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Article Topic: Activities
Article Title: River Rafting
This is a great river-rafting season for beginners and experts alike. Winter's snow provides cascades of river water that flows past spectacular scenery. Trips down the Colorado River are often gentle floats and a great way for the whole family to experience the high country from a different vantage point. For the experienced whitewater enthusiast, there are white-knuckled, adrenalin-charged trips down Clear Creek with a variety of intermediate trips and Class V advanced whitewater-rafting adventures.
River rafting trips are perfect for everyone, even children and non-swimmers, because safety is always of primary concern. There are entry-level trips for first-timers and families. For young children, river rafting is a family adventure they will never forget. (There are some height and weight restrictions, so check with the outfitter.)
For a professional river-rafting trip call Mad Adventures, 800-451-4844, (970) 726-5290, www.madadventures.com.
When taking a river trip, bring a hat, sunscreen, lip gloss, sunglasses with a retention strap, a pair of old sport shoes (they will get wet), a T-shirt, quick-drying shorts, and a windbreaker. Outfitters generally provide safety equipment such as flotation devices, first-aid kits, and waterproof bags for storing equipment. Check with the outfitter for more specific information since requirements vary by trip.
River Ride Translation
Like the classification for ski slopes, river rapids are graded by difficulty. Class I rapids are fairly flat, Class II are easy rapids, Class III are more challenging, Class IV are difficult, and Class V are only for expert rafters.
Or, as Mad Adventures puts it:
- Class I: Easy flat water. Take your grandmother. (Rapids are fairly flat)
- Class II: Small rapids with clear wide channels. Take a timid friend. (Easy rapids)
- Class III: Good-sized rapids with waves and boulders. Get a guide! (More challenging)
- Class IV: Intense but predictable. Plan on maneuvers, hazards, big waves, and tight boulders. Take your adventurous teenagers. (Difficult rapids)
- Class V: Intense and violent. Long rapids, drops, extremely tight channels, and hazards. Get a good guide! (For experts only)
- Class VI: Don't do it. If you do, say your final prayers first.
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