You might have wondered what exactly is Whitewater Rafting? Visit here http://mainewhitewater-rafting.blogspot.com

Basically it is the use of a raft whilst navigating a river or lake, and is probably best explored on rough water for the thrill of the ride! Whitewater rafting is a challenging water sport, which requires experience and skill on the water, so please take due care, and maybe do plenty of research about the area before you venture into challenging waters.

The following are our top 10 Places to enjoy the sport in the USA…

1. Rafting on the Colorado River. In the Grand Canyon area, you can certainly capture the beauty of the river as you travel down it. Here you can raft a total of over 200km in six days. The divine beauty of the Grand Canyon is something to savour, with walls and waterfalls that are just waiting to be explored. Find out more about Colorado River Rafting.

2. Whitewater Rafting in West Virginia. This area of West Virginia at the Summersville Dam and Lake is a magical place for rafting. The summertime sees the river water flows touching great levels to make the falls even more pronounced. In fact, the fall and spring are just as exciting when rafting, as the dam ejects water from the bottom of the lake all year round.

3. The Great Rivers of Montana. Springtime is possibly the best time to raft the Flathead River. You can enjoy the sheer thrill of the rapids of “Bone Crusher” and “Jaws”! The top middle fork of the Flathead River is not for the faint hearted with some challenging drops and jumps!

4. Rafting in Idaho is best enjoyed along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. You can enjoy the power of the 100 rapids in the beautifully scenic area. The River actually drops a total of 3,000 feet through the hugely impressive River of No Return!

5. Rafting on the Rogue River. The Rogue River in Oregon is one of the most impressive rivers in the USA, and is a huge favourite of whitewater rafting enthusiasts. Rogue River Rafting offers a wonderful adventure vacation, combining beautiful scenery, fresh breeze winds, fantastic wildlife viewing and rolling waters!

6. Rafting on the Chattooga River. The Chattooga River has its source in the Whitesides Mountain of North Carolina and runs to the southwest to create the border between South Carolina and Georgia. It is an impressive location for rafting, with sheer rapids and wild and wonderful scenery. Spring and early summer are the best times to raft the river, when the water table is much higher!

7. Durango Rafting Colorado. Rafting in spring is wonderful on the Animas River. You can savour the aesthetic beauty along the River of Lost Souls. You will learn all about Colorado’s mining past as you float along the rivers, with ruins from the mining industry prominent along the riverbanks.

8. California Whitewater Rafting. Whitewater Rafting in California can be enjoyed on the Kings, Merced, Tuolumne, and American Rivers, which are all located near Yosemite, the Kings Canyon National Park and Lake Tahoe.

9. Whitewater Rafting in Alaska is best enjoyed at the Alsek and Tatshenshini Rivers. The sheer size of the waters, the natural beauty of the area, and the remote nature of the area make for a thrilling rafting experience. You can also enjoy challenging rafting on the Yukon River.

10. Whitewater Rafting in Washington. One of the best places to enjoy rafting in Washington is on the Skykomish River where you will be guaranteed action and adventure! The Skykomish River will take you on an astonishing journey of breathtaking drops and series of rapids, and the famed “Boulder Drop” is not for the faint hearted!

Mairead writes for Novacarhire.com – an independent car hire reservation website where you can book low cost car hire at over 5000 locations worldwide.Visit here http://mainewhitewater-rafting.blogspot.com

For some people, the idea of going on a white water rafting trip can conjure up images of Meryl Streep in “The River Wild,” Visit here http://mainewhitewater-rafting.blogspot.com

or Burt Reynolds in “Deliverance.” Concerns about a raft flipping over, or the fear of falling out of the raft, can frighten some would-be vacationers, keeping them on dry land while millions of others are flocking to this increasingly popular adventure trip every year. What are the real risks in whitewater rafting? And the real safety statistics? You might just be surprised.

Consider, for example, the Lehigh River in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania … one of the most popular whitewater vacation destinations in America. Guided whitewater rafting trips were introduced there in 1975, by an outfit named Whitewater Challengers. Today, four professional whitewater outfitters offer daily rafting trips on more than 25 miles of whitewater rapids in the Lehigh Gorge State Park. Over the past three and a half decades, professional whitewater rafting outfitters have hosted over 3 million rafting visitors on more than 25 million miles of guided whitewater rafting trips (the equivalent of going to the moon and back, 52 times!), racking up an impeccable safety record in the process.

In spite the lingering angst have about signing up for what some people still call an “extreme” sport, the truth is, a guided whitewater rafting trip down the Lehigh River is statistically safer than getting into your car and driving there. There are several reasons that whitewater rafting outfitters can compile such remarkable safety records, including:

1. These are guided whitewater rafting trips. Professional whitewater rafting guides are with you all day. They know the river; they know the hazards; they know the best route through the whitewater; they know how to help you avoid mistakes; and they know what to do if it looks like things might start to go wrong. For example, at Whitewater Challengers, guides receive training in swift water rescue, Red Cross first aid (standard and advanced) and CPR. In addition, they accumulate thousands of hours on the river, becoming familiar with every section of whitewater at each of dozens of different water levels. This is important because two trips down the exact same section of river at different water levels can result in dramatically different levels of excitement.

2. You’re in a whitewater raft, not a canoe. If you try this sport in a whitewater canoe or whitewater kayak, and it’s a whole different ball game. Professional whitewater rafts are designed with two things in mind: not tipping over; and not puncturing. A properly constructed commercial-grade whitewater raft will bounce off most boulders, and keep a steady course in remarkably turbulent water. In most places, you can float through the whitewater rapids forwards, backwards or even sideways, and it’s all just part of the fun. If you do that in a canoe, a kayak, or a flimsy swimming pool raft, the results can be disappointing, to say the least.

3. You’re wearing a whitewater PFD (personal flotation device). It’s surprising how many people who take the do-it-yourself approach to whitewater rafting either fail to use the right kind of raft, or fail to wear a PFD. On commercially guided whitewater rafting trips, wearing a PFD isn’t an option; it’s a requirement. And if you so much as unbuckle the straps, the first rafting guide who notices it will be gently reminding you that putting yourself at risk that way just “isn’t acceptable.”

4. Teaching and training are part of the package. A guided whitewater rafting trip begins with what’s called a “Safety Talk.” Your rafting guide goes over all the basics: how to properly sit in the raft; how to hold your paddle; how to splash your friends safely; how to help steer the raft; how to float through whitewater if you happen to fall into the drink; and most importantly, how to avoid falling in. There’s also information about rescue techniques that are used in the event you do find yourself in the river. Most safety talks are also sprinkled with time-tested river humor, and a dose of interesting information about the history, the geology, the flora and fauna of the river and its surroundings.

5. And finally, there’s always medical training and supplies at the ready. In the unlikely event something does go wrong, whitewater rafting guides are trained in first aid, CPR and swiftwater rescue, they have with them first aid supplies if needed, and they are supported by a network of land-based Lehigh Gorge State Park officials who can help effect a rapid evacuation if needed.Visit here http://mainewhitewater-rafting.blogspot.com

Rishikesh, the Mecca for peace seeker through Yoga & meditation has now many Yoga Centers and ashrams conducting yoga classes. Rishikesh is also the Gateway to the Himalayas. The Char Dham Yatra (Four Shrines Sacred Journey) ideally begins from Rishikesh. There are various hotels in Rishikesh to stay.

Rishikesh is very popular for its rafting on the River Ganga (Ganges). Season: September-November and March-April-May are ideal for rafting.

Bharat Mandir: Built by Adiguru Shankra Chrya arround 12th centuray, Bharat mandir is situated in the heart of the old town on the Banks of the Ganges. Detailed account of this oldest temple of Rishikesh are available in anciant record of Kearkhand. The Inner sanctum of the temple has the idol of lord Vishnu, carved out of a single Saligram. In the inner canopy above the idol is shree yantra installed by Adi Sankraya Charya. The original temple was destroyed by Tamur lane in 1398 A.D. Lot of old statues , coins, pots and other things of historical importance were found in recent excavatiions in the premises of the temple.

Rishikund: Close to Trivenighat is the most anciant place, the rishikund. Anciant records relate this to Kubz Saint , who was blessed by the Goddess Yamuna by saturating this pond by its water.The pond reflects the temple of Ragunath , deicated to lord rama and his wife.

First, check your cooking equipment and make sure it is clean and well organized before heading outdoors. Include common utensils and equipment like spatula, turner, large serving spoons, knives, forks, spoons, plates, bowls, cups, coffee pot, cooking pots, pans, (preferably cast iron skillet and Dutch oven), lids, and plastic bags. Utensils can be stored separately in plastic Ziploc bags or long, thin plastic containers with lids. Stack cups inside bowls and pots and pans to utilize all areas of space and remember, you can stack upside down too! Once the tools of the trade are collected, be sure that your cook stove is clean and all working parts are present, including propane, regulator, briquettes, matches or lighter. A few other essentials to include in the cook tubs are pot holders or gloves, foil, cutting board, clean dish towels and scrubbers, dish soap, garbage bags, bleach and a flashlight.

Secondly, plan a menu for each meal of each day that you will be cooking outside. It is easiest to plan the menu by days and meals. For example, Day 1: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks; Day 2: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks, etc. Once you have your menu planned you can easily make the list of ingredients that go into each meal or snack. Break the list into categories like meats, dairy, fruits, vegetables, dry goods and so on, until you have a complete list of supplies you need to pack. This list can also double as a shopping guide. Perishable items like meats should be frozen ahead of time and packed together in a cooler along with other items that need to be kept cold like milk or cheese. Be sure to pack frozen water bottles, or recycled juice bottles full of frozen water to keep ice chest temperatures cold. It is also a good idea to keep a small thermometer in the cooler so that you know temperatures are appropriate to prevent food spoilage. Crushed ice is added after everything else is packed into the cooler, and it is best to pack drinks in a cooler separate from the perishables cooler.

Now that everything is prepared and organized, a few other pantry items are pertinent to note. Add to the dry goods staples items such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, sugar in a mason jar with screwed down lid, an additional empty pint sized mason jar with lid, vanilla flavoring, other favorite herbs and spices including cinnamon and nutmeg, Pam, or your favorite brand of non stick cooking spray, tea, coffee and hot cocoa. These items can fit into a small storage tub with a lid and labeled as Preferred Pantry! In the cold cooler, be sure to add heavy whipped cream in a mason jar with lid, butter, milk and half and half.

Next comes the cooking. Take the time to organize the camp kitchen. Set up a hand washing station with water, pump soap and clean towel. Unpack tools and utensils so they are easy to reach, yet discretely out of the way. Prepare the garbage/recycle station before you start to cook. If you are using a small grill, set it up and check to make sure it works, and that you have placed it in a well ventilated area. Open coolers as little as possible to keep things cold. As the cooking begins, remember you are working at a slower pace than the stove at home. If using a campfire to cook, smoke will enhance and flavor meats and grilled vegetables with an unbelievably delightful flavor. When food finishes cooking, transfer to a plate and cover with a lid or aluminum foil to retain heat and flavor.

Finally, an impromptu treat of Same Day Cobbler is made possible by the supplies included in the pre-trip preparations. In August, there are many ripe blackberries. Pick a quart or two of the wild berries. Rinse and place the berries into a Dutch oven. Sprinkle with sugar and use about one tablespoon of butter and dot the berries. If berries aren’t available, pack a can or two of peaches. After that, mix up the cobbler topping using the pancake mix you brought along. Add a few tablespoons of sugar to the mix, and mix with milk until t it is the consistency of a drop biscuit. Drop the cobbler dough on top of the berries or peaches. Sprinkle the top with a teaspoon full of sugar, put on the lid and bake in a Dutch Oven until you can see and smell the steam escaping from the top. While the cobbler is baking, fill a mason jar two-thirds full of heavy whipping cream. Add a dash of sugar, a touch of vanilla and screw the lid on tight. Now it is time for more fun! Pass the jar of whipping cream around the camp fire. As each person shakes it, watch your family and friends make whipped cream! When the Same Day Cobbler has finished cooking, serve with a little whipped cream. Enjoy!

Cooking outdoors can be very enjoyable and delicious. It contributes to the relaxing rhythm of an outdoor adventure and invites others to share in the work, or keep you company while you are cooking. Be sure to clean up, wipe down and store all unused food. Outdoor cooking is an integral element of rafting and camping. It enriches the experience, slows the pace and enhances the flavors of food. Enjoy what comes along and be sure to share the joy of cooking at the camp fire!

The rugged landscape is perfect for hair-raising outdoor
pursuits. As Mark Turner of specialist outdoor sports website
adrenalinePASS.com says, “We are especially looking forward to
the rafting season on the River Tummel. This is undoubtedly the
best white water rafting available in the country over the
summer.”

The Tummel is dam-release, guaranteeing water levels every
weekend from June to September. It is a narrow, technical and
exciting river, offering almost continuous rapids to Grade IV,
culminating in the descent of a double-drop waterfall!

“An alternative waterfall descent”, Mark continues, “is on one
of our canyoning trips. This time there’s no boat involved,
instead participants are lowered down on a rope in a controlled
abseil.” Canyoning descents also involve scrambling, jumps into
plunge pools, natural water flumes and slides.

A wide range of clients enjoy adventures with
adrenalinePASS.com. Individuals and families on day visits or
holidays, through to a range of groups, from stag and hen
parties to corporate outings. Their philosophy of professional
delivery, from experienced but also highly enthusiastic
instructors, has produced a winning formula.

So, if you’re looking to do something a little bit different
this summer and fancy some excitement in your life, go to
www.adrenalinepass.com and choose your ideal adventure.

Nepal is endowed with a wide varieties of flora and fauna meandering Rivers, Lakes, Glaciers, Mountains and lush green Valleys. Not surprisingly, Nepal offers something for everybody a Tourist, Trekker, River Runner, Wild Life enthusiast, Anthropologist, Poet, Artist, Writer or a Scholar. Viewing to explore above concept, we are offering the excellent services to full fill your purpose while visiting in Nepal. We assure you to offer reliable and comfortable services with homely Nepalese hospitality.

Kathmandu Valley having three fabled cities Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. The valley is great historical, cultural and political interest. The valley is open air museum of artistic temples, monuments, stupas having seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. 2000 years before Kathmandu valley was a big lake. Manjushree, the saint of wisdom came to pay homage to the Lotus. To get closer to the flower, he cut the lake edge at Chovar by his wisdom sword and the water was drained away. Then the valley was created.

There are many beautiful and interesting places to visit in the vicinity of Kathmandu valley like

A famous Kali Temple and picnic spot of Valley at 22 km south of city.

Bhuddist saint Manjushree had slashed a passage to drain out the primordial water and make it inhabitable.

Typical Village having some temples and monuments of Malla period.

Hill stations to view the mountain ranges, sunrise and sunset views.

Godawari Botanical Garden a famous picnic spot with green environment.

Bajrabarahi a small wood mark with beautiful Barahi Temple and typical Newar village.

Famous Bajrajogini Temple with typical Newar village.

Historical Buddhist and monastery.

Banepa having beautiful temples in the Newar city.

Daman is situated 80 km south west of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2400 meters. For the view of the breathtaking grandeur of the worlds highest peaks extending in one glittering are from far west of Mt. Dhaulagiri to Far East of Sagarmatha, Daman is the best place to view the long Mountain range by its long range telescopes.

White Water Rafting means crossing down a rushing river in an inflatable rubber raft of white water kayak over crashing waves and swirling paradise for the excitement of a lifetime. Nepal has earned a permutation as one of the best destinations in the world for white water rafting. Nepals thundering water, coming from the glaciers of the mighty Himalayan, provides unmatched thrills for rafting and immersing oneself in the landscape. A rafting trip is bound to be highlight of your stay in the country.

“Easy forward,” your guide requests, as you paddle to gather momentum. The boat surges forward. Everyone paddles together to power the raft onto the blue tongue of water that will take you to the center of the foaming froth below.

“Okay, team, here we go! Left turn!” the guide yells. The boat then spins to face dead ahead into the roller coaster maelstrom.

“Looks like fun! Let’s run the drop. Forward hard!”

The raft speeds into and over several waves. Paddles fly. People whoop and holler, as you bounce up and over and through the heart of Salmon Falls. After gracefully moving through walls of white and mountains of waves you emerge, soaking wet and elated. You pat the backs of your family members and new friends, as your paddle raft team celebrates a successful run through an unbelievably fun rapid.

“We did it,” you quietly whisper to yourself. Here we are, whitewater rafting in Idaho. It’s more fun than I could have dreamed.http://www.mainsalmonrafting.com

Running rapids, galloping on horseback, riding through a herd of water buffalo in an open air jeep, or looking down, down, down at the specks of people as your hot air balloon goes up, up, up, are all great examples of what you can expect from an adventure travel vacation. But there is even more! Solid planning and expertise are hallmarks of adventure travel that make these dramatic ‘highs’ possible. Exceptionally knowledgable guides, great food, stunning and peaceful outdoor settings, and hassle-free logistics are just a few of the basic features your adventure travel vacation is likely to include and ones we’ve chosen to highlight for you below.

Experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly guides are an essential part of adventure vacations and professional adventure travel companies. These women and men love what they do and are excited and eager to share their passion with you, their guests. Most successful adventure travel company guides have years of experience leading trips or are paired with those who have led such trips in the past. In addition to technical expertise, guides have a wealth of knowledge about the regions in which they work. As a result, on adventure trips you learn much about the flora, fauna, natural history, and culture that surround you.

On family trips, guides often have in their repertoire games, information sheets, books, and more specifically designed for children. The entire family learns first-hand from these skilled, accessible trip leaders, who present a wide range of information and gladly answer all of your questions. Guides are also equipped to handle medical concerns or emergencies in the field. Virtually every professional adventure guide has certifications in First-Aid and CPR, and many have trained specifically for wilderness or emergency medical situations. Though rare, should a medical problem arise on your trip, you and your children should feel comfortable knowing that your guides are capable of effectively dealing with whatever comes their way.

Finally, adventure travel guides are resourceful and friendly. Whether they help you set up your tent, assist you in getting on and off a horse, or explain why moss grows on the north side of trees, you can feel confident that your guide genuinely enjoys being of assistance. Each guide wants you to appreciate where you are and what you are doing as much as he or she does. It is in the guide’s best interest to do so. Guides love their work and want to continue in their chosen field. They want you to come back again and again!

Fantastic food is another feature of adventure travel provided by adventure travel companies, that is often an unexpected pleasure. Outfitters have long prided themselves on presenting healthy and filling meals with a flair. There is nothing quite like sitting around a campfire on a starry night and sinking your teeth into a deep dish of Dutch-oven lasagna or a juicy piece of barbecued boneless breast of teriyaki chicken. Accompanied by a fresh green salad and garlic bread, the evening meal is likely to be capped with a delicious piece of cake, also direct from the Dutch oven. On most adventure trips, guides often take transportation which enables them to carry lots of food in ice chests and other containers that assure freshness. For example, rafts on a multi-day river trip typically carry thousands of pounds of food in large ice chests. On some trips cooks are part of the crew, while on others, the guides double as master chefs. Regardless of who cooks, you will be able to eat to your stomach’s content. Furthermore, most outfitters will customize meals to meet any dietary requests or needs you or your children may have.

Many people choose an adventure vacation based on the activities involved. This is an excellent way to decide which tour to take. Whether you choose a horsepacking trip, wildlife safari, wilderness river journey, or other type of adventure, activity is often the focal point of the trip, with the setting a secondary concern or interest. But the truth is no matter what tour you choose, you will be surprised at just how spectacular your surroundings are. From deep, dramatic river canyons to cloud-touching, razor back ridges, the wilderness settings of most adventure trips provide plenty of reasons in and of themselves for a vacation. These awe-inspiring spots promote relaxation, reverie, and the ability to recharge. You will be amazed at the amount of opportunities your children have to explore. Combine that with the fun and rewarding activity you chose in the first place and you will likely look back on your adventure vacation as the best you’ve ever had.

Last, but not least, outfitters pride themselves on creating trips that allow you to have few or no concerns other than enjoyment. Typically, once you meet your guides at the rendezvous, meals, transportation, accommodations, and more are taken care of. Before the family described above, for example, reached the brink of Salmon Falls, they had received in the mail a thorough pre-trip package of information, which included a comprehensive packing list and suggestions on how to prepare for the trip. They also had help arranging transportation to the rendezvous. Once met by their guides at the rendezvous, they were driven to the river, given a complete safety and instructional presentation, and helped with the packing of their waterproof bags. On the river, each day, every family member was made to feel welcome and comfortable, fed expansive, healthy meals, and given ideas of what to look for in terms of interesting flora and fauna, and so on. At the end of the trip, the shuttle vehicle took them where they needed to go.

An outfitter’s careful preparation and smooth operation of a trip often make families wish their vacations never end. Not having to ponder what needs to be done while on a holiday allows you to let go of worries and clear your mind. Caring guides, great meals, wonderful wilderness, and hassle-free logistics result in great family vacations that leave you with the feeling that your next adventure trip can’t come soon enough!

Planning a perfect family trip involves meticulous and foolproof planning. However, you should plan in a way that your trip involves an element of adventure and spontaneous exploring. Let Mother Nature be your part time guide so that your trip turns into an unforgettable affair for the entire family.

Decide about the trip in advance and make reservations accordingly. If you have young children or first-time rafters, you should stick with a shorter, less wild trip. If you’re all more experienced you may be ready for a longer trip with more of the wild and crazy rapids. It is important to select adventures which the entire family can enjoy. Talk to your travel agent or any rafting company and detail them about your requirements and expectations.

Shelter is another important consideration. You might be required to bring your own tents and sleeping gear. When traveling with family, things can get bulky. You’ll want to consider purchasing one of the very new and very compact tents that take up less space and weigh very little.

Clothing is the next important thing that should be considered. For hot summer days on the raft, a swimsuit and T-shirt is all you’ll want to wear. Sandals or water shoes can also be worn on the raft. If you are expecting to face cooler weather, bring clothing that will keep you dry.

With proper planning, your rafting trip will be a memorable vacation that your family will remember for a lifetime.

There are six different whitewater classifications that range from easy to nearly impossible. Class one is, obviously, the easiest. It has no obstacles, only small ripples, and a slow current. Class two is considered moderately difficult with occasional obstacles and a medium current with waves. Classes one and two are ideal for younger and inexperienced people to run on. Class three is difficult with longer rapids and strong currents that are irregular, and class four is very difficult, longer with numerous waves, and has steeper drops. These two classes, three and four, are considered okay for more experienced groups to take. Class five is extremely difficult, has very big drops, is very swift, and heavily obstructed with obstacles, which is considered an amateur class. Then there is class six. This class is nearly impossible and extremely dangerous. It should only be run by expert teams, with all precautions taken and close studies completed.

Maine has three rivers that are usually used for whitewater rafting. These are the Kennebec River, Penobscot River, and the Dead River. Each one of the these rivers are different and unique in their own way, but you are sure to get the thrill and excitement that you seek for your adventure on at least one of these rivers. The Kennebec River has a twelve mile trip that begins on Indian Pond at Harris Station. It then flows through the Kennebec Gorge, which ends at The Forks. This twelve mile trip can be classified anywhere between a class two and a class four, because in sections of the river there are all of the traits that these classifications have. Next, is the Penobscot River, and this river has a fourteen mile long trip. For the first two miles, it descends from McKay Station through Ripogenus Gorge. The other twelve miles of rapids will take you on a journey that will end near Pockwockamus Falls. This river has all the traits of a class three to class four rapids. Last, but not least, is the Dead River, which has the longest stretch of continuous rapids at sixteen miles. Your trip will begin at Grand Falls and will end at The Forks. The Dead River has a classification of classes four and five and should only be run by experienced whitewater rafters.

Whitewater Rafting Adult T-Shirt / Ash size Adult 4X-Large