Wink Goes Rafting

[WinkHPD]

We had a visiting group of Argentinian young professionals here last week for a Rotary Group Study Exchange.

I took a group of fifteen people including the Argentinians up to raft the Payette River which was at fairly high flow, about 11,000 cfs.

At the next to the last rapid things got a little hairy.



In fact close up, my Argentine friend looks like he is trying to hold my hand and whack me with his paddle all at the same time he is making a horrified face.



In the end though, it all ended up okay and gave us great conversation fodder at the BBQ that night at my house. We ended up with about 65 people there and a good time was had by all.



Wink

 

[Karl_K]

rofl!
He does look more than a little freaked out.
Thanks for posting this!

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

That's awesome! I've always wanted to go! I live close by to Idaho, do you recommend the Payette River for a noobie? Or is there a calmer place that I could try first?

 

[Dee*Jay]

Great photos! What's it just FRIGID though?! Early May with all that run off... BURRRRR!

My mom lives up the Middle Fork in Garden Valley and we spent may a weekend when I was younger just like this. Unfortunately there was no handsome Argentine to hold MY hand while I was trying not to end up in the drink!

 

[tyty333]

That looks like a blast!

 

[Skippy123]

awesome!!! looks like quite the adventure

 

[Puppmom]

I'm getting nervous just looking at that pic. I'm such a wimp!

 

[VRBeauty]

WOOHOOO! That's one Rotary Club meeting they'll remember!

 

[Jim Summa]

Hi Wink,
That looks like a lot of fun!

 

[JewelFreak]

Ooooff! A paddle right in the gut, ouch. Looks like a BLAST, one of my favorite things to do.

 

[Enerchi]

I love that close up photo!!! That looks like a blast and I'm sure quite the memory making event! Great pic!!

 

[WinkHPD]

That's awesome! I've always wanted to go! I live close by to Idaho, do you recommend the Payette River for a noobie? Or is there a calmer place that I could try first?

I always take my friends with a guide and my very strong preference is Cascade Raft Company. They have awesome guides and provide a quality trip. Start off with the Main Payette and when you are ready for more adventure you can step up to the South Fork or a full day trip on the Carbarton stretch of the North Fork.

Wink

 

[WinkHPD]

Great photos! What's it just FRIGID though?! Early May with all that run off... BURRRRR!

My mom lives up the Middle Fork in Garden Valley and we spent may a weekend when I was younger just like this. Unfortunately there was no handsome Argentine to hold MY hand while I was trying not to end up in the drink!

LOL!

I think the water was about 40 degrees.

Wink

 

[WinkHPD]

I love that close up photo!!! That looks like a blast and I'm sure quite the memory making event! Great pic!!

It was fun! We sent all of the Argentinians home with a CD of photos of their experience.

Wink

 

[mrssalvo]

That does look like fun (although cold ) Thanks for sharing the pictures!!

 

[bright ice]

I bet you all had a blast. Looks like loads of fun and a little scary too.

 

[justginger]

Excellent photo! I went rafting in Austria once - the river was runoff from the Alps melt and was about 34 degrees...quite memorable. Those Argentinians will be laughing about this crazy photo for some time.