Top Three Reasons to go Whitewater Rafting This Mother’s Day
This Mother’s Day, treat Mom to some quality family time you are all sure to remember. Here are our top 3 reasons to go whitewater rafting this Mother’s Day! Top Three Reasons to go Whitewater Rafting This Mother’s Day 1. Quality Family Time Whitewater rafting requires your family to disconnect from everything else and focus on each other. The moment your green raft pushes off the shore, your world is transformed into an ecosphere consisting solely of t hat green raft and the destinations it leads you. Whether your family is admiring the gorgeous glow of sunset on the canyon walls or settling into your groove as your synch up and power through a wave train, rafting will engross you enabling the opportunity to connect without the distractions of any screens – every mom’s dream. The river makes an ideal setting for creating new memories to share and soaking in the breathtaking Colorado scenery. 2. Rejuvenating Mom will feel inspired after basking in the Colorado sunshine and completely disconnecting from the daily grind. Whether on one of our multi-day whitewater rafting trips or a half-day trip, spending time on the water will refresh the senses. The opportunity to connect with remote wilderness areas and take in natural landmarks like Browns Canyon National Monument brings a new perspective and appreciation for nature. 3. Fun! There is nothing quite like the endorphin rush from paddling through giant rapids or the build up of butterflies in your stomach followed by the thrill of plowing over a wave. Whitewater rafting is an absolute blast and our trips include a variety of options sure to please the class IV big water junkies and the more casual rafter in search of a sightseeing float. No matter the trip, time on the water is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face. Bonus: Mom will come away from the trip feeling empowered knowing she toughed it out on the river. And, if she’s still craving that spa experience, Buena Vista just so happens to boast some incredible natural hot springs!
Arkansas River: Come for the Rafting, Stay for the Trout!
We all know of the Arkansas River as the Mecca of whitewater rafting, but did you know it boasts another accolade? Anglers rejoice – the 102 mile stretch of river starting near Leadville to the Royal Gorge in Cañon City is Gold Medal Trout Water. What is Gold Medal Trout Water? Designated by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission, Gold Medal Trout Water must be publicly accessible and produce at least 12 “quality” trout (14+ inches) in addition to 60 pounds of standing stock per acre. Offering just over 100 miles of some of the best fishing conditions, the Arkansas River is the longest stretch of Gold Medal water in the state of Colorado. Unlike other iconic fishing rivers in Colorado, the Arkansas only recently earned its place in the Gold Medal club. Leadville’s early mining days took their toll on the Arkansas River contributing towards decades of damage. The designation as one of the best rivers for trophy trout fishing is the reward for years of combined effort on the behalf of state and federal agencies, volunteers, and the Arkansas River Valley community. As little as 20 years ago trout in the area experienced a limited lifespan of only 3 years due to the heavy metal contaminants from mining. Today’s trout thrive living beyond an age of 10 years and growing to a much larger, healthier size. In addition to reviving the fishing scene, the conservation efforts have even further preserved the beauty found along the Arkansas River. These stretches of river are best appreciated while in a raft. Areas like Browns Canyon National Monument and the iconic Royal Gorge encompass this portion of the Arkansas River conveniently creating the ultimate combination: America’s finest fishing and adrenaline inducing class III-IV whitewater rafting. While you aren’t able to fish off of our rafts (a special permit is required) our guides are happy to eddy out to those secret spots accessible only by raft. If you want to make the most of fishing opportunities, I invite you to look into our multiday trips. Since we camp right along the river, these trips allow anglers to take advantage of peak biting hours: dawn and dusk. The Arkansas River has always held the spotlight as a white water rafting destination, but it is home to so much more. Gold Medal Trout Water brings fishing galore (both brownies and rainbow) to our favorite whitewater destinations giving even more opportunities for fun this summer.
Spend Your Honeymoon in the Wilderness
If you’re planning your honeymoon and not really interested in a typical one on the beach, then consider a week in the wilderness instead. An unconventional honeymoon is memorable and unique compared to the traditional trip to paradise. It’s actually more like a fairy tale waking up in the woods and exploring the outdoors like our Once Upon a Time friends. After all the work spent planning a wedding, take it easy while an outdoor adventure company organizes the trips for you. Not only is it budget-friendly but wilderness honeymoons provide personal experiences you’ll never forget. Multi-Day White Water Rafting If you and your beau are thrill seekers, a multi-day rafting trip is for you. We offer tent camping or inn-to-inn trips. Imagine having a continental breakfast in the mountains, spending a half day on the river and taking in the beautiful scenery around you, then going horseback riding or mountain biking afterwards. If you are staying inn-to-inn, dinner will be at a local restaurant and if you are in a tent, our guides will cook gourmet meals for you. The next couple days will be full days on the river and evenings walking in downtown Salida or under the stars around a campfire. We provide professional photography during your trip so you don’t miss those special moments. Just can pick up your picture cd on your last day with us. Rafting Packages Interested in spending more time away from people and more time together? We have one and two day rafting packages for people to do a half day of rafting and another activity. Paddle-N-Saddle tours offer half or full day rafting and a horseback trip. Raft-N- Zip is for those wanting more adrenaline rushes with our zip lining tour. Love mountain biking? Then the Paddle-N-Peddle is just for you and your love. These shorter packages offer a day of fun during your honeymoon with the freedom to spend the rest of your week with hikes, fishing, camping, and more. Let us help you start planning your honeymoon in the wilderness today. Contact us or Request a Brochure for more information on white water rafting and our other adventures.
Zip-Lining for Family Get Togethers
When relatives come to visit you, there’s a moment of panic of what you’re going to take them to do during their stay but also of excitement and an excuse to get out there to explore. While shopping and eating out are fun, those events tend to blur together over time. If you want your loved ones to remember you as, “Awesome Aunt Mary,” or “Best-Cousin-Ever Rick,” then thinking outside the box will get you on a quick route there. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. With humans, the act of exploring together through journeys is one of the common ways that people bond. Think about family vacations, you go somewhere new together and explore with the intent of finding joy in the unknown and making memories. So go ahead, take a vacation day or two from work and bring your relatives zip-lining. They say taking regular vacations makes a more productive and happy employee anyway. Zip-Line Tours Zip-lining is a thrilling and fun event for people of all ages and an increasingly popular outdoor activity of choice. With safe technology and equipment, people can soar through the tree tops and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the sky. The guides are there to keep you safe while teaching you about the environment surrounding the zip-lines for a greater appreciation of nature. If you have a need for speed, or aren’t sure if you like to go past the speed limit, zip-lining will remind you of the excitement of going fast. Don’t worry, if you want to slow down, there’s a brake rope to make you more comfortable. Each person goes one at a time 10,000 – 11,500 feet above sea level down five different zip lines. Glide along the tree tops for 400 to 800 feet and wave hello to your family zipping down next to you. Maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of a hawk, eagle, or the Colorado State Bird—the Lark bunting. Zip-lining is a fun and easy activity for out of town relatives and your relatives down the street. Prepare for lots of laughing, pictures, and life-long memories and you’ll have a great time. Wilderness Aware Rafting offers Zip Line Tours year round near Leadville, CO, with five different and thrilling zip lines. For more information, Contact Us online or call us at 1-800-462-7238.
How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse with Rafting Gear
If one of your hobbies is planning how to survive a zombie apocalypse, then you need to know what to do without your bug out bag when you are off having fun rafting and don’t have it on you. After all, if the Centers for Disease Control has a zombie apocalypse plan, then it is definitely worth knowing what to do to protect yourself during an outbreak in order to give you enough time to get back to your car and grab your 36 hour go bag. Sure, The Walking Dead and World War Z has taught you a thing or two on fighting off zombies out to chomp on your flesh, but they all have guns and combat training. What if they were paddling downriver in the wilderness? Here’s what you can do if you find out that dead cannibals are after your lively flesh. Armor First things first, you’re going to want protection from those rotting teeth. You already have a lifejacket on, protecting your core and back. If there’s an extra life jacket, cut it in half and tie each side to your arms to fend off and trick zombies trying to bite them. All rafters must wear a helmet and this protects your brain from being eaten and doubles for ramming through a wall of them. Just be sure to keep your neck straight and arms up to protect neck grabs with your arm armor. Weapons Next, unless you are in Silent Hill and can only run around and hide, a weapon is necessary for survival. Luckily for you, you carry a pocket knife as part of your everyday gear and have a paddle for skull bashing. If you have the time, cut off the end of the paddle to a point to stab zombies with or tie the pocket knife to the end. Taking a cue from the Maori, any wooden paddles would be easier for this purpose and will inflict more damage on the Zeds. The Maori used wooden paddles that came to a point called a hoe and also used them during war. Rest Get some rest from fending off zombies all day. If you are able to find a calm area of water or get the raft onto a lake, navigate it to the middle and drop and anchor to stabilize. Use a paracord rope to tie a large rock present style so it doesn’t slip off easily. Zombies can’t swim or climb ropes but if they could, climbing over the side of a raft is hard enough when you’re not a zombie. Escape If you’re traveling by foot and find yourself cornered, having a paracord or rope from the raft is handy for climbing up or descending down to get away from those biters. Tie it around a tree trunk or throw it over a strong branch with a weight on it to make it easier like a carabineer. Pull the other end of the rope through and you have a brace. Health Lucky for you, when people go rafting, there is almost always a first aid kit on board and at least a water bottle. Avoid dehydration and patch up any easy wounds until you can get yourself to safety. Hopefully, by this point you’ve found other people or made it to a car to get away. Turn on the radio and get away from major cities. At Wilderness Aware Rafting we love white water rafting, survival knowledge, escaping from zombies, and the outdoors. If you’re interested in a Colorado White Water Rafting Trip or Salt River rafting, browse whitewater rafting trips and other fun outdoor adventures we have available.
What to Do During Off-Season Rafting
White water rafting season usually means that summer is in session and outdoor fun is almost a requirement for enjoying life and fresh air. Once September hits, most rafting outfitters start to close up shop due to low water levels but that doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer. For many places, including Colorado, the cooler weather is a great opportunity to spend time outside without having to worry as much about overheating and sweating. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water and carry snacks and other essentials as you explore nature with these fun, rafting off-season activities. Hiking Many people don’t realize that hiking is an option from fall through next spring but it definitely is. Friends and family can enjoy the changing leaves at this less busy time with less worry for parking and more opportunities to be in touch with nature. This is also a great time to take your dog with you and not worry about him overheating either. Fido can have more fun in cooler weather exploring as dogs love to do. Just be sure to have a collar with ID and current on vaccinations, better yet, keep your pets microchipped as well. Only allow your dog off-leash in legal areas if they are good at recall commands, otherwise keep both of you safe with the dog on-leash. Be sure to use flea and tick preventatives and check your pet afterwards for any clingers. Horseback Riding If you’d rather swap two wheels for a noble steed, horseback riding is also a fun activity to do when rafting is not an option. Horseback riding is actually the second most popular outdoor activity and it’s easy to see why. Horses have a need to wander and explore like every other creature and bonding with these amazing animals while learning about the back woods of Buena Vista is more than memorable. We offer horseback riding trips all year long. Camping Similar to hiking, camping during fall and winter are great times to get a nice, cozy spot without the crowds and mosquitoes. There’s nothing like falling asleep bundled up with the stars overhead and waking up to a brilliant sunrise with a hot cup of coffee in hand in the middle of the woods. Reading Walden by Henry David Thoreau or A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson is pretty inspiring to get some wild in your life. Zip-Lining Get a hold of yourself while you wait for rafting season to come back with zip-lining tours. This is another fun year-round activity when you are in need of an adrenaline rush. Zip through the trees and get a great view of the mountains. Relatives and out-of-towners visiting for the holidays love a less than ordinary way to experience the Rocky Mountains. Snowshoeing If you haven’t experienced snowshoeing, this is the year to try it out. Snowshoeing is a wonderful way to enjoy the quiet of the snowy woods by foot, especially if you have an itch to go hiking but it’s too snowy. Be sure to dress in layers with a backpack, water, snacks, and the “10 essentials” (first aid kit, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, map, compass, waterproof matches, flashlight, pocket knife, whistle—and you might as well add charged cellphone). Having a backpack is also essential as most people end up taking off jackets because of the great workout. Definitely don’t wear jeans as kicking up snow will get those pants wet and uncomfortable. Don’t worry about buying snowshoes yet, there are many places to rent snowshoes from. At Wilderness Aware Rafting, we love rafting and spending as much time outdoors as possible.. We are rated #1 on TripAdvisor and we offer exciting year-round trips in addition to Colorado Rafting Trips such as Horseback Rides, and Zip-Line Tours. Contact us today for more information.
What to Pack for an Overnight Rafting Trip
An overnight white water rafting trip seems easy enough to pack for as it’s not that long of a stay. However, with a trip like this, not over packing and bringing the right things is essential. A big part of what to consider packing depends greatly on where you will be geographically. For example, it may be really hot during the day in the desert but freezing at night so packing light gear on opposite ends of the temperature spectrum is imperative to a comfortable trip and for your survival. If you go with a river guide outfitter, you won’t need to worry about bringing meals but snacks will probably be a good idea. If you have any food allergies, it’s important to let them know beforehand so that you don’t go into anaphylactic shock. On that note, anything crucial to your well-being that is not included on this packing list is a must. Packing List for Overnight Rafting Trip Clothes to paddle in Shorts T-shirt Long pants Long-sleeved shirt Light or fleece jacket Underwear Swimming suit Plastic trash bag Small towel Toiletries Lip balm Rain jacket Bug repellant Head lamp Hat Canned beverages Water bottle Sleeping bag Small pillow Nylon tent Closed toed shoes Sunscreen Sandals with velcro straps Camp shoes Socks Camera (optional) Ziplock plastic bags for phones, keys, etc. At Wilderness Aware, we provide professional photography of your rafting trip so you don’t have to bring a camera if you don’t want. Most river guides will have dry bags you can use and first aid gear. You just need to think about what else would make your trip more enjoyable like bringing a deck of cards, a book, a Frisbee or your lucky socks. At Wilderness Aware Rafting our passion is white water rafting and the outdoors. If you’re interested in an overnight Colorado Rafting Trip, or Salt River whitewater rafting, check out which whitewater rafting trips we have available for more information.
3 White Water Rafting Movies to Watch
White water rafting may only be available during the summer but we can experience it year round through movies. Many journeys throughout history and books take place travelling down river, from Lewis & Clark to Huckleberry Finn, there are many adventures and life lessons that take place there. These movies may not splash you in the face as you dip into a rapid, but they do give you the convenience of sitting at home on the couch with a bowl of hot popcorn and a story to experience along a river. The River Wild (1994) Directed by Michael Caton-Jones, The River Wild is about Gail (Meryl Streep), an experienced river guide and her husband, Tom (David Strathman), who take their family on a rafting trip along the Salmon River in Idaho and come across two “inexperienced” rafters, one of which is Wade (Kevin Bacon). The two men hitch a ride with them to meet up with their friends downriver when Gail and Tom realize they’ve made a horrible mistake—they’ve taken on two armed robbers. This is a great movie for learning what to and what not to do when you accidentally invite criminals on your family vacation in the wilderness. White Water Summer (1987) Hopefully you like Kevin Bacon because he is also in White Water Summer. Here, Vic (Kevin Bacon) is an experienced guide that takes four friends on an adventure in the wilderness for a coming of age sort of tale. One of the boys, Alan (Sean Astin), doesn’t appreciate Vic’s life lessons he’s teaching them and pushes back. With each push back, Vic tries to drill them harder and ends in Vic breaking his leg. A lesson in humility, Dan and Vic must figure out a way to get down the mountain and find help. The Princess and the Frog (2009) This is a jazz-age fairy tale, is one of Disney’s first showcases of a black, female protagonist set in New Orleans. Tiana is a young woman looking to fund a restaurant that she wants to open and is tricked into kissing a frog Prince, Naveen, to get the cash she needs. Turns out he is broke and she is turned to a frog herself. Tiana and Naveen escape to the bayou and go on a journey down river to find a voodoo priestess to turn them back into humans. They befriend an alligator and lightning bug along the way. While this isn’t exactly white water rafting, two little frogs on a tiny raft is comparable to humans in on one in a river. And who doesn’t like a heart-warming Disney movie with plenty of sing-a-longs? At Wilderness Aware Rafting our passion is rafting and rivers. If you’re interested in whitewater rafting in Colorado, or Salt River whitewater rafting, browse our white water rafting trips for more information.
Plan Your Bachelorette Party with Whitewater Rafting
If you’re planning a bachelorette party for a friend that is more interested in a less than traditional party to celebrate her last days as a single woman, then a whitewater rafting trip could be right up your alley. For the woman who loves to explore the great outdoors, planning a trip to the mountains with some camping, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, or Colorado zip line tours would be much more memorable and unique for this bride instead of a night on the town. Whitewater rafting is an exciting option that takes your friends on a fun getaway to celebrate the upcoming marriage, which you can easily customize this with another outdoor trip. Many of our trips are budget-friendly and the rivers a rush. We offer great discounts for groups of 10 or more. Plan an Easy and Fun Bachelorette Party Your Maid of Honor duties will be a lot easier when organizing a whitewater rafting bachelorette party since we do all the planning, packing, and cooking. If you’re worried about the camp food, Wilderness Aware provides delicious gourmet meals prepared by our experienced guides. No matter how experienced your guest list is, we can help you choose the right trip that will keep all the girls comfortable while experiencing exciting adrenaline rushes and plenty of laughs. All you have to worry about is bringing the basics: swimsuit, shoes, sunscreen, and water for a day on the river. Don’t worry about taking pictures either, we can capture the best rafting moments for you with professional photography that you get to keep. They would also make a great wedding present. Continue the Party in Buena Vista Buena Vista is a beautiful mountain town to spend the weekend with the Bride and friends. There are plenty of lodging options, hiking trails, good food, shopping, and a hot springs nearby. Start a day off by climbing Mount Princeton, one of the more popular 14ers in the area with beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains and wrap it up with a relaxing soak in a hot spring pool. Whether you decide to do a multi-day camping rafting trip or a half day Browns Canyon rafting trip paired with a couple nights at a rustic inn, you can be sure that the whitewater rafting bachelorette party that you plan will be exciting for everyone involved and there will be plenty of stories to share at the wedding. Need some inspiration to get your party planning going? Adobe just launched their free Adobe Express Invitation Templates so that you can create the perfect party invites free of cost. Happy planning! At Wilderness Aware Rafting our passion is whitewater rafting. If you’re interested in a Colorado Rafting Trip bachelorette party or a multi-day rafting trip, browse our whitewater rafting trips here or call us at 1-800-462-7238 to plan your trip today.
5 Things to Do With Kids in Buena Vista This Summer
Families are drawn to Buena Vista, which is at the heart of Colorado and appropriately named in Spanish as, “Beautiful View.” This city set between Salida and Leadville is a mecca for outdoor lovers and wildlife. A quiet forest with an abundant ecosystem and habitat for animals, the natural beauty of this area attracts people here for a taste of nature and adventures. With mountains, rivers, forest, inns, restaurants, and shopping nearby, Buena Vista visitors have a huge variety of activities to choose from. Here are our top 5 things you should do with kids (or if you’re a kid at heart) when you visit Buena Vista this summer. Whitewater Rafting Colorado Over 250,000 people come through Buena Vista each year to go whitewater rafting. The Arkansas River is one of the top 10 rivers to raft in the US and the magnificent Browns Canyon and wildlife are well worth the trip. Since the river has various sections available for rafting, people of all rafting levels can enjoy a half day to multi-day trips rafting along the Arkansas here. Rafting is a great way to get the thrill of adventure while also appreciating the nature around you. Camping and Cabins If you’re into laying out under the stars and roasting marshmallows, Buena Vista is the place to do it. Camping near the base of Mt. Princeton or along the Arkansas for the peaceful babble of the river. If hanging out in the trees in a tent isn’t your cup of tea, then choosing a local inn with a rustic feel will keep you in touch with nature while having the ability to lay in a comfortable bed and get a hot shower at the end of the day without sacrificing the feel of the mountain life. Buena Vista River Park This park boasts a dog park, bouldering, ball fields, tracks, skate parks, picnic tables, disc golf, and a great view to see kayakers hitting the rapids. The South Main neighborhood is especially designed for kayakers. The river runs along over half a mile next to River Park and is a great place to explore Buena Vista culture. Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort Kick back after a day of adventure soaking in a hot springs pool. Mt. Princeton has a variety of pools to relax in including a soaking pool, exercise pool, relaxation pool, cascading pools, and Chalk Creek. Sit in each pool surrounded by water from Chalk Creek where you can adjust the temperature by moving rocks around. For the kids and young at heart, there’s a 400 foot hot water slide to ride down on a mat into 75 degree water. Buena Vista Restaurants What is a trip away from home without good food? Buena Vista has a great selection of restaurants available. If you’re into mountain breweries, sit down to a meal and drink at Eddyline Restaurant. More interested in something for breakfast? Get some eggs at Evergreen Café or Gunsmoke Café. Have a hankering for sushi? No worries there, The Asian Palate offers a variety of Asian Fusion meals. Buena Vista is a great place to go for a mountain getaway and a taste of Colorado water culture. If you’re looking to make some memories with your family and kids, look no further. When visitors come to Buena Vista, they can see why so many people want to make Browns Canyon a national monument. At Wilderness Aware Rafting, our passion is whitewater rafting. If you’re interested in a Colorado Rafting Trip or multi-day rafting trip, browse our whitewater rafting trips here.
