5 Must Haves For Outdoor Enthusiasts
The great outdoors gives people a chance to enjoy nature and wildlife. Particularly as people grow older, they appreciate more the serenity and peace that being around nature provides. Whether someone is hiking or going on a camping trip, they will be able to immerse themselves in a world different from the manmade one that they live in most of the time. But outdoor enthusiasts also need to come prepared for the great outdoors, because they often have to deal with less than hospitable terrain. So here are five must-haves that an outdoor enthusiast should have. One: A Portable Shade Canvas Even the most ardent outdoor enthusiast will need a break from the sun, and may also want to enjoy a meal under the shade. Bringing a portable shade canvas on a camping excursion makes this all the more possible. Lightweight and easy to transport, portable shade canvases can be quickly set up to provide a much needed respite from a hot sun. Being under the sun too long isn’t just about discomfort either, sometimes people can have serious heat strokes when staying in the sun too long, and a shade canvas can give an outdoor enthusiast temporary shade and protection. Two: Hiking Boots Another must have for outdoor enthusiasts is a durable and high-quality pair of hiking boots. This is particularly important for people who are serious hikers, and travel through rough terrain. To avoid injury having a pair of reliable hiking boots will go a long way towards navigating through a forest or park. Three: Jerky Jerky is a dried meat that is perfect food for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s lightweight, easy to transport, and basically non-perishable. Jerky is easy to store in ziplock bags to take as a snack anywhere someone wants to go with no mess. Jerky comes in a variety of flavors such as teriyaki, and can either be made with turkey or beef. Found at pretty much any gas station around the world, jerky is a typical and convenient hiking food. Four: Lightweight Backpack Having a durable and high-quality lightweight backpack is essential to any outdoor excursion. It will be needed to store the basic essentials someone will need, particularly if they are planning on going on an extended hike or camping trip. The backpack will have to be lightweight, so that it will be as easy as possible to carry water and other items that may be needed in the outdoors, such as bug repellant to keep the outing as enjoyable as possible. Five: First Aid Kit A portable first aid kid is absolutely essential for every outdoor enthusiast to have. Accidents always seem to happen when least expected, and they easily can happen when trying to navigate tricky terrain. First aid kits are especially important to have when someone gets hurt far away from the nearest doctor’s office or hospital. Prompt treatment can help an injured person until he is able to get professional medical care. Enjoying the great outdoors is a wonderful way to reconnect with the natural world, and many people love spending time with nature and wild life. By being prepared, outdoor enthusiasts will have an even better time enjoying the outdoors. At Wilderness Aware Rafting our passion is truly rafting. If you’re interested in a Colorado Rafting Trip, multi-day rafting trip, or want to try whitewater rafting on the Salt River in Arizona, please be sure to contact us and find out what trip offerings we have available. Burt Thompson is an outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, camping and fishing in his time off from work. He works for Quik Shade designing products.
The Family Mountain Biking Checklist
Apart from being a great individual sport, mountain biking is also a fun and healthy activity for the whole family. As mountain biking is quickly becoming one of the most popular family activities around the world we decided to write this simple five point checklist to help you plan your first or next family mountain biking excursion. This is in no way an exhaustive list, but will give you a good idea of what’s important to remember. 1. Essentials The two things on the checklist you’re most likely not to forget, but frequently do, the bikes and helmets. Get your bikes out of storage, and put them where they belong before you doing anything else to avoid having to explain to mom and children how you forgot to bring little David’s bike to the biking trip. If you don’t have helmets yet, get them, most trails will require that everyone in your group wear helmets and it’s a good thing to teach children to wear helmets from a young age. 2. Personal Health A helmet will protect you and the family from a hard fall, but as mountain biking is inherently an outside activity you’ll be exposed to the elements throughout the trip. These items aren’t required, but will save you a lot of problem later on. A hydration pack or water bottle for hydration, gloves, eye patches or face mask, first aid kit, weatherproof clothing, sunscreen and footwear made for biking! 3. Protection If you’re really serious about protecting yourself and willing to go full out with your kit, you can look at taking some of the following items with you. Insect repellent if you’re in an insect prone area, camoi cream for sores or inflammation, a full face helmet for complete face protection, cell phone to call emergency services, extra food in case you need to survive somewhere for a while and toilet paper to protect your dignity. 4. Navigation Mountain biking is great because it takes you into nature away from the bustling city, but this also means that there won’t be signs showing you where to go, so knowing where to go is up to you. If you can afford it take along a GPS with your route planned out beforehand, but if you don’t get the GPS at minimum you should have a compass which you know how to use. Also take a taillight, headlight, emergency whistle and lock if you plan on sleeping over somewhere. 5. Repairs There’s a 99% chance you’ll have to stop somewhere to do repairs to one of the bikes, that’s just part of mountain biking, fortunately, if you have the right gear, you can repair nearly anything right there next to the road. Some of the most important repair items to take along include a spare tube, pump, multi-tool and patch kit. If you want to be over prepared, which is a good thing, you can also take along brake cables, chain tool, pressure gauge, and replacement chain links and spoke wrench. Jason O’Reilly is an avid bicycle rider, professional product reviewer and all-around outdoorsman.
National Take A Hike Day Is On Nov. 17th! Where Will You Go?
Some Of The Greatest Places In Colorado To Venture For National Take A Hike Day November 17th is National Take a Hike Day, and at Wilderness Aware Rafting, we even understand the need to get out of the boat from time to time and stretch our legs! And there is no better time nor place, than during the Fall season in Colorado. With the changing of the surrounding colors, the brisk mountain air hinting that Winter is approaching, the snow tipped peaks in the distance, Fall hiking couldn’t be better anywhere else. So to help you decide where to go hiking, here is a list of some of the better spots you should check out. Of course before venturing out, ensure you know the area and have a map of the trails you intend to hike. Carry the essential equipment, and most importantly, enjoy it! Indian Peaks Wilderness Area Outside of Boulder lies the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. This area has some of the best back-country fishing around, and one trail specifically leads to the holy grail of fishing serenity, the East Portal Trailhead. This region has numerous lakes and a slew of smaller ponds to explore and fish in. All of which lay at the bottom of the mountain range which acts as the areas backdrop. Most notably there is Arapaho Lakes, Crater Lakes, Forest Lakes, Iceberg Lakes, Roger Pass Lake, and Heart Lake. By coming here in the fall when its cooler, you will hopefully be able to avoid the hassle of the countless mosquitos which plague the area. Going in the dead of summer will bring you into direct conflict with these critters, but during the Fall they should be significantly more timid. Mosquitos or not, this area is stunning, fishing supreme, camping and camp fires allowed as well as dogs. Of course call in ahead of time to ensure this remains so, but this is certainly one of the greatest gems outside of Boulder hands down. Rocky Mountain National Park Outside of Estes Park lies Colorado’s most esteemed wilderenss area, the Rocky Mountain National Park. It comprises over 265,000 acres, 360 miles of hiking and riding trails, 60 peaks over 12,ooo feet, 150 lakes, and 450 miles of rivers and streams. The wildlife ranges from moose and bear to mountain lions, goats, and sheep. There’s no wonder countless stories, songs, and movies have been made with the Rocky Mountains as the over arching theme. When looking for beauty, peace and serenity, and countless activities to enjoy and partake in, the Rocky Mountain National Park is a grown-ups playground. Sadly and fortunately, there is too much to cover to attempt to give you an idea of where to go here as really the whole areas an oyster and you can pluck the pearl wherever. Do your research as many areas take a while to get to, some require 4×4 access if you don’t want to hike in fully. But regardless of where you choose to go, there is no doubt you will be pleased with your choice. Great Sand Dunes National Park Outside of Alamosa lies North America’s tallest set of Sand Dunes in the Great Sand Dunes National Park. They rise in sequence over 700 feet from the base of the San Luis Valley in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Surprisingly, the Sand Dunes host a wide variety of wildlife including Black Bear, Bighorn Sheep. Mountain Lions, Badgers, Beavers, Elk, Bison, and the Pronghorn. the Pronghorn is the fastest land animal in North America, with tops speeds over 55 mph and the ability to sustain a trot at 25 mph, these antelope like creatures are quick and nimble. You would no doubt find great delight in seeing them run around. They’re nimble, quick, and agile, which makes for quite the scene when they leap and bound over obstacle after obstacle. There are two main trails that lead through the Sand Dunes with multiple smaller trails leading off of those. The Sand Dune Trail is only 2.5 miles round trip making for a relatively easy hike. While Exploring the Sand Sheet trail is 10.5 miles round trip and though this may seem like a long ways, when you want to see the Sand Dunes for what they are, this is the trail to take. The Sand Sheet holds 90% of the dune’s total sand mass. This entire region is unique to Colorado, and is a stark reminder that Colorado is in fact a high altitude desert, something many people either don’t know or understand. Colorado National Monument Outside of Grand Junction lies Colorado National Monument. If you are looking for picturesque red-rock canyons, towering sandstone spires, tree-topped mesas, and the ability to hike along the Colorado River, than this area is for you. This region has the perfect set of colors which compliment each other in an absolutely ridiculous manner, and the rock formations that stand there are nothing short of awe inspiring. Standing atop one of the many saddles that look over one of the many canyons, you will notice every shade of green imagineable, as the elevation increases and becomes steeper, the green fades to wide range of reds, pinks and peaches which make up the sand stone. The layers continue up until the mesa tops where further vegetation grows. Finally, everything is usually capped with the magnificent blue which the signature of the Colorado sky. Depending on what you hope to see and experience will dictate exactly where in the Colorado National Monument you should choose to visit. If you want to do some easy rock scrambling, hike to the top of a mesa, walk under arches, through canyons, or even bring your bike to bicycle the 23 mile Rim Rock Drive that connects the two entrances to this beautiful area, your possible choices are many and all wonderful. The hardest thing will be to decide on what to do. Be Sure To Make A Trip While The Trip Is Possible Hopefully this
The Denver Rescue Mission Guided Rafting Trips With Wilderness Aware
The Denver Rescue Mission and Wilderness Aware Rafting For the past 14 years, Wilderness Aware Rafting has been sponsoring guided rafting trips for the Denver Rescue Mission. We know the benefits rafting can have on a person’s physical, emotional, and even spiritual well-being. Time on the river can give a person a moment to reflect, relax, and reconnect with nature. Between the fresh air, excitement, and serene beauty of the outdoors, these rafting trips are the least we can do for those less fortunate. We understand that for those in need, beyond financial concerns, life can be difficult. Moments of enjoyment can be hard to come by. When life is as tumultuous and uncertain as it is for many of those struggling, even the smallest of deeds can make great and meaningful impacts. This is reaffirmed by members of the Denver Rescue Mission, and knowing firsthand the good these trips do, we’ve made it a priority to keep them going year after year. You can hear testimonials and see snippets of one of their trips on our video page, our watch it here on YouTube as well. The Denver Rescue Mission The Denver Rescue Mission is devoted to changing lives by meeting people and helping those most in need. Their main goal is to return individuals to society as productive and self-sufficient citizens. It is one of the oldest full-service non-denominational Christian charities in the region and they are dedicated to ensuring no person is denied our turned away from their services based on race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, sex, or sexual orientation. The Denver Rescue Mission was founded in 1892, and was originally started as a Rescue Home for Women. The organization moved locations a few times, expanded their services, and sadly by 1930 was closed due to debts owed by the owner. However, soon after its closing, it was reopened by a group of dedicated volunteers and has since then helped countless individuals rehabilitate and get their lives back on track. It was soon after the reopening that further services were offered such as dental and medical treatment. As time continued on, and the location changed a few more times, the Denver Rescue began offering even more services such as providing long-term rehabilitation. In 1988 they purchased the former Mercy Farm, renamed Harvest Farm, which was a 209-acre farm where food crops for the needy could be grown. This allowed for their New Life Program to serve as a rural outreach, as poverty doesn’t solely reside in big cities. Services eventually were offered which provided for mothers and their children, transitional housing assistance, support for food, clothing, furniture, and even overnight shelters were set up. This is all on top of the life skills and educational programs offered, and more recently career opportunities. All of this mounts to the Denver Rescue Mission being an all-encompassing rehabilitation service for those in need. As such, our thanks could not be given enough and our partnership is highly valued. Guided Rafting Trips for the Denver Rescue Mission After having guided so many trips for Denver Rescue Mission residents, we know well the value they place upon these outings. The residents themselves admit to looking forward to these trips every year. Many mention they had only ever dreamed of rafting a river, perhaps even witnessed people enjoying it themselves, and only hoped that one day they could experience the same themselves. It is for this reason that Wilderness Aware finds the greatest pleasure in donating our services as we do. Residents have told us that these trips help to build comradery, build self-esteem, and allow them to enjoy the wilderness in a way they have not had the opportunity to do. Sadly, many of these people have few other options than sleeping outdoors. But simply because they are outdoors does not make it the same, in their case, nature can punish with heat, wind, snow, rain, and the cold. Rafting allows for a different perception of nature to be created, rather than being simply the enemy, it can be viewed as their friend, or even their mentor/counselor. We often take for granted what we have, and to think some individuals look at the mountains, the streams and rivers, and are not able to reflect upon its beauty because of the countless worries already in mind. That some people are unable to take a breath of fresh air and simply relax when their stress is so mounting, their concerns so great. Life is not meant to miserable, and we know that a moment’s reprieve is better than nothing at all. We love offering our rafting services to the Denver Rescue Mission, and hope to continue working hand in hand with them for years to come. We know it helps to prove to residents that they can be happy if only for a moment, that they are indeed capable of loving themselves again. The river can heal in this way, it can teach you that there is more to life than woe or worry. That enjoyment can be had, stress forgotten or even relieved. And beyond that, that they are capable of enjoying themselves all while loving life. Life is nothing but a series of moments, and our job for the past 14 years has been ensuring a few of those moments for residents of the Denver Rescue Mission are memorable, enjoyable, and meaningful. At Wilderness Aware Rafting, we understand how a proper family rafting vacation can create some of the best memories a person can have, after all, we have our testimonials to base that off of. If you are interested in a Colorado Rafting Trip, Denver Rafting, multi-day rafting trip, or want to try rafting the Salt River near Phoenix, AZ, please be sure to contact us and find out what white water rafting trips we have available.
The Colorado Boy Scout Troops Guided Rafting Trips with Wilderness Aware
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1685118754576{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”] Whitewater Merit Badges with Wilderness Aware Rafting Wilderness Aware Rafting offers guided rafting trips in Colorado and Arizona for Troops of the Boy Scouts Club of America. We take great pride in being able to help provide youths with the knowledge, experience, and appreciation for rivers and whitewater sports. We offer essential rafting and kayaking skills and training, as well as actually guiding the trips ourselves. This is a great benefit as our guides are as experienced as they come, and their intimate knowledge of rafting safety, techniques, and rivers in general greatly enhances the understanding of both scouts and scout leaders alike. Founder and owner of Wilderness Aware Rafting, Joe Greiner, was once a boy scout himself. His passion and love of the outdoors and that of teaching others has made it an easy decision to set up rafting trips for Boy Scout troops. Joe is aware, because he had the same experiences himself, that the outdoors can help develop a boy and grow him into a man. The lessons learned through being a Boy Scout greatly define a child’s overall character and how that child will be when they are older. Their love, appreciation and respect for nature, knowledge of wilderness survival, and all other benefits of Scouting stems from the training they receive. It builds upon the merits and badges they’ve garnered. Boy Scout Whitewater Merit Badge Considerations Canoeing, kayaking and overall whitewater rafting can be a thrilling and memorable experience. In order for rafting to be considered safe, every Scout participant needs to understand how to use and maintain equipment, as well as specific rafting techniques that are important to know on the river. The end goal is obviously to teach scouts to have a strong respect for the power of all of nature’s vast waterways. Beyond that, that if that power is respected and understood, it can then be enjoyed in any number of ways. There are a number of requirements that should be understood before attempting to receive your whitewater merit badge (view the full list of requirements). Once a Scout earning his Merit Badge has a full understanding of the risks associated and precautions to take prior to any water expedition, and they know their own ability and limitations, they can begin working to receive their Badge. However, if a Scout leader does not believe the risks are appreciated, or that the Scout does not understand fully the equipment or techniques, they will be told to wait. There is nothing more dangerous than allowing someone to raft who thinks they know of all the inherent dangers and in actuality to do not. Appreciation comes with understanding, and understanding is the first step towards safety. Why a Whitewater Merit Badge Is Worthwhile Over the years, we have worked with many different Boy Scout Troops and have had the privilege to witness firsthand the benefits whitewater rafting can offer to youths. Testimonials can be seen on our video page on site, and also here. But in sum, these trips teach Scouts to first and foremost respect nature and her vast power inherent in our nation’s waterways. Beyond respect, a love for the outdoors amongst our nation’s youth has been dwindling rapidly over the years. Fewer and fewer people have a want for going outdoors as every other distraction available keeps their eyes fixed to a screen rather than on the horizon. They’re understanding and respect for nature is absent save in the sense that they’ve been taught its worthiness. However, very few are able to appreciate it fully as they haven’t had the opportunity to experience it. Now as far as this goes for Boy Scouts, it’s probably not an issue. They’ve been taught why nature ought to be respected, and have learned through their numerous lessons that it is indeed deserved of their love. If your Boy Scout Troop wants to offer whitewater badges to their scouts, be sure to contact us to see what trip offerings are available. Wilderness Aware Rafting We will work hard to make your trip the best and most memorable possible, all while ensuring the requirements to receive a badge are met. At Wilderness Aware Rafting, we understand how a proper family rafting vacation can create some of the best memories a person can have, after all, we have our testimonials to base that off of. If you are interested in a Colorado Rafting Trip, Denver Rafting, multi-day rafting trip, or want to try rafting the Salt River near Phoenix, AZ, please be sure to contact us and find out what white water rafting trips we have available. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
The Ultimate Outdoor Colorado Trip
Plan Your Colorado Outdoor Adventure in Buena Vista Backpacker Magazine announced that 4 Colorado cities made the list as, “The Best Cities to Raise an Outdoor Kid: The Winning 25.” Those cities are: #1 Boulder, #3 Durango, #7 Colorado Springs, and #9 Fort Collins. Luckily for us, Colorado is an amazing state for outdoor adventures and Buena Vista is one of the top destinations for a beautiful outdoor retreat. No matter how old you are, we are all children at heart when we’re walking among nature and this is our recommended list of outdoor adventures for your weekend or week-long getaway to the mountains. Camping Start by picking out one of the many camp sites in Buena Vista as your home base. Anywhere you choose will likely have immaculate views of the mountains as Buena Vista, Spanish for, “good view,” sits at the base of the Continental Divide. Camping is a great way to get away from technology and enjoy the basics of building a fire and cooking your own food with the stars overhead. We also offer multi day rafting trips that combine the camping and rafting adventures into one. Whitewater Rafting Known for world-class whitewater rafting, this is a memorable and exciting adventure to take with friends and family as there are different levels available for everyone. Browns Canyon is rated #1 on TripAdvisor for a whitewater rafting trip and conveniently, we have trips to choose from here. Whitewater rafting is not only thrilling but builds camaraderie and trust among your raft mates. Hiking Spend the morning or afternoon hiking around the Continental Divide. Two 14ers are located near Buena Vista, Mt. Princeton and Mt. Yale. Mt. Princeton is 14,197’ tall with one 13 mile route on the east slope rated at a class 2 difficulty. Mt. Yale stands at 14,196’ tall and can be accessed by the southwest slope (standard route) or east ridge; both routes are about 10 miles long and a class 2 difficulty. As always, it’s important to pack appropriately for hiking of any type and bring plenty of water and snacks, as well as notify people where you’ll be in case you get lost. Horseback Riding Not long ago, Colorado was the home of cowboys on the Front Range. The majestic horses are still a valuable companion of humans provide a relaxing way to bond with animals and nature while wandering into the wilderness. As Colorado’s second most popular outdoor activity, friends and family will enjoy a horseback riding trip along the Arkansas River with spectacular views of Mt. Princeton, the Chalk Cliffs, and Mt. Antero. Canoeing and Fishing Nothing is more peaceful than floating on a lake or canoeing and kayaking down a lazy river. There is an abundance of lakes and creeks to choose from nearby. Cottonwood Lake is popular for fishing with mountain goats in the backdrop. For a hike-in area, Brown’s Creek has a 5 mile trail to a scenic waterfall. Anyone over 15 will need a fishing license and length minimums vary from location to location. Any combination of these trips will make for an exciting outdoor escape among friends and family. Buena Vista is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts due to the breath-taking views of the Rocky Mountains and the variety of outdoor activities just a few minutes away.
Games For Kids To Play While Outdoors and Camping
Fun Kid Games To Play Outdoors For children, sitting and contemplating in the quite calmness of the wild isn’t generally their idea of a fun time. When outdoors, especially while on a multi-day camping trip, there can be a lot of down time. This is when adults would well sit and relax, take in the scenes, and unwind. However, this is the exact opposite of what children want to do. So before taking these little balls of energy into the wilderness, you had better have a few fun games in mind that can be played, otherwise the kids could very well drive you crazy. To help with that, we’ve created this list of a few fun games that can be played and generally don’t require any specific pieces or parts. Having them in mind can make the difference between having some organized fun, or a chaotic stressful time as the kids run amok around camp. So for a few ideas, read on, and have fun this summer with your kids! Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves This game mixes singing and follow the leader. A group sits in a circle and sings Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, while performing some action. Standing on one foot, patting your head, rubbing your belly, really any action that can be done without moving from the circle. Whoever is leading the group changes their action after the first repetition, and the next person beside him/her repeats the leaders action.The action is changed after every repetition while still repeating the phrase, and every time it changes, the action is to be performed by the next person in line. Eventually, everyone will be doing a different action while repeating the phrase. The phrase itself doesn’t matter, but the game is to see if your initial action will make it’s way back to you. It’s a bit like Simon Says or telephone. Any number of changes can be made to this to make it more difficult or easier if need be. Bola You’ll need some string, and a few socks or something very soft to tie at the end of the string that wouldn’t hurt someone if struck with it. You simply fill a sock with other socks (or whatever soft weighted material) and tie it off with a stretch of string. Decide what the radius of the sock is and have everyone stand outside of that. Begin to swing the sock slowly close to the ground and have the group close in around you. Everyone jumps over the sock as it comes by them, and if you’re struck with it, you’re out until the next round. The final person remaining wins! To make this game a bit more difficult, you can alter between ground level and overhead making the kids change between jumping and ducking. Elves, Giants, and Wizard This game is essentially rock, paper, scissors but more interactive. Elves beat wizards, wizards beat giants, and giants beat elves. You divide the group into three separate groups, each group assigned with one of the race classes. Once the teams are decided, it turn into a game of tag, where for instance if you are a wizard, you are going to be trying to tag giants while avoiding elves. If you tag someone they join your team, and if you are tagged you join the taggers side. The object of the game is to get every player on a single team. Lots of Knots Make the group of kids stand in a circle facing the center. Then tell the kids to shake and hold hands with whomever is directly across from them. Then they must join hands with a different person in the group. The object of the game is to untangle their hands, the human knot, without having to let go of their hands. Quick Count This game is relatively easy. All you need are a bunch of objects which can be tossed into the air, and something to hide the objects as they lie on the ground, such as a towel or backpack or something. The idea is that you decide on a number of objects to thrown, and see who can count the exact number of objects as they are let loose into the air, and before they fall behind your covering object. Whoever guesses the correct number get to become the tosser. Sleight Of Hand Have the whole group save for one person lay on the ground in a circle with their hands in the center. The one person not lying down looks away as a ring or some small object is given to the group. Once a person has hold of the object and its kept hidden in their hands, the other person turns around to watch. The object is for the group to pass the ring around 5 times without the person watching knowing where it ends up. After it has been handed off 5 times, the person not laying down is to guess who has hold of the ring. Objects You’ll need a few bags, or pieces of cloth to put multiple small objects into or under. The idea of the game is to gather a bunch of objects, the same types of objects for the each team or player. Let everyone know what those objects are, and then place them into the bag or under the cloth. Then you call out the object and without looking at them, the players must pick the objects out. If an object is incorrectly picked, that player is out. With multiple players, the player who is last to pick is out. Repeat this in larger groups until a winner is determined. To make the game more difficult, pick similar objects to put into the bag. At Wilderness Aware Rafting, we understand how a proper family rafting vacation can create some of the best memories a person can have, after all, we have our testimonials to base that off of. If you are interested in a Colorado Rafting Trip, Denver Rafting, multi-day
2013 Looks To Be A Great Year For Colorado Rivers
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1530976742079{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”] Great Water Levels Signal For A Great Rafting Season In Colorado With all of the late snow fall and rain Colorado fortunately received this spring, water levels in Colorado are looking healthy! Compared to the excessive levels in 2011, and the dismally low levels in 2012, the water levels in 2013 seem to have hit the nail directly on the head. This is going to make for an epic season of white water rafting for rafting enthusiasts throughout out the state. From the Poudre and Yampa, to the Colorado and Arkansas Rivers, water is finding its way into our streams and Coloradans are getting excited to play in the water this summer. To better explain this anticipation, it needs to be understood why the perfect water levels are so important. How Water Levels Affect Rafting Conditions It should go without saying, but water levels directly affect rafting conditions as after all, water is what makes up a river. When water levels are too low, rafting companies operations are drastically inhibited. Areas where you can enter your raft as well as exit from a river are restricted, the duration of trips are often cut short, and the overall appeal of the activity is decreased. When water levels are too high, similar problems exist as when they are too low. Some entering areas may be moving too fast to set the raft up, and exiting spots may be difficult to navigate to if the water is moving too quickly. Not to mention, when the water is high, sections of rivers where hazardous obstacles persist become even more dangerous as it is increasingly difficult to navigate when moving at quicker speeds. So when it comes down to it, depending on specific rivers, the height and volume of water directly impacts what can be done. In essence, there is a sweet spot for the amount of water that is needed in a river to make it both enjoyable and navigable Granted, some would prefer to have more water than less if they want the thrill of paddling through some big rapids. But this season seems to be in line with hitting that sweet spot for most of Colorado’s rivers. Things Looking Up Compared To Years Past As mentioned before, the past few years have seen both dramatic ends of the water level spectrum for Colorado rivers. 2011 witnessed extremely high water levels, and as a result, many trips were probably cut short or never started because of the special dangers high water levels create. Where the exact opposite occurred in 2012, where water levels were so low, unless you wanted to raft down a lazy river, there were few options for exciting rafting unless you cared to navigate some of Colorado rivers toughest sections. This hopeful perfect water height has come as a great relief to many rafting companies throughout the state. When comparing 2011 to 2012, the rafting industry as a whole was down around 20 percent in Colorado. This equates to roughly $30 million lost in tourism revenue for the state. If that seems like a lot for the state to have lost, it’s equally if not worse for river rafting companies. Losing 20% for any business in any industry is difficult to deal with, and for rafting companies it’s particularly hard to forecast and take precautions against. The reason being rafting companies are completely and entirely beholden to the weather. Which depending if it’s good or bad, can spell boom or gloom. This creates special stresses for rafting businesses as in all reality, for a business which is reliant entirely on proper weather, there is nothing you can do but hope in the off-season that the rain will come, and not too much of it. That said, many rafting companies are more than elated that this season is appearing to be a perfect one, where the drought has passed, and it hasn’t exactly flooded like a few years prior. This should help many rafting businesses generate some extra revenue which can be saved up for the uncertain times in coming years. Because if anything can be said about Colorado weather, it is that it is uncertain. Which would be one of the reasons for the states motto: If you don’t like the weather, just wait a little bit. At Wilderness Aware Rafting, we’re excited for Summer to finally reveal itself in Colorado. If you are interested in epic Colorado Rafting Trips, scenic Arizona Salt River Rafting, memorable Land-Based Adventures such as Horseback Riding, be sure to see what white water rafting trips are available, or contact us to speak with a representative. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Ways To Get Your Kids Outdoors This Summer
Ways To Get Your Kids Outside Summer for kids is one of the more exciting times of the year. School is out, the weather is beautiful and they have nothing but time on their hands. But if your kid is like most others, much of that time is going to be spent indoors, and most likely staring at a computer screen or playing video games. If you intend to pry your child’s gaze and attention away from these electronic entertainment machines, you’re going to have to be clever. In fact, very clever, because every year that passes, the number of ways we can entertain ourselves indoors not only grows, but increasingly becomes better and better. Making it so we don’t even care that 10 hours was just spent being in an electronic daze. Drastic times call for drastic measures, and to help you get your kids out of that digital stupor, here are some ideas that may well excite them, and convince them that there is indeed a worthy physical world to enjoy outside of the Matrix. White Water Rafting Seeing as how we’re a rafting company, we know full well the enjoyment and excitement kids of all ages find from hucking some rubber on the river rapids. It makes for a full day out in nature, enjoying the sun, scenes, and adrenaline created. it also creates great lasting memories, and often times, these types of trips turn into something a family does every year as it allows for some of the best quality time possible. No phones, emails, or IM, just fun in sun with friends and family. Camping There should never be a reason outside of health that a kid would not want to camping. The problem with selling this idea is that camping alone means sitting and sleeping outdoors, that’s it. In order to spur some interest, you need to offer ideas that are to accompany the camping trip. Mountain climbing, fishing, spelunking, archery shooting, horseback riding, anything really. Kids inherently love the outdoors and this need to be remembered, the only reason they choose to not go outside is because the things they can do are limited, and when compared to what they can do online, it is drastically overshadowed until they are older and more independent. So it is up to parents to offer fun and exciting ideas. Get Wet Beyond whitewater rafting, there are numerous other things kids can do which are sure to get them excited. Kayaking and canoeing, wake boarding, paddle boarding, fishing, even finding an area where “The Blob” can be utilized will be sure to make your kids eyes widen. You can couple this idea with camping, and make a really enjoyable weekend out of it. Mountain Biking One of the easiest ways to explore the wilderness is to go trail riding or mountain biking. It gets you outside, and allows you to cover a great amount of ground that would otherwise not be seen if having to hike it on foot. For those that are really wanting to get out there, you can attach a trailer to your bike with camping gear and take an extended multi-night trip. These generally aren’t for the feint of heart, but if you are feint of heart, its a good way to make it stronger. Astronomy Oddly, many people think there isn’t much to do at night outdoors. But they often forget perhaps one of the coolest things that can be done overall… and that is to star gaze. Now many people may scoff at the idea, but if you’ve never brought a pair of binoculars or a smaller telescope with you when camping, you are doing yourself a disservice. With the lack of light pollution, you can see more out in the wilderness than in any other place. You ought to take advantage of that the next time you plan any trip outdoors. Weather permitting, you will be pleasantly surprised to stare into the heavens. Hunt For Plants, Animals, or Minerals When speaking of hunting, most people usually think of poor Bambi being slain, but you can hunt without killing. There are a whole slew of plants, animals, and minerals worth hunting for, and all that need be done is to find them. Geo hunting can be surprisingly gratifying, spotting a soaring condor hundreds of feet in the air leaves you breathless, and finding edible plants to make for a light salad at lunch will excite your taste buds. There are a lot of things in this world worth exploring and experiencing, you just have to make the effort to prove that to your children. If done correctly, you may well find your children begging you to go outside next time, rather than the other way around. At Wilderness Aware Rafting, we know that summer is finally arriving, and that means its time for some summer adventure. One fun summer activity that the family and your friends are sure to enjoy is White Water Rafting! The best Denver Rafting can be found with us, and if you’re interested in Colorado River Whitewater Rafting, or even a Whitewater Arizona River Rafting trip, be sure to check what trips are available or contact us to speak with a representative.
5 Great Ways To Experience The Great Outdoors Of Colorado
At Wilderness Aware Rafting, we know that people want to experience the great outdoors in a number of ways, and fortunately, there are many activities that can accomplish this goal. Whether that be Rafting Colorado rivers, guided Horseback Riding trips, or even just plain old back-country camping, Colorado is the perfect place to play outdoors for those still young at heart. If you are interested in doing something new and exciting, and want to do that outdoors, be sure to check and see what trip offers we have available! 5 Outdoor Activities To Experience The Wild Of Colorado For those of you that are native to the state of Colorado, you know full well the natural beauty that lays here. From the Red Rocks to Sand Dunes, from the iconic Rocky Mountains to the open prairies and plains, from mountain lakes to deep caves, the state is nothing more than one big adventure playground for those willing to explore. And explore you should. There are few places that match the wonder and beauty of this great state, and that is not to brag, but rather, to convince. It’s not as though we want to keep it to ourselves, but rather, share it with all so that they can enjoy it as we do. It is for this reason that we are going to discuss 5 of the most enjoyable ways you can experience the outdoors of Colorado. And don’t fret, everything on this list can be done by most people. Granted some may take a little adjusting depending on your health, age, or experience. But overall, these activities can be enjoyed by all, and should be. So without further ado, let’s get into it. Mountain Climbing: There many mountains to climb in Colorado, and dozens of 14ers for those who want to achieve that mile marker. The most popular of which are Longs Peak and Pikes Peak. The mountain you choose to climb, as well as the exact path, will directly dictate it’s overall difficulty. Some mountains you can almost drive to the top of, where you only need to hike a few hundred feet to make it to the peak, while others require thousands of feet if you were to start at the base. Either way, the feeling of achievement once you reach the top, coupled with the view you are gifted for your efforts makes mountain climbing in Colorado a must for anyone who currently lives here, or is passing through. Spelunking: If climbing up is not necessarily your thing, or you’re afraid of heights, then perhaps it’s worth considering climbing down. Cave diving / spelunking is often an overlooked activity in Colorado as well… most people don’t think to do it. There are dozens of caves throughout the state, some of which are miles in length and have magnificent mineral deposits developed inside. With stalactites and stalagmites, crystals, chutes, chimneys, and everything else a cave diver could dream of. Many of the caves also house wildlife such as bats and a variety of insects. If you are feeling adventurous, there are many isolated caves that can be accessed after a little hike, and even some you are forced to repel into. But if you want something a bit more relaxed, there are caves which have guided tours, are lit, have hand rails and steps, and overall are not dangerous at all. The most notable being the Cave of the Winds. Whitewater Rafting: What would Colorado be without the Colorado River? Well I suppose it would still be Colorado, but the river that begins here and ends in Mexico is one of the greatest rivers America has to offer to those thrill seekers who care to navigate its waters. Rafting is a perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and site seeing all rolled into one convenient package. Depending on the class of rapids you choose to raft, you can expect thrilling adventure, or a slow leisurely and meandering course. You’ll get to see some sites that most people never get to witness since they are remote and not easily accessible without a raft. Overall it is perhaps one of the best ways to experience Colorado’s great outdoors. Skiing: More than anything, Colorado is known for its skiing. Between Vail and Steamboat Springs, many people in the U.S travel here to ski down their well groomed runs, and take a crack at the countless ski trails that line the land. Even if skiing isn’t your thing, Colorado is still a great place to experience a winter wonderland, where sledding, snowshoeing, and ski mobiles can be used to move across a land bleached in snow. The calmness that overcomes the state after a proper snowfall really sets the mood, not so much one of laziness and bundling up and staying indoors, but going out and feeling the brisk winter air, smelling the freeze that has settled, and watching the sparkling of the snow when the sun catches it just right. Camping: Finally, the creme de la creme for most people who live in the state. Camping in Colorado is without a doubt great. No better word could be used. Whether you are camping just to relax for a weekend, or you’re hiking the Colorado Trail, there is no better way to expose yourself to the great outdoors than by submerging yourself in it. That certainly means spending the night, because when you awake the next day to birds chirping, chipmunks scurrying, sun shining, and dew evaporating leaving the smell of a fresh rain… you’ll feel you’re in heaven. Because in a way you are, I couldn’t describe heaven on earth without thinking of Colorado. That’s certainly not an overstatement, and if anything, it still doesn’t give it justice. Hopefully this list will give you a few ideas of things you should most definitely do in Colorado whether you live here or are just visiting. There is so much to experience that you literally do have to spend quite a bit of time here to do it all, but fear not, Colorado isn’t going anywhere,
