The All-Outdoors Whitewater Rafting California River Blog » Uncategorized http://blog.aorafting.com Read up on everything related to whitewater rafting on California rivers with All-Outdoors Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:00:22 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 The All-Outdoors Whitewater Rafting California River Blog http://blog.aorafting.com/feed-logo.jpg http://blog.aorafting.com 100 100 The All-Outdoors Whitewater Rafting California River Blog - http://blog.aorafting.com Middle Fork American Two-Day Trips http://blog.aorafting.com/middle-fork-american-two-day-trips/ http://blog.aorafting.com/middle-fork-american-two-day-trips/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:46:42 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2763 Summer is not exactly fading fast, but it’s about this time when it begins to dawn on us that it won’t last forever………..sure the weather is blazing, there are mountains of tomatoes in a full blaze of rainbow colors at the P’ville farmer’s market, the sunflowers are in full bloom at my dad’s house, and everyone at AO but me is tanned and toned and highlighted………but people are starting to talk sadly of the return to college, the transition to off-season schedules, and–most tortuous of all for moi–the plans for winter travel (I am SO busting in on a certain someone’s year abroad in TURKEY this year–I love ground lamb, hookas, and Roman ruins!  hello!!!).

So the point is, summer doesn’t last forever–and now is the time to get on a two-day, overnight, camp-under-the-stars-extravaganza on the Middle Fork of the American River.  Class IV rapids, side-hikes and sunny skies to thrill by day, twinkling stars, tasty food and good conversation at night.  And all this glory is only a few miles from the Hwy 80 corridor so it’s but a hop skip and jump from the Bay Area, Sacramento, and even Reno.  Grab some friends and come on up before the summer is donedonedone!

(above: side hike on the Middle Fork American River, above right: class VI (unrunnable) ruck-a-chucky falls)

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/middle-fork-american-two-day-trips/feed/ 0 Kaweah and Merced River Rafting Over for 2010 http://blog.aorafting.com/kaweah-and-merced-river-rafting-over-for-2010/ http://blog.aorafting.com/kaweah-and-merced-river-rafting-over-for-2010/#comments Sun, 25 Jul 2010 19:16:45 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2745 That’s it!  No more Kaweah, no more Merced.  We’re cleared out of the bug,  said goodbye to Dorletta and her tasty burgers for the year, and put the Merced t-shirts in storage until next year.  If you missed these rivers this year turn your attention to the trifecta of summer-long reliability that are the South and  Middle Forks of the American River, and the Tuolumne.

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/kaweah-and-merced-river-rafting-over-for-2010/feed/ 0 Cherry Creek in the House! http://blog.aorafting.com/cherry-creek-in-the-house/ http://blog.aorafting.com/cherry-creek-in-the-house/#comments Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:00:31 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2708 Alright you gonzo class five freaks–it’s time.

The spring Tuolumne watershed is spent and we’re down to summer flows.  For the main Tuolumne, that means good summer flows.  For Cherry Creek, it’s party time.

Our first trips are this weekend–get on the horn and on the first trip of the season.

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/cherry-creek-in-the-house/feed/ 0 Say WHAT?? A guide to River Speak… http://blog.aorafting.com/say-what-a-guide-to-river-speak/ http://blog.aorafting.com/say-what-a-guide-to-river-speak/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:56:30 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2702 If you have ever been on the river and think the guides are talking in another language… we are.  It’s river talk and here is some vocab. you might hear on your trip with AO….

Put-in: where your river trip will start

Take-out: where your river trip will end (NOTE: very different than a put-in

except on the Lazy River at Raging Waters…)

Paddle: a stick with a t-grip and a blade used to paddle.

Lily Dipping: when you aren’t actually paddling… just petting the water with

your paddle.

Oar: long wooden or plastic blade attached to the boat with an oarlock or

pins. Always comes in two. If you only see one in a boat… ask questions.

Bow: front of the boat (wet real estate)

Stern: back of the boat (dry real estate)

Thwart: seat or hotdog looking tube in the middle of the boat. Not to sit on

or eat, just there to hold gear and your feet.

Chicken strap: the handle on the thwart your guide told you not to hold

onto… and you are….

Dry bag: “kind of dry” bag. Fit for clothes, snacks, sunscreen… not cameras

or iphones.

PFD: Lifejacket or a cool orange vest great for chest bumping.

Duckie: an inflatable kayak. Everyone looks cool in a ducky.

Eddy: the calm water out of the current or a “happy place.”

Hole: the foamy munching whitewater that is typically avoided.

Rapid: WHITEWATER!!!

Now you will know what your guide means when she says, “Chester, stop lily

dipping and grabbing the chicken strap, we are about to leave this eddy and

hit some serious rapids!”

See you on the water!

(BIg thanks to River Guide Brooke for this awesome post!)

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/say-what-a-guide-to-river-speak/feed/ 0 Creature Craft http://blog.aorafting.com/creature-craft/ http://blog.aorafting.com/creature-craft/#comments Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:38:10 +0000 Tessa Sibbet http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2677 We don’t recommend trying this at home, but it’s pretty fun to watch. Don’t worry, our river trips look nothing like this! It’s strictly for entertainment purposes:

Creature Craft in Sunset Falls

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/creature-craft/feed/ 0 4th of July Rafting Trip and Fireworks http://blog.aorafting.com/4th-of-july-rafting-trip-and-fireworks/ http://blog.aorafting.com/4th-of-july-rafting-trip-and-fireworks/#comments Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:05:26 +0000 Tessa Sibbet http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2687 There’s no better way to celebrate independence, summer vacation, and sunshine than a rafting trip. Big splashy waves and fun rapids are featured on both the South Fork of the American and the Middle Fork of the American Rivers. http://www.aorafting.com/reservations/rapid-deals.htm are available over the 4th of July weekend. And if you’re itching to see an awesome fireworks show, head to the Placerville Fairgrounds when your trip is over for a great celebration. Gates open at 4pm and the show is $3 per person or $15 per carload.

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/4th-of-july-rafting-trip-and-fireworks/feed/ 0 Chaco Tan Line Contest http://blog.aorafting.com/chaco-tan-line-contest/ http://blog.aorafting.com/chaco-tan-line-contest/#comments Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:17:32 +0000 Tessa Sibbet http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2676 Backcountry.com and “The Goat” blog are hosting their annual Chaco Tan Line Contest. While there are many river shoes on the market these days, Chaco’s are still a symbol of “cool” in the rafting world. The z-shaped tan line is worn with pride by river guides and rafting enthusiasts worldwide. Submit your photo entries here by July 2nd to compete and win a free raft trip. We’re not sure where, but we know that rafting is always fun. In the spirit of this contest, we’d love to see some awesome tan lines too! You can post them on our AO Facebook page for all your fellow rafters to see.

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/chaco-tan-line-contest/feed/ 0 All-Outdoors Mentioned in the LA Times http://blog.aorafting.com/all-outdoors-mentioned-in-the-la-times/ http://blog.aorafting.com/all-outdoors-mentioned-in-the-la-times/#comments Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:42:38 +0000 Tessa Sibbet http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2681 It’s a couple weeks old now, but we forgot to let you know (as in, we were on the water, rafting) that All-Outdoors was recently mentioned in the LA Times. The article features our amazing property on the South Fork of the American River and talks about our awesome bachelor party and bachelorette party trips. To read the article, go here. You have to scroll down to the last few paragraphs of the article to read about your favorite California rafting outfitter.

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/all-outdoors-mentioned-in-the-la-times/feed/ 0 Warm Weather This Weekend http://blog.aorafting.com/warm-weather-this-weekend/ http://blog.aorafting.com/warm-weather-this-weekend/#comments Fri, 25 Jun 2010 22:36:03 +0000 Tessa Sibbet http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2674 The weather the report is looking like it’s going to feel a bit more like summer. California weather finally figured out that the summer solstice was this week and that we’re looking forward to some sunny skies and higher temperatures. Highs this weekend are supposed to get into the 90′s and we’re excited for a little heat. Those of you who have been rafting before know that getting splashed in the rapids is the best way to spend a hot summer’s day. See you on the river!

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/warm-weather-this-weekend/feed/ 0 American River Seminar http://blog.aorafting.com/american-river-seminar/ http://blog.aorafting.com/american-river-seminar/#comments Sat, 05 Jun 2010 16:23:35 +0000 Tessa Sibbet http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=2638 The Headwaters Institute and the American River Conservancy are teaming together to put on the 14th annual American River Seminar on Monday, June 7 from 9am to 4pm (followed by the popular Trailfest). The event aims at educating river guides, recreational paddlers, and community members about the American River watershed. Presentations include Native American Culture, a Geologic and Natural History Tour of the South Fork, Live Falcons, Gold Rush History, and Interpretation for Guides. The event is $15 or FREE with a Trailfest ticket (which can be purchased in advance or at the door).

When: Monday June 7, 9am-4pm
Where: Earth Trek Camp 1 (in the same complex as Hot Shots and Sierra Rizing)
Who: River Guides, Kayakers, Community Members
Cost: $15 or FREE with a Trailfest Ticket
Lunch is included in the cost

Contact Tessa Sibbet for more information: 530-391-5213 or tsibbs @ gmail.com

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