| Whitewater
Rafting 101 By Hunter Boyle (Suite101 Active & Adventure Travel, 05/18/2001) With summer approaching, whitewater-rafting season is again heating up — no more wetsuits! — offering novices and river rats an exhilarating way to spend a day or a weekend. Rafting combines teamwork and cooperation with a substantial physical workout in the splendor of the outdoors, and it's a perfect match with camping. If you fall into the novice category, this quick four-step guide will help you stop daydreaming and get out on the water! Step 1: Finding the Right River Class I — Easy like Sunday morning. Some waterbeds have higher waves than Class I water, depending on the season, and there are few obstacles. This is great for families with young children. Class II — Also beginner level, with mostly clear passages and small (if any) waves of up to two feet and few obstacles. This level, like Class I, doesn't require a guide or a particularly adventurous spirit. Class II is also well suited to family fun with small children and often may involve swimming in certain areas. Class III — A perfect start for first-time rafters and those with moderate experience. Depending on the run, there should be enough excitement to keep adventurous types interested, while not becoming too intimidating for the average outdoor enthusiast. This level requires a guide, typically includes waves of up to four feet, and is considered challenging yet comfortable for most people. If you've done any kayaking, canoeing or rowing (outside of a gym), you'll be in familiar territory, albeit with a few more people along for the ride. A number of Class III runs are suitable for kids in their early teens. Class IV — Intermediate to advanced, with long rapids, waves and
drops of about five feet, lots of obstacles and fast currents; now you're
wearing a helmet and prior experience is usually preferred — and
a good idea, since you need to know how to maneuver well. Class VI — Well, it's called "unrunnable" for a reason. As one outfitter's guidebook puts it, "Chances of injury or death are significant. If attempted with success, luck deserves the largest portion of credit." If your weekly 300-foot bungee jumps are getting tiresome, Class VI is your next (and maybe last) stop. Whatever class you choose, you should be a strong swimmer. If you fall overboard, losing your cool will not serve you well, so confidence in your ability to remain calm and get to safety is essential. Knowing CPR doesn't hurt, either — for more reasons than just rafting — but it isn't a requirement. Step 2: Getting There on Time Step 3: What to Bring If you're thinking about taking photos, don't bring the fancy Nikon, but try a disposable waterproof camera instead. You shouldn't get carried away though; remember, there's work to be done on the river and you're part of a team when rowing through rapids. Many outfitters provide a photographer that will capture your group in the midst of roiling rapids and send you a photo within a couple of weeks. This could cost a bit more than the disposable camera and development, but it's less to worry about on the river. Most outfitters will send you their complete checklist of things to bring and not to bring, as well as their own specific rules and regulations, once you've booked a trip with them. You can also get this info from their Web site in many cases. Step 4: Book It! Copyright (c) 2001 Suite101
Active Travel on a Tight Budget You finally found it. That long-awaited adventure trip to the rainforests, beaches and volcanoes of Costa Rica was only a click away…then you spotted the package price and quietly cursed the NASDAQ. Depending on the destination and outfitter – and your finances – the price of guided active travel trips can be disheartening. But there are several ways to save time and money when finding, booking and preparing for your trip. Here are some tips to keep in mind: Keep your options open – If you’re flexible about locations, and don’t have your heart set on a particular destination at a certain time, it’s easy to spend only what you want to (or can) and still have a great experience. If you don’t have the time or cash for that two-week Himalayan trek in Nepal right now, don’t write off the idea of escape altogether – consider a four-day biking trip through Moab, Utah or a multisport trip to Banff, Canada instead. Then, make it a goal to save funds and vacation days for that trip to Nepal next time. Shop around – Spend a fair amount of time looking for the best deal, don’t just book the first trip that ignites your imagination. Compare different web sites, call a few different outfitters, and talk to friends or check message boards for feedback on good trips and companies. But don’t devote more time than your money’s worth. If most outfitters are within $100 of each other for the trip you want, another 10 hours combing the web to save $20 isn’t worthwhile – although breaking away from the monitor could make you appreciate the trip more. Check the specials – This goes hand in hand with being flexible. Special deals on trips that are undersold can save you a lot – and the trip might be less crowded. You can expect heavy discounts and incentives from outfitters, especially when seasons change. These specials may or may not carry stipulations, but most are reasonable. For example, one travel web site recently offered 50% off mountain biking trips for the second person, or 1,000 airline miles and $50 off at a major gear retailer when booking other trips. Stay updated – Email newsletters and updates can give you the jump on hot deals that, in some cases, may be hard to find or unadvertised online, or are for registered members only. These alerts can help you save hundreds of dollars on flights and accommodations by listing special deals or fares, and save you the time of bargain hunting at a bunch of different sites. They also help you weed out sites that don’t offer much. DIY – If the prices for active trips seem too high for you no matter what, do it yourself. Take some notes on the itineraries you like from organized trips, find a couple of travel guidebooks that interest you, then cross-reference them and replicate the trip yourself. This means more legwork, and the outfitter may have some accommodations and activities already booked, but it’s certainly worth a try. The downside to this approach? If you need to fly or use ground transportation, discounts may be hard to come by; and for more exotic locales, relying on the guidebook is different than a human guide who knows the area and the language, if applicable. Beg and borrow – So maybe you don’t want to splurge on a propane stove, gas lantern, canteen, a new sleeping bag and tent, cooler, backpack and five guidebooks. It doesn’t hurt to ask your friends if they have gear or books to lend – unless you make it a habit. The books should be okay, though. Invest wisely – Let’s say you lost the cooler and broke the lantern and the loaners are finished. If you’re confident that active traveling is for you and that you’ll keep doing it, don’t skimp on any gear that can wear out quickly. That doesn’t mean paying the highest price for clothing and equipment, but buying gear with a warranty and a reputation for quality will pay off over time. Start with the outlet sections of stores like REI or Eastern Mountain Sports. You can also get lucky with seasonal outdoor gear sales at Target, Army/Navy stores and some department stores. Most of these stores have online ordering. Establish a relationship – If you have a great experience with an outfitter, let them know about it, offer to give them a customer testimonial for their site or brochure and tell them when you refer friends. If they have a mailing list, you might receive special invitations or offers as a former client. When considering them again, mention your previous experience with them and ask about reduced rates for returning clients. Chances are, they’ll work with you to keep you a satisfied, repeat customer. Copyright (c) 2001 Suite101 |