Lower Canyon Rafting

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Lower Canyon Rafting
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Choosing Your Adventure Grand Canyon Rafting Or
Kayaking
Some people think kayaking is only for elite
river runners. There are things to consider when
choosing between a kayak or a rafting trip. Some
river trips require kayakers to be at a minimum
age of eight for doubles and a minimum age of 12
for singles. Guests must know how to swim if
they plan a kayak river trip. Three questions
should be asked to determine whether the
adventurer meets these requirements. How big do
I want the splashes? How adventurous do I want to
be? How active do I want to be?
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Splashes and Getting Wet The smaller the craft,
the bigger the splash it will make. Those who
choose an inflatable kayak must be prepared to be
splashed as every wave and ripple rocks the boat.
A kayak instructor instructs kayakers to break
through the swell. Class II rapids that splash
the front of a craft soak the kayakers from head
to toe. Kayaks sit almost even with the water
table, while a raft sits about two feet above the
surface. The kayaker is always in the water in
the boat. Rafters stay mostly dry when not
bounding through whitewater rapids. Only the feet
remain wet during the entire river rafting trip.
Those who find it refreshing to get wet may
choose a kayak. Others who do not should opt for
a rafting trip. Adventure and Activity
Levels Another consideration is how much freedom
you want. A rafting trip leans on the mild side
during the low-water season. Guides navigate
downstream while rafters have time to relax as
they are sprinkled with a few friendly
splashes. A raft moves slower because it is
bigger and heavier than a kayak. It requires
strategic navigation between emerging rocks from
the riverbed, while inflatable kayaks glide more
easily between obstacles. Kayakers are in charge
of getting downstream as the guide doles out
instructions. It is up to the paddler to pick a
line through what is ahead, skirt around rocks,
and tackle rapids. It adds zest to the
experience. Those who want the tour operator to
navigate will choose a raft. The kayak calls
those who want to be the navigator. Rafting is
as active or inactive as the guests prefer.
Guests usually do not paddle the entire trip like
the guide, which provides time to relax. Kayaking
is an all-around active experience. Kayakers
paddle most of the time. They will likely be
splashed in the kayak at least once as they move
and steer downstream. Kayaking involves some
physicality and swimming to get back into the
craft. It is part of the fun. If you like to
paddle and swim, choose the kayak. Others will
find rafting more enjoyable.
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Is It Better Rafting the Upper or Lower Grand
Canyon? Grand Canyon rafting trips are divided
between Lower Canyon and Upper Canyon trips. When
a rafting trip starts at Lee's Ferry, near
Horseshoe Bend, the first take-out location is
225 miles down the Colorado River. If you want
to raft only the river's lower canyon or upper
section, you must hike in or out of the canyon.
Companies offer to fly guests in and out by
helicopter for a fee. Upper Canyon Trips On the
Upper Canyon trips, there are layers of the
canyon to see. For the first 100 miles, they
unfold and grow approximately 40 feet each day.
Different layers of rock are exposed as they push
toward the sky. Guides tell about the history of
the ragtag adventurers and early explorers who
made the first river trip through the canyon. You
learn how dams built or prevented from being
constructed impacted the environment and how the
region suffered from a years-long drought. You
see the area where Native American tribes lived,
visit remnants of their societies and
archeological sites, and learn about the
conditions they soughtaccess to the rim, good
soil, and clear water. Guests hear how the
National Park Service pushed the tribes out of
the canyon to make way for Grand Canyon National
Park. The Upper Canyon trip is a six to
seven-day trip. It is an introduction to the
Grand Canyon and its history. Lower Canyon
Trips The Lower Canyon rafting lasts nine to ten
days and starts in the middle of the canyon.
Guests hike down Bright Angel Trail with a guide.
The hike is less strenuous than hiking up the
canyon like upper canyon rafters do. Either
walking in or out is incredibly challenging in
the sweltering summer. Most rafting guides
believe the lower canyon trip is more beautiful
than the upper. That being said, guides believe
that people who cannot do the full canyon rafting
adventure should choose the upper section to see
the development and change of the rock layers and
learn more about the canyon's history.
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How Do I Choose a Grand Canyon Rafting
Trip? Things to consider when choosing the best
Grand Canyon adventure include The type of
raft Physical exertion required Ages and
interests of the group The time you want to spend
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Classic Grand Canyon Rafting Adventure on the
Colorado River There are three rafting options
Full Canyon, Lower Canyon, and Upper Canyon.
These options offer flexibility based on the time
you want to spend on a trip. Boat types include
paddle rafts and oar boats. An oar boat or raft
can be substituted, if available, with a
hard-sided dory. Each day, guests choose the
raft type and level of adventure, making the trip
suitable for all experience levels. The Upper
Canyon trip involves rafting 89 miles and hiking
up the Bright Angel Trail at the journey's end.
For a Lower Canyon trip, guests hike down the
trail on the first day and raft the last 137
miles. Motorized Trip Motor trips allow you to
experience the entire 226 miles of the Colorado
River. They are the best option for those with a
short timeframe who want to see the entire
canyon. The motor trip also requires the least
effort in the shortest amount of time. No
paddling is required. Guests take in the beauty
and enjoy a fun, wild ride. It is perfect for all
fitness levels and multigenerational groups. All
Paddle Raft Trips These trips are the most
active. You do not paddle nonstop all day, but
guests participate in paddling every day. They
are the most physically demanding. Full Canyon,
Lower Canyon, and Upper Canyon trips are
available. There are paddle rafts and support
oar boats for carrying gear downstream. This trip
best suits those who enjoy sharing time with
others, teamwork, and a physical challenge. The
choice of Lower Canyon and Upper Canyon trips
requires the same hike in and out of the
canyon. The Bright Angel Trail Hike The hike up
and down Bright Angel Trail is beautiful and an
excellent opportunity to see the canyon up close.
However, it is only for some. The trail is 7.5
miles long and stretches from Pipe Creek to the
South Rim of Grand Canyon Village. The hike is a
4600-foot climb or loss of elevation. Guests pack
15 to 25 pounds, including three quarts of water
and a sleeping bag. The hike takes between six
and eight hours.
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Can a Beginner Kayak the Grand Canyon? The Grand
Canyon is among the world's iconic natural
wonders. People are drawn to kayaking its waters,
which is possible, but the Colorado River is vast
and challenging. The canyon is more than 276
river miles long. It has a vertical relief of
more than a mile. The Colorado River is home to
challenging whitewater. Four things you need to
know You must be a strong swimmer. You must have
experience kayaking whitewater. You must be
prepared for the weather. You must have a
permit. There are many places to get pinned
against a rock or swept over a waterfall. Because
the Colorado River has big whitewater that is
among the most challenging in the world, you must
be able to maneuver it safely. The weather in
the Grand Canyon changes quickly. The best times
to go are spring and fall when the weather is
slightly cooler, and river levels are low.
Monsoon season is from mid-July to early
September. You must be prepared for anything. All
private and commercial Grand Canyon rafting
adventure trips require permits. The
Routes There are two main routes when kayaking
the Colorado River the North Rim Route and the
South Rim Route. The North Rim Route is the more
challenging, longer trip. It starts at Lees Ferry
and ends at Phantom Ranch. It is approximately
276 river miles and takes approximately 14 days
to complete. The easier, shorter route of the
South Rim starts at Grand Canyon National Park
Visitor Center and ends at Diamond Creek. It is
approximately 180 river miles long and takes
approximately ten days. Risks There are risks
associated with kayaking. They include
Canyoneering Dehydration Flash Floods Heatstroke
Hypothermia Rapids Snakebites Sunburn Waterfalls
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Conclusion If you are uncertain if you are ready
to kayak, choose a shorter, one to two-hour river
trip that provides excitement and refreshment
without getting too tired. During the low water
season, rafting can be a hands-on experience,
mainly if you help the guide maneuver rocky river
sections. Rafters will have a mild experience,
while kayakers will have a more intermediate
experience. Most paddle trips are hybrid trips.
Kayaking and rafting trips travel together. If
you are with a group with both those who prefer a
kayak and those who prefer a raft, you can do
both. Kayaking is a challenging and rewarding
experience that lets you see an unforgettable
natural wonder up close. However, being aware of
the risks and prepared before you go is
essential. Motorized boats are recommended for
people who are short on time. River raft trips
also allow visitors to see memorable sites such
as slot canyons, towering waterfalls, fascinating
petroglyphs, and mesmerizing turquoise
water. Contact Advantage Grand Canyon today to
search for rafting trips from all the top 15
outfitters in one place and book your next Grand
Canyon rafting trip!
https//www.advantagegrandcanyon.com/grand-canyon-
rafting-or-kayaking-adventure/
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