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WHITE WATER ADVENTURES
The Outdoor Adventure Center and the River House Café are located at 444 Ave. A, Index, Washington, 98256. For more information about the Outdoor Adventure Center, please visit the website at: outdooradventurecenter. com/about. WHITE WATER BY CHRIS HENDRICKSON ith its close proximity to the Skykomish River, the Wild Sky Wilderness Area, breathtaking viewsheds and stunning granite climbing walls, the town of Index is a mecca for outdoor recreation. And, like a living, breathing oasis of fun and excitement, the Outdoor Adventure Center is poised at the river’s edge, waiting to take you on an unforgettable journey.
Owned and operated by Bill and Karen Corson, their son Blair, his wife Kathy and other members of the Corson family, the Outdoor Adventure Center offers countless opportunities to experience the river in a way that’s both exhilarating and safe. The center offers family-friendly river float trips, inflatable kayaking, high-adventure whitewater excursions and much more. Trips feature various amenities, including river-safety instruction, meals and snacks, transportation from take-out locations back to the center, along with the opportunity to experience the very essence of outdoor fun. W ADVENTURES Guests interested in multiday adventures can reserve a spot at Trout Creek, a lush private campground owned and operate by the Outdoor Adventure Center. Located roughly five miles northeast of the center, Trout Creek is a sparkling jewel of a campground, perfectly framed by its namesake creek and the north fork of the Skykomish River. Whether you’re seeking a thrilling adrenaline rush or a gentle, lazy float, the Outdoor Adventure Center can accommodate your needs safely. And as guests choose their own adventure, they do so while relishing in the knowledge that they’ll be guided by experts and outfitted in the highest quality gear.
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And when it comes to adventure, Index is the perfect starting point.
The Outdoor Adventure Center is the doorway to a world-class stretch of river featuring a Class IV/ Class V rapid known as “Boulder Drop,” a section of rapid referred to by some as the “rollercoaster of the Skykomish.” This stretch of river is not for the faint of heart, and there is no one better to take explorers through this dynamic, rocky region than the expert guides at the Outdoor Adventure Center. For the Corsons, adventuring is about far more than just excitement, adrenaline, and providing
an escape from the ordinary. It’s about helping people overcome fears and tackle challenges, while making the outdoors more accessible, particularly to youth. One of the very first boats they purchased is called “Narnia,” representing the new worlds that can be revealed to youth through outdoor exploration.
“We really want to inspire people to live their best lives,” said Bill. “Being outside is good for your spirit and your physical health, and the benefits to youth are undeniable.”
Both renowned experts with decades of experience on the water, Bill and Blair did their guide training together in 1998, through a company called Orion Expeditions.
“Blair and I were the first father-and-son team to ever go through Orion,” Bill said. They guided for Orion for a few years before purchasing the Outdoor Adventure Center, a sea-kayaking company based in the San Juan Islands. Corson began operating the business out of Redmond, building kayaks and providing guided sea-kayaking expeditions, and offering programs for youth including wilderness exploration, rock-climbing, sea-kayaking and biking. River-rafting and river kayaking were passions they wanted to further embrace, so they began to explore their options and consider ways to build those activities permanently into their program. That exploration landed them in picturesque Index. Known as a “small town with big views,” Index is located one mile north of U.S. 2, and boasts a population of roughly 205. It’s one of the tiniest towns in western Washington and one of the most charming, with a distinct personality that most find captivating. The Outdoor Adventure Center’s relocation to Index was an adventure all on its own. The Corsons purchased the property in 2006, working day and night to renovate the existing 1900s-era structure, formerly known as the Index Tavern. The historic building had become dilapidated over the years, and severe flooding the year they bought it worsened its condition considerably.
They had their work cut out for them. “My entire family embarked on this adventure together,” Bill said. “We took it from what it was and built it to what it is today. All my kids worked on it – we only hired outside contractors when we absolutely had to. We just put our heads down and got it done.”
The former tavern, now home to the Outdoor Adventure Center, doubles as the River House Café. In addition to providing lasting memories through outdoor exploration, it’s a community gathering place, an extraordinary wedding venue and a great place to hold meetings, parties and corporate retreats. CM
