraro
LMNT//ANTHEM//FHF Gear
“I recently had the chance to go on a five-day trip with Big Sky Bravery on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River and the entire experience was amazing. The journey was the ideal balance of adventure, friendship, and time away from the grid. A natural bond was formed by being among people from similar backgrounds, and the environment promoted genuine dialogue free from interruptions. There was a lot of laughter, the kind that naturally arises when you’re in a wonderful setting with good people. Physically, mentally, and professionally, it was a much-needed reset.
Big Sky Bravery has created something special. They know what high performers in high-stress roles require and they provide it in an effective and straightforward manner.
I am grateful for the experience and the people behind it.
-C.”
“I felt very grateful to be invited back out to Montana after my TF in 2022.
BSB goes above and beyond the typical non-profit.
They are the best out there. Where others may not follow up and continue checking in after a trip, BSB does. The connections made during task forces are lasting. I still remain in touch with friends I made at my TF years later and each time I depart I leave with more life long friendships.
Coming to an Alumni TF was different in the sense that all of the recipients already had common ground. We knew (via our initial TF) the unexplainable power that nature has to heal the mind, body and spirit. We all connected right away and were able to let our guards down, allowing ourselves to take in the beauty of Montana, Idaho, and the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. That immediate feeling of ease truly allowed us the intentional time to heal, whether we thought we needed to or not, I truly believe we all did.
Nature has the power to make you feel free. From listening to the calm water pass your tent at night as you fall asleep, to taking on class IV white water rapids, I felt my soul being connected. All of the problems I was dealing with and continue to deal with felt so small compared to the larger picture.
I’ve carried that with me, as I left Big Sky Bravery with a full heart, full spirit, and appreciation in having another chance to protect this great country that I love and validating that other Americans love it just as much as I do.
I am grateful for BSB, my family, the wilderness, and having the opportunity to come out and have the time to make sure my compass is continuously pointing north.
Sincerely,
-A.”
“Thank you for bringing me on the most incredible adventure! Starting at Boundary Creek Campground, I learned how to breathe through the tightest dry suit known to mankind, straight into class 4 rapids, and I learned to paddle through white water. After getting my bearings, breathing became mostly normal again. This was a hilarious moment to start the trip. The first day was short on the river, but no one complained because that began the great fishing adventure. We added two new fly fishermen to the country and immediately had success; thanks to you and the gear you brought. This incredible adventure continued daily with Boundary Expeditions taking it to the next level of service every day. You could top this River trip off with anything but a huge tip over on a 15-foot wave, where we got to experience the grand rapids from outside of the boat. What a way to finish off the trip! I hope Weston receives a crew as good as ours and has an equally incredible time.
Thank you, Blake, and to the whole Big Sky Bravery Team, for your continued support and opportunities for our community!
Kind Regards,
-B.”
“I am so grateful to the Big Sky Bravery Family and to everyone who makes this possible.
My heart is full of joy and peace, feelings I haven't experienced since returning from my first trip out there in 2019. It’s good to be back.
I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to connect with some of my brothers, to reconnect with BSB, and to immerse myself in nature in a way that feels safe and profoundly meaningful. This family and this environment allowed us all to be vulnerable and to grow—as men, warriors, and family members.
I know I’m not alone when I say that I’ve struggled over the last several years with depression, PTSD, relationships, and physical, mental, and emotional traumas that make living in peace seem like a fairytale meant for someone else. But here, I found peace in nature. I found some peace within my own soul. And I was constantly reminded that I have much more to give than I allow myself to realize.
This environment gave me a safe place to be brave, to be vulnerable, and to spark joy—joy that provides direction and steps toward my best self and my happiest life.
Thank you again for the love you've shown me and your thoughtfulness in reaching out to invite me back. You are all so worth the sacrifices made and I am so glad to call you part of my family. I am incredibly humbled by the generosity of those who donate their time, resources, and energy in much the same way we do in our own profession.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything you do for us.
Sincerely,
-M.”
"I once again have the great pleasure of thanking those at Big Sky Bravery.
My family has been changed by the opportunities that are provided by this fantastic organization and its donors.
2 years ago I was lucky enough to experience a TF that left me rejuvenated and with a full cup to go home with. Then last year, my wife got to go on a spouse's trip which gave her a chance to feel the level of support given to our normally silent community. It is amazing to be treated this way when we normally don't want or expect anything for what we do. It's especially amazing for my wife to feel that level of support.
This past week I was able to attend the alumni river expedition on the Middle Fork of the Salmon river in Idaho. It was great to be able to decompress after a particularly stressful few months. I went from staring at two phones and being on call until 2 am the night before leaving, to complete relaxation in a few hours on the river. Being able to bond with a new group of amazing humans over the rawness of being on the river in rapids in one of the most remote wildernesses in America brought back that joy and faith.
I will forever remember the bonds I made, the conversations I had, and the plans I made with these amazing Americans.
Thank you for providing the opportunity to renew my love for what we protect.
-A."
