The water was up. 2/10ths of an inch from the height that the don't do the rafting trip. Usually canyon 1 is grade 3, Canyon 2 is grade 4 and Canyon 3 is grade 5. Today all three canyon were grade 5.
We suited up in dry suits and after the initial safety talk which involved the daunting run down of possible pitfalls we might experience during the trip we swam 50m across the very cold (40*F) fast flowing river, to show them we could. Then we split into groups and Nick, our raft captain, was excellent at instilling us all with great confidence, describing what paddle strokes he wanted us to do when he instructed us to do so while in the various rapids.
Ron and I were in the front and Paul and Sandra in the back. I was made lead paddler. (Do I have a sign on my back that says: "pick me"??)
Ron and I were in the front and Paul and Sandra in the back. I was made lead paddler. (Do I have a sign on my back that says: "pick me"??)
Canyon 1 was great, the water cold, but we made it through. The other boat on our trip capsized on this rapid and while we performed our rescue roles well a few of the group pulled out after this rapid.
Canyon 2 was a bit longer and we all made it through but everyone in the other boat pulled out after the second canyon.
We oldies stuck it out through canyon 3 and were rewarded by a fun ride down the staircase. This set of Rapids was the length of canyon 1 & 2 together. Lots of huge haystacks and drops.
We oldies stuck it out through canyon 3 and were rewarded by a fun ride down the staircase. This set of Rapids was the length of canyon 1 & 2 together. Lots of huge haystacks and drops.
The captain of the second boat, Mike, (going it alone at this point) capsized again in canyon 3! He's been doing these trips for 13 years and never capsized twice in a day before.
I thought Sandra & Paul were in the high-and-dry, enjoy-the-view-seats, having a great ride while Ron and I in the worker-bee seats seeing the INSIDE of every wave up close and personal! When we saw the photos, though, this wasn't the case! I am pretty sure it wasn't just the rapid where Nick gave them a dowsing by going down one rapid backwards.
Great morning! In the afternoon it was onto Girdwood a cute ski resort town for a well deserved ice cream and coffee.
Then onto the Alyeska Tramway for a thrill a minute ride in a pod dangling high above the ground. I let Sandra, Paul and Ron go it alone on this one as I'd had enough thrills for the day.
Beautiful, sunny, not a-cloud-in-the-sky day.
Dinner at Suite 100 Anchorage.
Dinner at Suite 100 Anchorage.
Staying at Casa del Agave BnB in Anchorage.
