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    Whitewater Rafting Expedition, Chilko, Chilcotin, Fraser Rivers

    • Robin Hartikainen
      2013-08-07 03:35:14

      Whitewater Rafting Expedition, Chilko, Chilcotin, Fraser Rivers

      In summer there are many ways to experience the outdoors as we all wait for snow.  A lot of people are out exploring mountains, hiking around and climbing.  This summer I have been enjoying melted snow in various places, I am very much a water guy.  Rivers and lakes mostly.  I've spent a lot of time out on the Slocan River on my Stand Up paddle board which is a very new challenge that feels very much like skiing in some ways.  This post isn't about that though.


      I just got back from a pretty amazing trip with ROAM Adventures a Nelson, BC based company that runs a Whitewater Rafting Expedition trip based around their Bear Camp on Chilko Lake.  The trip I went on consisted of 2 Days at their camp/lodge and 6 days down the river.  The camp is essentially a modified fishing lodge with safari tents on platforms overlooking Chilko Lake.  The views right from the decking and catwalks were amazing.

      The tents and walkways are right on the water.  Which gives you amazing views.


      On one of my days at Chilko Lake I kayaked around the teal waters, exploring and taking photos of wildlife.

      The area is super quiet and remote, there is a provincial campground nearby but even though it was August long weekend, things were very quiet this far into the wilderness.  (About 4 hour drive from Williams Lake, BC)

      The highlight of the trip for me was definitely day two on the Chilko where we had the opportunity to experience a very long section of high adrenaline whitewater.  I have rafted a few times before and there's just no comparison.  The rapids start out Class V and then are Class IV for about 14 km.  The tagline is that this section known as Lava Canyon and the White Mile is the longest continous section of Class IV that is run commercially in North America.  We really got hammered with a big wave in what's called the Bidwell rapids at the entrance to Lava Canyon.  I am really happy we had very experienced guides for this one as things got quite technical and were very full on for a long section.  I think it was probably the most exciting thing I have ever done in the summer months. 

      Mark Trueman was the lead guide on the trip, very experienced with over 20 years of river guiding Mark is an excellent story teller, great cook and really knows how to make rafting fun and safe at the same time.

      The rest of the trip was great also, with sweet views, fun whitewater and good food.  Highlight for food was a freshly baked upside down pineapple cake which Mark pulled off with a Dutch Oven over some coals.

      The deer out here are super chill, this little guy just hung out on this little island letting me get very close to take pictures.  I approached him slowly on a paddle board drifting in slow current to take this picture.

      This was taken at one of our many camps along the trip, it's a convergence of Chilcotin River and Big Creek.  It's amazing how the teal glacial water contrasts with the clear water from the creek.

      Overall this trip reminded me of how lucky I am to live in such a beatiful province.  Look forward to seeing more of it.

      If people are interested in learning more about this adventure, reply to this thread or follow the link below.

      http://www.iroamtheworld.com/c.....tin-fraser


    • Powder Creek Lodge
      2013-08-08 00:24:33

      Nice trip.  I wanted to ask you about your paddling on the Slocan.  I have had my SUP on the Slocan Lake a few times recently...beautiful, clear water.  Where do you usually paddle on the river and how fast is it?  Thanks.


      John

    • Robin Hartikainen
      2013-08-08 01:36:15

      I started out just doing the section from Upper Passmore bridge to Crescent Valley beach, there's definitely a learning curve involved and you have to be careful with water levels.  I did the whole section from Winlaw to Crescent Valley Beach about four times in July and it was a lot of fun, there's some rapids that will most likely mean a swim or two, but if you are comfortable with your board you should be able to adapt.  It's a beautiful paddle on a board.  I think that once the river recovers from the fuel spill i'll go investigate water levels and let you know what's fun right now.  It might be a good time to break a fin if it's shallow:(.  A few things you can do to adapt to shallow water would be to flip the board over and sit on it or if it's a short smooth section you can just stand on the nose of your board so your fin rides higher in the water, both have worked for me.  The first time I ran the winlaw rapids, I was unsure of water levels and it's quite rough so I sat on my upside down board through that section, the second time I stood up through them and got knocked into the water 3 times.  I am only comfortable paddling water that I can fall into safely.  Paddling a moving river is a whole new set of problems to solve but it is super exciting and on a SUP even small rapids are pretty challenging for me.  The last trip I did on the Slocan I was able to surf some boulder waves for a bit which is super fun.  Hope that helps, let me know if you have specific questions.  Also, the river does beat up boards pretty good so keep that in mind as well.
    • Powder Creek Lodge
      2013-08-08 21:39:12

      Thanks for your advice!

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