NORTH FORK-MIDDLE FORK COMBO TRIPS

It’s that time, that sleepy space between the dormant stage of the river guide, and the slow awakening as springtime rafting beckons. This year something special is happening, thanks to an incredible snow pack and some fabulous rain, you can enjoy two of the finest rivers in Northern California, the North Fork and the Middle Fork of the American River all in the same thrilling weekend. Due to the fact that it is undammed, the North Fork generally is runnable for a very short period of time. Yet this season you will have the opportunity to raft both the North Fork and the Middle Fork.

The North Fork of the American River offers a run of continuous class 3 and 4 rapids for the first 5 miles. It is one of the most pristine rivers in the area offering a true wilderness experience; protected in part by its usually short running season it is a very special opportunity we have this year to run it together with the Middle Fork. The Middle Fork has its own special adventures. Upon embarking on the Middle Fork you can expect to be exhilarated as you are splashed awake by Alarm Clock, the first class 3 of the day, a mere minuet after departure, or as you drop down though tunnel chute a big class 4 drop, that actually takes you though a mining tunnel, all in less than an hour. The trip is far from over there, but lets just say that these two rivers together make for an unforgettable weekend of adventure and fun. Treat yourself to a two-day trip, and experience a rare opportunity to enjoy both of these rivers back to back. Not only will you enjoy two days of pristine wilderness, thrilling whitewater and spectacular views of the American River Canyon, but also you will be treated to the fine cooking skills of the River and Rock Adventures crew. With first class appetizers, such as guacamole boats, made fresh and on the spot, and shrimp w/cocktail sauce, lets just say that it’s a far cry from hot dogs around the campfire. Entrees include, tri-tip, cowboy potatoes and bbq chicken, to name a few. If you are lucky, or request it they don’t charge extra, they will make you their signature pineapple upside down cake for dessert, moist and freshly baked in dutch ovens it will leave you wanting more. The point is don’t be scared away by the idea of instant camp food, you wont find any here.

There is nothing better than a talented entertaining staff to show you the beauty of the river. The River and Rock Guides are all about exploiting the synergy of the current, boat and people. They finesse their crafts through drops, holes and waves, all the while entertaining their guests, each one has his or her style, these men and women are dedicated professionals with a wide range of expertise and experiences, as a team they make for an exciting and entertaining experience for all. So don’t wait, treat yourself to the finest whitewater experience in northern California, with a North Fork-Middle Fork Combo, come and see what the buzz is all about.

Springtime Class III White Water Rafting Guide School

River and Rock Adventures offers a spring-time white water rafting guide school for boaters who are aspiring to become commercial white water rafting guides for our company or another, and for recreational boaters who just want to learn how to guide class III white water rivers. Our guide school takes place on the South Fork of the American River, right out of our base camp location at Rivers Bend. Our spring guide school takes place over three consecutive weekends, so anyone can attend, even if it is not possible to break free during weekdays. Some of the core material taught includes:

• Basic white water rafting theory
• How to read white water
• Paddling/Guiding techniques
• River Dynamics and Hydraulics
• Ropes and knots
• Swift-water rescue
• River etiquette
• El Dorado County rules and regulations
• Equipment maintenance
• Boat care and repair
• Some Basic First Aid / CPR (outside certification required)
• Outdoor Cooking
• Customer Service

Springtime Guide school

3 Weekends long

April 9-10, 16-17, and 23-24

Examining a River Guide

By: Sedale Turbovsky

rafting |ˈrafti ng | |røftɪŋ|

noun

The sport or pastime of traveling down a river on a raft.

Nestled in the heart of gold country lies Coloma, a mere 45 minuets outside of Sacramento this sleepy town lies dormant most of the year. Yet as winter looses its grip and spring begins to emerge Coloma begins to transform as well. Visit in June and it’s grown to at least double its population, a concentrating force has drawn rafters from all over the world, to work the pristine American river. The forks of the American river are some of the most rafted in the country, hosting more than 100,000 outdoor enthusiasts, travelers and weekend warriors annually. Apart from the excellent rafting and kayaking opportunities, there is something special in having the opportunity to rub shoulders with a special breed of professionals. They come from all the corners of the world to share their passion with you. These dedicated friends of the river are to be your guides, your traveling companions on your journey down the river. There is much spoken of rafting itself, but have you ever stopped to think, what it is that drives these people to pull up stakes and live by the river.

Now at first glance it might seem the answer is the nonstop partying that goes on in Coloma, indeed if you have the opportunity to visit you will see Coloma’s landmark institutions full to capacity on the weekends. By nature an easygoing group of people, there is always a place for one more at the Coloma Club, or if you prefer live entertainment as opposed to karaoke, you can always check out Marcos Cafe or The River Shack, establishments that generally host local artists on the weekends. I personally have always appreciated the ambient that is maintained in this tiny bohemian paradise, the right environment to just relax, brought together by the common experiences had during a day of rafting. All of this is indeed an attractive environment, yet at the end of the night, these guides return to camp, to start it all over again; actually that does sounds pretty awesome. Well reason number one then, a sort of perpetual party and lighthearted atmosphere that significantly reduces stress and offers a myriad of possibilities to entertain you. Yet that alone is not the only attraction for these intrepid river rats.

Have you ever dreamed of doing exactly what you love, and getting paid for it? For many in this world that is a distant possibility, yet there are a lucky few that achieve this kind of nirvana. Imagine waking up every morning to the peaceful sound of the river, breathing in the fresh morning air and walking, not commuting, to work. Your clock is often the first rays of the sun, and all the people that you have to take care of actually are stoked to be there. The boss calls you dude and they actually encourage shorts and a t-shirt, the best part is that it’s not part of some new age business plan, its just rafting. Then imagine that your job description includes playing in the river, visiting pristine wilderness camping sites, camping, and bbq on the beach. It sort of makes up for the early morning food prep, washing dirty wetsuits, you don’t want to imagine what that’s like, and endless hours organizing gear. Enjoyment can be found in any job, but living this way certainly makes it easier.

Now I wouldn't want you to go away thinking that due to all the partying and informality that you may end up with Johnny from the block as your guide, although you may. These men and women do go through formal training, CPR, first aid and whitewater rescue as well as guide school. Guide school includes training in reading water, river dynamics, ropes and knots as well as boat care, customer service, outdoor cooking and river etiquette. Yet for many these classes are just the beginning, from personal experience the satisfaction derived from learning and living the experience of being a river guide fosters a love for the outdoors and a passion that drives many to share it with others. So the next time you embark on a river voyage, or if you have yet to take a trip, ask the guide, how did you ended up here. I promise that the story he or she tells will be interesting, if not entertaining.