Howdy,
If I had one life to do over it would be a "Riiver Rat" two leg floating kind.
I started in the 1980's with a friend up in the Bitterroots, Montana. He took me on a river trip to Nahani River, Yukon Territory, something like 300 miles(+/-), 30 days, 80 miles of rapids, Virginia Falls(twice as high as Niagara). We drove like 200 miles out of Watson Lake, , to some lake,rowed across the lake, to the outlet, the start of the river. That was my first whitewater raft trip. To much of an adventure to list it here.
I then got my own raft. I live in Southern Oregon and have access to a # of major rivers within less than a few hrs.drive. 1 day trips to multi day campouts, Rogue, Klamath,Smith, and the Illinois. I have been down the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue 16 or more times, and also various sections above the wild and scenic. I have been on the Klamath just as many times but not camped out all day trips.
I got in/ made friends with some local rafters who were more than willing to take me along, the middle fork and the main section of the Salmon(River of NO Return)Idaho, both are 100+ miles wilderness floats.
I've been on the John Day river in central Oregon and the Green River in Utah, also wilderness sections, no services, carry all food and drinking water.
The last trip I did was the Colo. River thru the Grand Canyon, Lees Ferry to Diamond creek,225 miles! Like 31 days!
What a way to SEE the Canyon. Over a 100 miles of whitewater rapids! Colo. River has its own rating system, goes up to 10. Unless you are near a trail there is no hiking out of the canyon. Half of our food was Frozen, double foam wrapped ice chest with dry ice. There were 5 of US, in 3 rafts, me solo in my 14 ft. SOTAR. If I could do one trip every year it would be the COLO./Grand Canyon.
Safety first, when on the river, especially before the rapid, PUT ON YOUR LIFE PROTECTION/PRESERVER.
We call River Trips, "Float and Bloat" always To Much Food!
And I don't like to swim. I like to fish!
