ANDY'S WILD WATER ADVENTURES!

First: you read our brochure and find out which trip interests you, and the best time of year to run that trip (some of our most spectacular rivers are floatable only in the spring, or into early summer during a high snowpack season, such as the beautiful Owyhee). Please bear in mind that we are glad to answer any questions you might have about the different rivers or our trips in general. We understand the concerns you may have as a newcomer to whitewater rafting--we were all there once. There are no dumb questions! We welcome beginners and families on many of our rivers; we also have plenty of challenging runs for those of you who looking for bigger and better rapids! If we don't have the river you want, or the date you want, we can help you find out who does, and we'll even contact them for you.

Seasons: Everybody wants to go in August, but not every river is good to run in August. Also, weekends in summer are usually busier than midweek. Remember that May and June are very nice times to raft here in the Pacific Northwest, and most of our rivers are at higher levels then, offering a great bouncy ride. Another consideration is what you want to do on the trip. For row-your-own adventures, the Rogue is better in April and May, when higher waters cover up all those "sneaker" rocks that otherwise would drive a novice batty. If the guide is rowing, shallower waters are not a concern. Fishing for trout and smallmouth bass is generally better later in the season. Wildflowers peak in mid-spring on most rivers. Swimming and bodysurfing are feasible only in summer.

River classifications: You may wonder about the river classification system. Rivers in the West are rated from Class I (easy moving water, riffles) to Class VI (unrunnable, a waterfall). Class II is moderate, Class III intermediate, Class IV advanced. The plus (+) sign indicates the overall river rating is more difficult; likewise, the minus sign (-) means the run is less demanding. We rate rivers according to the overall difficulty (thus, a moderate run with only one Class IV might be rated as an overall Class III+). We rate the rivers to give you an idea of how exciting your trip will be, but remember rivers are constantly changing. An easy river in flood stage might become harder. A moderate river located in very remote terrain is rated higher than a run nearer to civilization, for obvious reasons.

Most suitable for nervous novices are the Class II+ rapids; these are thrilling, yet not overwhelming. If your group has members who want more action, smaller inflatables handily satisfy, so everyone on the same trip gets a different view of the whitewater. On a guided trip, an adventurous beginner can tackle some Class V trips, but they should be aware of what they're getting into. Rivers may be "pool and drop," where long stretches of quiet water are interrupted by rapids, or they may flow more constantly, demanding more paddling and greater alertness throughout the day. Again, nervous beginners prefer a pool and drop river experience like the "middle" McKenzie (the upper section has a much steeper gradient), all runs on the Deschutes, the Rogue and lower Klamath. The Grande Ronde is a relatively fast moving stream, yet still suitable for beginners.

Safety: Although running whitewater seems dangerous, it is actually quite safe when conducted by experienced professionals with good equipment. Your safety is important to us; while we guarantee excitement, we do not take unnecessary risks. Our safety record is excellent--however, we remind our guests that the nature of wilderness float trips and running rapids does involve some risk. How you run each rapid is determined by your guide, who bases his or her run on the raft group's experience and desire for adventure. In some cases, you may choose to take a "sneak" route or to walk around the rapid (and we reserve the right to ask guests to walk around a particularly difficult rapid). All of our guides are certified in first aid and CPR. We are fully insured as required of whitewater outfitters by the state of Oregon and federal agencies. However, we do recommend vacation insurance, especially to protect cameras and other valuables, and to guard against cancellation losses. We cancel a trip ONLY when river conditions are unsafe-- not due to weather or high water/low water conditions. Ask about warm gear for early season trips (wetsuits/paddle jackets).

Swimming: A common question is, Do I need to be able to swim? On most rivers, you don't. Our Type V life jackets are designed turn an overboard person face up and float the face out of water. So, should you fall out of the raft, the life jacket does most of the work. You will get wet, and probably cold, and feel scared, but you are in no real danger. Most overboard people are able to grab the "lifeline" attached to the outside of all our rafts, so they are easily and quickly pulled back inside, even in the middle of a rapid. On a more difficult river (fast moving, bigger rapids), rescue is not as swift--you may need basic swimming skills to maneuver yourself back to a raft, or to shore.

On every trip, the trip leader gives a "safety talk" so that you and all the other guests know exactly what obstacles to expect on your trip and how to deal with overboards, collisions with rocks, and other expected thrills of whitewater rafting. If you have questions, please ask; we want you to understand our safety procedures.

Company trips: We often run special trips just for a business group, from an office party to "team building" exercises. Let us know your needs. We will operate the trip just for your group with no outsiders, and can plan or accommodate off-river activities (such as seminars, or team games).

Ages/Abilities: We welcome children 4-5 years and up on our Class II trips. Kids need to weigh 40 pounds or more to fit our youth life jackets. (Call first about a smaller youngster.) For kids to have a good time, it helps if they enjoy rollercoasters and water slides. We find that some younger children don't get much out of a longer trip (3 or more days). Choose a trip based on what interests your kids--for example, many youngsters love picking up rocks and throwing rocks; they'll relish a trip with gravel bars, like the Grande Ronde. We do not recommend the North Umpqua or Klickitat rivers for kids under 8-9 years of age, and they should be at least 12, and over 90 pounds, for the upper Klamath/upper Owyhee. (Active kids who swim well can do more difficult runs at younger ages.)

Teens: Teenagers do well on whitewater trips. Many of our guides are college age and offer good role models--your teens will see them rowing the boats, preparing dinners, even washing dishes, and they'll actually want to help out! For kids 16+ who really enjoy the outdoors, consider sending them to our Whitewater and Guide Schools. Besides learning valuable skills and having a great time on several different rivers, they may embark on a great summer career, maybe even winding up in Yellowstone National Park or Alaska for a season or two!

Seniors: Seniors of any vintage are encouraged to join our trips. We have no upper age limit. The most popular trips for seniors are our Owyhee and John Day rivers. Just relax and let our trained crew do all the hard work. You've earned a real vacation. Let us know any special needs, and we'll accommodate them.

Disabled: What about physical limitations? Well, Melinda has done trips while on crutches, so there's a lot of leeway in accommodating the "differently abled" on many of our adventures. Just keep in mind nature's limits--wild country doesn't have wheelchair ramps, for example. Let us know the nitty-gritty details of your handicap, and we can probably accommodate you. (We have guided the Oregon Commission for the Blind on the Deschutes, for example.) Also, we must know about any health concerns you or any member of your group have--diabetes, bee sting allergy, severe food allergy, heart conditions, and so forth--for safety reasons.

Types of rafts: On most trips, we offer paddle-rafting, where each guest is issued a canoe-type paddle and helps power the raft. A guide sits in the back of the raft, steering and giving paddle commands, so you always know exactly what to do. We have practice runs before tackling rapids. You paddle in rapids and relax afterwards--there is no constant paddling on most trips. This is the boat of choice for team-building! Paddling is a fun exercise that is very beneficial for the muscles of the upper body, from abs to lats. (You can see a picture of a "straight" paddle boat on the McKenzie River page.) Rivers like the North Umpqua, Klickitat and upper Klamath are more difficult to paddle, requiring more sustained physical effort.

Paddle-assist: Here some people are paddling and the guide is rowing from the back. The guide has far more control over the raft in this set-up, and you don't need to paddle as much. All of our upper Klamath trips are paddle-assist unless you request otherwise. (You can see an example of paddle-assist raft on the Upper Klamath page.) Then there are straight oar-rafts, where the guide does all the work and you just hold on. The oar rafts also carry the bulk of the cargo (up to a ton per raft), and are best for fishing. (You can view an oar-rowed raft on the owner's biography page.) Please let us know if you have a preference well before your trip, and we will try to accommodate you. Generally, almost anyone in moderate to good health will enjoy a paddle experience. Without a rowing frame, the raft will be bouncier in rapids, providing a better ride.

Another option is the inflatable kayak (IK). These are like one-person rafts, only much stronger and more maneuverable than the cheap little boats ("Tahitis") you may be familiar with. Our inflatable kayaks are self- bailing, for comfort and safety, and are made of the same durable fabrics and coatings as our big rafts are. In the inflatable kayak, you're on your own--guides provide some instruction in their proper use, and you are expected to follow the rafts down river--but there is no guide in your boat (except when a group of 6+ persons requests all kayaks with a special kayak instructor to lead them). We usually have these for large groups, sometimes for small groups, and also you may special-request them for your party.

We begin the actual float by assigning guests to an appropriate raft. Each raft will carry from four to twelve guests, depending on how large the raft is and how it is rigged, plus the degree of difficulty of the river (we want lighter rafts in heavy rapids). Our rafts are comfortable, professional-quality whitewater boats, ranging from 14-16 feet long. Most are self-bailing (a "luxury" feature not necessary on most of our rivers, but nice to have in constant whitewater). Our rafts are very rugged and almost never not spout leaks, deflate in mid-stream, or fall apart, even if a rock is struck. Rafts bounce off most obstacles with ease. We carry fully-equipped repair kits, just in case, for wilderness expeditions.

Trip itinerary: We meet everyone at a specific time and place, usually right along the river, and in early morning. You will receive a packet that details all meeting instructions and times. You must be on time within an hour of the meeting time for your trip or the trip may launch without you. If you are going to be more than an hour late, you must call our office and let us know, so we can tell the guides when they call to find out where you are. The guides have a list of who is going on the trip, ages of kids under 18 (releases must be signed by guardians in advance of the trip if kids are unaccompanied), special needs, and so forth. On some occasions, we do arrange to pick up a group elsewhere (such as an airport, motel or lodge) and transport them to the river site.

The trip leader is the most experienced guide and usually gives the safety lecture, handles any last-minute problems, shows you how to paddle and where to sit on the rafts, takes the lead raft, and so forth. (Sometimes each guide gives instruction for his/her own raft crew.) If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to talk to the trip leader, that's their job!

Usually when you arrive, the guides have the rafts mostly ready to go. On day trips, the rafts travel inflated on a trailer; they need only unloading, and sometimes topping off of air, to be ready. Each raft gets a throw bag, bail bucket or other water scoop (mostly for water fighting), small gear bag, paddles and spares. You may be asked to help move the rafts from trailer to river. Life jackets will be passed out, and guides help you get them on correctly. On a very technical river (one with lots of rocks), you will be issued a helmet for additional safety. If the day is cold, now is the time to don rain gear or other protection such as our wetsuits and paddle jackets. Most of the summer, you will need lots and lots of sunblock.

For overnight trips, there will be one or more cargo rafts. These are big rafts that carry a master ice chest (120-180 quart) with most of the trip's perishables--vegetables and fruits, chicken and steak. Drinks are stowed in other coolers (they eat up precious ice). We usually don't provide much soda pop (it's bulky and hard for the shoppers to haul around), so you should bring your own (beer/hard drinks for camp, not during the day), identified with your initials in magic marker (no glass containers, please--they break). The cargo raft also has two large "dry boxes" for kitchen gear, pantry foods, toilet paper, and other essentials. Special hammock-like cargo slings may be installed on both bow (front) and stern (back) of the raft. These hold your dry bags and other gear off the raft floor, so it stays drier. Most of this rigging will be done by the time you arrive.

You pack all of your personal gear in the dry bag you are issued, then the guides load all the guest baggage and strap everything down. Everything of value is strapped down so the splashing waves won't wash it loose (but people are never tied in--should the raft flip, you can't get loose fast enough). You may also have an "ammo can," a small metal box with a watertight lid for storing cameras and other things you want to keep handy. Wallets, watches and other valuables go into the bottom of the dry bag (yes, the bags float very well). Please don't bring expensive items that might get lost overboard or damaged--unless your insurance company issues you a "floater policy" (no pun intended); this also covers your stuff in a rental car, on a plane, and so forth. For extra security, we recommend packing all your stuff in Zip-loc baggies. Remember, there's no such thing as a 100% waterproof container!

For camping: you will need to bring (or we can supply) a tent (for privacy, bug proofing, weather protection), sleeping bag (preferably synthetic filling--river banks produce dew), some kind of cushion for sleeping (foam pad or air mattress), maybe a pillow (some folks just use their folded jacket), and a flashlight. For summer trips, you won't need many clothes. We send you a complete list of what to bring for your trip, but you will need a set of long clothing for camp. Our guides love those polyester fleece sweaters (NOT cotton sweatshirts, the ski sweaters) so much, because they are perfect river wear, that we will be selling tops and bottoms to our guests.

On day trips or overnighters: while on the river, most people wear shorts or bathing suits, with a T-shirt for sun protection. You MUST have suitable footwear--shoes that can get wet but don't come off the feet easily. Old tennis shoes work fine (don't wear $200 Air Jordans, they just get trashed). Teva or other river sandals are perfect. Pack wool socks in case of cool water/sunburn on feet. Always bring hat, sunglasses, waterproof sun lotion rated 15 or higher--water reflects sunlight and you can get a nasty burn. ALL glasses must be strapped on (Croakies, Chums, a cheap piece of rubber tubing) to avoid loss. Contact lens wearers should consider swim goggles in big whitewater (usually not a problem). Always bring your thirst for adventure!

On most rivers, we float from 10 to 20 miles per day. This is about four hours of straight float time. We average 2-3 hours from 10:00 am or so to lunch time (anywhere from 12-3:00 pm). Lunch varies--generally on summer trips, because the weather is warm, we offer a buffet-style lunch, where everyone helps themselves to sliced roast beef and deli turkey breast, whole-grain breads, a wide assortment of spreads, sliced fruit and cheeses, cookies, cut vegetables, lettuce and tomatoes, chips and dip, plus cold refreshing lemonade. (On some rivers, we prefer not to carry coolers in the rafts with you, but a small water bottle is recommended, bring it already full and refill from our containers). If you need a special lunch--vegetarian, or fussy youngster, for instance--just let us know in advance. Usually our buffet-style has something for everyone, and we bring peanut butter/jelly for the youngsters (having learned from experience that all kids will eat this, at least). On overnight trips, lunch varies from day to day so you don't get bored--bagels one day, maybe Greek salad and pita pocket bread the next.

Interesting Places: During the day we occasionally stop at interesting places: a trail to a waterfall, a place for the young at heart to "body surf" through a rapid, fishing (if people want to stop), wildlife observation, historic spots (such as Native American petroglyphs, or a pioneer cabin), a cave to explore. That's part of the fun of our trips, and the reason we may take more days to run a particular river than another company does. We want to relax, unwind, escape the rat race. Why rush downstream to see how many miles you can make in a day? You're on vacation! (However, once in a while we may need to make more miles than usual, to reach a special place, or for safety. Then your cooperation and understanding is appreciated.) Our best advice? Bring your sense of humor, and be flexible--a wilderness raft trip is not like home. Meals will not happen automatically at noon sharp. We're on river time now: we eat when we're hungry, nap when we're tired, get up when we smell the coffee.

After lunch we resume floating down to a suitable campsite, another 1-3 hours. We need time to set up camp and get dinner ready before dark. We may send a cargo raft ahead to set up the camp for us, or just all pitch in to unload the gear, then guides set up the kitchen first, while you find the perfect site for your bed. What if you've never camped before? No problem--a guided raft trip is the perfect opportunity to start. You will be surprised by the comforts our trips offer. Keep in mind most of our overnight rivers are in wilderness. There are no facilities, other than what we bring. Very few rivers have lodges available, and those that do (like the Rogue) are often booked years in advance. For a shorter adventure, the North Umpqua can be run with luxury lodging at the unparalleled Steamboat Inn, for 2 or 3 days. But the Grande Ronde, Owyhee, John Day, and Deschutes rivers don't have overnight lodging.

For your comfort: and to protect the fragile wilderness environments (we're not allowed to build anything, cut firewood, or leave trash behind, even coffee grounds or cooking grease), we carry folding tables (no eating on the ground), lawn chairs, porta-potties, camp stoves that use propane or white gas (also packed along), lanterns to light the night, and the like. On some trips we bring a "pavilion" which creates a large, weatherproof gathering area (great for business seminars); on others we surprise you with a hot shower or a four-inch queen size air mattress. For meals, we use mostly fresh foods, especially local produce in season, like Walla Walla sweet onions, Oregold peaches, Hood River black cherries.

In camp: guides put up the kitchen and prepare meals; you are expected to pack and unpack your own gear and camp area. Guides are available to help with carrying the dry bags up to your selected site, tent setup, air mattress inflation, etc. Snacks like veggies and dip, salsa and tortilla chips, or crackers and cheese, are put out on a table to curb your hunger pangs before dinner. Mornings start about when you and the group are ready--guides get up early to make coffee and begin breakfast. Now that you know how to pack, you take down your tent and pack everything away into your dry bag for the next day on the river.

At the end of the trip: all gear is loaded onto the raft trailer. For overnight trips, we use a trailer with side boards to hold everything--the rafts are first deflated, then rolled up and loaded. Dry bags go onto the roof rack so they are separate from other gear, easily accessible. If you paid extra to have your own car shuttled to this takeout, you grab your dry bag, throw all your stuff into the trunk, return the dry bag, and you're free to leave. (If you feel your guide (s) made the trip extra special for you, please do offer a tip. Many of our guides are college students and appreciate the extra money.) Usually guests prefer to have us drive them back to the beginning of the trip in our vans. You can't go until all the gear is loaded, so you're welcome to pitch in, if you like, or take a last hike or swim. (On a day trip, loading is easier, we just hoist the inflated rafts up one by one, putting wet life jackets inside the bottom raft.) Once loaded and strapped down, we load passengers into the van, check around for stray gear, then we're headed back.

And that's basically how our raft trips work. If you still have questions, or concerns, about how your particular trip will happen, please give us a call. We enjoy arranging custom trips for you and your family, group, business trip, and for travel agent clients.