Deep in the heart of Idaho lies the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, part of the largest roadless area left in the lower 48 states. At 2.5 million acres, it is larger than Yellowstone, yet most people have never even heard of it. Designated a federally-protected wilderness in 1980 by Congress, the region is full of deep canyons and mountain forests, rivers and abundant wildlife. Otters and elk, deer and coyotes, blue birds and bighorn sheep, and newly-restored wolf populations all thrive there. Today, nine packs of wolves roam freely through the park, each pack dependent on family — raising their young and hunting together.
Working with the Nez Perce Tribe in Central Idaho, wolf biologist Isaac Babcock spent 13 years participating in the wolf reintroduction program organized in the area. Wanting to share the raw beauty of the land and the wolves with his new wife, Bjornen, Isaac proposes spending a year there as an unconventional honeymoon, documenting their days as they go along. River of No Return tells their story, the story of a couple that took on the wilderness and all its challenges. The two have come to treasure their experience in an untamed place that, for a period of time, they called home. River of No Return premieres April 18, 2012.
Fantastic show
Beautiful episode
As a child of a Forest Service employee and a former FS trail tech myself, this film brought back a lot of memories. My family goes back four generations working in/around the area. That part of Idaho is truely magical. Thanks for giving those who cannot experience the Frank Church themselves an opportunity to at least have a glimpse through your camera lense.
I have searched for more information on your experience, but some of your websites no longer exist. Would encourage a book or blog on your journey; there is only so much you can show in an episode of Nature. I am sure there are plenty more stories to tell. And, there are those who would be happy to learn more.
Good Job.
Camerin Saleen
Former McCall-ite
Frank and Bjornen, this was a fantastic film. The dedication and perseverance you both displayed in achieving your goals is very inspiring. The footage was magnificent and the story was absolutely beautiful. I hope you watch it when you are very old, still married, still happy and you see yourselves with awe and amazement at what you did. I wish you both the very best of health and many more journeys.
Great show-I only wish I could have followed along on a map
AGHHH!!!!
Thers wolfs in idaho?!
Who knew?
Wow .loved the program , sat done at work before clocking in and found this on . Really awesome program
Thanks for sharing your experience with us, it was very moving. As lovers of wilderness and rivers, we will visit this area ourselves someday. We were especially moved by the couples love for each other and saddened by Bjornen’s battle with RA. I hope that she continues to visit her rheumatologist and starts appropriate medical treatment for her condition soon. There are medicines available which can stop the progression of RA and allow her to continue to live the full life she obviously loves so much. I wish them both the best facing this challenge.
I just watched your show about the wolves in the River of No Return wilderness area in Idaho, what a great show and what great work you are doing to educate people about wolves. I am looking forward to further programs about your work , thank you
The quote about the Tukadika is my favorite quote in a LONG time. “The Tukadika, a peaceful mountain dwelling tribe, did not have a word for wilderness because they never imagined nature as something separate from themselves, but we do. And now that our natural world is slipping away, we have had to create a place to call wilderness. A place managed to be wild”. Soooo beautifully said and so true. Great episode!! I bet your happy RED has a Scarlet now. A LOT lighter than the REDONE!
I love that young professionals like you bring this kind of nature to us at home. I am in my 70’s and if I had my life to live over I would become a nature biologist. I raised 5 children and all of them love nature. I have one son who loves bears. The others have favorites but he really loves bears. I confess I have watched a lot of nature programs, somehow your adventure made me cry. I think it is because I see how much destruction has been done in my lifetime… I know there are allways going to be people like you who see natures beauty and realize that we are all part of the same earth. I have artthritis , I do all I can and I walk every day. I have a new hip that is amazing, and will probably get another one soon. I’m still standing and very gratefull to see efforts like yours and others in your field.. It gives me hope for the future. God Bless and Keep You!
More shows like this please… Just watched this with my Grandson.. Totally Awesome..
An amazing film priceless for those who appreciate the US and its natural beauty.
Nice work! !
… about your RA, Bjornen …my daughter suffered intensely with the same affliction for several years until we found LOW DOSE NALTREXONE. It stopped the progress of the disease completely in less than 30 days.
It is a very low dose (3mg) of an off-label use of an FDA approved medication that is very inexpensive, $50/month.
See the web site LOWDOSENALTREXONE.ORG …it’s all there! Your rheumatologist is not likely to be aware of it. But it WORKS! It’s very safe. We heard of it through Dr. Burt Berkson, MD, PhD Las Cruces, NM Google him.
In a nutshell: it stimulates your own immune system into producing correct amounts of endorphins again.
No side effects! My daughter became pregnant while using this drug and gave birth with no problems and is raising a baby girl.
… again, this piece was inspiring! Thanks for the nice work.