Get Ready for Wildlife Wednesday at Chilliwack River Rafting!

Get Ready for Wildlife Wednesday at Chilliwack River Rafting!

Ahh, the great outdoors! If you’re anything like us here at Chilliwack River Rafting, then taking a deep breath of fresh air smells better than a perfumed restaurant, watching a sunset means more than a picture, and being present in nature feels more exhilarating than any action packed 3D movie! We spend our days surrounded by our neighbors and sharing our workspace with them.

As you know, getting along with your fellow colleagues is important! You have to respect their boundaries, their way of life and their… unusual habits. In our office, we are not separated by a cubicle wall and don’t have to listen to co-workers hum Celine Dion’s “My heart will go on” as they overcome their heartbreak. Instead, we hear the chirping of different birds as seasons change, the scurrying of feet as we get too close, and the peering eyes that watch us float by. Alright, so maybe our neighbors are more easy-going than yours. So, here’s to the creatures we share our office with, and have been lucky enough to catch of glimpse of as we go through our day on the water!

1) Bald Eagles are often seen flying overhead and hanging out in big cedar trees on the side of the Chilliwack river. Hardly a day goes by where these gigantic birds don’t threaten to poop on our rafts. Just kidding, that hasn’t happened. Although I do have an irrational fear that one day it will.

An eagle watches the rafts go by on the Classic!

An eagle watches the rafts go by on the Classic!

2) Hummingbirds zoom around Chilliwack River Rafting’s base resort, you can see them on flowers and feeders everyday (if you’re quick enough to catch a glimpse). Sometimes when the door is open, they fly right into our office and hang out by the windows trying to get back outside. The office workers have to catch and release them. They are so tiny, light and soft to hold!

Hummingbird feeds right outside of Chilliwack River Rafting's office!

A Hummingbird feeds right outside of Chilliwack River Rafting’s office!

3) “THIEVES I SAY! THIEVES!!” These adorable, baby ‘coons were caught in the act of stealing our plums right next to our volleyball court. They almost got away with it too because they were so well camouflaged in the branches.

Baby racoons in the pear tree at Chilliwack River Rafting's resort!

Baby racoons in the plum tree at Chilliwack River Rafting’s resort!

4) Ooooh, aaaaaaaah, a mysterious and rare Canine! So elusive that they are almost never caught on film. No, but seriously how adorable is this fisherman’s dog. He just wanted to say a quick hello to all of the rafts at Fisherman’s drop!

A Friendly fisherman's dog!

A Friendly fisherman’s dog!

5) On a less cute note, check out these turkey vultures scoping out the scene for some dead fish snacks. Someone’s gotta do it!

Turkey vultures eating fish!

Turkey vultures eating fish, spotted at the top of the Chilliwack Classic

Keep posted for a wildlife story every Wednesday on our social media feeds. There will be bears, porcupines, deer, butterflies etc… in the next editions.

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.