GSA Whitewater-rafting Trip 2012
by Antonio Munoz
It seems to be 60 degrees and raining every time we go to Ohiopyle, PA. Driving up the mountain roads through drizzle for my second year of whitewater rafting reminds me that the rest of the day is going to be wet and wild. The rain leaves a nice mist that blankets the river, giving it that “Lord of the Rings” feeling. Last year, when my boat hit the first rock on the first rapid, our 6 foot 5 inch South African rugby player companion fell out of the boat, leaving the remaining 4 members struggling to get him back (he eventually had to stand on a rock and walk back on to the boat). This year, the day was full of excitement with rapids, rocks, and lots of fun. The guides were great and super helpful, giving directions to help navigate each rapid, and pulling people out when they got stuck on the big rocks. The group lost the people in the front of the boat on the second rapid named “Cucumber rapid,” but they were at least easier to retrieve than the rugby player. The guides had us all pull over for lunch about halfway. Lunch consisted of make-your-own-deli sandwiches with yellow potato bread and a “PB&J express” station, along with cookies and various flavored waters. During lunch I hadn’t noticed that the rain from the morning drive had stopped and the sun had come out, which gives really nice views of the river and countryside, like the railroad rapid under the train tracks. The rest of the afternoon we started to notice that we were getting sore from sitting on the side of the boat, but with a few dips in the “swimming pool” sections of the river and a the last few rapids the day ended with a fun “Category 5” bus ride back to base camp. Overall, the rafting trip this year was just as much fun before, though slightly less scary since I knew what to expect. I my only complaint is the 3 hour drive it takes to get up there in the morning, followed by 5 hours on the water, then the 3 hour drive home. At that point, all I wanted was some fast food and a nap.
The GSA loves using Wilderness Voyagers; they are a great company that provides many activities in addition to our whitewater trip; biking, kayaking, rock climbing and more.
It seems to be 60 degrees and raining every time we go to Ohiopyle, PA. Driving up the mountain roads through drizzle for my second year of whitewater rafting reminds me that the rest of the day is going to be wet and wild. The rain leaves a nice mist that blankets the river, giving it that “Lord of the Rings” feeling. Last year, when my boat hit the first rock on the first rapid, our 6 foot 5 inch South African rugby player companion fell out of the boat, leaving the remaining 4 members struggling to get him back (he eventually had to stand on a rock and walk back on to the boat). This year, the day was full of excitement with rapids, rocks, and lots of fun. The guides were great and super helpful, giving directions to help navigate each rapid, and pulling people out when they got stuck on the big rocks. The group lost the people in the front of the boat on the second rapid named “Cucumber rapid,” but they were at least easier to retrieve than the rugby player. The guides had us all pull over for lunch about halfway. Lunch consisted of make-your-own-deli sandwiches with yellow potato bread and a “PB&J express” station, along with cookies and various flavored waters. During lunch I hadn’t noticed that the rain from the morning drive had stopped and the sun had come out, which gives really nice views of the river and countryside, like the railroad rapid under the train tracks. The rest of the afternoon we started to notice that we were getting sore from sitting on the side of the boat, but with a few dips in the “swimming pool” sections of the river and a the last few rapids the day ended with a fun “Category 5” bus ride back to base camp. Overall, the rafting trip this year was just as much fun before, though slightly less scary since I knew what to expect. I my only complaint is the 3 hour drive it takes to get up there in the morning, followed by 5 hours on the water, then the 3 hour drive home. At that point, all I wanted was some fast food and a nap.
The GSA loves using Wilderness Voyagers; they are a great company that provides many activities in addition to our whitewater trip; biking, kayaking, rock climbing and more.