I picked the photo for this posting because of the sheer joy, and extreme panic that goes along with whitewater rafting. No, that's not me in the photo, but it might as well be. Howard and I have rafted many rivers, including the very dangerous Tuolomne (pictured) and the glorious, sometimes terrifying Colorado.
The Tuolomne was our first rafting experience; it is an advanced class IV-V river, not one for novices, but we took someone else's place. It was kind of a "sure, why not" response. I looked up a class V. "Whitewater, large waves, possible large rocks and hazards, possible large drop, requires precice maneuvering, skill level Advanced whitewater experience." A class VI is so dangerous as to risk death. We had "all of the above." The river was WILD as it ran 18 miles of intense rapids, interspersed with gorgeous scenery and a feeling of solitude at calm stretches. It was so rough at certain places that the oarsmen had to portage the rafts to safer spots; we hiked the route.
You would think "never again." But it's like having a baby, you forget the "pain" and remember the joy. We did 8 days on the Colorado River as part of a group of friends who were photographing a catalog for their outdoor equipment. They did 13 days, ending up in Lake Mead. We got out half way, as planned, at Phantom Ranch. We put on our packs, and lots of water, and hiked 1 mile straight up the canyon trail in 104 degree heat. Slept overnight on picnic tables close to the rim. It was awful. I don't even want to relive it.
But the RAFTING on the Colorado was phenomenal. You float down, down, down, through time to the base of the canyon. We had an oarswoman who was exceptionally knowledgeable about history and geology, so we enjoyed it all the way. The rapids were again a class IV -V. But we were in a 3 person rubber raft with an experienced oarswoman. Nevertheless, the screaming was intense. The rapids were treacherous, but it was a great adventure.
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