Logo
    Show
    Hide
    Login
    Close

    SITE LOGIN

    • Forgot your password?

    Register

    Tailgate Industries
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
        • Skis
        • Boots
        • Bindings
        • Climbing Skins
        • Poles
        • Snowboards
      • Clothing
        • Hard Shells
        • Soft Shells
        • Insulation
        • Mid Layers
        • Base Layers
        • Gloves
        • Socks
      • Accessories
        • Safety Gear
        • Goggles and Helmets
        • Ski Touring Packs
        • Ski Boxes and Bags
        • Sleeping Bags - 4 Season
        • Technology
        • Sunglasses
        • Insoles & Braces
        • Books
      • Off-Season Gear
        • Hiking
          • Rain Shells
          • Day Packs
          • Apparel
          • Footwear
          • Safety
        • Camping
          • Backpacks
          • Sleeping Bags
          • Sleeping Pads
          • Tents
          • Coolers / Cooking
          • Furniture / Storage
          • Lighting / Power
        • Biking
        • Paddling
        • Climbing
        • Mountaineering
        • Running
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
        • Gear of the Year Winter 2024-2025
        • Gear of the Year Winter 2023-2024
        • Gear of the Year Archives
      • Best New Summer Gear
        • Best New Summer Gear 2023
        • Best New Summer Gear 2024
        • Best New Summer Gear 2022
        • Best New Summer Gear 2021
        • Best New Summer Gear 2020
      • Holiday Gift Guide
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2024
          • Holiday Gift Guide 2024 Base Layers
          • MSR Explore Revo Snowshoes
          • Fieldsheer Backcountry Heated Jacket
          • Fieldsheer Premium 2.0 Merino Heated Socks
          • MEC Hut Booties and Slippers
          • Arc’teryx Kopec GTX Shoe
          • Arc’teryx Kragg Insulated Approach Shoes
          • Gregory Verte 18 Backpack
          • Grundens Deck-Boss Ankle Boot
          • MEC Northern Light Vest
          • Montec-Scope-Ski-Goggles
          • Mountain Hardware Kor Airshell Hoody
          • Mountain Hardware Kor Alloy Crew
          • Arcade Atlas Belt
          • Dynafit Ridge Dynastretch Jacket
          • Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 headphones
          • Buff Merino Move Multifunctional Neckwear
          • Bootdoc Foot Warmer
          • Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack
          • DPS LastBag
          • DPS PHANTOM Glide At-Home Kit
          • DPS Mission Quiver Roller
          • Dragon Amped sunglasses
          • Dragon DX3 Plus OTG photochromic goggle
          • Fuse Lenses Anclote Flashback
          • Garmin Fenix 8 Solar Sapphire Watch
          • Gregory Alpaca Gear Tote 30
          • Hotronic Boot Dryer
          • MEC Aluminum Pot Set
          • Gnara Go There Pants
          • Grundens Shackleton 2.0 Duffel
          • Jones Deeper 19L Backpack
          • Le Bent Core Midweight Crew base layer
          • Leatherman ARC
          • Montane Nordes Hooded Softshell Jacket and Pants
          • Helly Hansen Odin Everdown Hooded Jacket
          • Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket 2.0
          • Montec Fawk Ski Jacket
          • Pomoca Free Pro 2.0 Skins
          • Rab Glaceon Pro Down Jacket
          • Rab Khroma Converge GORE-TEX Ski Jacket & Pants
          • Smith Squad MAG Goggles
          • Stellar Guide Aerogel Hybrid Hood 2.0
          • Stellar Ultralight Down Hood 2.0
          • Arms of Andes Alpaca Half Zip & Wool Leggings
          • Cotopaxi Allpa 70L Duffel Bag
          • Giro Taggert Mips Helmet
          • Loonr Hi Flyer Boots
          • Paka Mountain Crew
          • Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Classic Shoes
          • Smartwool Smartloft Hooded Jacket and Pants
          • Ortovox Switchback 32 Ski Touring Backpack
          • Cotopaxi Allpa X 3L Hip Pack
          • Giro Sagen Ski Goggle
          • Icebreaker Ski+ Over the Calf Socks
          • MEC-Fireside-Fleece-Snap-Pullover
          • Montec Roast Mittens
          • Mountain-Hardware-Sunblocker-Hoody
          • MSR Titan Kettle 900 ml
          • Tailgate-Industries-The Gondom-Goggle-Cover
          • Wild Country Rope Tarp
          • Bootdoc Race Merino PFI 50 Socks
          • Remind Soles Destin Impact Insoles
          • Kari Traa Rose Baselayer Half Zip Top and Pants
          • Le Bent Midweight Quarter Zip
          • Ombraz Dolomite Sunglasses
          • Ortovox Fleece Rib Hoody
          • Ortovox Merino Thermovent Base Layer
          • Smartwool Intraknit Merino Tech Half Zip
          • Suunto Wing Bone Conduction headphones
          • Sweet Protection Adapter Mips Helmet
          • Sweet Protection Connor Rig Reflect Goggles
          • Zeal Optics Selkirk Glacier Glasses
          • Norrona more flex1 Pants
          • Norrona Octa Zip Hood
          • Norrona Lyngen Alpha100 Zip Hood
          • MEC Deluxe Pillow
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2023
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2022
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2021
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2019
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2018
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2017
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2016
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • NEWS
    • STORE
      • Backcountry Store Offline
      • Gear Deals
        • Alpine Touring Boots
        • Backcountry Skis
        • Alpine Touring Bindings
        • Backcountry Accessories
        • Off-Season Gear
        • Climbing Skins
    • ROUTES
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2022/23 Gear Reviews
      • 2021/22 Gear Reviews
      • 2020/21 Gear Reviews
      • 2019/20 Gear Reviews
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2020 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us
      • Newsletter
      • Contest
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
      • Clothing
      • Accessories
      • Off-Season Gear
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
      • Best New Summer Gear
      • Holiday Gift Guide
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • NEWS
    • STORE
      • Backcountry Store Offline
      • Gear Deals
    • ROUTES
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2022/23 Gear Reviews
      • 2021/22 Gear Reviews
      • 2020/21 Gear Reviews
      • 2019/20 Gear Reviews
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2020 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us
      • Newsletter
      • Contest
    Newsletter Signup

    TOP VIDEOS

      HOTTEST REVIEWS


      Hagan Boost 99 POW Skis Garmin inReach Plus Scarpa 4-Quattro Pro 130+ Top Ski Reviews Ortovox Ravine Jacket Scarpa Maestrale RS Boots

      Ortovox
      North Valley Huts
      Avalance Canada
      ROAM
      Fritschi Swiss Bindings
      Search
      • Home
      • »
      • Forum
      • »
      • Touring Locations
      • »
      • Coast Mountains
      • »
      • Whitewater Rafting Expedition, Chilko, Chilcotin, Fraser Rivers

      BACKCOUNTRY NEWS AND FORUMS

      Welcome to your source for the latest news, conditions, and insights on backcountry skiing and adventuring. Explore reports, gear reviews, safety tips, and more to help you make the most of your time in the wild.

      If you sign up as a member this is your chance to tell everyone about everything and anything to do with backcountry skiing. Follow the simple steps to register and WHAMMY, you’re in. If you are pulling your hair out with frustration, have a look at the help forums for answers or take a pause and drop us an email at: info (at) backcountryskiingcanada.com. We’ll do our best to help out as soon as we can (but all bets are off on a powder day, obviously).  


      Whitewater Rafting Expedition, Chilko, Chilcotin, Fraser Rivers

      • RSS
      • Subscribe
      • 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!

      Ortovox
      North Valley Huts
      Avalance Canada
      ROAM
      Fritschi Swiss Bindings
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy

      Copyright © 2023-24 Backcountry Skiing Canada. All Rights Reserved.