The All-Outdoors Whitewater Rafting California River Blog http://blog.aorafting.com Read up on everything related to whitewater rafting on California rivers with All-Outdoors Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:09:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 en hourly 1 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 Froth o’ July http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/MbKTmYlS7IM/ http://blog.aorafting.com/froth-o-july/#comments Fri, 10 Jul 2009 23:30:04 +0000 Deborah Mason http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=1928 party_barge1Have you ever thought to yourself, self, I just want to send out invitations to all my friends, invite them to the river for the weekend, ask them to create a bathing suit without using a sewing machine and then wear said bathing suits while tubing down the South Fork of the American River?  Well, that’s exactly what we did over the 4th of July weekend and while playing dress up at the river is not necessarily an original idea, (I’ve been told wacky outfits have been making their way to the river for years in the valley) it was still an awful good time down by the river. Lots of pictures were taken, music was played, laughter abounded and stories will live on in infamy.

Here’s a few shots from the weekend (carefully chosen to protect those involved in the festivities). Maybe we’ll see you out there next year because honestly…nothing beats a party barge.hand_sewn3

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/froth-o-july/feed/ http://blog.aorafting.com/froth-o-july/ AO Rafting on the Discovery Channel . . .. http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/jVBeskCIOq4/ http://blog.aorafting.com/ao-rafting-on-the-discovery-channel/#comments Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:20:49 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=1913 …..or something like that anyway.  A few weeks ago AO owner Scott A was interviewed for an scott_discovery_interview_2upcoming Discovery Channel special called “Extreme Peril” (insert gnarly graphics and menacing music here).  Scott was interviewed for his perspective as a whitewater expert on a particularly nasty swim on Burnt Ranch Gorge run a few years back.  A woman was recirculated for a looooooong time in mid Burnt Ranch Falls along with a boat–yikes!  Don’t stress–she’s totally fine. 

We haven’t seen the footage yet, but these scott_discovery_interview_11pics of Scott getting his TV make-up done (!) and all lit up for the cameras is pretty entertaining for now.

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/ao-rafting-on-the-discovery-channel/feed/ http://blog.aorafting.com/ao-rafting-on-the-discovery-channel/ Cherry Creek Class V Rafting! http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/xH4IMA883HU/ http://blog.aorafting.com/cherry-creek-class-v-rafting/#comments Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:17:38 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=1898 nunes1After a couple “higher water” and certifiably high adventure Cherry Creek rafting  trips, we are now officially in the standard ol’ class V action.  And by “standard” of course I mean the most challenging and extreme commercial whitewater trip in the United States.  I mean Class V rapids that swallow 14 foot long boats and 10 foot oars.  I mean a gradiant of over 100 vertical feet per mile–in layman’s terms that means STEEP!  And I mean the “Miracle Mile” with its six back-to-back Class V rapids…….

So yeah, in this case I guess “standard” might not be the best word…..

(Above:  A fun boat of AO  rafting guides on Cherry Creek.  That Matt N in the driver’s seat there….)

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/cherry-creek-class-v-rafting/feed/ http://blog.aorafting.com/cherry-creek-class-v-rafting/ American River Music Festival: Sept 18-20 2009 http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/NQ8O3DR1gdY/ http://blog.aorafting.com/american-river-music-festival-sept-18-20-2009/#comments Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:40:22 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=1891 I have some more details on the 3rd annual American River Music Festival coming up this September.

music-festOf most interest to you, oh faithful whitewater enthusiast and reader of this here rafting blog, is the musical guest that will be serenading festival rafters on September 18th.  Having processed my behind-the-scenes info, I can now reveal in no particular order that Jonny Mojo and Sid Lewis will be setting the gorge (lower section of the South Fork American River) a’ twitter with the sweetness of their  gitars n’ banjos.

I can also reveal that those folks who want to see the river from a different vantage point and checkout the riverfront hike on Friday instead will also be serenaded–by Rich Warren!   For tickets to the Music Festival and the pre-festival river rafting trip, go to the American River Music Festival website.

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/american-river-music-festival-sept-18-20-2009/feed/ http://blog.aorafting.com/american-river-music-festival-sept-18-20-2009/ Merced River Rafting: The Extended Version! http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/dQMLD33w2Bg/ http://blog.aorafting.com/merced-river-rafting-the-extended-version/#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:20:45 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=1878

Click here to view the embedded video.

Word on the street around here is that the Merced River is going to have a slightly extended season.  It’s hot now, but the cool beginning to the summer means that the snowpack lasted a little longer than we’d usually expect. Sooooo……if you thought you’d missed your chance for a little rafting on the Mighty Mer, think again and make some plans.  We’re currently booking Merced rafting trips through Sunday, July 12th.  Check out our Merced rafting video and whet yer whistle!

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/merced-river-rafting-the-extended-version/feed/ http://blog.aorafting.com/merced-river-rafting-the-extended-version/ First Cherry Creek Rafting Trip of the Season: WOOT! http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/IbdXzD8WZRc/ http://blog.aorafting.com/first-cherry-creek-rafting-trip-of-the-season-woot/#comments Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:04:11 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=1885 It was an early day, but a great day.  I don’t know if this is a tall tale or what, but rumors are guides were up waaaaaaay before sunrise; all I know is for me, that is just one more great reason to continue not ever rafting Cherry Creek.  Why the insanely early start?  To make sure that the water levels would be appropriate–1800 CFS at put-in.  Don’t worry–flows will be standardized soon enough, so we won’t need to be adjusting the regular meet time.  This was an unusual case.  We had two commercial boats with guests (with guides the Walker Bros) and one guide boat  (with guide Matt N) out in front.  Special guest appearances by AO owner Scott Armstrong and Randy C, who was last seen giving the AO shirt a tour of Shanghai!

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/first-cherry-creek-rafting-trip-of-the-season-woot/feed/ http://blog.aorafting.com/first-cherry-creek-rafting-trip-of-the-season-woot/ Where in the World is AO? Knoxville! http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/J4EFAPaCuNg/ http://blog.aorafting.com/where-in-the-world-is-ao-knoxville/#comments Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:21:30 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=1701 le-knoxville1

The AO sweatshirt has now officially seen Knoxville, Tennessee.  A proud moment for all.  I hope Lynsey bought it a Shirley Temple to celebrate.  If you treated your AO gear to a round this year, send the proof to Malina @aorafting.com!

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/where-in-the-world-is-ao-knoxville/feed/ http://blog.aorafting.com/where-in-the-world-is-ao-knoxville/ Cherry Creek Rafting: Opening Day Round II http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/RY0O3pCaiZA/ http://blog.aorafting.com/cherry-creek-rafting-opening-day-round-ii/#comments Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:54:08 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=1869 dsc_0011It’s not 100% yet, because we haven’t gotten an iron-clad guarantee from the guy with his hand on the dam controls, but we think we’ll be able to start rafting Cherry Creek this coming weekend.  We’re hoping to get out there as soon as possible but we have a limit on how high the CFS can be for commercial trips.   We’ve been told by the water powers-that-be that Cherry Creek will be in the loop starting Sat June 27. We’ll keep you posted if that changes but for now, we’re ready to go!

(Above: Class V swim practice on Cherry Creek)

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/cherry-creek-rafting-opening-day-round-ii/feed/ http://blog.aorafting.com/cherry-creek-rafting-opening-day-round-ii/ Fun Addition to a Family Rafting Trip http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/9ohBMXNSVZI/ http://blog.aorafting.com/fun-addition-to-family-rafting-trip/#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:57:37 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=1859 ts-c1If you’re coming to Lotus at the end of June for a rafting trip with the family, check out the American River Conservancy’s guided hike June 27th.  The mellow hike/walk will introduce you the the Dave Moore Nature Area and the riparian environment along the South Fork of the American River with games, activities, and a scavenger hunt.  For all the details on the all-ages hike, check out the ARC’s website.

This is a great way to round out a class III family rafting trip on the South Fork!  If you have very young kids don’t forget that we offer the Tom Sawyer Float trip as well. This trip just rafts the class II section of the South Fork and includes inflatable kayaks and activities just for kids.

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/fun-addition-to-family-rafting-trip/feed/ http://blog.aorafting.com/fun-addition-to-family-rafting-trip/ Cherry Creek Update: Too high for Trips this Weekend http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/Q-42xyo7bNw/ http://blog.aorafting.com/cherry-creek-update-too-high-for-trips-this-weekend/#comments Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:53:16 +0000 Malina http://blog.aorafting.com/?p=1856 Well, if there’s one thing we rely on here in the rafting business it’s that stuff changes all the time.  The government and nature are more powerful than our powers to predict river conditions.

Case in point:  Yesterday I happily announced that our Cherry Creek season would open with a series of trips beginning June 19th.  We based this decision off information from the water guys at Hetch Hetchy reservoir.  Today we found out that in order to keep Hetch Hetchy from “spilling,” the dam authorities have decided to unexpectedly increase flows into the Tuolumne River.

Result?  Flows on the Main Tuolumne are gonna be great this weekend!  But Cherry Creek is just a little too high to run commercially so we’ve had to cancel those trips.  Hetch Hetchy tells us the spill risk should lessen soon (this hot spell is going to put a final fork in the remaining snowpack and then we’ll be entirely reliant on scheduled releases from reservoirs) so I expect to be telling you next week that Cherry Creek will be open for business.

]]> http://blog.aorafting.com/cherry-creek-update-too-high-for-trips-this-weekend/feed/ http://blog.aorafting.com/cherry-creek-update-too-high-for-trips-this-weekend/