OARS Whitewater rafting trip June 2013 by Kristi Perera

Hello everyone!

It's been 2 weeks since myy brother Richie and I joined OARS on a Whitewater rafting trip on the Middle Fork of the American River, and I thought I should share about the trip. (Or, I should say, Ernie asked me to! =)  OARS is a class act - from the experience of the guides, to the vehicles they used to take us and pick us up (Vans with A/C vs. school buses the other companies used) - new rafts and helmets..This particular trip, they were filming a video for their website, so once that is 'live' I will share it, as I am sure we will be on there..

We had to be at the meeting point in Lotus by 8am, which ended up only being 1 hour 10 minutes from my house in Elk Grove. We drove up that morning, but were given the option of camping on their new campground they recently purchased - the night before, as well as the night of. It would have been free.

After a 40 minute drive into the Tahoe National forest, and into the canyon, we met for our safety talk, and then lathered up with sunscreen (it was super hot!)..Richie and I were fortunate to have Oscar Murillo as our guide - he is from Costa Rica and has 23 years rafting experience. This was not my, or my brothers first rafting trip. We have done 2 day trips at Cache Creek Canyon, and I have rafted the South Fork of the American River..But this was definitely the most intense I have rafted-requiring helmets..Mostly Class IV and one Class V- with more rapids, and our first class V - Tunnel Chute. (though I also see it says class IV). The guide shouted commands to us 'Paddle One', Paddle Five, Backpaddle 3', etc...the most nerve-racking was the 'lean in' or the 'GET DOWN' command, where we were all to get into the raft and hold our paddles straight up'...thats when our guide paddled the rapid alone...it was like a very intense Disneyland Ride!

We had 7 in our raft, including the guide. And only ONCE did we lose people out of the raft, my brother and I being 2 of the 4 that were tossed out. Ironically, it was the smallest rapid of all - a Class II, however, when our guide yelled 'Lean In'- only 1/2 the boat did, and next thing you know, I am on the high end of the boat and am tossed straight into the water, on top of the guy across from me. He ended up with some serious scratches on his shoulder. Note to self: trim nails next time..As soon as I hit the water, it took my breath away because it was soo ice cold. They tell you to start swimming and put your legs up ...but with the ice cold water, it seems to stun your brain, as I was in this momentary daze of 'OH my gosh, I fell out!!' Five seconds later I realized the raft was getting further and further away - so I better SWIM! hahah...It was hard to get back in - you really had to use your muscles/body to launch back in the raft.

Half way through the day, we pulled up at a sandbar, and they set up a nice lunch with ice cold pineapple, oranges, cookies, crackers - and deli meat, veggies, bread, etc..to make sandwiches. It was great to refuel, but there was no shade at the stop and the sun was BEAMING down. I was happy when we started back on the river.

For me, being in nature, and on the river, is so rejuvenating. The fresh air, the birds, the water, the sun...and the adventure and exercise. Not a bad way to spend a day, and I will go every opportunity that I can! If any anyone is interested, they give agents 50% discount! Here's a link to the details of the trip we went on:

http://www.oars.com/files/itineraries/Middle_Fork_American_River.pdf#zoom=100

TUNNEL CHUTE (IV)  This section of the river was once a horseshoe bend.  Crowds of miners came to the Middle Fork American River canyon in search of gold.  In the late 1800s, they realized that gold probably settled into the slow-moving, horseshoe bend in the river.  Miners blasted a tunnel and then dug a chute to guide the river’s water through the tunnel.  The river’s altercation created one of the biggest gold discoveries in the California foothills.  Technically, the rapid should be called Chute Tunnel, as you will drop down a chute (approximately 15 feet steep) over a distance of 80 feet, concluding with a big drop into frothy, churning water.  You will then pass through a 90-ft long tunnel.  This will certainly be a memorable California whitewater experience!

There are numerous Class III rapids until the Class IV Kanaka Falls rapid.

Also - I am wearing a green shirt - and in this first pic you can see me - 2nd person back on the right side of the boat (but left in the pic)...my brother is in the front left of the boat, with the white glasses and big smile..