Everything You Always Wanted to Know About River Rafting . . .

by Ken Streater

How difficult is this trip?

While there are many different components to a rafting trip that determine the overall difficulty, two stand out as the most important to consider: the challenges of the river itself and the length and location of the trip.

Rivers are rated from class I to class VI. Class I is flat water, like the lower Mississippi river and Class VI is un-runnable and difficult, like a waterfall. Class II has current with small waves and some obstacles. Class III rapids are fun and thrilling, ideal for first-time and experienced rafters. Class IV whitewater is great for experienced rafters and reasonable for fit first-timers who have had some warm-up in Class III. Class V is very difficult and only for experienced river rafters. First time rafters generally enjoy Class II to easier class IV whitewater, and find it appropriately challenging.

The other component to consider is the trip length and location. Rivers that are in pure wilderness settings and run over the course of several days, such as Oregon's Rogue or Idaho's Main Salmon river, will bring challenges that are different from a river trip that is two hours long and takes place in a region with road access. Ask yourself if camping for two or three nights or more is something you would enjoy. If not, consider a day trip.

What are the options regarding a raft or a boat?

Most whitewater runs take place in four different types of boats: oar boats, paddle rafts, inflatable kayaks, and drift boats or dories. In an oar boat the passengers main responsibility is to hold on, enjoy the sights, and relax, as the guide controls the raft with long oars. In a paddle raft guests are required to paddle as part of a team, with a guide in back serving as the team captain. This is the most participation-oriented raft and also the most demanding. Inflatable kayaks are a one or two-person craft in which you paddle all by yourself. These are great options for the most adventurous. Drift boats or dories are metal, wood, or fiberglass vessels that are also powered by a guide with oars. These boats are ideal for fishing trips on whitewater rivers.

What are the accommodations like?

Aaaah, river travel! Rafts can carry literally hundreds of pounds of gear, so river trips are notoriously decadent in terms of creature comforts. Spacious tents, big fluffy sleeping bags, cots, camp chairs, and more allow for comforts unknown to the backpacking crowd. Typically, outfitters provide all of this and more luxury camping items (hot showers in the wilderness, too!) as part of the trip package. And, if this isn't enough consider this….

Several rafting trips in the U.S. and beyond take place on spectacular rivers that also happen to have wilderness lodges tucked quietly into the forest above the river. So, you can spend your days rafting in pristine wilderness and then climb out of your raft and into a rustic lodge that features cozy beds, hot showers, and peace and quiet in the middle of nowhere. Oregon's Rogue River and Chile's Futelafu River are two waterways famous for these types of trips.

What about the meals?

Again, another river trip highlight. As noted above, rafts can carry hundreds of pounds of stuff, so why not have a good portion of that be fixings for delicious meals? Why not, indeed. River guides double as master chefs, so a typical day on the river features the following:

For breakfast, french toast with hot syrup and powdered sugar, a fresh fruit salad with banana, grapes, watermelon, pineapple, and apples, warm and tasty sausage links and bacon strips, and fresh muffins from the Dutch oven. Oh, and don't forget the coffee, which may be brought to your tent fresh from the campfire pot. Lunch, set up riverside on clever folding tables, is a "build-your-own-towering-deli-sandwich" buffet. Sliced lunch meat such as turkey, roast beef and black forest ham, tomatoes, lettuce, avocados, sprouts, pickles, bell peppers, two or three different cheeses, a couple of types of bread, and more, are decoratively laid out for you to fashion your dream sandwich! Be sure to wash this down with juice and follow it up with fresh fruit slices and cookies!

Of course after a "hard" day of rafting you will need to get recharged for the next day. So enjoy the happy hour snacks and five-course dinner! How about Gouda and Muenster cheese slices with boutique crackers and an ice-cold beverage on the edge of the river as you watch the world drift by. Then, get in line for the dinner. Teriyaki chicken breast or salmon? Rice pilaf? A mixed vegetable dish cooked with a fine blend of spices? Sliced sourdough bread? And a tossed green salad with croutons and your choice of dressings? And, for dessert…a slice of warm carrot cake with sour cream frosting, straight from the same Dutch oven that made the morning's muffins. As you may gather from this description, rafting is not a weight-loss experience.

Who else will be on the trip? What if I want to bring my grandkids? What if I don't want kids on the trip at all?

Many outfitters offer family based trips or specially scheduled and priced trips for families. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, most families want to travel on trips that will have other families and kids. As such, outfitters often try to group families together on specific rivers or specific trip departures. So, if you want to take your grandkids you will find many outfitters who will have trips that should be ideal for you. The other reason that many outfitters offer special family trips is to have remaining dates that do not have children on them. Some outfitters even offer special mature or senior traveler trips. So, if you do not want to be on a trip with children there will likely be many options from which you can choose. Be sure to specifically ask outfitters if there will be children on trips you are considering so that you can choose the right trip.

Do I need to be in good shape?

Most rafting trips that are class IV or lower in difficulty do not require you to be a honed athlete or even in really good shape. And, being outdoors on a bouncing raft does require some physical exertion. As a general rule if you are relatively active, such as a periodic walker or hiker, you will enjoy your rafting trip. And, you are likely to rediscover one muscle or another as the result of the unique nature of rafting.

Is it safe?

At the start of every rafting trip the lead guide will present an in-depth look at the safety concerns and appropriate safety practices on the trip.

One common line of these presentations is "The most dangerous part of your rafting trip is over…your drive to our launch point was far more risky than this upcoming trip." Statistically--driving, walking across the street, and so many more day-to-day activities are more dangerous than a rafting trip.

Outfitters take appropriate safety precautions on each trip. Aspects of every rafting trip include the above mentioned safety talk, having the correct safety gear, insuring that guides are certified in first-aid and CPR, making sure that you are on a trip that is appropriate for you considering your rafting experience, and so on. While there is some risk involved on any rafting trip as you are setting forth into nature on a wild river, if you travel with a reputable outfitter you are likely to be in the best possible of hands. Be sure to select an outfitter that is experienced, licensed, or permitted by the government, and fully insured. Finally, to address any safety concerns you have ask the outfitter about their safety practices and safety record.