Travel Blog


Alaska Rafting Whitewater

February 28th, 2017 ernie Posted in Alaska No Comments »

Over 3,000 rivers, 100,000 glaciers and 39 of the world’s most significant mountain ranges dominate Alaska’s landscape. There are many creative Alaska rafting whitewater itineraries that combine drama with decadence and top-shelf customer service.  Alaska offers Heli-skiing, snowboarding, rafting, fishing, snowcat treks, and premier lodging . As a result this is one of the best places to visit if you are a serious whitewater enthusiast.

Alaska rafting in whitewater conditions or along glaciers are available for the outdoor enthusiast. Many people do not have the gear for these sorts of trips. As a result the good Alaska rafting whitewater companies will provide everything that you need. Bring warm clothes. Also bring a change of clothes. You may get wet.

Imagine canoeing beside icebergs and getting up close so that you can actually touch them. Depending on the time of year and the trip you book, your Alaska rafting trip can include one of these excursions.

Alaska Rafting Whitewater

Some Alaska rafting whitewater trips are actually quite physical, requiring the ability to portage. In addition you may need to paddle with your other raft mates to control the canoes and rafts. If you are concerned about your abilities, discuss this issue with the tour organizers before you book your trip.

An example of an Alaska rafting whitewater trip starts on a train which can be boarded in Anchorage, Girdwood, or at the Portage Station. For those who depart by rail from Anchorage the train may travel south along Turn again Arm for 50 miles. Guests get off the train in the ultra-scenic Placer valley at Spencer Lake. Subsequently after a brief motor transport to Spencer Lake you will have a deli-style lunch are launched in the raft.

Spencer Lake is full of icebergs that crumble in to the Lake throughout the season. The ice is so close you can touch it (however for safety reason it may not always be advisable to do so).

Navigate through the ice-choked Lake the rafts make their way down the Placer River through spirited Class I (maybe II) rapids that are fun but mild. You shouldn’t get wet except for an occasional small splash. After this amazingly scenic float, you’ll get back on the train and return to your point of origin. This trip is really a lot of fun for the whole family! .

For more posts about Alaska, click here.

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Sara Palin White Water Rafting

October 7th, 2011 ernie Posted in Alaska No Comments »

Sara Palin White Water RaftingSarah Palin White Water Rafting on the Matanuska River

An exciting glacial fed, class III & IV whitewater trip next to the 27 mile long Matanuska Glacier. The main rapids are several miles long and the result of a squeeze play between the glaciers lateral moraine and “Lion Head”, a massive basalt rock wall from an ancient volcanic plug. A perfect trip for first-timers or experienced river runners! Oar rafts with paddle assist or full paddle rafting available.

Sara Palin White Water Rafting

On the Sarah Palin show about Alaska were Sarah and her family went white water rafting, there was her brother and sister, her father and a number of the kids along with an expert guide. They appeared to have a wonderful time, getting totally soaked and thrills galore as they traversed the class III rapids. The water was ice cold since this river comes from the glacial melt that is just above the freezing point. It is also just plain cold in Alaska most of the time anyway.

All though I am sure that the entire event was somewhat staged, this was a great show and demonstrated what it is like for people to go white water rafting in a setting such as Alaska. Surrounded by mountains, glaciers and a raging river, it provides some of the best scenes for a show such as this. The scenery is fantastic and anyone who enjoys this sort of thing will like rafting on these rivers.

Other Rivers in Alaska Suitable for White Water Rafting

Perhaps the wildest and most visually spectacular rivers in North America, the Alsek and Tatsheshini give you mountains, glaciers and more! Flowing from the inlands of the Yukon Territory to the coastal regions of the Gulf of Alaska, these rivers offer a full range of outdoor experience.

The Tatshenshini River flows through the heart of the largest bio-preserve in the world. Wildlife abounds as you travel through tall mountains, vast glaciers and ice burg dotted lakes.

The Alsek is extraordinarily different from the Tatshenshini which is only “one valley over”. Glaciers, icebergs, wildlife, canyons and a helicopter portage around Turnback Canyon add to the adventure. The Alsek valley is perhaps the most “Himalayan-like” topography on the continent!

Additional rivers that can be candidates for white water rafting are COPPER RIVER – CHITINA RIVER – – NIZINA RIVER – KENNICOTT RIVER – GULF OF ALASKA.

If you are planning to head off to Alaska to do some white water rafting, check out the rivers online. Then book your trip with one of the rafting companies ahead of time. You want to make sure that you have a spot on the raft of course. But you will also want to find out what equipment they provide to their customers. Also what equipment and clothing you need to bring. A second set of warm dry clothes is definitely on the list for these cold water rivers.

For more posts about Alaska, click here.

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Whitewater Rafting in Alaska

April 21st, 2011 ernie Posted in Alaska No Comments »

Whitewater Rafting in AlaskaThere are over 3,000 rivers, 100,000 glaciers and 39 of the world’s most significant mountain ranges that dominate Alaska’s landscape. You probably have watched documentaries about Alaskan residents and how they feel about their state. In a word they are proud of the beauty that abounds every where and that is also why tourists go their year round. Whitewater Rafting in Alaska is also very popular.

There are many creative tourist trips from fishing and hunting to cruise lines that go up the coast to  Alaska rafting whitewater itineraries that combine drama with decadence and top-shelf customer service. With the recent publicity that Sarah Palin has generated and various National Geographic movies about Alaska, more and more people are going their every year. And Alaskan companies are responding to meet the demand.

Adding White Whitewater Rafting in Alaska Trips

Every year many more rafting trips are added by many Alaska Rafting whitewater companies. Alaska offers Heli-skiing, snowboarding, rafting, fishing, snowcat treks, and premier lodging .

Alaska rafting in whitewater conditions or along glaciers are available for the outdoor enthusiast. Many people do not have the gear for these sorts of trips, so  Alaska rafting whitewater companies will provide everything that you need. Just make sure you bring warm clothes and a change of clothes in case you get wet. Check in with your tour company and confirm everything that you will need to bring with you and also if you are rated for a particular trip.  Some rivers have ratings for people who must be able to swim out of a set of rapids in case of capsizing.

Canoe Beside Ice Bergs

Imagine canoeing beside icebergs and getting up close so that you can actually touch them. Depending on the time of year and the trip you book, your Alaska rafting trip can include one of these excursions.

Some Alaska rafting whitewater trips are actually quite physical, requiring the ability to portage and also to paddle with your other raft mates to control the canoes and rafts. If you are concerned about your abilities, discuss this issue with the tour organizers before you book your trip.

Example of a Rafting Trip

An example of an Alaska rafting whitewater trip starts on a train which can be boarded in Anchorage, Girdwood, or at the Portage Station. For those who depart by rail from Anchorage the train may travel south along Turnagain Arm for 50 miles. Guests get off the train in the ultra-scenic Placer valley at Spencer Lake. After a brief motor transport to Spencer Lake you may  have a deli-style lunch are launched in the raft.

Spencer Lake is full of icebergs that crumble in to the Lake throughout the season. The ice is so close you can touch it. However for safety reason it may not always be advisable to do so. After navigating through the ice-choked Lake the rafts make their way down the Placer River. Through spirited Class I (maybe II) rapids that are fun but mild. You shouldn’t get wet except for an occasional small splash. After this amazingly scenic float, you’ll get back on the train and return to your point of origin. This trip is really a lot of fun for the whole family!

This is only one example of a rafting trip. Others may require you to fly into a remote destination. Or go by 4 – wheel drive up and down old logging roads to get to the headwaters. Which can be a fun trip in itself.

Check the details with your tour guide before booking so you know exactly what you need to bring and what to expect on your trip.

For more posts about Alaska, click here.

 

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Alaska White Water Rafting

January 21st, 2011 ernie Posted in Alaska No Comments »

Alaska White Water RaftingAlaska is home to some beautiful country, wild animals, some really big mountains, white water rafting and of course Sarah Palin. Her latest reality show that show cases both the Palin family and the state of Alaska. She has done a great job of allowing Americans and Canadians to get to know her state and her family. She is doing a great job about showing off Alaska and the many out door things you can do in Alaska. Of course all of these activities will not appeal to everyone. You just need to watch the show were Kate + Eight, visited Sarah and her family and they went on a camping trip. Not a good experience for Kate, although the kids really liked it. All of the liberal hacks and city slickers really put her down for her out doors attitudes, however I thing she is a “Real American”.

Whether she is going to take a run for President of the United States is an unknown, although she is taking huge steps to show the American people who  she is and what she stands for. In the mean time, Alaska should see a huge influx of tourism as a result of the show.

Alaska White Water Rafting

This site is all about white water rafting and not presidential candidates or reality shows so we are going to take a look at the white water rivers in Alaska. Here is a list of them along with information we could find about them.

  • Copper River
  • Chitina River
  • Nizina River
  • Kennicott River
  • Alsek River
  • Tatshenshini River

Copper River

Rafting in Alaska on the Copper river, through one of the world’s most dramatic canyons, will render a lifetime of memories. Offering an abundance of wildlife, cascading waterfalls, glaciers that often calve right into the river, and mild white water, this river trip floats 100 miles towards the sea, allowing for a classic passage from the heart of Alaska’s majestic mountains to the sparkling Prince William Sound. Simply put, there is no better way to experience the Alaskan wilderness than on this Alaska river rafting trip.

Chitina River

Nizina Canyon, expansive views, eagles, salmon and possible bear sightings. Open riverside camps, view of the Wrangell Mountains

This river features spectacular scenery and remote wilderness. The journey begins near the headwaters of the Kennicott River, only half a mile below the terminus of the Kennicott Glacier. Float the splashy rapids of the Kennicott and merge into the Nizina, which narrows to a steep-walled canyon, a highlight of the trip. On a multiday trip, the second day, the Nizina joins the Chitina and the valley spreads wide as we turn west, skirting the Chugach Mountains. Stop at clear streams and sloughs to search for spawning salmon and keep our eyes peeled for the grizzlies and eagles that feed on them. The last day we will end our river journey at the confluence of the Copper River, near the tiny town of Chitina.

Nizina River

Highlights: bush plane flights into the park, glacial lake exploration, mile-high cliffs, waterfalls, hiking in the vast Chitistone Valley, Nizina Canyon rapids

Less than a dozen people float this stretch of river each season. This is a unique and remote wilderness adventure, as you must be dropped off and picked up by a bush plane that lands on the river bar. The flight in takes us to the lake at the toe of the Nizina Glacier, surrounded by ice-capped peaks and rocky crags. The lake itself is full of icebergs, some as large as a house. Spend the first day hiking and rowing around the lake and exploring the wonders of ice and rock. On the second day you run the splashy rapids of the Nizina River. At night camp beneath the towering Mile-High Cliffs and the following day hike up the broad Chitistone Valley.

Day four is spent floating through a maze of channels as the river bends west around Sourdough Mountain. After floating the spectacular Nizina Canyon, pull out, pack up, and a bush plane carries you back to McCarthy.

This trip can be combined with the Chitina River Journey or the Glacier to the Ocean trip for a remote adventure up to two weeks or more in length!

Kennicott River

Few one-day rafting adventures can match the level of rushing whitewater and powerful vistas found on the remote Kennicott River. In addition through Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The fun begins near the hamlet of McCarthy at the base of the Root and Kennicott glacial moraine. Where the Kennicott River begins its steep descent away from these towering ice fields. You head off downriver for 45 minutes of delightful and challenging Class II and III rapids. A stop below the whitewater lets you marvel at a panorama that includes views of the Wrangell and Chugach mountain ranges jutting skyward.

Alsek River

Perhaps the wildest and most visually spectacular rivers in North America. The Alsek and Tatsheshini give you mountains, glaciers and more! Flowing from the inlands of the Yukon Territory to the coastal regions of the Gulf of Alaska. These rivers offer a full range of outdoor experience. The Alsek is extraordinarily different from the Tatshenshini which is only “one valley over”. Glaciers, icebergs, wildlife, canyons and a helicopter portage around Turnback Canyon add to the adventure. The Alsek valley is perhaps the most “Himalayan-like” topography on the continent!

Tatshenshini River

The Tatshenshini River flows through the heart of the largest bio-preserve in the world. Wildlife abounds as you travel through tall mountains, vast glaciers and ice burg dotted lakes.

For more posts about Alaska, click here.

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White Water Rafting and Sarah Palin

January 7th, 2011 ernie Posted in Alaska 1 Comment »

White Water RaftingSarah Palin’s Alaska is one of the best shows on TV right now. It has done wonders for Alaska. Like the last show about mushing dog sleds to white water rafting. There are lots of people who love her and there are lots of people who really cannot stand the ground that she stands on. Either way though Sarah Palin’s Alaska is one of the best marketing packages anyone could put together for a state. Who knows whether she will run for president of not. Right now she is riding the wave of popularity and notoriety that she has to promote herself and Alaska.

White Water  – Alaska

Imagine that you want to somehow get the country to get to know you, advertise your state and increase tourism in the state. Get someone like Sarah Palin to go around the state and do all of the outdoors things that any one would love to do. From hunting, to hiking to boating to mushing to white water rafting. She does it all and she can even shoot accurately according to the TV show. Whether she is  acting or not, I do not know any women that can cut trees down, operate large pieces of equipment and be a mother to 5 children!

Each episode depicts a different sport or activity that families can take part in regardless of whether they are in Alaska or not. She is demonstrating the idea of family values, discussing some of the issues that families must deal with and showing that although she has become wealthy, she and Todd Palin are just another couple trying to make ends meet and raise a family.

We will add more posts about White Water rafting in Alaska and about Sarah Palin. In the mean time if you have any comments about this post or about Sarah, please feel free to leave constructive comments that our readers will appreciate.

Sarah Palin and Rafting on the Matanuska River

An exciting glacial fed, class III & IV whitewater trip next to the 27 mile long Matanuska Glacier. The main rapids are several miles long. The result of a squeeze play between the glaciers lateral moraine and “Lion Head”, a massive basalt rock wall from an ancient volcanic plug. A perfect trip for first-timers or experienced river runners! Oar rafts with paddle assist or full paddle rafting available.

On the show were Sarah and her family went white water rafting, there was her brother and sister, her father and a number of the kids along with an expert guide. They appeared to have a wonderful time, getting totally soaked and thrills galore as they traversed the class III rapids. The water was ice cold since this river comes from the glacial melt that is just above the freezing point.

All though I am sure that the entire event was somewhat staged, this was a great show. It demonstrated what it is like for people to go white water rafting in a setting such as Alaska. Surrounded by mountains, glaciers and a raging river. It provides some of the best scenes for a show such as this.

Other Rivers in Alaska Suitable for White Water Rafting

Perhaps the wildest and most visually spectacular rivers in North America, the Alsek and Tatsheshini give you mountains, glaciers and more! Flowing from the inlands of the Yukon Territory to the coastal regions of the Gulf of Alaska, these rivers offer a full range of outdoor experience.

The Tatshenshini River flows through the heart of the largest bio-preserve in the world. Wildlife abounds as you travel through tall mountains, vast glaciers and ice burg dotted lakes.

The Alsek is extraordinarily different from the Tatshenshini which is only “one valley over”. Glaciers, icebergs, wildlife, canyons and a helicopter portage around Turnback Canyon add to the adventure. The Alsek valley is perhaps the most “Himalayan-like” topography on the continent!

Additional rivers that can be candidates for white water rafting are COPPER RIVER – CHITINA RIVER – – NIZINA RIVER – KENNICOTT RIVER – GULF OF ALASKA.

For more posts about Alaska, click here.

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