Dec
28
Filed Under Extreme Sports | Comments Off
Ryan Hutchings asked:
The United States is chalk full of raft-able rivers and waterways. With so many rivers and rafting options, which destinations provide the best combination of whitewater fun and backcountry scenery?
The United States has the largest concentration of commercial river runners than any other country in the world. River rafting continues to become a popular adventure among all generations, from Baby Boomers down the generation Y. A majority of the people who are on river rafting trips have rafted before, which means that once experienced, a return to the river is sure to come. With so many destinations to choose from, which rivers offer the best rafting trips in the country?
The list below outlines places across the US recognized as some of the best overall rafting destinations. These trips are most suitable for everyone, with no prior experience necessary. The trips also offer a great combination of scenic beauty and white water rafting excitement:
1. Grand Canyon, AZ
2. Salmon River, ID
3. Arkansas River, CO
4. Colorado River, UT
4. American River, CA
5. Rogue River, OR
6. Glacier National Park, MT
7. New River, WV
8. Chattooga River, GA/SC
9. Snake River, ID/WY
10. Deerfield River, MA
Most of these destinations and rivers offer a wide variety of trip options, ranging from short half-day river trips to longer multi-day excursions. Packages and trips durations vary depending on the location and outfitter of choice.
The best way to plan a good rafting vacation is to do your research early. There are many websites that offer comprehensive information on river rafting and good rafting vacations. Go online and look for a whitewater rafting directory or website that covers multiple areas, gives some great general information, and recommends quality whitewater rafting outfitters in your area.
A good place to start research for a rafting vacation would be Rafting America (www.raftingamerica.com). The website offers a comprehensive geographical map with rafting locations in most states, as well as answers to common river rafting questions, river class ratings and contact information.
BERNARD
The United States is chalk full of raft-able rivers and waterways. With so many rivers and rafting options, which destinations provide the best combination of whitewater fun and backcountry scenery?
The United States has the largest concentration of commercial river runners than any other country in the world. River rafting continues to become a popular adventure among all generations, from Baby Boomers down the generation Y. A majority of the people who are on river rafting trips have rafted before, which means that once experienced, a return to the river is sure to come. With so many destinations to choose from, which rivers offer the best rafting trips in the country?
The list below outlines places across the US recognized as some of the best overall rafting destinations. These trips are most suitable for everyone, with no prior experience necessary. The trips also offer a great combination of scenic beauty and white water rafting excitement:
1. Grand Canyon, AZ
2. Salmon River, ID
3. Arkansas River, CO
4. Colorado River, UT
4. American River, CA
5. Rogue River, OR
6. Glacier National Park, MT
7. New River, WV
8. Chattooga River, GA/SC
9. Snake River, ID/WY
10. Deerfield River, MA
Most of these destinations and rivers offer a wide variety of trip options, ranging from short half-day river trips to longer multi-day excursions. Packages and trips durations vary depending on the location and outfitter of choice.
The best way to plan a good rafting vacation is to do your research early. There are many websites that offer comprehensive information on river rafting and good rafting vacations. Go online and look for a whitewater rafting directory or website that covers multiple areas, gives some great general information, and recommends quality whitewater rafting outfitters in your area.
A good place to start research for a rafting vacation would be Rafting America (www.raftingamerica.com). The website offers a comprehensive geographical map with rafting locations in most states, as well as answers to common river rafting questions, river class ratings and contact information.
BERNARD
Dec
17
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Olga Orlova asked:
Some of the most breath-taking landscapes in the whole country can be found in the state of Oregon. Summer is probably the most appropriate time to visit Oregon as its beautiful scenery creates the perfect setting for numerous outdoor activities. Here are a few of our favorites:
Whitewater rafting on the Rogue River is one of the most popular summer activities in Oregon. The Rogue River is considered to be one of the U.S. most scenic and beautiful rivers, which attracts rafting amateurs from all over the country. The impetuous fast rapids of the river alternate with pools of peaceful slow water. The diverse character of the river course allows beginners enjoy a peaceful float trip through the picturesque countryside while those who are not new to rafting can feel the entire excitement of wild rapids. Your rafting adventure may last several hours or couple of days. There are also tours that are suitable for the whole family.
Fly fishing. All types of fishing are practiced in the area, but fly fishing is probably the most popular. The state of Oregon boasts a great number of rivers and lakes abundant different species of fish. Here you can find endless number of excellent slots and do fishing while enjoying beautiful scenery.
Wine tours are a relatively new activity that starts to get popular with Oregon visitors. It’s an excellent pastime for wine lovers. Why do you have to look for gourmet beverages in Italy or France when Oregon has its own finest wines? This wine region is a real paradise for tourists and its numerous good restaurants, cafes and bars also make it a perfect destination for the fine cuisine lovers. Spend a relaxing peaceful day on a float, sipping from a glass of wine, enjoying comfort and soft splashes of the river waters. What can be better than to immerse into serene atmosphere of green landscapes and feel in suit with nature while drifting the river under the deep shades of the trees?
ZACHERY
Some of the most breath-taking landscapes in the whole country can be found in the state of Oregon. Summer is probably the most appropriate time to visit Oregon as its beautiful scenery creates the perfect setting for numerous outdoor activities. Here are a few of our favorites:
Whitewater rafting on the Rogue River is one of the most popular summer activities in Oregon. The Rogue River is considered to be one of the U.S. most scenic and beautiful rivers, which attracts rafting amateurs from all over the country. The impetuous fast rapids of the river alternate with pools of peaceful slow water. The diverse character of the river course allows beginners enjoy a peaceful float trip through the picturesque countryside while those who are not new to rafting can feel the entire excitement of wild rapids. Your rafting adventure may last several hours or couple of days. There are also tours that are suitable for the whole family.
Fly fishing. All types of fishing are practiced in the area, but fly fishing is probably the most popular. The state of Oregon boasts a great number of rivers and lakes abundant different species of fish. Here you can find endless number of excellent slots and do fishing while enjoying beautiful scenery.
Wine tours are a relatively new activity that starts to get popular with Oregon visitors. It’s an excellent pastime for wine lovers. Why do you have to look for gourmet beverages in Italy or France when Oregon has its own finest wines? This wine region is a real paradise for tourists and its numerous good restaurants, cafes and bars also make it a perfect destination for the fine cuisine lovers. Spend a relaxing peaceful day on a float, sipping from a glass of wine, enjoying comfort and soft splashes of the river waters. What can be better than to immerse into serene atmosphere of green landscapes and feel in suit with nature while drifting the river under the deep shades of the trees?
ZACHERY
Jun
4
The Thrills and Spills of White Water Rafting in Christchurch, New Zealand
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Rene Smith asked:
About 2 hours drive from Christchurch you will find the Rangitata River. It’s located near Geraldine, a beautiful area of the South Island with some stunning landscapes and natural features on view. The river is also perfectly suited for white water rafting with a number of exhilarating rapids to go with the flat sections that are great for practising your skills or getting a well-earned breather.
Most operators that take rafting trips on the Rangitata River take you to and from Christchurch in a shuttle. Like most white water rafting trips, it can be intense at times and without needing to be a professional athlete, it helps if you are reasonably fit. The more you put in, the more you will get out of this experience, so if flying down gushing rapids is your kind of thing, then you’re going to have a great time.
The day starts off with a shuttle picking you up from Christchurch early in the morning. From here it’s a simple but pleasant drive through the countryside on your way to the Rangitata River. Once reaching the river, you drive further up it to a lodge where you will start your day of activities.
The first thing that needs organising is your equipment. This consists of things like a wetsuit, helmet, life jacket etc. They may not be the most comfortable or fashionable but the water can be cold so you’ll definitely appreciate it. After being kitted out, you’ll be split into groups that will make up those on your raft. It’s great if you’ve got a bunch of friends to go with but if not, you’ll probably meet some new ones by the end of the day anyway.
Driving further up the river you’ll arrive at the point where you’ll be starting your journey. It’s here that you’ll get your first taste of rafting. Each raft has one instructor who sits at the back of the raft, helps you avoid rocks, cracks jokes, ensures safety and in general makes sure you have a great time. Your instructor will brief you all on the basics, which include things like paddling, lunging to one side and pulling people back into the raft if they fall out (which can and probably will happen). You get plenty of chance to practise all these things as you gently make your way down a long calm patch of the river.
After everyone in your raft is confident with the skills, it’s time to hit your first rapids! This is definitely the most exciting part and what makes people come back for more. It’s a real adrenaline rush as your raft is thrown through the rapids, you can feel the power of the water as you bump up and down and side to side with each dip and change of direction. The instructors do a great job of keeping you on the right path although you’ll have to help them out when they need it, some rapid paddling is required to get through some of the tough spots.
As you head further down the river, you’ll get to enjoy a lot more exciting rapids that really get the heart going. Sometimes they can be so intense that people fall out or rafts flip over, this isn’t uncommon and the instructors will alert you if you need to pick up someone that went overboard. The risk factor is all part of the excitement but at no stage does it fell dangerous. The strength (or grading) of the river changes throughout the year but will always give you some very challenging sections of white water.
The main part of the trip lasts for a couple of hours before the river flattens out and you get the chance to have a bit of fun with the other rafts, i.e. splashing them with your oars or throwing their instructor in the water. You may also get the chance to jump off some very high rocks or float down sections of the river out of the raft (this is when you’ll be glad you’re in a wetsuit).
After loading the rafts onto the trailers, you’ll head back up to the lodge for a well-earned barbeque. By this stage you should be exhausted, just managing to stay in the raft all day can be hard work! After some laughs and a few final words it’s time to head home. You get the opportunity to buy photos taken of your rafts, which is a nice touch, albeit a slightly expensive one.
Going down the rapids is a truly awesome experience and one that you’ll be raving to your friends about for weeks. White water rafting comes highly recommended for anyone visiting Christchurch and looking for something exciting to try.
KIRBY
About 2 hours drive from Christchurch you will find the Rangitata River. It’s located near Geraldine, a beautiful area of the South Island with some stunning landscapes and natural features on view. The river is also perfectly suited for white water rafting with a number of exhilarating rapids to go with the flat sections that are great for practising your skills or getting a well-earned breather.
Most operators that take rafting trips on the Rangitata River take you to and from Christchurch in a shuttle. Like most white water rafting trips, it can be intense at times and without needing to be a professional athlete, it helps if you are reasonably fit. The more you put in, the more you will get out of this experience, so if flying down gushing rapids is your kind of thing, then you’re going to have a great time.
The day starts off with a shuttle picking you up from Christchurch early in the morning. From here it’s a simple but pleasant drive through the countryside on your way to the Rangitata River. Once reaching the river, you drive further up it to a lodge where you will start your day of activities.
The first thing that needs organising is your equipment. This consists of things like a wetsuit, helmet, life jacket etc. They may not be the most comfortable or fashionable but the water can be cold so you’ll definitely appreciate it. After being kitted out, you’ll be split into groups that will make up those on your raft. It’s great if you’ve got a bunch of friends to go with but if not, you’ll probably meet some new ones by the end of the day anyway.
Driving further up the river you’ll arrive at the point where you’ll be starting your journey. It’s here that you’ll get your first taste of rafting. Each raft has one instructor who sits at the back of the raft, helps you avoid rocks, cracks jokes, ensures safety and in general makes sure you have a great time. Your instructor will brief you all on the basics, which include things like paddling, lunging to one side and pulling people back into the raft if they fall out (which can and probably will happen). You get plenty of chance to practise all these things as you gently make your way down a long calm patch of the river.
After everyone in your raft is confident with the skills, it’s time to hit your first rapids! This is definitely the most exciting part and what makes people come back for more. It’s a real adrenaline rush as your raft is thrown through the rapids, you can feel the power of the water as you bump up and down and side to side with each dip and change of direction. The instructors do a great job of keeping you on the right path although you’ll have to help them out when they need it, some rapid paddling is required to get through some of the tough spots.
As you head further down the river, you’ll get to enjoy a lot more exciting rapids that really get the heart going. Sometimes they can be so intense that people fall out or rafts flip over, this isn’t uncommon and the instructors will alert you if you need to pick up someone that went overboard. The risk factor is all part of the excitement but at no stage does it fell dangerous. The strength (or grading) of the river changes throughout the year but will always give you some very challenging sections of white water.
The main part of the trip lasts for a couple of hours before the river flattens out and you get the chance to have a bit of fun with the other rafts, i.e. splashing them with your oars or throwing their instructor in the water. You may also get the chance to jump off some very high rocks or float down sections of the river out of the raft (this is when you’ll be glad you’re in a wetsuit).
After loading the rafts onto the trailers, you’ll head back up to the lodge for a well-earned barbeque. By this stage you should be exhausted, just managing to stay in the raft all day can be hard work! After some laughs and a few final words it’s time to head home. You get the opportunity to buy photos taken of your rafts, which is a nice touch, albeit a slightly expensive one.
Going down the rapids is a truly awesome experience and one that you’ll be raving to your friends about for weeks. White water rafting comes highly recommended for anyone visiting Christchurch and looking for something exciting to try.
KIRBY
May
17
Considering A Colorado White Water Rafting Trip? Read This First!
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Jay Evans asked:
Have you been eyeing the opportunity to take a Colorado rafting trip for a while now? Colorado is one of, if not the best place to go rafting in the world, so it’s understandable. Of cause you’ll need to make a number of arrangements before leaving, after all, once you get there you’re need a good hotel to stay in.
It’s no secret that Colorado white water rafting trips are extremely popular. There perfect for people who thrive on adventure and the sensation that comes with speeding down rapids. The incredible surroundings you will encounter down Colorado’s rivers, is breathtaking and the rapids are really something else. However, the experience can be even better if you choose the right hotel or in the case of camping, the right tour company.
People often don’t put to much thought into where they will stay on these trips; they are often content to just have a roof over their heads, even if that’s just canvas. They are more concerned with their daily rafting activities. However for some people, maybe more so if they are repeat visitors, there comfort after a action packed day of rafting is more important and this is when a little planning and research into the best hotels and tour companies is required.
First off you will need to decide just how much money you are wiling to pay for your accommodation. If you’ll be staying in hotels, the closer to the location where you’re be rafting they are, generally the more expensive they will be. And of cause the services offered by each hotel will also depend greatly on how much you pay. The more in advance you can make your arrangements the better, you can sometimes save money on your hotel fees if you book in advance and of cause you’ll have less danger of the hotels in the area being all ready full.
Another thing you need to consider is where you’re going to eat. You may want to eat out, maybe you’ll prepare your own food, or maybe you’ll want to go back to the hotel to eat, in which case, you’ll want to make sure your hotel has a diner.
So many people put little thought into this, and end up in a hotel much worse in terms of quality than they had originally envisioned. It’s no secret that the accommodation of a trip often terns out to be the deciding factor on whether or not the trip is successful in providing an enjoyable time for you and anyone else you may bring with you.
For this reason, before choosing a hotel you should do some research into the different hotels your looking at. See how others have found their stays to be in the hotels in question. Do some searches online and in travel magazines, you should be able to find some unbiased user feed back.
As said before, try and reserve your hotel well in advance, not only could you possibly say some money, but you also stand a much better chance of getting a better room. With a little planning your Colorado white water trip can truly be the vacation of a life time. Happy Rafting.
GALEN
Have you been eyeing the opportunity to take a Colorado rafting trip for a while now? Colorado is one of, if not the best place to go rafting in the world, so it’s understandable. Of cause you’ll need to make a number of arrangements before leaving, after all, once you get there you’re need a good hotel to stay in.
It’s no secret that Colorado white water rafting trips are extremely popular. There perfect for people who thrive on adventure and the sensation that comes with speeding down rapids. The incredible surroundings you will encounter down Colorado’s rivers, is breathtaking and the rapids are really something else. However, the experience can be even better if you choose the right hotel or in the case of camping, the right tour company.
People often don’t put to much thought into where they will stay on these trips; they are often content to just have a roof over their heads, even if that’s just canvas. They are more concerned with their daily rafting activities. However for some people, maybe more so if they are repeat visitors, there comfort after a action packed day of rafting is more important and this is when a little planning and research into the best hotels and tour companies is required.
First off you will need to decide just how much money you are wiling to pay for your accommodation. If you’ll be staying in hotels, the closer to the location where you’re be rafting they are, generally the more expensive they will be. And of cause the services offered by each hotel will also depend greatly on how much you pay. The more in advance you can make your arrangements the better, you can sometimes save money on your hotel fees if you book in advance and of cause you’ll have less danger of the hotels in the area being all ready full.
Another thing you need to consider is where you’re going to eat. You may want to eat out, maybe you’ll prepare your own food, or maybe you’ll want to go back to the hotel to eat, in which case, you’ll want to make sure your hotel has a diner.
So many people put little thought into this, and end up in a hotel much worse in terms of quality than they had originally envisioned. It’s no secret that the accommodation of a trip often terns out to be the deciding factor on whether or not the trip is successful in providing an enjoyable time for you and anyone else you may bring with you.
For this reason, before choosing a hotel you should do some research into the different hotels your looking at. See how others have found their stays to be in the hotels in question. Do some searches online and in travel magazines, you should be able to find some unbiased user feed back.
As said before, try and reserve your hotel well in advance, not only could you possibly say some money, but you also stand a much better chance of getting a better room. With a little planning your Colorado white water trip can truly be the vacation of a life time. Happy Rafting.
GALEN
Feb
19
Discover The Most Important White Water Rafting Tips for Beginners
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Corbin Newlyn asked:
If you and your friends and family are planning on spending your next vacation or holiday outdoors, why not do a little white water rafting? This activity is great for groups, and is ideal for people who enjoy being outside or in the water. If the idea sounds interesting, and you’re not quite sure where to start, here are some white water rafting tips for beginners that will help you feel more at ease during your first trip.
First of all, you’ll want to select a white water park or white water river that caters to beginners. This way, you’ll feel comfortable in the raft with your instructor, and you’ll know that you’ll have someone there to give you white water rafting tips every step of the way. If you can’t swim or haven’t gone swimming in a while, you can take what are called class III courses for whitewater rafting, which are safe for everyone, even children.
Kids as young as 6 or 7 can go on most white water park excursions, so you won’t have to worry about not including everyone in your trip (unless you can toddlers or infants in tow). If you want to go on a more intense whitewater rafting trip, you’ll need to enroll in a class IV or class V class, but you have to know how to swim well.
If you have any health conditions, such as asthma or heart problems, you should definitely talk to your doctor about the safety of going whitewater rafting. There are lots of sharp turns and intense twists depending on the course you take, and you should be prepared for this before you and your family book your trip. Pregnant women are advised not to go rafting, but you may be able to do so if you are in the first trimester; however, any time after that may pose a threat to the health of the baby.
Once you’re in your raft, be sure that your life jacket is fastened securely before the raft starts to move. Be sure that you are seating correctly so that the weight is evenly distributed, and keep young children near you at all times. Your raft should be able to fit up to 8 people, so if your group is not quite that large, be sure to sit in the raft evenly so that you don’t tip over.
After your rafting trip, you may want to try other water activities such as kayaking or canoeing, so be sure to schedule other classes at your water park before your trip is over. Enjoy!
MARCUS
If you and your friends and family are planning on spending your next vacation or holiday outdoors, why not do a little white water rafting? This activity is great for groups, and is ideal for people who enjoy being outside or in the water. If the idea sounds interesting, and you’re not quite sure where to start, here are some white water rafting tips for beginners that will help you feel more at ease during your first trip.
First of all, you’ll want to select a white water park or white water river that caters to beginners. This way, you’ll feel comfortable in the raft with your instructor, and you’ll know that you’ll have someone there to give you white water rafting tips every step of the way. If you can’t swim or haven’t gone swimming in a while, you can take what are called class III courses for whitewater rafting, which are safe for everyone, even children.
Kids as young as 6 or 7 can go on most white water park excursions, so you won’t have to worry about not including everyone in your trip (unless you can toddlers or infants in tow). If you want to go on a more intense whitewater rafting trip, you’ll need to enroll in a class IV or class V class, but you have to know how to swim well.
If you have any health conditions, such as asthma or heart problems, you should definitely talk to your doctor about the safety of going whitewater rafting. There are lots of sharp turns and intense twists depending on the course you take, and you should be prepared for this before you and your family book your trip. Pregnant women are advised not to go rafting, but you may be able to do so if you are in the first trimester; however, any time after that may pose a threat to the health of the baby.
Once you’re in your raft, be sure that your life jacket is fastened securely before the raft starts to move. Be sure that you are seating correctly so that the weight is evenly distributed, and keep young children near you at all times. Your raft should be able to fit up to 8 people, so if your group is not quite that large, be sure to sit in the raft evenly so that you don’t tip over.
After your rafting trip, you may want to try other water activities such as kayaking or canoeing, so be sure to schedule other classes at your water park before your trip is over. Enjoy!
MARCUS