Posts Tagged ‘white water rafting colorado river’

Make It A Memorable Summer With An Exciting Whitewater Rafting Expedition In The Grand Canyon

Monday, April 23rd, 2012

With summertime just weeks away, there’s very little time left to make getaway plans and reservations. If you’re looking for someplace exciting, beautiful and memorable, look no further than the Grand Canyon. Hiking in the Grand Canyon, Colorado River rafting, or just taking in the sights at historic landmarks and sites, the Canyon has everything. Encompassing more than 1,900 square miles, it was carved by the Colorado River during a period of time which has been approximated at anywhere from six million to more than twenty million years. Measured from the eastern to the western ends of the river, it runs almost three hundred miles, making it one of the most substantial and geologically intriguing phenomena of the natural world.

Individuals, families or groups can pick from a variety of pursuits while vacationing at the Grand Canyon. Sandy beaches and shallow ponds for the kids, hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty, secret coves with secret waterfalls and, most invigorating of all, whitewater rafting the Colorado River.

There are several kinds of watercraft available for exploring the river. Large motorized rafts can be obtained through professional outfitters who also offer orientation and safety instructions prior to debarking. These rafts are specially built for cruising the rapids and hold up to sixteen people, two crew members, and a large quantity of supplies, which makes them the most popular boats on the water. Fast enough to traverse the entire Colorado River in one week; they are the ultimate choice for people with limited vacation time. Tourists who want to take the river at a more unhurried pace can select smaller craft that are powered by paddle and carry only four or five passengers plus a guide. These hand-operated boats take about 12 days to move from one end of the canyon to the other and make running the white water rapids a bit more adventurous than do power boats. A visitor can expect to get drenched almost daily when aboard one of these more compact craft, but for many people, that’s half the fun.

Besides these, catamarans and kayaks are also offered through professional outfitters, and are frequently also used by skilled campers on non-commercial trips. In relation to these, anyone organizing a river rafting trip without the help of an outfitter must be aware that they require a permit which must be issued and purchased before arrival. These permits are stringently limited in number and are allocated through a lottery system at least 12 months upfront, so one would be well-advised not to set out on a Grand Canyon river rafting trip without first acquiring the correct papers.

Having done so, however, anyone whose trip includes whitewater rafting and hiking in the Grand Canyon will have a summer to remember forever.

Reproduction permitted only if all active links are maintained and byline is preserved, and/or your byline is omitted. 2012 All Rights Reserved.

Hatch River Expeditions offers amazing Colorado River rafting expeditions that are highly recommended by author Stephen Daniels. Their skilled guides will take you on the adventure of a lifetime, showing you the canyon as few see it; they will make sure that all your senses are well stimulated, and will educate you about the importance of conservation to preserve this natural wonder of the world.

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Looking For An Exciting New Idea For Your Honeymoon? Try A Grand Canyon River Rafting Excursion!

Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

When we think of weddings we think of white – white dress, possibly white flowers, white cake. Here’s another white to think about – white water rafting Grand Canyon . Really. If you and your fiancee want something totally different from your typical lives as a venue for your honeymoon, then surely an adventurous white water rafting excursion qualifies.

The river running through the Grand Canyon is the Colorado River, and it has carved one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World out of the state of Arizona that is a mile deep and 277 miles long. Think of rafting this truly amazing canyon through mile after impressive mile of Earth laid bare over the thousands of years, spectacular waterfalls, and fascinating ancient ruins. The Pueblo people considered this area sacred; it is certainly a national treasure.

People contemplating Grand Canyon river rafting often select the large motorized raft trips offered by professional outfitters. They’ll handle all the logistics for you and provide experienced and attentive guides. A normal day starts early, with a vigorous breakfast washed down with “cowboy coffee,” followed by breaking down camp and packing the rafts. Packing light gains a whole new meaning when you see the small, water-resistant bag supplied for your personal items.

All that is swept aside as you realize your new family is whitewater rafting the Colorado River on the trip of a lifetime. Less than one percent of Grand Canyon visitors actually experience this impressive tour of rapid shooting, lazy floating, tumbling waterfalls, historic ruins, and majestic wildlife. Your rafting guide will arrange the day based on his experience, the state of the Colorado River and where you happen to be at the time. Imagine backpacking in the Grand Canyon, discovering side canyons with glimpses of petroglyphs or tranquil pools that entice you to take a refreshing soak after lunch time.

Ah yes, Grand Canyon backpacking and rafting might be your honeymoon adventure of choice. But make sure to plan in advance. This natural wonder is preserved under the Colorado River Management Plan and trips can be reserved a year in advance due to strict access controls. If you think about the lead times required by a Hawaiian or Mexican vacation resort, though, this doesn’t seem all that unreasonable. Furthermore, it could very well end up the more economical honeymoon option.

So, take a chance on something new for your honeymoon. Grand Canyon white water rafting is a great adventure, but then, so is marriage.

Reproduction permitted only if all active links are maintained and byline is preserved, and/or your byline is omitted. 2012 All Rights Reserved.

Hatch River Expeditions offers amazing white water rafting Colorado River expeditions that are highly recommended by author Stephen Daniels. Their skilled guides will take you on the adventure of a lifetime, showing you the canyon as few see it; they will make sure that all your senses are well stimulated, and will educate you about the importance of conservation to preserve this natural wonder of the world.

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Autumn Months Bring More Eye-Dazzling Colors to the Grand Canyon River Rafting Experience

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

For those with a sense of adventure, white water rafting the Grand Canyon is one of those experiences that really should be at the top of everyone’s bucket list. With its stunning canyon walls, blue sky, and world-class rapids, this is one of those trips that few will ever be fortunate enough to get to take, but those who do will never forget it. Even though access is limited – for private trips there are lotteries and waiting lists as long as the Colorado River itself – summers on the river can sometimes feel a little crowded, and it goes without saying the temperatures during the summer months usually range from hot to hotter. That’s why, for experienced Grand Canyon rafting enthusiasts, autumn is their favorite time to run the river.

Fall brings a lot of changes to the river. First of all, the temperatures, while still warm, are much more pleasant. Because there is less water being let out of the dam, the water moves more slowly, giving you the opportunity to have a bit more of a relaxed experience and lessening the danger of the bigger rapids, if only slightly. The real reason you will appreciate the slower water, however, is that the stunning red rocks are now complemented by fall’s changing colors, giving the already stupendous scenery a whole new level of beauty. Early to mid-October is an especially great time to catch the canyon in all its autumnal glory.

Commercial trips start winding down during this time, but are still very popular, so it is a wise choice to book one of these runs early in the year. These outfitters will provide you with nearly everything you need, including food, shelter, experienced guides, and lists of what to bring from home. If you are on a private trip, of course, you will need to provide all of the necessary supplies and provisions for yourself, but your reward for doing so, and venturing down this time of year, is the opportunity to enjoy the canyon in relative seclusion. Of course, this seclusion means there will be less help nearby should an accident occur, so a satellite phone is an absolute necessity.

The National Park’s North Rim closes down many of its facilities in the late fall, so depending on where you are planning to put in and take out, you should check ahead of time for the nearest food, lodging, and gas.

Reproduction permitted only when all active hyperlinks are included. 2011 All Rights Reserved.

Hatch River Expeditions offers amazing Grand Canyon river rafting trips highly recommended by author Stephen Daniels. Their skilled guides will take you on the adventure of a lifetime, showing you the river and canyon as few see it; they will make sure that all your senses are well stimulated, and will educate you about the importance of conservation to preserve this natural wonder of the world.

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