Okay, so the economy sucks and maybe your job is stressing you out. Perhaps the kids have been a little unruly lately and the neighbor’s dog barked all night (again). You’re in desperate need of a vacation…a “pick me up”…but cash is a little tight and the Bahamas aren’t happening this year. What to do?
Two words for ya: Whitewater Therapy!
There’s nothing like a good dose of frothing, roaring whitewater to make you forget all that ails ya for a day. And I’ve got just the place: the American River’s epic Middle Fork near Auburn, CA. Rancid and I recently took a run down the MF with the dudes from Adventure Connection and I have to say it was one of the coolest things I’ve done in a looooong time. The river features a bunch of world-class rapids like Tunnel Chute above (thanks to Hot Shot Imaging for snapping the photo of us!) and several other monsters like Texas Chainsaw, Bus Crash, Cleavage, Chunder, Kanaka Falls and Jake the Ripper that will keep you paddling for your life…and grinning ear to ear all day long.
Trust me on this one…the Middle Fork trip is something you need to do! Here’s a little photo essay from the mission…
The morning off-load. A guide's work is never done...
The scenery in the canyon is epic!
Our gang, lining up for another plunge....
Unfortunately, what with paddling and all, I didn’t have a chance to get the video cam running as we went through Tunnel Chute, the MF’s signature rapid, but I did find this little clip on good ol’ YouTube to give you an idea…
After the Chute, you hit the calm waters of the Tunnel. Arms? Check! Legs? Check! Everybody still here? Check!
We came through that??
It's hard not to feel a bit of awe as you float through the canyon
There are some beautiful side streams to explore if you have the time
As a bonus, there are even some trout in the Middle Fork!
In the end, however, it's all about the rapids...of which there are plenty on this run. Good ones too!
Contact Info
The Middle Fork is prime in the summer months, when daily dam releases are pulsed during prime rafting hours each day. We found the Adventure Connection Team to be extremely personable, professional and knowledgeable. The can be reached at www.raftcalifornia.com Rates are $139/person midweek and $169 on the weekends, which includes lunch, shuttle, guide and gear.
After your trip, be sure to log onto www.hotshotimaging.com and check out the photos of your gang running Tunnel Chute. They have a photographer stationed on the bank just above the rapid and will snap several pictures of you running through it.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
We have a group of 18 that are on our way for a day of adrenaline this Friday… thanks for the picture preview… the butterflies are already flyin…..
Looks like fun to me! Nice fish too. Awesome!
That looks ridiculously fun!
Indeed! :)