Join Momentum River Expeditions and Chef Matthew Domingo of Wilder Projects on Southern California’s Kern River this summer for an active, farm-to-table gourmet river safari. Combine one the finest Class IV rivers in the West, our ultra-comfortable ‘safari style’ backcountry camp (think glamping), and Chef Domingo’s seasonal farm-to-table communal feasts. All only 3 hours from Los Angeles.
The Lower Kern combines big summer whitewater rafting, a beautiful high desert canyon cut through the Sierra foothills, and an ultra-comfortable ‘safari style’ backcountry camp. California is renowned for its world-class whitewater rivers. And with its granite gorges, smooth boulders, steep drops, and swirling pools, the Kern is quintessential California whitewater.
Our comfortable camp (and the food:)) makes this trip an incredible introduction to camping (and ideal for those who find regular camping to be not their cup of tea). And the itinerary and the Class III warm up section make it a perfect rafting trip for first-timers in good health, as they have plenty of time to master the finer points of river running.
For the past 12 years we’ve partnered with Matthew Domingo, a classically-trained chef with a wide range of culinary experiences (director of culinary agritourism at Farm to Fork Event Co., executive chef & culinary director at Traeger Wood Fired Grills, chef & food stylist at Wilder Projects). Matthew’s passion and expertise in off-the-grid cooking and hospitality brings him back to Momentum’s riverside kitchens each spring, summer and fall.
Chef Domingo and his team will be the chefs and hosts, and in the afternoon we will pull into our unique and comfortable riverside Kern River Safari Camp. The camp is set in the rugged Lower Kern River canyon, tucked between massive granite boulders, and shaded with Cottonwood and Willow. You’ll enjoy your own safari style walk-in tent with a private deck that is set among massive granite boulders with views of the river and the high desert canyon. The late afternoon can be spent hiking, playing games in the sun, having a drink by the river, or just lounging in a hammock. The camp combines safari-style flare and the Kern Canyon’s Sierra Foothills ambiance to create a unique and very comfortable deluxe camping experience.
The evening’s 5-course meal is designed to flow together in a single theme – which often coalesces around a certain culture, cuisine, cooking-style, and/or set of ingredients. Every menu is unique to each river and each year, meaning that your culinary experience on this trip is 1 of 1. Guests begin with a spread of appetizers and aperitifs, followed by three more hearty courses of scratch-made, seasonal recipes, served “elevated family-style” at a communal table. Meals end with dessert and drinks, capped off with a comfortable night under a sky far away from any city lights. Note: Email us if you’d like example menus for the Wilderness Gourmet season. Vegetarians, vegans, and guests with most standard food allergies are welcome (note: advance notice of non-omnivore diets and food allergies must be provided).
Join us this summer for a unique and active wilderness gourmet trip. A combination of some of the country’s best summer whitewater, a unique safari style riverside retreat, and epic, multi-course, seasonal feasts served in a dining room where the sky and stars are the ceiling – all a short drive from LA.