Looking for the Perfect Gift? Try White Water Rafting!
In the words of Oscar Wilde, “Experience is one thing you can’t get for nothing.” When it comes to determining a gift for someone, sometimes a physical object or trinket isn’t the best option. How many gifts have you received in the past that you never used? How many gifts have you given that are actually enjoyed? How can a gift be truly valued by the receiver? Well experience is one thing you can’t get for nothing, it doesn’t just occur out of thin air. You have to go and actually do something, or have something done to you, in order to receive it. Sometimes people don’t make an earnest attempt to actually live. They refuse to go outside of their comfort zone to find new and wondrous things in this world. In short, they don’t experience life to its fullest. Before you buy your next gift for someone you should truly consider what that person might enjoy. Chances are you’ll soon realize that whatever toy, widget, or object you were thinking of giving isn’t actually that great of a gift after all. Of course this isn’t always the case, but a great number of gifts can be outgrown, broken, lost, or forgotten. Most people value good memories and positive life experiences much higher than personal possessions and novelty items. A thousand people can have the exact same item, but an experience is personal and one of a kind. Let’s take a surprise birthday party for example. What is remembered most? The surprise of family and friends, the celebration, spending time with loved ones, or the piles of wrapped gifts? If you were asked to tell of a time when you were certainly happy, it probably wouldn’t be when you received that pretty new sweater for Christmas, or even upon being gifted that new car for your 16th birthday. There is no doubt; some gifts are indeed awesome, such as a new car. However, there is no object in this world that can replace good company and life experiences. The purpose of life isn’t to accumulate objects is it? It’s to live. For that reason one of the best gifts you can give is the gift of experience, especially experiences shared with others. 3 Reasons Why Rafting Makes for A Great Experience Gift There are 3 good reasons that make Whitewater Rafting a great experience gift: The inherent adventure of rafting, the valued memories it creates with friends and loved ones, and the real world experience it gives in this digital age. Adventure Without a doubt, whitewater rafting is exciting, thrilling, and gets the adrenaline pumping. For someone who has never experienced it before, chances are it will be one of the most adventurous things they’ve ever done. This is especially true for multi-day trips where they truly get to experience the excitement of the outdoors beyond a few hours and, of course, depends on the actual river chosen. Some rivers or certain sections can be rather lazy in nature, which are great for younger or older folks. But if given the real paddle gripping, white-knuckle experience of a more difficult river, it’s an experience, and a gift, that won’t soon be forgotten. Shared Time and Memories Created One of the best parts about giving experience gifts is that the gift giver can experience them as well. Friends and family can join and this often makes the experience all the better if they do. Time on the river gives people a break from their hectic daily lives, and allows them to fully be in the moment while enjoying themselves in the process. Being able to share in that with them is meaningful. Having fun, trying something new or daring, going outside of what their normal daily expectations may be, is something to be cherished and remembered for a long time. Many times a whitewater rafting trip won’t be forgotten and I’m sure you can recall a few cherished memories yourself. Real World Experience… Not Virtual If the gift receiver rarely ventures outdoors into nature, they will literally sit in awe as they gaze at their surroundings. Some people tend to forget that the natural beauty of this world around rivers is well worth the journey to go view and explore it. Usually, you don’t get the whole picture viewing Earthporn online, such as the sights, sounds, taste, and feel of being present outdoors. Experiencing these scenes in real life is much more moving and meaningful to a person than viewing it through a computer screen. How many hours a day do you typically spend staring at a screen? Most of our daily lives are predominantly virtual, from shopping to banking, and socializing to working. Most of what we experience in a day occurs with a screen no more than a foot in front of our faces. An experience gift of whitewater rafting would change that and perhaps pump a little life back into the people going. Being outdoors and seeing the world with your own two eyes has oddly become something you have to coax people into doing. An experience gift is a great way to coax people into trying something new, different, and outdoors. There is more to giving a gift than wrapping a box and handing it over. Giving a gift is an opportunity to really show that you care for someone, and that they are worth giving a gift to in the first place. Don’t discount that idea and try to consider something that is sure to surprise. A guided whitewater rafting trip is only one such idea, and there are countless others. Horseback riding tours, zip lining adventures, scuba diving lessons, skydiving… there are many options. You just have to be clever, be thoughtful, and you’re gift will no doubt be sure to surprise and amaze. Who knows, perhaps we’ll even see you on the river soon. At Wilderness Aware Rafting, our utmost passion is being the best river rafting guides we can be. This ensures we offer the
Looking For An Outdoor Job This Summer? Who Makes For The Perfect Raft Guide?
Are you at work right now sitting behind a desk, in front of a computer, hunched over the keyboard, staring out the window wishing for something better? Well you’re a member of the biggest club in America. The I Hate My Job Club! There is little doubt about it, few people nowadays enjoy what they do for a living. Worse yet, there are likely more people who despise their job than those who simply don’t enjoy it. But let’s do a little math to keep this in perspective. Let’s say that you work 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year over the course of 40 years (aged 20-60). This would mean that combined, your total hours of being an industrious person would be 83,200. Imagine that, 83,200 hours of essentially pure unhappiness slaving away at a job you abhor. And for what? Good pay, good health insurance, good vacation time off. Is endless misery worth that? Now if you have a family to provide for, than by all means suffer. In that sense, your devotion to familial duty is admirable and expected from you. But for the countless thousands of people who are not beholden to caring for a family, or continuing that rat race, climbing that latter and chasing that cheese, is money a good replacement for sanity and happiness? There are plenty of jobs out there that won’t feel like work for you. Jobs where vacation time feels unneeded. Where you wake up everyday and actually want to rush off to work… skipping and whistling all the way. In the end that perfect and ideal job is dependent on the person, but for many people, and especially those that work for Wilderness Aware Rafting, we have a passion for our profession. We love rafting, the outdoors, meeting new people, and teaching our skills to those willing to learn. We love providing a unique and memorable experience for people, and as such, we love our jobs. So to help perhaps jog your memory of what it is you truly love, let us tell you what it is about our jobs we love and why we are perfect for it. Maybe you’ll be persuaded to perhaps undue your noose of a tie and chase your dream. Because for us… we’ve not only found it, but seized it firmly. Why Being A Raft Guide Is Great There are countless reasons why being a rafting guide is great, and most of these points would probably be the same for any person who provides similar adventure services. For starters our office is outdoors and the wilderness is our boardroom. When we get to go to work, we don’t have to deal with phone calls… but bird calls. We don’t have to listen next to the water cooler about a co-workers thrilling weekend. We make our own thrills and the only thing we have to listen to is the ragging of the river or the babbling of a brook. We never get tired of sitting because sitting is supposed to be a time to relax. Which we do in between the moments of excitement and pure adrenaline rushes that the river provides. We don’t have to look at profit margins or a projects ROI because we are too busy planning for adventure. We don’t have to hit the gym after work because work is our gym and it provides the best workout we could want. We don’t have to deal with pesky and annoying coworkers because everyone we work aside is like-minded and passionate about the same things we are. When we leave work, it is impossible to take any work home with us even though many of us would like to at times, especially in the off-season. We get to not only meet interesting people everyday but also get to educate them as well. Our inspiration begets inspiration in them and we take pride in that. We have the opportunity to provide memorable experiences for those we guide, ones we know will last many years and stories that will be told countless times. Rafting to us doesn’t feel like work because it is a labor of love. Because in the end, and how we see it, we get to play all day every day. How is that even considered work? This is not meant to cause jealousy, but simply remind people that for those that want it, a job you could love is available somewhere. You just have to think hard what it is that makes you happy… and go for it. For us, there is little else we could ask for. Except maybe a river that runs year round… and for those who can’t handle the off months, those are available as well. What is Required To Become a Rafting Guide When it comes down to it, very little is required to become a whitewater rafting guide. The hard essentials are that you must be at least 18 years old and you must be currently 1st Aid and CPR certified. You may never have even set foot in a boat, but don’t be discouraged. Most rafting companies will train you on everything you need to know. How to properly use gear, rafting techniques and jargon,how to read rivers, and how to understand river obstacles/hazards. As far as rafting itself is concerned, no employer will put you on a river if either you or them don’t feel comfortable. You must also be willing to live in the area you will be rafting. Generally this means sleeping in cars, trucks, buses, tents, and cabins for the summer. For those that like to camp anyhow this is usually a benefit as it gives them even more time outdoors. In the end though, the most important traits a person can have if they want to be a whitewater rafting guide is character and attitude. For those that truly love the outdoors, people, and rafting, there is never a problem. But you always have to keep
Various River Terms for Whitewater Rafting
Rivers usually originate from a freshwater source that flows downwards from a higher elevation like atop a mountain towards one or more rivers, which then leads into a lake, a sea, or an ocean. In Colorado, we have four major rivers: Colorado, Rio Grande, Arkansas, and South Platte. Many small streams and rivers feed into these major rivers, giving us some of the best options in the US for whitewater rafting in Colorado. Some of our exciting whitewater rafting trips at Wilderness Aware Rafting take place on the incredible Arkansas and Colorado River. As you’re navigating downriver during one of our trips, you may wonder how to refer to specific areas along the river. Well, you’re in luck! This is a handy guide to river terms so start studying so you can look like quite the river stud (or studdess) next time you jump into a raft. Whitewater Rafting River Terms Confluence – the point where two rivers meet Dam – a man-made barrier built to hold back water in a reservoir or divert the flow of water Downstream – the direction that the river is flowing Drainage Basin – the area of land where surface water from rain, snow, and ice is drained by river at a lower elevation Eddy – spot where the water headed downstream stops or reverses, usually resulting in a spot to get stuck Estuary – where the tide of an ocean meets the current of the river and mixes, usually at the mouth of a river Flood Plain – the flat land close to the river banks, which is very fertile and often used for agriculture Flooding – when the rivers are overflowing with water and spreads over the bank and surrounding land Rapids – the wavy areas of a river where the current is moving fast and breaks against rocks near the surface Riverbed – the ground at the bottom of the river, which is usually sand and stones The Mouth – the end of the river where it meets a large body of water like a lake or ocean Waterfall – the sudden drop off of a river over a cliff Watershed – the land that drains water into a river or other body of water At Wilderness Aware Rafting, we absolutely love being on the rivers and having a better understanding of their nature and how they work with, well, the rest of nature. Sharing the knowledge and experience with you is an amazing benefit of our jobs. If you are interested in a Colorado Rafting Trip, multi-day rafting trip, or want to try Salt River whitewater rafting in Arizona, please be sure to contact us and find out what trip offerings we have available.
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]
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]
Meet Zack – Wilderness Aware Rafting Guide
My name is Zack Wright, but most people call me Cookie. This is my 5th year guiding for Wilderness Aware Rafting, in Buena Vista. My favorite section of river on the Arkansas is the Numbers because it is continuous, exciting hot action. I think that it is the perfect half day trip. I actually grew up on the Arkansas…a thousand miles downstream in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. It’s much different down there and about a half mile wide. I first went fishing in a little john boat on the Ark when I was about 10 years old. I came to the upper Arkansas Valley in 2009, just a few days after I got out of the Marine Corps. I was in the Marines as an infantryman from 2005 to 2009 and deployed twice to Iraq (16 months) and once to India (2 months). I was looking for a job that could hold me over for the summer before I started classes in Oklahoma and after a long and less than fruitful search, I found my dream job! I was going to become a white water rafting guide in Colorado. Did it matter that I had never even been rafting before? Not in my mind. I packed up and moved to Buena Vista! Working for Wilderness Aware has been a great experience. It has helped to fund my way through College and was an important step in my life as it gave me employment as I transitioned out of the Marine Corps. The opportunity to receive excellent and continuous training at WA has been a key reason for coming back year after year. WA also takes us on several staff trips a year to different rivers around Colorado and even into Wyoming and Utah. I look forward to working for WA in the future and my goal is to finally work a season for WA on the Salt River in Arizona this year. Position and Company: Trip Leader, Class V Guide, Multi-Day Guide, Inn to Inn Guide Wilderness Aware Rafting Number of years working on the Arkansas River: Four (2009-2012) and more to come! What do you do the rest of the year? I came to the Ark straight out of my 4 years in the US Marine Corps. The summer before the Ark I was on my 2nd deployment to Iraq. I conducted my interviews with WA while deployed to India at the beginning of 2009. I am a student at Oklahoma State University, where I also guide kayaking, climbing, and backpacking trips for the school. I’ve also worked for a commercial lighting company, UPS, and the Tulsa Zoo between seasons on the Arkansas. If I wasn’t a raft guide, then I would be (doing what)? I am a Secondary Education Major. This year I finished my student teaching at Department of Defense Schools at a US Air Force base in the United Kingdom teaching 8th Grade US History. I plan on working one or two wet years and then settling into a teaching job in Oklahoma! What does a typical day look like? A perfect day on the Ark would be to wake up in Cottonwood Camp (River Left above Pinnacle Rock) on the fifth day of a five day trip. I would rustle up a delicious breakfast of Eggs, Bacon, and Coffee, and serve it to my crew to start the day. We would pull into Pinnacle Rock put-in to meet with our safety boater, de-rig the gear boat, and get ready for a solid day in the Parkdale-Gorge section. Parkdale would serve as our final warm-up before the mean Class IV-V Royal Gorge rapids yet to come. We would eat lunch on the sunny River Left Brown’s Landing put in. Day 5 lunch of a Five Day Trip has the added bonus of all the eatable leftovers from the entire trip being added to the meal in addition to the planned menu. We need all the nourishment we can get before descending into the canyon. No matter how many times I guide Sunshine and Sledgehammer, I still get nervous and excited. There is always an enormous thrill of crushing through Sunshine Hole or Bird Drop with a bomber crew. A day in the Royal Gorge, rain or shine, is a good day to me. The Gorge also serves as a perfect capstone for the last section of our Five Day Expedition. By now, the crew and guides know each other well and work together as a finely practiced team. After returning to BV, de-rigging all the boats, wetsuits, paddles, helmets, PFDs, stoves, ice chests, trailers, vans, rocket boxes, tables, fire-pans, tents, sleeping bags, commissary boxes, and groovers, its finally time to head home. There are always a couple of guys trying to recruit a raft or kayak mission up to the Numbers or Pine Creek, and I have a bad habit of never being able to resist. At this point I re-dawn my river gear and join the crew to kayak a Clear Creek to #Five run. Back at home, there’s always time to celebrate a great day on the river with a couple of beers with guides from all the different companies at the Eddyline or the Rope. The best part about going to bed at night though, is that I get to wake up the next day and tackle another section of river! Where do you sleep? Wilderness Aware provides housing in a mobile home park. Everyone in our company lives there, so something is always going on with good friends. I love it! Most Unusual Request Ever Made of You or another guide? I once had a 350 pound man named “Tiny” as a guest on a multi-day trip. He was badly sunburned and asked me to rub aloe on his enormous back. It was so hairy that you could’ve combed it or shaved it into a Mohawk. This incident still haunts me. What do you enjoy the most about being a raft guide
How Rafting Can Create Lasting Family Memories
If you are looking for the best Family Rafting Trips Colorado has to offer, then look no further. At Wilderness Aware, we know what it takes to excite and have fun, after all we are lucky enough to do it every day. Be sure to check and see what trip offerings are available and contact us to plan a trip that your family is sure to remember! Creating Lasting Family Memories… With a Little Help From Nature Most people will know it is very difficult to conjure, plan, and put into action a proper family vacation because people want different things from a vacation. Some want to relax, others want to explore, others want to simply get away, while still some are seeking a thrilling experience. This list can go on and on, but in the end, the point that no two people are the same still exists. Meaning that very few things can fulfill everyone’s wants and desires. Now when you take into account that this rarely occurs where everyone gets what they want, people can become sour and unpleasant because, well… they aren’t enjoying themselves. This only lessens everyone else’s experience. So for a great family vacation, consider a whitewater rafting trip! By no means take this as a sales speech and consider what is going to be said here as if it wasn’t enjoyable, no one would be doing it. Rafting Is Both Relaxing and Thrilling It may seem to be polar opposites, but rafting is indeed both relaxing and thrilling. Simply stated, there are moments of both throughout any trip. There are going to be stretches where your only concern is the sound of the water trickling and babbling, viewing landscape scenes most others will never set eyes on, basking in the warmth and glow of the sun, watching the birds fly and chipmunks play. There are few occasions and instances in life where you could be more relaxed. And though this won’t be the rafting trip entirely, there are certainly enough moments where even the most tumultuous souls will be put at peace. Now on the other end of this spectrum, is the excitement. The thrill of shooting through rapids, crashing and fighting against the waves. The battle of controlling what would otherwise be an uncontrollable object, guiding it through obstacles like a thread through a needle. At some points, you may feel you’ve been going for an eternity when in actuality it’s only been a few moments. Your heart will be pumping, your senses heightened due to the adrenaline, and muscles tired from fighting the current. Fortunately, just around the bend is another section of lazy river. So rafting certainly covers the full spectrum of relaxation and excitement. Rafting Is Adventurous There is nothing more adventurous than being beholden to the current of a force outside of yourself. You may be able to guide where in the river you are, but the river in the end is leading the way. Along the way, if you saw something of interest, get out and go explore. Most people will never set foot in these places, they will never see what is seen, or experience what is experienced. Rafting is naturally and inherently adventurous, absolutely no doubt about that. Rafting Involves The Outdoors This should go without saying, but for some a proper vacation involves the outdoors and even being active. While in the river, you are literally following and flowing through the veins of the world. You will be smack dab in the middle of the outdoors, there is no doubt about that. Meantime, as far as being active is concerned… there is no concern. At the end of a day you are going to be spent, as you will have been outdoors in the sun, breathing fresh air, and fighting a formidable force. Rafting As A Great Escape There is no better way to escape than getting out into the wild. If losing yourself for a moment is the goal, rest assured that while rafting you will forget all about yourself. The unadulterated beauty of nature and the serene sense while present in it is without any better way to say, magical. For a long time man has though there to be healing properties to rivers, sometimes physically, but certainly mentally and spiritually. Rafting Creates Great Memories With all that said above, it should be apparent now that it would be hard for any person not to find some enjoyment from white water rafting. Whether you remember how relaxing, thrilling, beautiful, or adventurous your trip was, you’ll have stories and memories to share for a long time. As far as allowing a family to do something together where everyone has something they can enjoy, there are few things that beat rafting. Most likely your favorite memories won’t be the same, but that’s a good thing. That means you’ve each taken something different and special from the experience, but what would be important was that you’ve experienced it together. And it is these moments as a family that matters most, when everyone is happy and enjoying each others company without the stresses of normal daily life. We hope to see you soon someday, and to help make any of your Family Rafting Trips memorable. Be sure to contact us with any questions, and be sure to consider rafting as a great family trip. You can rest assured, it would certainly be more interesting than a trip to Disneyland!
How To Choose A Proper Rafting Company
There are many factors that should be considered when choosing a company to take you on a white water raft trip. The choice made can either turn your trip into an amazing memory, or an unforgettable nightmare. So it’s important to choose wisely from the start. What follows is an explanation of the areas that should be touched upon when seeking out a whitewater rafting company. One thing for certain is that people expect to have an enjoyable time and remain safe while on a rafting vacation. So choosing the best river that matches a groups or persons capabilities is paramount. The fun will be had so long as the challenge is there, and the fun can be enjoyed so long as there is no looming feeling of fear. Fear comes about from uncertainty, so in order to enjoy yourself, you are going to need to be able to trust your rafting guides. In order for trust to be achieved, you are going to need to clarify a few things with the rafting company. Trip Safety You are going to want to choose a rafting company that does their best to create the safest conditions for rafters. Meaning that the proper equipment is provided for such as helmets and life vests, and instructions are given for newcomers/beginners about rafting etiquette and what to do if they are ejected into the water. What has to be remembered is that while rafting, you are not in a controlled environment. But many of the dangers can be mitigated if attention is paid. A proper rafting company knows these dangers as well as the best course of action to lesson the chance for a problem to occur. Equipment Provided All rafting companies will offer life vests, as thats the most basic of safety equipment to be provided. But you should ask to see what other options for safety are available. The next most important that should be considered is a helmet. These are the two most critical items to have whilst rafting. After that, neoprene clothing items are optional to fight against the cold. Even gloves may be provided to protect you hands and provide extra grip. Does the Rafting Company Help to Determine the Most Suitable River Safety is not only dictated by the protective items worn, but is also determined by the river chosen for rafting, and the experience of the rafters themselves. You will want to discuss the experience of all the rafters in a group participating, and see what the rafting guides believe is the most suitable level of rapid that should be attempted safely. This is an important point, and should not be over looked or forgotten. Chances are though that a proper rafting company will not allow this point to be untouched. The Experience of the Guides as Well as the Company Itself You will want to inquire to see how long a rafting company has been in business and weigh that information accordingly. Especially depending on the rivers they raft. A company may be well versed with Colorado white water rafting, but may be new to rafting Arizona. Meaning that perhaps they wouldn’t be the most trusted if they’ve just began to raft a certain river. Experience, after all, does count for certain rivers. Beyond a companies experience on certain rivers, you will want to find out the overall experience of the rafting guides themselves, as well as their experience on specific rivers. The Total River Options Available If a rafting company only offers a handfull of possible rivers to raft down, they will be trying to get anyone they can to raft those certain rivers. Which could be either below, or worst, above a groups skill level. Either way, you want to see how many options are available for certain rivers, as more choices are better than fewer. Number of Activities Being Offered At times, you may want to do other things beside raft. This could include anything outdoor related, such as horseback riding, mountain biking, off-roading, or simply hiking around. These activities are not always allowed or offered for certain companies, so if it’s something you are interested in, you will want to check ahead of time to see what options are available. Company Awards, Prestige, or Recognitions Received You will want to see if a rafting company has received any awards or recognitions in the past. This should only hold a certain amount of weight in deciding a company, but it certainly helps to highlight the shining stars from those that dont. Recommendations and Customer Testimonials Nothing can bring about trust for anything more than a friendly referral. If a family member of friend says that a certain company is trustworthy, than that’s really the most important but of information that can be obtained. If you do not know anyone that has been on a rafting trip, then you will have to read through company customer testimonials to see what they have said. These are generally worthwhile to read through, but be careful. Often times companies add in “fake” testimonials to bolster their reviews. It can be hard to sort through the fakes at times. But if a statement seems genuine, than chances are it really is.
