Adventure Tourism BC

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Wildlife Wednesday Part 2

Some of you might be thinking, how much more wildlife do I have to show you in this PART 2 section of WILD LIFE WEDNESDAY. Some might even be thinking “did you guys even see all these animals on the river… I mean I came on 1 trip last year and saw nothing!” Well ya, that happens. Sometimes our little friends get a wee bit shy (and sometimes our clients are also a wee bit loud… just saying haha) But they do pop their heads out sometimes to say hello and our safety kayakers/cameramen are always ready to shoot them! With the lens I mean! So here are a few more shots  and fun facts of the nature we call home!

Chilliwack River Rafting

The Salmon Run!

It’s that time of year again when one of the world’s greatest events occurs. The pacific salmon swim for thousand of miles from the salt water ocean all the way to the fresh water stream where they were born, to spawn the next generation. This year is the year of the Pink Salmon. They only come back every 2 years to spawn and its pretty amazing that they still find their way back!

Fun Fact : Salmon can smell and identify a SINGLE drop of water from their native stream in gallons of salt water on their journey home.

The Salmon Run is not only an amazing phenomenon but vital to the survival of so many of the other critters that call the West Coast their home.

Black bear at the Inflatable Kayak put in!

Black bear at the Inflatable Kayak put in!

The Black Bear and all other North American bears, especially Grizzlies, depend on the salmon run to feed themselves and their young in preparation for the long slumber ahead. So basically, they wake up, walk around a bit, eat some berries, wait for the salmon and then have a big ol’ feast!

Fun Fact: Bears don’t like to get their ears wet so when they try to pick up fish from the bottom of a lake or river they use their feet! That’s some pretty Fancy Foot work eh?

The salmon know that the bears are hunting them.. they even take precautions and scout ahead to see if the bears are waiting and where!(Pretty smart fish) Although they think ahead.. the don’t think about above….

Chilliwack River Rafting

A bald eagle telling us to back off its fresh catch!

The Bald Eagle is majestic in its hunt for salmon. It soars from above unseen by the salmon until it has it in its claws. These birds are indigenous to North America  only (including northern mexico as well) and they  LOVE salmon season, but its safe to say the salmon don’t love the birds. Watching them hunt is truly an amazing experience especially from the raft, its pretty crazy! I wouldn’t want those talons anywhere near me that’s for sure!

The Porcupine doesn’t actually hunt the salmon. But I thought he was pretty cool so I threw him in here too! So everyone, say hello to Henry. He likes to cruise around the riverbed searching for the juiciest of all the tree bark to chew. Don’t get too close though, he’s not the cuddling type.

Porcupine on the riverside on the Classic trip!

Porcupine on the riverside on the Classic trip!

As cool and important as the salmon run and our other neighbors are, animals aren’t the only awe striking sights on our trip. We also have views of mountains and trees all around us. Ask your guide to name them all, see if they know their surrounding mountain range (they should :P).

Mout Slesse from chwk river March 26th 07

Mt Slesse can be seen from most places along the river. Many clients want their picture taken with this majestic mountain in the background. It makes for quite the postcard: Sun, mountains, sexy neoprene wet suits, what more could you want for your new profile picture!

The Slesse Memorial Trail is also a  gorgeous hike that offers an amazing view of the mountain and commemorates the victims of the 1956 plane crash.

That’s it for me today! Keep checking in if you want to disconnect from the absurdity of reality TV like desperate housewives and get to know what the actual reality of life and the world we live in is!

Cheers from the staff here at Chilliwack River Rafting!

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Chilliwack Canyon’s Class 4 Whitewater Rafting!
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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Chilliwack Canyon’s Class 4 Whitewater Rafting!

Challenging Teamwork in the Chilliwack Canyon!

Who doesn’t love smashing through waves, feeling the raft buckle and jump with the power of the river, and working together as if your life depends on it? Rafting the Canyon with your friends and family tests your balance, endurance and courage.

Airborne! The stoke factor is high.

Airborne! The stoke factor is high.

Chilliwack River Rafting

Big Smash through the “Rocket Propelled Guide” Wave at the end of the Chilliwack Canyon.

There are 6 Classes of whitewater found on rivers. Class 1 is like your bathtub and requires no maneuvering. Class 2 means that there is some rough water, a few rocks, bumps and small drops that might require some maneuvering. Class 3 whitewater has medium sized waves, maybe a 3–5 ft drop, but not much considerable danger. May require significant maneuvering. Class 4 whitewater has large waves, long rapids, rocks, maybe a considerable drop and sharp maneuvers are necessary.

A Class 4 section of whitewater is a very different type of environment then where you usually spend time with your friends and family. It is entirely different than an amusement park where the roller coaster delivers thrill after thrill in a controlled setting. Anything can happen on the river. The water is cold, the canyon walls are high on both sides, and the rapids are loud, white and foaming. It is up to who is paddling in that moment to make the critical maneuvers and nail the correct lines. You get to see different sides of the people you go rafting with. Who paddles the best, who gets the most stoked and who’s the most out of their element.

Surprise Wave in the middle of the Canyon!

Surprise Wave in the middle of the Canyon!

Falling in and swimming a Class 4 rapid is an unique experience. Even the strongest of swimmers need a couple seconds to overcome the different sensation of being carried downstream by a swift current. The most fun place to be is in the raft, so most people swim right back to a raft and get pulled in. Sometimes the safety kayaker tows the swimmer to a raft or to shore. Helmets, personal flotation devices, wetsuits and shoes are all necessary equipment for being safe and comfortable on the river.

Chilliwack River Rafting

Everyone goes home with the biggest catch! A feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction!

The best part about extreme rapid running is the focus that comes with it. Nothing else matters except what is happening right now on the river and everything else fades out. It is awesome to feel that present and connected with your surroundings. Times slows down with each wave, then speeds up and over 2 hours has passed, the trip is almost finished!

 At the end of the day, no matter what happens, you go home with the satisfaction of facing up to your nervousness. There is a fullness that comes with being actively involved in a beautiful, fast paced environment like a river and playing with the current’s natural waves and eddies. Though the water is rocketing downstream fast and relentless, there is also harmony and peacefulness joining the flow.

The river is just an amazing place to be.

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Badass Chicks Who Shred at Chilliwack River Rafting!

These girl guides are a little different from the ones who sell you girl guide cookies. They spend their time guiding around the world and following their passions for wilderness and adventure! Experienced, tough and fit, they enjoy long paddles at sunset and multi-day backpacking expeditions. Check out the way these tough ladies experience the great outdoors and live their lives at Chilliwack River Rafting!

1) This is Jodi’s second year guiding in the ‘wack! Even if she is under 20 years old, she kayaks comfortably in Class 4, delivers an excellent safety talk and loves meeting new people.

Safety kayaking the Chilliwack Cayon

Jodi the Safety Kayaker/ Safety Snorkeler!

, 2) Monique grew up close to the Canadian Rockies. She is an amazing class 5 kayaker, second year raft guide, life long ski tourer, mountain biker and avid hiker.

Ladies day on the river!

Monique guiding a staggette group on a busy July weekend!

3) Jess is intelligent, friendly and sweet and we look forward to welcoming her back for her third season. She makes delicious Australian desserts and handles a paddle very smoothly.

Jess getting air at RPG wave.

Jess getting air at RPG wave.

4) Sarah started guiding at Chilliwack River Rafting at age 18. She likes to do anything involving water and she enjoys skiing, mountain biking, hiking, gardening and eating desserts.

Chilliwack Classic Waterfall Walk!

Sarah helping school girls on the Classic waterfall walk!

5) Laura is a solid class 3-4 boater, trip leader, third year raft guide, surf instructor, skilled snow boarder and rock climber. We are lucky to have her back for another season.

All smiles after a massive RPG hit!

Laura guiding in the Chilliwack Canyon!

We love our whitewater chickas for their personalities, abilities and good looking smiles! Come out and raft with us, maybe you’ll be lucky enough to meet all 5 lovely lass’s.

Welcome to Chilliwack River Rafting’s 2015 Season!

Rafters and kayakers are a different breed of humans. They live in the moment, work hard/play hard and love having a good time. When a raft resort is established for over 30 years, quirks and various traditions arise. In honor of Chilliwack River Rafting’s 20th year commercially rafting on the Chilliwack, here’s a list of 20 reasons why we love sharing our wacky lifestyle with everyone.

  1. Listening to the river 24/7! It is next to us when we’re working, eating and sleeping; we can hear when the water levels rise overnight and when they fall. This relaxing, constant background noise puts us to sleep each night and wakes us up each morning.
  2. The moment when you turn down Chilliwack Lake Road and the air cools, the wind feels fresher and snow capped mountains raise up around you. The hustle and bustle of the city fades away…
  3. Birds cheerfully chirping just before daybreak. They are particularly active in the springtime, when they are attracting mates and getting ready to nest.
  4. Meeting each and every adventure seeker who comes from near and far, looking to try a cool, new experience. You guys are delightful!
  5.  Making people happy, watching them overcoming their fears and learning from one another.
  6. A relaxing, hot wood burning sauna after a satisfying whitewater trip with windows looking out onto the river. It’s such a good way to bond and exchange stories after a trip.
  7. Healthy lunches everyday! Who doesn’t love chilli, cheese and salads?
  8. This is what a day in the office looks like: Chilliwack River Rafting
  9.  Sunny outdoor volleyball games with guests and guides. Sometimes there’s crazy outfits.
  10. Spontaneous group jam sessions where everyone brings an instrument, a drink and laugh! The best part is when your friends surprise you with hidden musical talents.
  11. Saturday theme nights: Dress ups, music, campfires and pancakes the next morning. Party on!
  12.  Woodpeckers rat tat tatting on metal chimneys. They think that they are going to break through the “bark” and eat bugs or build a nest. The racket is unreal.
  13. Having a hiking mecca just up the road from our resort; so many fun outdoorsy trips to do on Chilliwack Lake Road.
  14. Watching fish swim under your boat in October during the salmon run. Schools of fish leap upstream in nearby streams while the surrounding leaves spiral down in the wind.
  15. Rafting in June when the water is pumping, rocking and rolling. The power of the river demands respect.
  16.  Inflatable kayaking in August when the water is warm, friendly and fun.
  17. Living in the moment and being fully present on the river. Nothing else matters except how you work together to maneuver safely.
  18. Sharing the experience with friends; there’s always something interesting to talk about after a trip.
  19. A sense of community and connectedness that comes with the lifestyle. Lifelong friendships spring up here between outdoorsy people from all over the world.
  20. Bottom line: we love our staff and we love our costumers. It is the people who care about a place that make it special.