March 11th, 2010 Malina
A dispatch from Southeast Asia! We here at AO leave no corner of the globe unturned, it seems. This is AO rafting guide Jared K, on a recent trip to Sapa, Vietnam. Hangin’ with the local Hmong villagers in his AO t-shirt. That’s what I call a smart packer.
If you recently spent some time in mainland Southeast Asia, send me one of those awesome jackets (and a picture of you in your AO, of course!) to malina at aorafting.com
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March 3rd, 2010 Malina
Ah Patagonia–land of icy glaciers, aquamarine rivers, and…………friendly barnyard animals. Here is AO owner Scott A getting to know the locals in Futaleufu, and probably trying to negotiate an egg or too for breakfast, I dare say. If you have farm-fresh produce to share please send it in an insulated basket (decorated with AO logos, of course) to malina at AOrafting.com.
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February 24th, 2010 Malina
One of our very own river guides, Colin L, has seriously put his money where his mouth is. After hearing about the devastation in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti he contacted a humanitarian group he’d worked with before and volunteered to help on the ground. I knew Colin was awesome before–but this is really amazing.
Take a sec to check out his blog to find out more about what he’s up to. So far, he has been using his commercial driving skills (you may have seen him behind the wheel of an AO bus on a rafting trip last summer!) to take supplies from the Dominican Republic into Haiti overland.
http://colininhaiti.blogspot.com/2010/02/dear-friends-like-many-of-you-i-was.html
Top: Colin in Haiti! Driving to Port au Prince
Bottom: A truly impressive local bus. For more pictures and updates go to Colin’s blog.
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February 22nd, 2010 Malina
That’s right aspiring river rats, it’s time to get your guide on. If you just can’t get enough 
whitewater it may be time to break your mama’s heart, make your daddy grit his teeth, and head out west to join the AO senior guide crew for a little whitewater raftin’ instruction! And by “break her heart” and “grit his teeth” I mean “make them proud you love nature and sharing the outdoors with your fellow man so.” At our professional river guide school you will learn the mysteries of hydrolics (trust us, it’s more complicated than just pointin’ her downstream, although that is often a good place to start), the ins and outs of navigation, and of course, how to make dutch oven brownies. No doubt you will also have so. much. fun. Even I, the least athletic person at AO rafting, had a blast at guide school. That’s some serious proof.
So join us for a week of wonderment and glory! Our river rafting guide school has two sessions in 2010.
Session One: Spring! April 8-11 and 16-18, 2010. The split session helps you negotiate with your Boss Man or Professors.
Session Two: Summer! June 15-21, 2010.
For more info visit the california river guide school page on our website.
(Above: See how much fun whitewater rivers are!? They make everyday stops by the side of the road a total party!)
Posted in AO Weekly: Company News and Entertaining Stories, California Rivers- Flows, News, and Events, Uncategorized | No Comments »
February 16th, 2010 Malina
Taking a break from our regularly scheduled storm reporting:
How’s this for making the most of what you got? Kayaking in the middle of a South Dakota winter–who knew?!
You can read the whole article here: http://blackhillsnewsbureau.com/news-stories/article/238-snow-kayaking-picks-up-speed-in-the-black-hills.html
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February 11th, 2010 Malina
That’s right folks, snow keeps on fallin’ right where it needs to. Little by little we’re getting the snowpack we need. I am thinking though that if Washington DC has a little higher snowpack than seems strictly necessary (I mean it is supposed to be the “White House,” not the “White-out House!”) it is welcome to send the extra our way! We are more than happy to take it off their hands…….
Posted in California Rivers- Flows, News, and Events | No Comments »
January 27th, 2010 Malina
After all the crazy weather we’ve been getting from one end of California to the next you’ve got to be wondering what it means for California rafting in 2010! We’re wondering too, believe you me.
As is usual for this time of year–and because the storm cycle isn’t played out yet–it’s hard to nail any predictions down. So much can happen between now and the rafting season…..
But for now, we’re seeing lots of new snow added to the Sierra, which is always a good thing! We’re definately in a good mood, I can tell you that. High water Tuloumne and Kaweah River trips, here we come! Maybe we’ll even have an epic day or two on the South Fork of the American. Nothing like a few thousand extra CFS to spice up Trouble Maker.
Anyhow, the average snowpack in California is already somewhere around 100%–but it’s hard to imagine that not going up soon! This storm cycle hasn’t played itself out yet, and there’s lots of time before Ol’ Man Winter packs up his bag for the season……
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January 26th, 2010 Malina
Ok procrastinators–time to make a move. Our pre-season sale is O-V-E-R this Friday, January 29th. For the rest of the week you can get your 2010 rafting trip planned and ready to go with a discount of 25%. If you don’t know what river you want to go on this summer that’s cool–just get a gift certificate and decide later. There are no restrictions with this sale: no black-out dates or limitations on trips. South Fork American River Float trip to Class V Cherry Creek rafting, everything qualifies.
(Above: springtime rafting on the Merced River)
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January 20th, 2010 Malina
I am actually reporting from Sacramento right now, where the weather is just unbelievable. I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir for any of you that live in California, but if you’re out of state, OMG, this is intense. The winds is literally howling, the rain is flying fast and heavy, and it’s just crazy. I can hear large things banging around outside. Hoping it’s not my car being blown out of the parking lot…….Lord spare the Geo!
I’m betting the South Fork is rising high and fast. I’ll try to get some pictures but I seriously doubt there is internet service or power in Lotus at HQ right now! Even our office in Walnut Creek lost power yesterday! We’re not complaining though–we are so excited for the snowpack piling up! New feet being added everyday! Whoo-hooooooooooooooo!
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January 18th, 2010 Malina
Rumors and emails have been flying fast and thick around town about the storm cycle heading to California and I tell you what, they weren’t messing around–it’s here! it’s raining hard and the wind is whipping the trees around. It’s a day for hunkering down.
This is supposed to be a storm of historic proportions–one report I read said there may “tens of feet” of snow dumped in the Sierra over the next week or so! It remains to be seen how that effects our rafting season, because if the snow storm is followed by a bunch of warm rain we’ll lose some of the snowpack to flooding. Might have some good pics from the SF pretty soon here!
As long as the internet holds up I’ll keep you posted! But we’re thinking the power is liable to go out any minute here so I’m off to fill up the water bottles and get out the ol’ campstove…..
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