Is a Rafting Trip a Luxury Vacation?
Vacations are the ultimate luxury and while whitewater rafting doesn’t traditionally fall into the luxury bracket, here at WA we strive to prove otherwise. Imagine wiggling your toes in the soft golden sand as you hear the gentle crash of waves along the shore. You smile to yourself, taking in the savory scent of carne asada sizzling on the grill and admiring the gorgeous colors of the sunset illuminating the sky as it disappears over snowcapped mountains. Wait, mountains? Shouldn’t it be palm trees? Where exactly are we? Well, glad you asked – we are deep in the heart of Browns Canyon National Monument, approximately 17 miles away from Buena Vista, Colorado making camp for the first night of a three day whitewater rafting adventure. For whatever reason, the thought of camping along a river in Colorado wouldn’t naturally strike people as a glamorous vacation, but I beg to differ. There is a surprising amount of luxury to be found while “roughing it” in the wilderness. Here at Wilderness Aware, you’re taken care of the moment you step into our headquarters. Our goal is to provide guests with the ultimate VIP experience. We’re the only company in the Arkansas River Valley to offer a complimentary continental breakfast before trips and the amazing service certainly keeps coming as you make your way to the water. Our experienced guides cover all the details so you can simply focus on enjoying your whitewater rafting adventure with your friends and family. If you’ve never rafted with us, you might be wondering what these “details” involve. Forget your sunscreen? We gotcha. Need an extra layer that won’t get cold when wet? No worries. Little Sister wants one too? Not a problem! Each raft is prepped with a drybag ready to save the day should weather conditions change – you’re also welcome to keep small valuables safely tucked in here (just ask your guide!). If you’re joining us on an multi-day overnight adventure, we have drybags available for each guest so you can keep your belongings safe from the elements. First time campers or those traveling by plane don’t need to worry about camping gear because we offer rental gear you can pick up right at our office before your trip. We also have cold weather river gear like booties, splash tops, and wetsuits available to keep you comfortable on the water. A key component to any WA trip is the food! We’re all about fine dining along the river. On our full day trips, guides set up a complete deli sandwich station for guests. We’re happy to accommodate vegan, gluten free, or any other dietary requests so there’s no need to worry about getting hungry. Our multi-day trips allow for more creativity – a sample dinner menu might be our signature pesto bread bowl dip appetizer, fajitas will all the fixings, and a chocolate cake baked fresh on the spot (our guides are pros when it comes to working a Dutch oven 😉 ). Mornings start with freshly brewed coffee, tea, or hot chocolate waiting outside your tent in a keepsake travel mug. While guides are busy scrambling up some eggs and frying the bacon, I invite you to take advantage of being immersed in nature and stroll along the river bank. Watching the world around you wake up is a pretty magical way to start your day of a thrilling Colorado white water rafting adventure! Trade those high thread-count Egyptian linens and spa services for the thrill of splashing through a wave train, cozying up in a sleeping bag, and if you’re really craving the spa scene – be sure to check out the nearby hot springs; nature’s ultimate solution when you’re craving some TLC. This summer, take on the adventure of a lifetime and give whitewater rafting in Colorado a try!
What’s in a name—the story behind Buena Vista’s proper pronunciation
Buena Vista’s proper pronunciation might be different than you think. When you call our office and ask about Browns Canyon rafting or the other white water rafting trips we offer throughout Colorado, you might feel as though the person on the other end doesn’t know a thing about Spanish and is butchering “Buena Vista”. Truth is, they’re absolutely correct in saying “BEW-na VIS-ta”. Long before Buena Vista became the white water rafting destination we know today, it was a mining town. In the 1860’s the discovery of gold in Colorado inspired many settlers to head West towards Buena Vista. The lure of getting rich from mining, the abundant water supply from the Arkansas River, and the lush soil allowing for farming and cattle ranching, made this area irresistible to early settlers. In 1879 when the time came to incorporate into an official town, community members gathered together and came up with ideas for a name. Some suggestions included “Cottonwood” as in Cottonwood Creek, or “Mahonville” after the Mahon family who were one of the first to settle the area. Alsina Dearheimer suggested the name “Buena Vista.” Alsina wanted to put a unique twist on the name designating the pronunciation of Buena like “beautiful”. Whether embarking on an Arkansas River rafting trip through Browns Canyon National Monument or taking in the stunning collegiate peaks from Main Street, the natural beauty radiates throughout town and it’s pretty clear why Alsina wanted to honor this. In Spanish Buena Vista literally translates to “good view” and the moment you set site on our town, you’ll probably agree good is a huge understatement. We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to live and work in Buena Vista, Colorado. At Wilderness Aware Rafting, we offer exceptional outdoor experiences on stunning rivers in our backyard. Visit our website or give us a call if you are interested in experiencing Buena Vista rafting with Colorado’s top guides! Here are some of our favorite Buena Vista photos, old and new. We’d love to see yours! Tag @wa_rafting and share your #BeautifulBV photos on our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
What White Water Guides Do In The Off Season
“So, what do you do in the off season?” There are few jobs as awesome as being a whitewater rafting guide, which can make this a tricky question to answer. A summer of Colorado white water rafting everyday is just that, only a summer, so our guides are forced to find other ways of occupying themselves in the off season. We asked around our Buena Vista office to find out what some of our guides have planned for the fall. Quite a few are in college and going back to pursue their studies at the end of the season. The whitewater rafting season is May through September (usually we end our season with Labor Day weekend) which coincides perfectly with most university summer breaks. Our guide staff is pursing degrees in a diverse variety of topics from Music, to Environmental Science, to Architecture. Some are very local going to school here in Colorado and others are spread off as far Northeast as Vermont. Of our staff that isn’t going back to university this fall, there is quite the mix of plans for the off season. One of our guides works with elementary and middle schoolers at an environmental camp based out of the Redwood Forest in Northern California. Here she leads week long seminars that focus on eco-friendly best practices and inviting children to develop an appreciation for nature. Another one of our guides will be heading to Nicaragua this September. While living in Managua, he will spend a semester volunteering at a children’s school teaching English. The school’s mission is to enable children through an education focused on technology and achieving bilingual English skills so they can pursue a better life. Joe Greiner, owner of Wilderness Aware Rafting, is organizing a trip for our guides and former guides to join his family for some whitewater rafting in South America. This two week whitewater rafting adventure takes place on the Rio Marañon in Peru, the source of the Amazon River. This incredible section of river is very similar to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River, and in fact, is known as the “Grand Canyon of the Marañon”. It features class II and IV rapids, beautiful scenery, and flows typically are 20,000 CFS. To give you perspective, the Arkansas River we do most of our Colorado whitewater rafting trips on reached 5,000 CFS this year—and this was its highest flow in 20 years. No matter what our whitewater rafting guides are up to in between summers, we can guarantee that they all are monitoring the snow pack and counting down the days until next season kicks off!
Going Green: Wilderness Aware Rafting Is the Only 100% Renewable Energy Powered Rafting Outfitter in the Arkansas River Valley
Today marks the day where Wilderness Aware Rafting’s commitment to renewable energy has gone full throttle. We’ve always championed the green movement; in 2008 we were the first green rafting company in Colorado to incorporate renewable energy into our power grid. We’re excited to announce the installation of this solar panel now enables us to supply all of our energy needs via solar and wind power. Our 17 acre headquarters, Colorado’s 300 days of sunshine, and the increase in wind levels during the rafting off-season make for the ideal infrastructure to support our green energy initiative. We decided to tap into this alternative source of energy to help eliminate our carbon footprint, take advantage of the great savings renewable energy offers, and do our part in supporting American energy independence. You don’t need to make huge changes like we did to do your part. Here is a list of 10 easy ways you can have a direct impact on helping our environment: Bring your own mug or tumbler to the coffee shop. We all have a mug or two laying around the house and oftentimes coffee shops will offer a special discount for customers using their own containers for their beverages! Unplug your chargers when they are not in use. Even when they aren’t powering your devices, chargers continue pulling electricity. Make it a habit to turn lights off when you’re leaving a room. Invest in a reusable water bottle and bring it with you everywhere. We have some great ones for sale so you can get a souvenir from your whitewater rafting trip that’s both fun and functional! Invest in a variety of reusable containers for packing your lunch to work or school rather than using disposable ziplock bags. Start composting. Rather than filling a landfill, your food scraps will provide much-needed nutrients to your garden. Shop local. Your typical produce travels approximately 1,500 miles before finding a spot on your plate. Buying local products ensures you’re getting the freshest foods and reduces fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Plant a tree. Trees have an amazing impact, a single tree absorbs one ton of carbon dioxide in its lifespan. Recycle clothing and gear you’re no longer using. At Wilderness Aware Rafting, we offer gently used whitewater rafting equipment at a great price. Buying second-hand items prevents them from ending up in the dump, and saves you some green too. Play outside! Activities like whitewater rafting are great because they get you away from being entertained by electronics and the exposure to nature is a wonderful reminder why it’s important to all do our part helping our planet.
Browns Canyon National Monument Ceremony
Last weekend was very special for the Colorado whitewater rafting community and all other outdoors enthusiasts. Buena Vista was honored to host Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, Colorado Governor John W. Hickenlooper, US Congresswoman Diana DeGette, US Senator Michael Bennet, Sierra Club Director Aaron Mair, Colorado Senator Kerry Donovan, Bureau of Land Management Director Neil Kornze, and Forest Service Director Tom Tidwell, and many other friends of Browns Canyon as we all came together to celebrate the designation of Browns Canyon as an official National Monument. The designation came into play earlier this year on February 19th when President Obama signed the Antiquities Act. However, the process to make this happen started decades ago in 1991 when Representatives Wayne Allard and Dan Schaefer proposed protecting this beautiful portion of the Arkansas River Valley and its wildlife in The Colorado Wilderness Act of 1991. Despite not getting passed in Congress session after session, Colorado lawmakers and our local community did not give up the effort to protect Browns Canyon. Organizations like Friends of Browns Canyon were started with the mission of educating all on the importance of preserving this gorgeous rugged stretch of nature. We’re proud to say Joe Greiner, owner of Wilderness Aware Rafting, played a role in the efforts to earn the National Monument designation. Joe traveled to Washington D.C. and spoke with Congress about the significance of Browns Canyon and the profound positive impact the National Monument designation would have for the whitewater rafting industry and on the Arkansas River Valley area in the immediate future and for generations to come. The celebration started with a special rafting trip hosted by the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area and other agencies. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, Colorado Governor John W. Hickenlooper, Congresswoman Diana DeGette, Senator Michael Bennet, Sierra Club Director Aaron Mair, Senator Kerry Donovan, Bureau of Land Management Director Neil Kornze, and Forest Service Director Tom Tidwell joined our owner Joe as they floated down the Arkansas River through Browns Canyon National Monument. They took on some hot action whitewater, paddling through class III and IV rapids like Zoom Flume, Pinball, and Raft Ripper. (If you’re interested in doing that same trip here’s the info: Browns Canyon Half Day) Gratitude and the sense of accomplishment radiated throughout the audience on Saturday’s ceremony in Buena Vista. Many were local Chafee County community members, but we also had guests from far and wide join us. Since the celebration coincided with Latino Conservation week, The Hispanic Access Foundation and the Sierra Club collaborated to charter buses from Denver bringing youth from ELK, Environmental Learning for Kids, to the event. ELK is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing inspired and responsible leaders through science education and outdoor experiences for underserved, urban youth. One of the recurring themes in all the speeches was the idea that we are borrowing land from future generations. Because of this, we must be responsible stewards of the land, keeping it out of harms way so our children’s children also have the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Browns Canyon National Monument. We had quite the mix of speakers including Aaron Mair, director of the Sierra Club, who was especially adamant on reminding us all that this was just the beginning of a long movement to preserve the millions of other acres of our heritage that are still unprotected. For us personally at Wilderness Aware Rafting, the new National Monument designation is a great honor. We are hosting a visitor center so we can educate others who are looking to raft, camp, fish, hike, or even horseback ride in Browns Canyon National Monument. We have taken guests for memorable whitewater rafting adventures through Browns Canyon for summer after summer Browns Canyon has included our most popular trips. We’ve known how special this area is for decades, but now that we have the national recognition for it, we hope this inspires more visitors to make the trip to Buena Vista and experience the amazing beauty of Browns Canyon National Monument the best way possible—in a raft!
Easiest Summer Trip Ever: Family Vacation Wilderness Aware Style
There are some people out there who are planners; they get a thrill mapping out road trip stops (“we can stop for gas and see the UFO watch tower in Hooper since we’ll be 304 miles in and it’ll be approximately 7:36pm which means we can do dinner too”) and then those who prefer more of a laissez faire approach to planning. I definitely fall in the second category, which is why I am a huge advocate for a Colorado white water rafting trip for the entire family to enjoy. Hang on— you say that sounds like a lot of work? Not at all! Our multi-day rafting trips are pretty much like an all-inclusive family vacation with way more excitement than any coastal resort or theme park can offer. The moment you arrive at our office, our friendly staff is taking care of you. In the morning we offer all our guests a complimentary continental breakfast. After your family has gotten their fill, we suit you up in your rental gear (wetsuits, splash jackets, and booties), provide you with a dry bag for your personal items, and you’re good to hit the river. We cover all the details so you can relax and focus on the important things: family, fun, and whitewater rafting! We bring all the gear so you won’t have any headaches over how to load the car and keep everyone with enough space. Your camp is guaranteed to have a beautiful view of the water since we raft right up to it. Our guides take care of all the shopping and cooking (they really outdo themselves here serving delicacies like pesto bread bowl appetizers, freshly made lasagna, garden salads, and even baking cakes at camp in a Dutch oven!). Best of all, you get nonstop entertainment all day as you take on the rapids. Bonus perk—there won’t be any additional costs on the river so you don’t need to take on any unnecessary expenses for “irresistible” touristy trinkets. On top of all this, you’ll also be introducing your family to some of the best nature out there. Our rivers are home to big horn sheep, bald eagles, otters, moose, and many other exotic animals. Since the Arkansas River where we do the majority of our overnight rafting trips is along the continental fault line, you’ll be exposed to stunning rock formations throughout your whitewater rafting trip. Browns Canyon, for example, just recently was declared a national monument because of its beauty. In short, you could put a lot of effort into planning and carrying out your family’s next vacation or you can pretend you did and really just book one of our overnight adventures and have the best time ever—we won’t reveal your secret 😉
Staying Warm Outdoors – Infographic
You can buy all the fancy warm clothes you want, but if you aren’t wearing them in the right combination, it can be near impossible to staying warm outdoors on cold days and nights. There’s actually a specific way to layer your clothes for optimal warmth that is also still comfortable for outdoor activities. Find out whether or not you’re doing it right below and what pieces you should pick up on your next trip to the store. What are your favorite layering tips or articles of clothing to stay warm outdoors? Tell us in the comments below! At Wilderness Aware Rafting, we love whitewater rafting and spending time outdoors, even when it’s cold. Rated #1 on TripAdvisor, we offer whitewater rafting trips, horseback rides, zip line tours, and many raft trip packages. Contact us or request a brochure to plan your Colorado trip today.
Experience the Best of Colorado
Colorado, the mile high state, is home to 5.2 million people and there are many reasons why people choose to move here, stay here, or stop by for a while. Although some people have lived here all their lives, it can be difficult to experience the best that Colorado has to offer, simply because there’s so much to do. Nicknamed the, “Centennial State,” Colorado has the Southern Rocky Mountains, Colorado Plateau, the Great Plains, Colorado River, and plenty of wilderness for miles on end. Don’t be surprised if most of the people you meet here are obsessed with the outdoors. There’s more to do here than just skiing and snowboarding. If you want to get the most of your time in Colorado, try to knock these exciting activities off your list. Hiking If you’re standing 5,280 miles above sea level, it doesn’t quite count as hiking, especially when there are plenty of mountains nearby to climb. While there are 53 fourteeners you can hike, which can take a 3-12 hours to climb each one, there are many other winding options into the peaks. It’s definitely worth taking a couple hours out to wander through the quiet forest and take in the view at the top of a trail where you can see for miles around. Whitewater Rafting Colorado has many expert rafting guides and professional rafting teams because of the wide range of class levels available plus 18 different rivers to hit. The most popular is the Arkansas River, which has jaw-dropping views of scenic canyons with geological landscapes. This is the place for white water rafting trips. Backpacking & Camping There’s something about getting back to nature and making a campfire that is so Colorado. Whether you’re backpacking or car camping, getting away from the city and away from technology is refreshing for the heart and soul. There’s saying that goes, “There is no Wi-Fi in the forest, but I promise you will find a better connection.” Once you experience camping in Colorado or Arizona, you’ll know what it means. We can’t forget to mention how fun it is to roast marshmallows over the open flame too. Rock Climbing With so many mountains and canyons, Colorado is a great place to go rock climbing. If you’re not ready for outdoor climbing, there are plenty of indoor gyms. Outside, it’s best to go with a legitimate guide who can make sure you are safe and understands your ability. When it comes to climbing rocks, there’s no room for messing around. The thrill of climbing is indescribable but let’s say it’s like nature’s jungle gym. Eldorado Canyon, Black Canyon, and Ouray are popular places to go to get your climb on. Horseback Riding Horseback riding in Colorado is one of the most popular outdoor activities to do. It is a great way to experience the West like the cowboys and pioneers once did. Riding through nature on horseback is fun and gives way to wildlife sightseeing. Make sure you find a place that offers excellent horseback rides in Colorado. Fishing Fishing in Colorado brings in many visitors because of the 6,000 miles of rivers, 2,000 lakes, and 35 different types of cold and warm-water fish that live here. Like many states, an affordable fishing license is required. Catch yourself some rainbow trout and walleye on the water. Zip-Lining Find yourself in one of our Colorado zip line tours and parks and fly through the trees for an amazing and thrilling view of the landscape and wildlife below. People of all ages can easily participate in zip-lining and adjust the speed as they feel comfortable. These aerial playgrounds started as a way to access remote areas but now they are also a fun way to spend time with family and friends on vacation. Hot Air Ballooning Colorado is a launchpad for many hot air balloons. These colorful aircrafts are the oldest type of flight technology in human history. The Colorado Balloon Classic is the largest air show and festival in the state, which takes place in Memorial Park, in Colorado Springs. As one of the “Top 100 Special Events in North America,” it’s definitely a sight to see and a unique mode of sightseeing. At Wilderness Aware Rafting, we love being outdoors and whitewater rafting. Rated #1 on TripAdvisor, we offer whitewater rafting trips, horseback rides, zip line tours, and many raft trip packages. Contact us or request a brochure to plan your Colorado trip today.
What it Takes to Be a Rafting Guide
If your love of white water rafting is putting thoughts in your head of becoming a rafting guide, then it would be worth pursuing that dream if you have the passion for it. Rafting doesn’t require you to quit your day job since it’s a seasonal job and it allows you to do what you love while having the opportunity to pursue other goals or have a job that pays the bills. Being a rafting guide is a lot more convenient for those with a more open job schedule like teachers, firefighters and EMS, personal trainers, or people who work part-time, and students. Some are rafting guides during the summer and work at ski resorts during the winter. It is still possible though to have a regular full-time job and work as a raft guide during the weekends. When seriously considering the idea of becoming a rafting guide, these are the things you should know. Step 1: Applying for the Job Essentially, don’t worry about not having experience before applying, you will get on-the-job training. Next, ask yourself if you are up for the biggest part of being a rafting guide besides playing on the river each day—am I up for entertaining and educating guests regularly? Guests expect to have a great time rafting and it is up to the guide to provide that great experience. With Wilderness Aware Rafting, we require a two season commitment and are a drug-free environment. We are also specifically a tobacco-free company. Be sure to thoroughly read through the application before filling it out and remember that even though it is a fun job, professionalism is important. The next step involves a phone interview. If you are chosen to move on after the phone interview, then you will have a 5-day interview river trip. Interview River Trip The interview river trip is a working interview for 5 days where you learn rafting and camping techniques and get the opportunity to do them. This helps us see how well you take working in that environment and allows you to get a real feel for what the job is actually like. This requires you to pay for your trip to Arizona and get to our location on the Salt River and also pay for the cost of the 5-day rafting trip, which is at a steep discount. We do provide meals and rafting gear. Before coming out on this trip, it would be helpful to condition yourself physically since rafting and camping are physical activities. Working out your arms and core muscles will go a long way to making it a fun trip, especially for 5 days. If you can go through the 5 day interview with a great attitude and do well, then likely we’ll ask you to join us during the Guide Training Course. Guide Training Course The guide training course is three weeks long and free. The normal cost of the course is valued at $1,500. There are a couple things to keep in mind though. Trainees must be CPR and First Aid certified so get that before coming to this. Since you’ll be with us for three weeks, we provide housing that requires rent and you’ll be assigned a unit with 2-4 roommates. Here, you’ll learn in more detail what it takes to be a rafting guide from paddle techniques to rope tying to water safety and rescue. Everyone who completes this course is guaranteed employment. Hiring & Working Once hired as a rafting guide, you’ll get to enjoy many days on the river and find out how much fun we have and why we love being rafting guides. Expect the workload at the beginning of the season and end to be lighter. Many rafting guides love rafting season because it’s like play and we all have a good time together. You get to meet new people every day and create lifelong memories for them as their rafting guide. If you’re interested in a whitewater rafting guide job, then check out our Guide Hiring Process and apply. More interested in whitewater rafting trips? Start planning your next rafting and adventure trip with us today.
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.
