Whitewater
Rafting Itinerary
Whitewater
Rafting, Lava Canyon Trip
Clearwater River, Wells Gray
Provincial Park, BC
THE MEET & GREET: Guests
are greeted & welcomed
and then sign a standard waiver that
outlines some of the risks and hazards associated with white water rafting.
We walk together to the “Trip Meeting Location”, located
behind the building.
SUITING UP: Guests are outfitted with
wetsuits (fleeces and splash jackets are available depending on the weather
conditions). We also provide shoes (or neoprene booties in colder weather)
for guests who don’t
have appropriate river footwear. Guests’ clothing and valuables
are stored in containers locked in the Rafting Head Quarters
TEAM MEETING: Guests are introduced to one another and the
guide outlines the upcoming trip itinerary which involves mostly Class 2 or
Class 3 rapids, with one section of Class 4 (rated according to the International
Scale of 1 to 6)
LOADING UP: The team moves into our air conditioned
15 passenger van. We travel out of Clearwater, heading up a backcountry road
into Wells Gray Provincial Park.
ARRIVAL: After a 15 minutes drive,
the ‘Raft
Mobile’ stops at the put-in trail where the team exits the van
and put on the final and most important pieces of our gear; the Personal
Floatation Device (PFD’s) and river helmets.
THE PUT-IN: Then the raft is carried down to the put-in,
which is located BELOW the Kettle, a famous Class 6 rapid. There
is a personal introduction to the river as the guide encourages the
team to get their wetsuits wet and feel the river temperature.
SAFETY TALK/ORIENTATION: The guide
outlines the protocols that will be followed to ensure that everyone
has a safe and pleasurable river trip. The guide will also explain
how the guests will work together as a team to propel the raft down
the Clearwater River (if you prefer, some seats do not require you
to paddle).
THE FIRST FEW HUNDRED METERS: Provides
some friendly water where the guide and guests will have an opportunity
to practice the paddling commands. Then the excitement begins
as the raft rushes by an island through the first rapid.
THE WALL & THE FUNNEL
CHUTE: While
these may not be the biggest waves on the trip, these wild waves are
certainly the most technical sections, where the team has to work to
avoid certain river hazards.
THE HOLE-IN-THE-WALL AND THE BEAR’S
DEN: These
interesting features follow the first rapids and they are the results
of the forces of high water erosion.
HAWAII 5-0, TSUNAMI, AND BUCKAROO: Then we are back into some of the best waves of the trip. These are
famous for continuous explosive Class 3 breaking and standing waves.
The Super Screamer seat is a must to try in this section!
SIDE HIKE: (Spring & Early Summer) To Candle Creek
Falls where we can actually walk right behind the majestic water curtain
and, at the right water levels, jump right into the rushing pool of water. It
is often a highlight for many of our guests.
THE BIG GREEN MONSTER: A wild train of waves which
is really worthy of its name!
OSPREY RAPID: This set of waves is identifiable by
the active osprey nest at the beginning of the rapids.
RIVER SWIM: This is a nice section of class
1 rapids where we invite the guests to jump into the river and experience
some of the waves up close and personal. This is of course fully optional
and is done by floating on your back, feet first, connected to each
other by holding hands, while timing your breathing at the bottom of
the waves.
OTTER CHUTE: This is the final stretch of rapids
which has an awesome wave train at lower water levels.
CLIFF JUMPING: At Bubbly Rock
Canyon, we invite guests to leap from an 8 meter (25 foot) high cliff.
This is done during the months of August & September,
when the water levels are more suitable for such an activity.
THE FINAL STRETCH OF RIVER: By
this point in the river trip, guests are happy to enjoy a peaceful
moment meandering down the river canyon while slowly traveling out
of the Park into the town of Clearwater.
TAKE OUT: Shortly after rafting under the bridge,
prior to the North Thompson River, we bring the boat to rest and walk
back 200 meters to the “Trip Meeting Location” where our
dry clothes are waiting for us.
CELEBRATION: We get changed out of our
wetsuits; have a cold drink, exchange river stories and funny anecdotes.
Our knowledgeable staff is also happy to give out information and maps
regarding other adventures in Wells Gray Park. We offer two regular
departures at 9:30 am and 2:00 pm daily, please call us if you have
additional questions or would like to make a reservation. Call or email
soon!
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