Throwback Thursday - June 25/2015

Of course we can run the Red Deer - we have done the Kicking Horse.

This has been heard so many times for a long time. 

The Red Deer River is rated a class #3 river while the Kicking Horse River that flows through Golden B.C. is rated as a class #4. First, we have to know what the class difference means. For a definition of this rating system please refer to the Scale of River Difficulty.

Most of the driving in Alberta happens between Calgary and Edmonton. People are exposed to the calm Class #1 Red Deer River drifting under the bridge outside the city of Red Deer. Somehow people think that that section of the river defines its entire length.

Over many years we found it was often worthwhile to get out and scout the rapid called the big Rock. Many people did. Once while checking out the Big Rock rapid we met other paddlers who were doing the same. We exchanged some comments about the complexity of the rapid and the care required to avoid a swim. They responded that they had paddled the Kicking Horse so weren’t concerned about this rapid.

This set off an alarm bell!

Once they departed back to their raft we looked at each other and one of us guides commented “I think we are going to see the dynamics of a flip”. 

We decided to walk nonchalantly back towards our raft. We watched them to see when they launched their raft and were committed to running the rapid. We quickly ran back to a good elevated spot that offered a wide view of the coming carnage.

This was going to be entertaining! You could examine the way the raft moved through the water and slowly turned over sideways and spilt its contents. They were a solo raft that hadn’t set up a safety nor were they prepared to. They all got a long swim. It must have been almost 1 km.

It is important to learn from others mistakes. We learned how not to run a rapid and the importance of safety. We relearned that just because you run one river you can’t assume you can run a different one. There are always those unexpected surprises. Just don’t get cocky around water.

Big Rock rapid is gone. The river has found a new path down the valley floor and the water doesn’t flow over the Big Rock anymore.

New rapids have been created with the resulting new challenges. A river trip is always fun and interesting

Throw Back Thursday - June 11/2015

The wild horses stir up lots of controversy here in Alberta. Some say the horses should be allowed to roam free and others claim they are not part of the natural ecosystem and should be eliminated.

Millions of years ago wild horses populated this area until their eventual extinction.

In the last hundred years domesticated horses have been released into the wild. There are now several generations on the eastern slopes of the Rockies. Several herds live in the Upper Red Deer River area. On nearly every trip up to our rafting launch point we see wild horses.

Because of the logging in the area you can now see horses as there are fewer trees to shelter them. They have been forced to spread out to find shelter. With identifying marks on individual horses you can differentiate many different herds.

Once the herds were mainly located in the western part of the valley. Now there are so many that they are carving out territory as far east as the border of Crown land and private property.

In the last few years there has been well organized attempts to bring the herds under some control in numbers. Over all the 35 years I have been rafting in the valley I have seen the numbers increase and they are becoming more visible.

People have tried to catch the wild horses for many years. Some of the old outfitters found them useful as pack animals if they caught them young. Now there are groups such as WHOAS, CWH and Help the Wildies that are  adopting a few of the horses caught. Other horses are auctioned off to individuals where they live the remainder of their life under some care and comfort. The rest are sent for slaughter.

The method to catch them has changed over time. Now they use metal corrals and use salt or hay as a lure to entice the horses in. Once inside a trip wire closes a heavy door to trap them. This method decreases the stress of capture and is less likely to jeopardize the life of the horses as they struggle for freedom.

Another method was used by poachers before the number of horses or there existance became an issue. The old style that I saw was made of many logs strapped between convenient standing trees. Two long fences converged forming a V with a very small holding pen at the end. The animals would be chased in the open end of the V and driven  through the trees down to the pen.

As the fences converged the colts or any desirable horse could be separated and forced into the pen. This would have been a brutish experience for the men as well as a nasty and brutish experience for the horses. The horses would have been running into trees and hitting the fences as they tried to find an escape. Once caught, the men had to get the newly captured horses from that remote location through the bush back to the waiting trailers. This made me think it would be mainly colts that were caught.

I don’t know if this trap is still standing. It has been many years since I was there and I doubt if I could find the place now. It is a relief to hear of the more humane corrals for trapping the horses that are used now.

Rafting and Staying in Teepee's

Searching through some of the old photos I came across one from the first few years of Otter Rafting. This photo dates back to the early 1980's.

In the beginning we offered two day trips on the weekends. We had a campsite on the south side of the river where we could set up our teepee's for the weekend and make it a camping and rafting outing. There were many late nights around the campfire and then cooking breakfast on it in the morning. It was roughing it.

Access to the campground was by the Burnt Timber Gas Plant road. This road was nearly impossible to drive on once it was wet and bad at the best of times. We ran our trips on those back woods, gravel roads and they took there toll on the vehicles. Driving your car out to Mountain Aire Lodge was a real adventure - with all the hills, trucks and dust you could get a real surprise coming around any corner. It was an adventure to suddenly see wild horses, bears or moose ambling along as you crested a rise in the road.

The campsite was located at a half way point on the length of the section were there is whitewater on the Red Deer River. We would drive up toward Mountain Aire Lodge or farther west to start the whitewater trip. Here we would launch our day trip, rafting down to end at the campsite. It was nice to lay in the teepee and look out through the smoke flaps at the starlit Sky's at night. On the second day, after packing up, we launched our rafts from the campsite and continued on down the river to Coal Camp. This way we offered two different sections of the river on a two day trip.

Looking back at this photo I see that every summer has been a real adventure. Here it looks like everyone was in the sauna finally warming up.

Nice Weather Ahead - Book Now!

Time is ticking away getting closer to the start of the rafting season. It will be here before we know it. I'm really looking forward to it just like every spring. Nothing beats the feeling of freedom floating down the river. Add some rapids and your senses are heightened to what it is like to be out in nature.

With the next week full of sunny, warmish days the phone is starting to ring with people making their reservations for their day rafting on the river. We have plenty of openings left - as of today! Remember we have limited seating - Saturdays are our busiest days so you should be booking soon. But there is also Sunday and midweek trips available.

Have you thought of a midweek trip? We have some discounted rates. The perfect team building outing for corporations.

Here is a great picture. Makes you wonder what happened next? Bet they had tons of FUN!

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!

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!

Getting ready for the river

The rafting season is just around the corner. With an above average snow pack at the headwaters of the Red Deer River this should be an exciting year of playing on the river.

The spring is a little late in arriving, but that is fine as it allow more snows to accumulate in the mountains. Look at it as snow being put in the bank being saved for later! It collects a different kind of interest – anticipation of some wild and exciting paddling.

The guides are excited and anxious to get on the river for some practice runs and and review their river safety skills.. They are polishing their paddles and making sure their wetsuits still fit. The wetsuits seem to shrink a little bit more with each winter!  Here at Otter Rafting Adventures we have to get out and do some pre-season paddling as well as look for new hazards or any potential threats. It’s a good excuse to get out on the river as often as possible.

Last weekend on the river

Yes, the rafting season has come to an end in #Alberta. Here are the final pictures of Coal Camp Ledge on the Red Deer River of the series that started in May.

The sequence follows the rivers cycle throughout the summer season. Every Sunday the photos were taken and they show how the river has changed in the previous week.

The photos start with ice on the river and is starting to melt. There is very little water flow. The photos end as there is no more melt happening at the headwaters of the Red Deer River. Essentially ice is forming up at the higher elevations and we have reverted back to very little water flow.

It would be interesting to be able to show how the river has changed though out the season, where there have been very dramatic changes to the river’s path but the inaccessibility of the river makes it difficult.

Here are the photos from last weekend and the previous weekend.

Still having FUN!

Rafting west of #Sundre was FUN again today. The girls from California enjoyed our #Albertan “summer” weather.

It is getting toward the end of the season and everyone had a lot of fun out playing on the river even in these lower water conditions. I know any day on the river is better than a day at work. To be on the river and at work send your resume to Otter Rafting Adventures.

Continuing with our monitoring of the river and how it changes here are the recent comparative photos at the final ledge. Things are slowly dropping as you can see and more rocks and larger gravel bars are seen. Sorry to see another season drawing to a close.

Summer is marching on

Here at Otter Rafting Adventures we are looking ahead to the last few weeks of being able to get out paddling. There was snow on the mountain peaks a few nights ago creating a fresh supply of water for when the days warm up next week.

More and more snow will start to accumulate on the peaks as the average temperatures of the day begins to drop. It is a favourite time for some to be able to get out on the river. Fun rapids, clear water, pure clean days and the hint of fall colors all give late season rafting an appeal.

Here are the pictures of the Coal Camp Ledge for the next two weekends in the sequence. The trend is very slowly down – compare these pictures to those of May 22. You can see in the close up of the ledge that the some of the rocks have been swept away in this years flood. The rocks are well defined in the recent picture, perhaps from this years high water being the highest in a few years and washing the fine particles away. Also, as the place is visited by tourists some rocks will disappear as they are collected or tossed into the river with the passing of time.

These changes are minor compared to the changes upstream. Large gravel bars are missing, new channels have opened up and others filled in with gravel. This is just the easiest place to get pictures. It is a brand new river this year.

Join us on Sunday

Wonderful weather in #Alberta this weekend, come #Rafting near #Sundre! #Olds #Reddeer #Calgary #FunAb #Edmonton #family #friends.

There are a few weeks of summer left it seems. In Sundre the temperature hit +2 degrees over night. You wouldn’t have to gain much elevation for freezing to occur. And that is what we depend upon to supply us for the water in the Red Deer River.

The river has become clear as the water is being supplied by the seepage of ground water and some runoff and melt. It gets plenty of filtering as it moves though the river bed, but not enough to stop some micro organisms such as Giardia.

Once the river has gone clear it is interesting to look through the water to see the features that cause the rapids in the river. The further from the surface the feature is the further downstream it’s effects are observed. This is a good study in perturbations and laminar flow.

This doesn’t necessarily hold true for earlier in the season. Early in the season the muddy waters causes the waves to change shape when there is variety of particle sizes suspended in the water and the density of the water changes. If you go back through the photos you should be able to see this difference.

Yes, lots happens in a flowing river but lets just say it’s fun to go white water rafting with family and friends and only consider that. It is a different experience every time that you are on the river.

Following are the river pictures  taken last weekend and the pictures from the previous weekend for comparison. Again subtle changes can be seen.

Another Rodeo Weekend

A great day of rafting west of #Sundre #Ab. Sunny day on the #RedDeerRiver. #Fun. Otter Rafting Adventures’ location on Hwy22 makes it the most convenient location for the start of your rafting trip.

With the rodeo here in Sundre the place should be full of people looking for a wild ride. Whether it be at the rodeo or on the river you can find one in this town this weekend. Today’s group, a corporate outing, had an exhilarating day and are already talking about next year’s trip for the staff.

The photos of last weekend comparing the river to the previous weekend show the ever slow dropping of the water level. Get out now while there is still good water to give you an exciting ride.

August is here

The river still offers good fun #rafting west of #Sundre. #Alberta is lucky to have a high quality river like the #RedDeerRiver.

This is the weekly posting of comparison of the water levels from one week to the next. Here is last weekends pictures compared to the previous weekends pictures. Small changes are happening. The river is clearing up and warming up (warm for this river anyway) adding to the pure outdoor experience one expects on a river trip.

It seems the talk on the oil spill that happened down stream of us has died away as the clean up continues and people realize it has nothing to do with Sundre. We are so lucky to have a clean river where we are. Here at Otter Rafting Adventures a pure, pristine mountain river adds to the experience.

Here are the photos for comparison. More of the ledge is being revealed every week. As you can see the Red Deer River is not in flood. A call came in today wondering about the safety of the river and was it high water still. The power of the media and telling only part of the story in their limited sound bites.

Plenty of water in them there hills

Another week has come and gone . Here are the pictures of last weekend and the previous weekend. Again a small drop. The river flow isn’t dropping like in an average year. Still lots of good water for paddling on.

I’m late in getting this post out. Too many river trips this week. The weather is fantastic, the water levels are fun to play with and had several good crews out during the week.

The weather forecast looks sunny. Everyone will have a fabulous day tomorrow too.

Here are the pictures so you can compare the two and see the general trends.

Rafting near Sundre

#Sundre in the news! All of #Alberta now knows that white water rafting is happening on the #RedDeerRiver thanks to CTV. Being interviewed about Sundre’s economy has increased the awareness that rafting is available here in Alberta. You do not have to go to B.C. for white water.

This weekend marks the half way point of the average white water rafting season for Otter Rafting Adventures. You can see from the pictures that we have plenty of water and the levels have hardly changed lately.

We have been having many rafting trips in the last few days. Stags, birthday parties, corporate outings and various clubs having been getting away from the heat and cooling off in the river. Even clubs from Ontario. It’s been hot lately – but not the kind of hot that Ontario gets.

Here are some more comparative pictures of the river from last weekend and the previous weekend. The water is clearing up as the amount of sediment is easing. This is one of the nicest times for rafting – the  long days of summer, the heat of a summer day, the excitement of a trip down the river, clean sparkling water that is so refreshing to swim in.

It makes you think of being a kid again. Book your trip now – you can be!