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Photo- Taylor “Bama” Criswell
Photo- Jake Garlick
s the weather warms and the snow starts to melt, rivers begin to rise and rafts come out for the season. One of the best ways to take advantage of the early season high water is to start planning a multiday raft trip. The Colorado, Green, Salt, San Juan and other rivers offer plenty of opportunities for boaters of all levels to enjoy the stunning, remote landscape of the Southwest. Let’s break down the steps.
Photo- Taylor “Bama” Criswell
RIVER BEDS
PLANNING A MULTI-DAY RAFT TRIP
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TIONA EVERSOLE DO YOUR RESEARCH Every river is vastly different and therefore requires a little research beforehand. Take into consideration when you want to plan your trip, what CFS (Cubic Feet per Second) level the river will be running at, and the intensity of the particular section of chosen river. Many river sections require a permit, which will need to be obtained prior to the desired launch date. Most permitted rivers hold a lottery at the beginning of the year through the website, www.recreation.gov.
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A D V E N T U R E P R O . u s
Each lottery application can cost between $10 and $25. Keep in mind that you are not guaranteed a permit, but don’t let this discourage you. There are plenty of river sections with permits that are awarded on a first come, first serve basis or don’t require a permit at all. TRIP ROLES Typically, most overnight raft trips consist of a group of roughly 10-25 people, and will require every person to contribute in one way or another. One person will assume the role of Trip Leader, or TL. This person is in charge of organizing the entire raft trip.
If you are invited, be prepared to help out in any way possible. A TL might ask you to plan and prepare a meal, bring additional gear, set up camp or drive to and from the destination. “If you’re going on your first raft trip and you’ve been invited, it’s important to recognize whoever is planning that trip, how much effort they’ve actually put into that trip and how much effort actually goes into it,” said Nick Moses, an experienced rafter. If everyone is willing to help out with the tasks that go into an overnight raft trip, then the overall experience is guaranteed to be top notch.
