July 30, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Valemount, River Rafting
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I went white water rafting the other day. In fact, all of us at the visitor centre did. I had never been rafting before, and I was unsure what to expect. I guess I hadn't been expecting much, because I arrived in the location not far from Valemount on Highway 16 thinking we would just pop into an inflatable raft and take a ride down some rough water. Then the guides lined us up to get wetsuits and helmets. Then we went through the 15 minute safety briefing where they mentioned the waterfall.
"Oh", I thought as we sat on the ancient school bus ferrying us to the launch point, "this might be worth blogging about after all!"
It certainly was. The river was framed by beautiful forest, beyond which the Rocky Mountains scraped the sky like so many sharp flint tools. As we drifted down the calm first section of the river, Mount Robson made a magnificent photo opportunity as it stood framed by trees and rushing water. I didn't have long to lament having left my camera behind though, as we started getting into the first set of rapids. Paddling like mad, the raft burst over the waves and we were splashed by the fresh mountain water. We portaged around a waterfall and shot through more rapids. at the end we hit calm water, and we all went for a swim in the cold river until we hauled each other back into the raft to paddle in to shore. It was an exhilarating experience, and I am very glad I had the opportunity to do it. It was so good, in fact, that I may want to go again soon. If you are headed out that way, plan for a few hours of extra time and check out white water rafting in the Robson Valley. Make sure you bring a waterproof camera though!
June 26, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Valemount, River Rafting
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View a larger image on flickr.com
Problem: A hot summer day, and
you’re dying to cool yourself off somehow.
Solution: Take a dip in the
instantly refreshing 7°C waters of the Fraser River.
Obviously that wouldn’t be a
sensible thing to do by yourself, but you can turn it into a half-day adventure
by going on a whitewater rafting trip. There are several rafting companies
located in the Valemount area, and we chose Stellar Descents just west of Tete
Jaune Cache.
After the safety briefing it was off on the bus – already sporting
our very form-fitting neoprene suits
– to the launch site. Once all bundled up with helmet and lifejacket, we
departed from the banks of the Fraser with a magnificent view of a cloudless
Mt. Robson in the background.
The first ten or so minutes of the trip are gentle,
and allow rafters the chance to get used to the boat and how to properly
paddle. Then we hit the first moderate rapids, which got everyone into the
rafting spirit and already provided a few cool splashes of glacial water. After
several more challenging rapids (ranging from 1-3+, on a scale out of 6), it
was time to pull over the boat about half-way through the trip. The reason:
Rearguard Falls, a whopping class 5 waterfall that even the guides treat with
significant respect.
After hauling the raft up a little incline we had a chance
to explore the newly installed viewing platform over the falls, which is
literally suspended over the water and takes visitors as close to the
thundering – and earthshaking – masses of water as possible. On the other side
of Rearguard Falls we climbed back onboard and were soon off into the wildest
rapids of the trip, causing the raft to rise and fall, sway back and forth, and
washing over us a number of times. After the last rapids of the trip are
navigated, the waters become much calmer and we were allowed to jump into the
Fraser for a refreshing dip. Mind you, when it comes to glacial water the term
“refreshing” is a bit of an understatement, but on a hot summer day like the
day we went it is definitely worth trying out.
Soon thereafter we were back on
shore, loading the raft onto the trailer and heading back to where we had
started. And just like that three hours had passed – hours in which you
experience the unique feeling of complete concentration as your mind focuses
entirely on the roaring waters ahead of you. Such intense focus is almost
meditative – until a swell of icy water hits you in the face and catapults you
right back into paddling for what it’s worth!
Roam plenty and roam safely,
Your Traveller13
Image courtesy of Stellar Descents