The Rush Of Whitewater
Whitewater rafting is stunning natural beauty and Zen-like serenity, punctuated by bursts of speed, intense drops and near vertical climbs, when you feel the rush of Mother Nature flexing her muscles. The key is picking the right destinations and the right guides.
Many of the top destinations are in coveted vacation areas. And while more than 99 percent of visitors to the Grand Canyon peer down jealously from the rim, you can actually be in it, riding a wet, thrilling roller coaster–without the harness.
Foaming rapids are rated in six classes of difficulty. Class I is easily navigated by novices. Class II and III evoke “oohs and aahs,” while Class IV is more “Holy S***!,” requiring technical maneuvering. Class V, “Rapids with major obstacles that are difficult to avoid,” is as big as it gets for mere mortals. Class VI means “unnavigable.” But first-timers can experience Class IV and V, when experienced guides handle the steering. Taking the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is the sport’s Holy Grail, as hairy situations are limited. The “full” Grand can take two weeks, so many travelers do the upper or lower half, then return to finish.
Multi-day trips that require camping (with guides doing the heavy lifting and cooking) are the dream vacations of whitewater. The Grand Canyon gets the press in part because permits are scarce. But many turn to the Middle Fork of Idaho’s Salmon River for its head-turning natural beauty, hot springs and 100 miles of almost nonstop whitewater.
“Many don’t know this kind of bucket-list wilderness trip exists right here in the U.S.,” says Heather Howard of MT Sobek, which offers high-end rafting trips across four continents. “At 100 miles, it’s a premier river perfect for first-timers and pros alike. The river has a natural crescendo that culminates Impassible Canyon and a fun Class IV rapid—one final, unforgettable thrill.”
