Planning in the Off-Season for Effortless Fun When It’s On.
In between the hiking, mountain biking, skiing and adventuring in the Colorado rafting off-season, plan an epic whitewater trip now and skip the stress next summer. A little planning now can lead to an effortless adventure on the water in the upcoming season. Choose the best time and location and we’ll do the rest. You might even find you have the time to knock out more than one river. Pick Your Friends, Then Pick a River There are more than six rivers to choose from in Colorado and Arizona. Likely your location will determine which river you choose, but with enough time and planning, you can make any river your adventure destination. At 120 miles southwest of Denver, the Arkansas River is a great option if coming in from the Front Range. It’s also suitable for a variety of skill levels, making it ideal for young children and expert adults. Check out our site for detailed overviews of the all the rivers to choose from, with a breakdown of length and difficulty level. Take the time now to create a successful adventure next summer. Pick a Time When rafting, it’s important to know conditions. Rafting season runs from April to August with varying temperatures and rapids throughout the summer. June holds its reign as the most adventurous month as warmer weather and snow melt makes for big rapids and big adventures. For a calmer ride, plan to set out in July and August, but always check before you go as weather and snow can cause cancellations. Know Your Gear The month you choose will determine your gear. Wetsuits are available to rent in the colder months, as well as booties and paddle jackets. We provide all rafting equipment including ponchos, wool sweaters and waterproof storage for personal items. It’s recommended you also bring your own warmer clothes for after rafting in the colder months. Sunscreen, shorts, swim suits, sunglasses and a water bottle are essentials you don’t want to be without in the hot summer months. Read more on our FAQ page for other helpful tips to prepare for your trip.
What to Pack on a Full or Half-Day Whitewater Rafting Trip
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1649173413694{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]You’ll find all sorts of lists about what to bring on a whitewater trip, and frankly, those lists can be overwhelming. Some outline items for a multi-day rafting trip, and some are for half-days. Some of these lists are made for people who are rafting on their own, and others are for people rafting with an outfitter. Furthermore, if you’re rafting in Virginia, your packing list might be different than one for a Colorado raft trip—we’re talking sunscreen, people. So, we thought we’d make a super clear list for anyone taking a full or half-day river trip with a Colorado outfitter like Wilderness Aware Rafting. If you have a Colorado rafting trip planned this summer, and you will be on the river for a full or half-day, this is what you will need to pack. Swimming suit and/or shorts Sunglasses with securing strap Fleece jacket or synthetic insulating layer (on colder days) Hat or visor (can be worn under your helmet) Waterproof sunscreen (Important! We are close to the sun!) Lip balm (with SPF 15+) Tennis shoes, water shoes, or secure sandals (no flip-flops or Crocs) Cash for souvenirs and tipping your guide Water bottle Change of clothes and towel (for after the trip) Do NOT wear cotton on the river! It can make you colder! If you’re rafting with Wilderness Aware, this is what we provide: Deli-style sandwich lunch (Full-Day Trips) Professional guide in every raft Lifejacket & helmet Shuttle back to your car at the end of your trip Comfortable changing facilities [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”21654″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
98 White Water Rafting Terms
If you intend to take a Browns Canyon rafting trip, or any Colorado white water rafting trip for that matter, you better be ready to talk the talk if you’re going to raft the raft – aka, know your white water rafting terms! Any rafting trip should be taken seriously as there are many dangers, some seen, others not, that need to be mitigated prior to departing. One such way to mitigate danger, or just make rafting easier overall, is to be able to communicate with your fellow rafters. In order to do this, you need to know the lingo and jargon that is used. This guide lists 98 commonly used white water rafting words and their meaning. White water Rafting Terminology ABC’S: An acronym for airway, breathing, circulation. Which are the first three things checked when providing first aid. Above: A reference to something upriver. Alluvial: Material that has been laid down or carried by running water. Alluvium is the material that rivers carry and deposit. It consists of clay, silt, sand, and gravel. Bar: Along the bank of a river, sand, gravel, and/or rock will build up. Beam: The width of a raft at it’s widest point. Belay: A technique which allows a single person to hold a line even under great weight or pull. You can wrap around trees, rocks, anything solidly rooted. This stop will stop slippage or at least slow it down dramatically. Below: A reference to something downriver. Bend: A curve or turn in the river. Big Water: A large volume of water that has large waves, and a fast current. Blade: The part of an oar or paddle that is wide and flat. Boat Angle: The angle of the raft relative to the river and current. Boil: A river feature where the water current swells in a convex mound as though the water is actually boiling. Booties: Neoprene socks that are worn as footwear wetsuit protection, mainly for warmth. Bow: The front of a boat, also called nose and galloway. Brace: A technique in which the paddle can be used to keep a rafter inside the boat, or to keep the boat from flipping over. Breaking Wave: A wave which falls back on itself, and does not continue forward in its motion. Broach: When a boat is turned with its broadside facing downstream. Capsize: Describes when a raft has been flipped over upside down. Carabiner: A “D” shaped clip that had multiple purposes, generally for securing one thing to another. Cartwheeling: An advanced technique where a raft is spun around just before colliding with a rock so that rather than a blunt crash, the raft spins off of it. CFS: Acronym for cubic feet per second. Channel: Through a section of river, the area where it becomes dramatically deeper. Chute: A section of river where the grade is steeper, the water moves faster, and is usually found between obstructions. Classification: The river rating of a series of rapids or the river as a whole, determines the difficulty of rafting. Clean: A saying to announce the path ahead is free of obstructions. Confluence: The point where two or more rivers meet. Current: The speed of moving water. Dig: To bury the paddle deep within the current to where the current is stronger than the surface. Downstream: The direction which the water in a river is flowing. Dry Bag: A bag which keep water out, and keeps the contents within dry. Dry Suit: A suit which keeps all water outside, while warmer clothes can be kept on and dry underneath. Duckie: An inflatable kayak which can seat on or two people. Eddy: An area in the river where the current seems to turn around and head upstream. Eddy Cushion: An area where an Eddy occurs, and there is a lack of current on the other side of obstructions. Eddy Wall: An area where the an Eddy meets the regular current and creates a swirling of water and waves. Falls: A drop where the water flows freely over and falls some distance. Ferry: The attempt at moving a craft laterally across the current of a river. Flip: When a boat is turned upside down after being jostled by waves or obstructions. Flood Plain: Where a valley that sits adjacent to a river becomes flooded on occasion when large rainfall occurs. Flotilla: When two or more boats are used for a trip. Foot Cup: Areas in a craft shaped like a half cup, which is used to help secure your footing in a boat. Gate: A narrow and small passage that exists between two obstructions or obstacles. Ghost Boat: To allow the craft to pass through a set of rapids unmanned. Gradient: The steepness and angle that a river is, measured by how many feet the river drops per mile. Guide: The person who steers the boat and avoids any potential hazardous obstacles along the way. Hairy: Quick moving current, with extremely turbulent water that is usually covered with a white water and foam. Haystack: An area of the river where a large wave is created by water hitting an area where the current has slowed. High Water: When a river is flowing well above the normal levels. Hang Up: When a raft becomes stuck and caught on a rock or obstacle. Hypothermia: A serious condition when the core body temperature drops and lowers. Laterals: A large wave or hole that is created by an obstacle at an angle. Lawn-Chair Position: When you are in the water, you’ll want to ride the current with your buttocks as high as you can, while your toes are kept above the water. Always keeping your feet pointing downstream. Lead Boat: The first boat in a flotilla, which takes point on an expedition. Ledge: When an obstruction is large enough and outside the water where it acts as a natural dam. Life Jacket: A personal flotation device that is worn as a vest would be worn. Line: The route to be taken to
FIBArk, America’s Oldest and Boldest Whitewater Festival!
According to their website, “FIBArk aims to promote, preserve, protect, and enhance whitewater paddle sports in the greater Salida area through education, competition, and commemoration.” What does this actually involve? Glad you asked! FIBArk follows the fun of PaddleFest occurring the third weekend of June in Riverside Park, Salida – less than 30 minutes away from our Buena Vista headquarters. The event engulfs the town and attracts whitewater aficionados from all around the world. The first FIBArk festival occurred in 1949; the name itself is an acronym for “First in Boating The Arkansas”. There is endless entertainment at FIBArk, but the pinnacle event, the reason people travel from around the world to be there is for the whitewater boat races. Back in 1949 six brave crews paddled down the Arkansas in an attempt to take on 57 miles of river spanning from Salida to the other end of the Royal Gorge in Cañon City. Only two boaters completed the course. The next year, officials decided to shorten the course to 45 miles cutting out the gnarly Royal Gorge portion to end at Parkdale. This too was too ambitious, only one out of the 10 boaters made it to the end. Fortunately the old adage, “Third time’s the charm” proved itself true when the course was cut to 25.7 miles spanning from Salida to Cotopaxi. This eliminated the need for portages and ten out of the eleven boaters completed the course. Today, we still use these sections of the river for the race making it the longest whitewater race in the United States. In these early years, participants would use every conceivable vessel to float down the river: DIY converted airplane bellies, pontoons, and catamarans. These creative watercrafts eventually lead to one of the most fun events of FIBARK: The Hooligan Races. The rules for entering are extremely straightforward: “anything that floats that’s not a boat,” is fair game! While extremely entertaining both for spectators to watch and participants to navigate, these unorthodox vessels typically don’t fare so well in terms of taking on the rapids… The most successful in the early days of FIBArk were the sit-inside kayaks. Their maneuverability and lightweight made them ideal for navigating the rapids along the river. This opened the door for Slalom races. In the early 1950’s these races were gaining popularity throughout Europe, however they were nonexistent in the United States. FIBArk changed this thus becoming the birthplace of whitewater racing competitions. Boaters from around the world were invited to take on the challenging course where they were judged on their ability to clear gates. Point are docked for missing gates or hitting them and the racer who is able to make it through with the least amount of these errors and fastest time wins. Slalom racing is now an Olympic sport with many athletes training right here on the Arkansas River. Today, FIBArk is so much more than a series of races. The festival, while officially a three day affair, truly spans over the course of the week. There is a carnival, beer garden, live music spanning throughout the day and into the evening, a parade, seminars for new paddlers and those looking to improve their skills, and so much more! Book your Colorado white water rafting trip and make the most of your time in the Arkansas River Valley by checking out FIBArk this summer.
First Timer’s Guide to PaddleFest
Nestled between Pike’s National Forest and the Collegiate peaks, is the cozy town of Buena Vista, Colorado. With a Main Street that still in fact is the main street and just one stoplight, this quaint town is flooded with energy and the spirit of summer every year as PaddleFest kicks off the whitewater rafting season. Buena Vista’s PaddleFest originally started as a simple gear swap get together held every spring. River rats would strike deals, exchanging PFDs for drysuits at the beginning of the season, stocking up on whitewater essentials for the summer ahead. Eventually word of mouth spread making this event one of the largest paddlesports gear swaps in the state of Colorado! Embracing the opportunity, the community of Buena Vista partnered with BV based CKS, Colorado’s largest paddlesports retailer, to put on the amazing event as we know it today. Held every Memorial Day weekend in the park adjacent to Buena Vista’s Main Street, PaddleFest is now a multi day event, attracting thousands of whitewater aficionados. As one of the first whitewater rafting outfitters established in the Arkansas River Valley, community involvement is one of our core values. Since PaddleFest is all about embracing the outdoors and sharing it with others, we encourage our guides to get involved and partner with local organizations. During PaddleFest, it’s pretty common for guests to bump into their guide volunteering at one of the booths. With so much going on, the activity options can be a bit overwhelming. The good news is, you won’t go wrong no matter what you end up doing – PaddleFest is a guaranteed good time. That being said, here is a checklist we put together of our favorite PaddleFest activities, the ones you surely won’t want to miss! – Professional + Ameteur SUP Competition – Fitness Workshops – Kayak + SUP Demos – Kids’ Clinics – Kayak Rodeo – Bike + Running Races – Yoga in the Park Hosted by jalaBlu Yoga – Food Trucks/Booths – Eddyline Brewery Beer Garden + Deerhammer Distillery Tent – Live Music – Local Vendors – Arkansas River Play Park PaddleFest is dedicated towards educating the next generation about outdoor recreation, and providing youth with safe, fun access to outdoor activities. There are many opportunities for expert enthusiasts and those who are just entering the world of paddlesports to learn new skills, test out gear, and prepare for a summer filled spending time outside. This summer why not see what all the fun is about? Even if you can’t make it to PaddleFest, you’ll find the same energy exuded throughout town all summer long. Buena Vista is a community eager to share its love of the river with others. Book your trip today!
10 Things River Veterans Don’t Do
Whether this is your first time whitewater rafting (Woohoo!) or you are looking for some pro tips to improve your next trip, I consulted with some of our senior whitewater rafting guides to create a list of the top 10 mistakes we see on the river. In the world of skiing, a “Gaper” is someone who clearly is out of their element and stands out like a sore thumb. While there is no official term for such individuals on the river, the same concept applies. We can tell. It does not take much guesswork to discern those who know what they are doing from those who are still figuring things out… With this in mind, we went ahead and prepared a handy guide so you will be fully prepared for your next whitewater rafting adventure: 10 Things River Veterans Don’t Do 1. Wear Flip Flops The fast water flows that make whitewater rafting so much fun are also notorious for sweeping up flip flops. Currents are extremely strong requiring secure footwear. Most river guides wear sandals that fasten around their ankles like Chaco or Teva sandals. Their customizable fit ensures the river won’t snatch them off! 2. Wear Cotton Cotton is a bad idea when whitewater rafting because it takes too long to dry out after getting wet. Cotton loses its ability to insulate once wet meaning you will feel cold until your clothes completely dry out. Instead of cotton, choose something that wicks away water like wool or fleece. These options keep you warm even when soaked with water from the rapids. 3. Forget Sunscreen All of our whitewater rafting trips occur at high altitude causing the sun’s rays to be much stronger. At higher elevation, wearing a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 will protect your skin. For whitewater rafting, look for something waterproof that won’t smear away when splashed. Many brands offer sport-specific blends of sunscreen designed to withstand sweat and water contact. These tend to be creamier formulas too, meaning you’re less likely to get sunscreen in your eyes (an extremely important detail). 4. Get Dehydrated Another thing to watch for at high altitude is dehydration. Due to the reduced amount of oxygen in the air, dehydration sneaks up on visitors who are used to living closer to sea level. Aim to drink at least two liters of water per day and you’ll be fine. Aboard all of our rafts we provide water for guests so if you’re ever feeling thirsty – just let your guide know! 5. Litter One of our core values is preserving the environment and educating others on the value of living sustainably. Our guides are trained in the fundamentals of Leave No Trace ethics meaning we literally pack everything away and take it with us. The goal is to seem as if we were never there. The magic of the rivers we raft is in how pristine and gorgeous their surrounding habitats are. This is something the entire community appreciates which is why we feel it is our duty to protect and preserve them for future generations to enjoy. 6. Get Hangry Avoid the horrible irritability that stems from hunger by taking full advantage of all the food we provide! Start your day off with our complimentary continental breakfast to ensure your body has the right fuel for whitewater rafting. Paddling through rapids takes a lot of energy, burning over 300 calories per hour so eating a balanced meal beforehand and replacing calories throughout the day is essential for feeling your best on the water. All our full day trips include multi-course lunch spreads and are happy to accommodate special diets (gluten free, vegan, etc) so chances of incurring hangriness when rafting with us are pretty slim. 7. Lose their Sunglasses Whitewater rafting puts sunglasses in a high risk environment. Just like with flip flops, sunglasses are too easy to accidentally knock off and lose to the river’s current. Before becoming a professional in the world of whitewater rafting, I had no idea why people would expose their designer sunglasses or prescription eyewear to the possibility of getting lost in the river. I quickly learned this problem has an easy solution: glasses can be secured with “eyewear retainers”, essentially lanyard for sunglasses. They are a river necessity and can be purchased in our gift shop right before you hit the water. 8. Expect a Free Ride When whitewater rafting, prepare to put in some solid effort while paddling. The currents and rapids we take on are strong and guides are entirely relying on their crew – you – as the engine to power the raft through. Most trips have a mix of mellow stretches, ideal for admiring scenery and relaxing, and intense rapids requiring full steam ahead. Your guides will make it clear when the time for paddling occurs. As a member of a raft’s crew, it’s up to you to ensure your boat has the power to maneuver around and avoid obstacles like your guide intended. 9. Remove their PFDs Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) are fitted to guests before arriving anywhere near the water, ensuring a safe snug fit. It might feel tight and awkward at first, but there is a good reason: In the case of falling overboard, the lapels of your PFD are what we’re relying on to pull you back in! The last thing anyone wants is to pull an empty PFD back into their boat. If the fit is unbearable, don’t be shy – any of our guides would be more than happy to adjust the fit for you (never do it yourself). 10. Have a Bad Attitude Rafting is literally all about going with the flow! Every stretch of river offers its own unique beauty in so many forms. There is always something gorgeous to admire and whitewater rafting is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the beauty rivers offer. Whitewater rafting is also a ton of fun –
Footwear FAQ: Can I Wear Flipflops?
Trust us, you’re not the first to ask this question – it can be tricky figuring out what to wear if you are not used to fast flowing rivers. Here are all the secrets to keeping your feet happy while whitewater rafting. The first step is to leave your flipflops home. If you really can’t let go, leave them in the car at least so you have something easy to wear after your trip. Now, let’s meet our options: Booties Imagine a thick, mid-calf height neoprene sock with a zipper or some Velcro straps to fasten it on and a seriously grippy sole. These things are called booties and are the most popular footwear option among our guests. Booties trap water inside allowing your body heat to warm it up and keep your feet cozy all day. Most of our guests rent a pair of booties directly from us, we have the option to rent them separately or as a part of our “Be Warm!” package. Secure Sandals (AKA Chacos/Tevas) These sandals are a staple of any river rat’s wardrobe. Within this world, the most popular brands are Chacos and Tevas. To an untrained eye, there’s not much of a difference but there are a few subtle differences. Chacos use a loop system where you adjust the strap length to tighten or loosen the sandal. In my experience, the sole is beefier and it takes a few days for your foot to feel comfortable. Tevas are secured with Velcro straps and have a squishier sole. Chacos tend to be more popular on the river since they are a little more rugged. Old Sneakers If you have a beater pair of running shoes you don’t care about, these make a great option for rafting. Old sneakers work well because they have a nice thick sole and the laces fasten tightly to your feet preventing them from getting lost to the water’s currents. Before you don your old shoes, remember these will definitely have some sort of smell from the river water so make sure you’re fully willing to sacrifice them. Bonus: What about socks??? Slap on a pair of wool or neoprene socks and you will be set. Cotton socks are a terrible idea because they will get wet and stay wet throughout the trip keeping your feet cold. Socks are typically a good idea when wearing river sandals or old sneakers. When worn with booties, they do not offer much additional benefit so I suggest skipping them. Definitely stash a pair of cozy socks in your car for afterwards – your toes will thank you!
How to Protect Your Cell Phone
We all know cell phones and water do not go well together, so how does one protect a cell phone for a whitewater rafting trip? Our best advice: You Don’t. This is a bold claim to make, so let’s back it up. The reason I say don’t bother with protecting your cell phone is because there is no good reason to bring it along in the first place. When packing for your trip – ask yourself, “Why do I want this?”. Most folks don’t have the time to snap selfies while paddling (your guide will have a heart attack if you try and pull this off during a rapid). There are professional photographers posted up at the major rapids on our Browns Canyon rafting and Arkansas River rafting trips so you’ll still get your action shots. Slap a GoPro on top of your helmet or pick up a disposable waterproof camera from our gift shop and you’ll be set to capture the memories. With the need for photos eliminated, and inconsistent cell service in most of the areas we raft in, my advice is to leave your phone in the car, but if you must, here are your options: 1. Waterproof If this is your first time rafting, definitely plan on getting wet. Even your secret dry spot in the center of the raft is bound to get wet at some point. With this in mind, waterproofing your phone is a must. There are a few different approaches like waterproof cellphone cases or sealable waterproof pouches – just make sure you do a test at home first to verify water will not sneak in. 2. Secure I almost always keep my cell phone in a pocket. Most of the time this approach is fabulous, except of course, on the river. For whitewater rafting, you’ll want to make sure your phone is physically attached to something else. For example, this can be something like a wearing a necklace style waterproof pouch (available for purchase at our gift shop). These work well because your phone is easily tucked into your PFD where it is both super secure and easily accessible. Another option is storing your phone in a drybag attached to the raft. The main goal is to keep your phone from being loose and easily tossed out of the raft as we go over bumps and rapids. 3. Float People often fixate on buying the best waterproof case and leave it at that thinking they prepared appropriately. This is only half the battle! What will happen if you drop your phone? Unless you are really lucky or have ninja-like reflexes, chances are it will sink. As silly is at sounds, attaching a floatation device could potentially save you hundreds of dollars. Something brightly colored is your best bet since it will easily stand out in the water. If you can confidently say your phone is waterproof, secured, and capable of floating you will be in much better shape for bringing it on the water. At Wilderness Aware Rafting, we have been the premier Buena Vista rafting trip outfitter since 1976! We guide Browns Canyon white water rafting trips, which is one of the most popular stretches to raft in U.S.! If you’re looking for a true Colorado adventure, be sure to book a trip with us, we’d love to show a good time on the river.
Tips for Rafting Heavy Rivers
One of the best parts of Colorado white water rafting is gaining the ability to raft harder and more exciting rivers. We love taking on Mother Nature and the various challenges she throws our way. Even if you raft the same river year after year, it’s never quite the same. The various levels of water and time of year changes the shape of the river bends, the currents, and the obstacles. A significant contribution to the water level is the snow we get each winter in Colorado, so pray for snow! In the spring, it melts off the mountains and the runoff feeds into the rivers below. Depending on how quickly the snow melts, June will see heavy waters. If it melts gradually, then the rivers will flow pretty consistently but with a gradual increase, usually peaking in July and low enough to end the rafting season by Labor Day. When it comes to rafting high water, it can mean many things, but essentially, it means deeper water, faster currents, and higher risk. Keep your head in the game at all times. There’s a reason most of the country’s best white water rafters live in Colorado. Maneuvering You would think that with high water levels come more splash zones as you paddle downriver. However, high water usually covers up the boulders and rocks that the water splashes off of, thereby washing it out and creating big hydraulics but each wave is different. The parts of the river that are usually calm end up with new rapids. Faster currents makes maneuvering between each stroke more difficult as you are traveling quickly and will shorten your rafting trip. Sticking with a guide with many years of experience is your best bet at getting the team to be where you want them to be and avoid anybody falling out. They will know how sharp to turn the raft and the best parts to float over. Safety Higher water levels means faster currents and an increased safety risk. Be sure that your life vest is on you tightly, your helmet is covering your forehead, and you have the proper shoes to protect your feet if you were to fall in. It is even more crucial than usual that you get your feet pointed down river and floating on your back while guiding yourself to the nearest shoreline. The swift speed at which you are flowing downriver may lead to an increased recovery time by your raft mates to come rescue you too. If you are paddling with more than one boat, it’s better to stick closer together in case one needs to help the other. It also goes without saying but don’t drink alcohol before or during the rafting trip. Save the brewskies for celebrating afterwards. At Wilderness Aware Rafting we love white water rafting and enjoying the great outdoors. If you’re interested in rafting, check out the Salt River whitewater rafting or Colorado water rafting trips we have available. Want more adventure? We also have many other fun outdoor trips available.
How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse with Rafting Gear
If one of your hobbies is planning how to survive a zombie apocalypse, then you need to know what to do without your bug out bag when you are off having fun rafting and don’t have it on you. After all, if the Centers for Disease Control has a zombie apocalypse plan, then it is definitely worth knowing what to do to protect yourself during an outbreak in order to give you enough time to get back to your car and grab your 36 hour go bag. Sure, The Walking Dead and World War Z has taught you a thing or two on fighting off zombies out to chomp on your flesh, but they all have guns and combat training. What if they were paddling downriver in the wilderness? Here’s what you can do if you find out that dead cannibals are after your lively flesh. Armor First things first, you’re going to want protection from those rotting teeth. You already have a lifejacket on, protecting your core and back. If there’s an extra life jacket, cut it in half and tie each side to your arms to fend off and trick zombies trying to bite them. All rafters must wear a helmet and this protects your brain from being eaten and doubles for ramming through a wall of them. Just be sure to keep your neck straight and arms up to protect neck grabs with your arm armor. Weapons Next, unless you are in Silent Hill and can only run around and hide, a weapon is necessary for survival. Luckily for you, you carry a pocket knife as part of your everyday gear and have a paddle for skull bashing. If you have the time, cut off the end of the paddle to a point to stab zombies with or tie the pocket knife to the end. Taking a cue from the Maori, any wooden paddles would be easier for this purpose and will inflict more damage on the Zeds. The Maori used wooden paddles that came to a point called a hoe and also used them during war. Rest Get some rest from fending off zombies all day. If you are able to find a calm area of water or get the raft onto a lake, navigate it to the middle and drop and anchor to stabilize. Use a paracord rope to tie a large rock present style so it doesn’t slip off easily. Zombies can’t swim or climb ropes but if they could, climbing over the side of a raft is hard enough when you’re not a zombie. Escape If you’re traveling by foot and find yourself cornered, having a paracord or rope from the raft is handy for climbing up or descending down to get away from those biters. Tie it around a tree trunk or throw it over a strong branch with a weight on it to make it easier like a carabineer. Pull the other end of the rope through and you have a brace. Health Lucky for you, when people go rafting, there is almost always a first aid kit on board and at least a water bottle. Avoid dehydration and patch up any easy wounds until you can get yourself to safety. Hopefully, by this point you’ve found other people or made it to a car to get away. Turn on the radio and get away from major cities. At Wilderness Aware Rafting we love white water rafting, survival knowledge, escaping from zombies, and the outdoors. If you’re interested in a Colorado White Water Rafting Trip or Salt River rafting, browse whitewater rafting trips and other fun outdoor adventures we have available.
