How Short Summer Is

The summer is ticking away and it is hard not to notice it. Before we know, it will be September.

The river level is dropping over time and then surging up again with a rain. Every rain is a good thing – it gives us extra time on the water. Rafting is one of those things where it is an outdoor activity that lets you be outside all day and not know if it is raining or not. You get just as wet rafting or being in the rain. Although rafting is more fun.

Before the summer is gone make your plans to be out rafting and enjoy your day whatever the weather. Although a blistering hot day on the river is heaven it seems we all have to work that day.

Next time – take that day off.

Fabulous weather coming

There have been several days out on the river lately. And with the weather forecast showing suns for the next week it is going to be another busy week.

The river is a milky color from the glacial melt that these warm temperatures bring. It makes the river a little harder for the guides to read but that is where the level of experience shows. You can’t see the rocks under the surface you have to read the texture of the water surface and see the flow path of the current.

Now that the river has dropped from the June high water, there is plenty of surfing going on. It takes practice to get the hang of it. You also have to learn when a wave is too big to surf! You learn real fast. Surfing is very fun – ask your guide to find some surfing waves. It might take a bit of work to get into it but it is worth it.

HAPPY CANADA DAY

Put on your face paint and let’s go rafting! Don’t put any paint on your forehead – with all the splashing the water carries the paint into your eyes and stings. Guess how I know that?

The weather forecast looks gorgeous for the next week. Perfect for getting out on the river. Hopefully it is the start of our summer and there will be many days of rafting ahead.

First Holiday Weekend of the Summer

Here it is the start of the Canada Day holiday weekend. For those lucky enough to get Monday off – wow, a four day weekend. Something like semi-retired isn’t it?

The river’s holding up! Lots of water, and without a high water flood this year there is plenty of snow left to give a good, continuous water flow for the summer. And what better activity is there to do on one of those hot, sunny Alberta summer days than to get out and play on the river? The perfect place to be for a long, great day of fun!

The guides have been out causing a stir on the river. The rapids and other river features are here for a second year and the guides know where the lines down the river are, giving you the best ride possible. It still is a brand new river to get out and paddle on. You don’t want to miss it!!

Watching the River run

We’ve just had a few busy days on the river. The river is running at a very good level but surprising not like the high water volumes I have seen over all the years that I have been rafting (35 years). While in Southern Alberta there has been flood warnings and media hype the Red Deer River has been surprisingly low. In fact judging from this river we can’t understand what all the talk is about?

And that is not a bad thing – in the soon to arrive hot days of summer there is going to be plenty of good water conditions for paddling. It’s like the water is being saved for later when it warms up!! That’s not bad at all!

On the last shuttle to the launch site we encountered a group of wild horses and got a very good picture of them. Nearly every time we drive up into the river valley we encounter the same herds of wild horses. It makes for an interesting drive up the Coal Camp Road while you are travelling over that poor road. Many people have been thankful that they haven’t had to drive their own vehicles on it.

Attached are a few pictures that have been taken lately. You can see the river is lots of fun but not dangerously high. When people get back to the rafting center there is plenty that is being talking about. And viewing the collection of pictures that the guides have taken it is fun to see what the day looked like. You never see a frown in any of those pictures. Just smiling, wet and clean faces!

Start making plans for your day on the river. Our summer is short and it’s hard to pack everything into it. You don’t want to miss out on your chance to ride the rapids!

IT ALWAYS RAINS IN JUNE

And the guides are taking advantage of it! You should be too!

The Burnt Timber is flowing fast and only runs a few weeks of the year when it is large enough to paddle on. And the guides are paddling today – they are on the river and are going to get wet for sure. You can’t tell if the water falls from the sky or splashes you from the river. It doesn’t matter!

Some of the best paddling conditions are associated with rainfall. Don’t miss out on a great day on the river because it might rain. Remember when they say 40% chance of showers – it means 60% chance of sun – and that is most of the day!

While Southern Alberta is having threatening water levels - here on the Upper Red Deer River we are enjoying the perfect water flow rate for this size of river. Come out and enjoy the superb conditions – definitely the most fun rafting we can offer! When you think of an exciting day rafting – this is it!!

The rafting is Great!!

Don’t be afraid of a little rain!

Happy Earth Day 2014

A day to remember that we have to take care of our planet as well as get out and enjoy it.

Today is finally Earth Day! Today, over one billion people in 192 countries take action to protect the planet. They get demonstrations organized, have trees planted, clean up their communities, demand renewable energy targets, and much more.

The environmental challenges of our time are too great and too urgent for us not to teach and rally for a safe, stable climate and a planet where our children can survive and thrive. The fight for a clean environment continues in a climate of increasing urgency. Let's make that happen today and everyday.

World Water Day - Mar 22/2014

This year’s focus is on Water and Energy. “Particular attention will be paid to identifying best practices that can make a water- and energy-efficient 'Green Industry' a reality.” I am always concerned about losing wild rivers to become a source of energy; we do have to balance this need with sources of recreation, preserving nature and the basic needs for life.

Follow the link and find out about the uneven distribution of water around the world and the resulting energies around the world. http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday

The power of water should be considered for all, both for how it is used as the basic substance of life as well as “leading the way to energy security and sustainable water use in a green economy.

Looking in the rafting crystal ball

I see big waves and big smiles! They always go together.

We had a very nice sunny week of weather for the last week in February here in Sundre. The forecast ahead now shows several days of snow. Those bright sunny days always makes me think of all the times I have been rafting on the Red Deer River with high water and the sun streaming down. It was the perfect place to be when I look at some of the high-lights of my life of adventure. The days of sun at the end of February help with the blahs we all get every year. And thinking about rafting always helps with positive thoughts of the summer ahead too.

I’ve been watching the snow pack accumulate in the mountains and it’s looking Ok. We are pretty much at the same level as a year ago for the end of February. That’s looking good because we have several more weeks of dense snow to fall yet at the head waters of the Red Deer River.

If you are looking for an unforgettable day of adventure, plan your day of rafting now. We always book up for June first – people wanting to catch the high water. Bookings are starting to come in so you should be planning now.

Check out Brayden’s amazing surf!

2014 Rafting Season looking promising

Every year on Robbie Burns day we take a look at the snow data to try and get an idea of the upcoming summers rafting conditions.

The head waters of the Red Deer River are near Skokie Lodge, 5kms north of the Lake Louise ski resort. Here there is a station for measuring snow data which is a main indicator of water volumes and levels for the Red Deer River. Another station is located on Limestone Mountain which is a minor supply for our river as well. As of today the snow pack at Skokie Lodge is a little below the average level while Limestone mountain has about twice the average amount of snow.

Since we get most of the significant snow later in the season, when the snow is dense, these indicators are good for today’s date. We can expect plenty more snow now up until the river flows in the mountains. We would have to guess that we are in for an average river flow for the coming rafting season.

Then again, last year’s data was average as well at this time. What happened was the heavy rain and warm night time temperatures causing a sudden snow melt in the mountains. These conditions are just like the perfect storm and don’t happen every year.

As a result of last year’s flood the Red Deer River has been dramatically changed for the section of the river that we are rafting on. Some rapids have changed or even gone but also some new ones have been created. Basically – it is a brand new river! Most likely you have never rafted on this new river!

The combinations of the good water levels that the Red Deer enjoys as well as the new rapids only points towards another great season of fun and excitement for your rafting trips this year.

Finally, this is the time of year that we are looking for guides for the coming season. If you are rafting guide material send in your resume with experience and qualifications noted.