Whitewater Rafting on the North Fork American River w/O.A.R.S. Guides

April 9, 2009.

I hadn’t been whitewater rafting on the North Fork American River in probably a decade, and now I’m wondering why it took me so long to get back. The North Fork offers translucent emerald green water… tight, technical, boulder-strewn rapids… steep forested canyon walls… lots and lots of waterfowl… numerous waterfalls flowing from canyon walls… wildflowers! wildflowers! wildflowers!

Many of the California/Oregon raft guides have made their way back from their winter vacations and are participating in two weeks of guide training. For new O.A.R.S. hires, it’s a chance to practice guiding through new rapids and experience new rivers… for the returning guides it’s a chance to work out the winter kinks. James Rodger, O.A.R.S. California/Oregon Regional Manager, invited me to join his crew of 14 yesterday.

The North Fork American is a spring run – the flow depends on snowmelt and rain… no dam-released flows here. The weather may not always be ideal this time of year. Most days are sunny and in the 60s and 70s, however, sometimes we get late spring rains. With proper clothing and gear (I highly recommend a dry suit), a little rain or chilly weather just doesn’t matter. Hey – we’re going to get wet anyway. Mother nature gave us a little of everything yesterday… gray skies, downpours, sun, drizzle, sun. The weather didn’t dampen our spirits though. We were too busy paddling hard through Slaughter’s Sluice, Chamberlain’s Falls, ZigZag, Achilles’ Heel, Bogus Thunder, Grand Slalom, and Staircase.

I can honestly say the crew looks great, and these guides are ready to roll!

A special THANK YOU to Bobbi Heizelman, the O.A.R.S. California American Rivers chef / food-packer / mother hen (in the nicest sense of the word). Bobbi created a wonderful lunch spread, including a surprise birthday brownie cake for one of the crew. We love you Bobbi!