So, for the second time in two years, Tom and I traveled four hours through Idaho to get to Three Rivers Rafting on the Lochsa River to do some white water rafting. And, like last year, we were not disappointed!
We did do things a little different this year, however. For starters, there were more of us. Tom brought four guys from his work with us, so our group was six. We also got one of their A frame cabins to sleep in, since last year we froze – FROZE – our pasty white asses off sleeping outside in the tent. Not again, no way, no how. And, the last change was we decided to stay Saturday night and drive back Sunday. We were so, so exhausted last year that the drive home was just hell. Our experience told us to crash Saturday and drive home Sunday, and it was a good decision.
From there the details are the same as last time, we goofed around for a couple hours after we got there (I crashed about 12:30am, the others were up much later) and we arose at 7:00. Breakfast was at the same place across the river and after that we settled our rafting bill. The group we went with was smaller this year, only 3 rafts and one cata-raft rather than the four rafts and 2 cats last year. We geared up and went up the road to our drop in point. The water, we were told, was at a higher level this year than last year, which should make for some even bigger waves.
This was true of the first half of the run, it was far more fun than Tom and I remembered. The first half he and I were on the right side of the raft with Ken. The most gnarly rapid in the first half is 10 Pin Alley. A rapid with several large boulders that we have to navigate around. The plan was to go straight through the first two to get some speed, then go hard right and miss the hole by the first boulder, then go hard straight into the hole by the second boulder. Well, we found ourselves hooked up on the rock at the first set of boulders. On our way in Tom and I were thinking that there was no way we had the speed to get through the rocks and we were right. Our guide started barking orders but couldn’t get it right, he kept correcting himself. We finally got off the rock, but backwards. So, that is how we went through the first hole (the one we were supposed to miss). We rode that wave backwards and were still spinning counter-clockwise through the second. We came around at the top of the wave and were still spinning, the right side of the raft was on the upper part of the wave and Tom and I tumbled towards the left side, and the water. Justin was in front of us screaming, “High side! High side!” I scrambled back up to my spot and Tom was heading left. Then I realized that Eric and Eugene had “gone swimming”. We got both of them back in the boat, found Eugene’s oar and went back on our way. That was the only spot any of us left the boat. The rest of the rapids were awesome, again. I stayed in the back of the boat this trip to give the other four newbies a chance to experience it. But next year, I want the tip of that boat.
After we were done we all took a quick shower and changed and then relaxed. Well, for a while. A guy Tom works with, Ray (who is also a guide) was having a keg party for his birthday. So Tom, Ken and I spent a good while there while Justin, Eugene and Eric drove home. No clue when we passed out – er, got to bed. I know we were up early, at 7:00 again, to pack and clean up and get on the road. We picked up the DVD and photos they had, got some grub and were on our way, hitting home about 2:00.
Another awesome trip! I’m already looking forward to the next one.
Click for a larger view of the photos below. Top row of the raft, from right to left are: Tom, Justin, Me (James), and a guide in training who’s name I do not remember. Bottom row, right to left: Eric, Ken, Eugene and our guide Kevin.
