Rafting Oregon’s Notorious Rogue River

Oregon’s Rogue River is a National Wild and Scenic River, designated by our U.S. Government.  It is also a river that has been garnering quite a reputation for killing rafters and kayakers this summer.  Thus far, four people have drowned after trying to navigate some of the rapids towards the Lower Rogue River.  Many people think this is due to the river running unusually high this time of year, others think it is just part of the cycle.

“I think we should continue to have fun. I think we’ve done these rapids and this river for years with no problems and to have a few bizarre incidents happen in a short period of time is very rare and it’s really unfortunate.”

This quote is coming from an article on  Oregon’s NBC News affiliate, KOBI Channel 5 website.

The problem seems to be that the river is flowing at a higher level, hiding some of the rocks that rafters and kayakers are use to navigating around.  Four people have died in the exact same spot in an area known as “The Devil’s Staircase.”  The name is quite menacing.

Luckily, we have the great Backpacker Magazine to show us a different side of the Rogue.  For those of us that don’t live in Oregon and have not ventured out that way, this can open our eyes to other possibilities.  Backpacker Magazine has done a fantastic job of mapping out the Rogue River.  This 40 mile waterway runs majestically through the middle of the Wild Rogue Wilderness and the Siskiyou National Forest.  It is sort of a breaking point before entering one or the other.

The article and trail view talks a little bit about the river and the scenery, but then it is all river from there.  If you have never ventured into or around the Rogue River, perhaps you should put that newspaper down, quit relying on freak accidents, and take a closer look at one of our Nation’s truly wild and natural waterways.

Backpacker Magazine gives you everything you need to plan a fun and successful venture down the Rogue River.  There are maps, river guides, guiding companies that will actually set everything up and adventure with you, and even an outline of every single point on the trail.  You can either raft it, kayak it, or  hike the trails around it if “The Devil’s Staircase” isn’t your cup of Joe.

Canada Enacts New River Rafting Guidelines

In a bit of pure coincidence, I recently reported on efforts in the United States to begin looking into kayak and kayaking laws on the nations coastlines and waterways. Looks like Canada may have beat us to it, as this Press Release has just been made public moments ago.

OTTAWA, April 30 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister
of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the coming into
force of the Special-purpose Vessels Regulations and the Vessel Operation
Restriction Regulations. These regulations are made under the Canada Shipping
Act, 2001 (CSA 2001).

“Our government is committed to the safety and security of all commercial
and recreational users of Canadian waterways while protecting the
environment,” said Minister Cannon. “To address the increase in traffic on our
waterways, the regulations provide new national river rafting safety
standards, and updated mechanisms to restrict the use of any type of vessel,
including personal watercraft, on designated waters.”

The new Special-purpose Vessels Regulations incorporate industry best
practices by outlining the requirements for all river rafting companies to
have vessel and safety equipment standards such as helmets, lifejackets and
their equivalents, and the circumstances in which they must be worn;
operational standards such as first aid training, familiarization trips and
safety briefings; and the maintenance of detailed records of each excursion.

The updated and renamed Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations make it
possible for local authorities to apply to Transport Canada to place
restrictions on the access of a vessel or class of vessels to specified
waters; the mode of propulsion used; maximum engine power or speed; and
recreational towing activities (e.g., water-skiing). The new regulations also
impose a universal shoreline speed limit of 10 km/h within 30m of the shore in
all rivers and lakes of Nova Scotia, including Bras d’Or Lake.

The Special-purpose Vessels Regulations were pre-published in the Canada
Gazette, Part I on August 11, 2007. The Vessel Operation Restriction
Regulations were first published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on August 18,
2007. A comment period for these regulations was provided, during which
interested parties were encouraged to provide their views to Transport Canada.
The new regulations will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on April
30, 2008.

For further information: Karine White, Press Secretary, Office of the
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa, (613) 991-0700;
Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, (613) 993-0055; Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at
www.tc.gc.ca/e-news and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.; This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.

As you can tell from the Press Release, this is very similar to efforts being proposed in the United States. The guidelines in the U.S., though, only concern kayaking, at this point. This is part of Canada’s new law as published today. If you are heading that way and your intentions are kayaking, boating, ect. it may be in your best interest to contact someone regarding these new laws and regulations. Remember, not knowing a law is not an excuse. Especially in a foreign country.

Growth in Kayaking Spawns Call For New Laws and Regulations

There is an interesting article in USA Today focusing on the surge in popularity of kayaking the coastal and lake waters of the United States. The article goes in to some detail about how rescue efforts involving kayakers are straining some search and rescue departments. The search and Rescue crews are now calling on lawmakers to set some new rules and regulations regarding this growing sport sector.

Paddling represents our greatest risk in the recreational boating community,” says John Fetterman, a member of the Maine Marine Patrol and president of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. For rescue teams, it’s become “a huge drain.”

John Fetterman, talking to USA Today, also states that no government agency currently tracks deaths related to the sport of kayaking because so man different agencies are involved in search and rescue efforts when they happen.

“American Canoe Association (ACA) says kayaking is growing faster than
any other outdoor activity on land or water; maritime officials say
rescues have skyrocketed as a result.

I can actually attest to this growth, myself, just by seeing how many new publications are springing up regarding kayaking on the internet.

The new laws being proposed could eventually require all kayakers to take a series of courses before setting out on the water. I am not sure how anyone would know if you had taken part in the courses unless the government enacts a new permit system in regards to these personal use vehicles.

I think it is safe for us to say that we all wish people would be smart about embarking on new endeavors in the wild, but likewise, we know this isn’t going to happen. Could it be a good thing? Sure, as long as permits and courses aren’t so expensive to keep people away. What are your thoughts?

Kayaking the Everglades

While digging around the Men’s Journal archives, I happened to come across an interesting article on Kayaking in Everglades National Park.  When most of us think of kayaking, we think rivers or lakes–but why not The Everglades?  Plenty of expanse to play in and few people.  What more could you want?

By reading this article, it sounds like an awesome adventure and one you could spend a considerable amount of time doing–as long as you stay away from the gators–

I looked out and glimpsed a pair of dorsal fins sliding beneath tea-colored Sunday Bay, leaving the cove so quiet I could almost hear the rising sun searing the clouds. It seemed impossible:

Just a short excerpt from this cool article by Christopher R. Cox for Men’s Journal–swing on by and check it out.

An Adventurist Editorial: The Stephen Fossett Debates

We should have all seen this one coming from a mile away–

Going into days 5 and 6 for the ongoing search of legendary adventurer Steven Fossett, people are starting to take their focus off of the search and more onto the debates surrounding these types of events when they occur–

First it began with how great of an adventurer Steven Fossett is.  Over the past few days this focus has slowly moved to the motives of a “Risk-Taker” and if Stephen Fossett’s family should be charged for the search currently taking place.

Both of these items are highly debatable and both of them generally always surround a high profile search, especially if the person involved was also a part of anything that has a certain risk-factor to it or has been the focus of media attention in the past.

Personally, I began taking notice of these debates around December of last year when three climbers became lost on Mt. Hood.  The ensuing search, that garnered massive media coverage, soon became a debate for a cause. 

It may be the cause of the general media’s focus to always provide something new to a highly viewed (and rated) story.  Running out of new leads, they hop back on the bus and get everyone involved in raging debates that once again spark interest to previous stories of the same general nature.

Two questions always emerge:  Should the families of the person being searched for have to pay for this service?  And secondly–the risk involved.  How could they do this to their families and loved ones?  What is it about risk that triggers these people to always endanger their lives? Read more

The Adventurist Forums Take Off!! Adventurist Polls Launched!

I posted yesterday that I have started my own Adventurist “Community” so to speak.  It is open and it is Progressing.

The first member of The Adventurist Forums happened to be my good buddy Kraig from over at The Adventure Blog.  He also gets the designation of making the first post in the community to get things kicked off proper and well.

So what is so exciting about The Adventurist Forums?  Now we all have a place to share our thoughts and views!  All of the following topics have their own areas:

• Climbing
• Mountain Biking
• Hiking
• Camping
• Kayaking
• Training
• Adventure Racing
• Expedition Notes
• Extreme Sports
• Mt. Hood
• Mt. Everest
• The Environment
• General Sports
• Random News

As you can see, there is quite a bit there to go through.  Feel free to post what you like in the areas that suit your interest.  Have a question?  Post it, someone will have an answer!

Here are some of the good things being said about The Adventurist Forums so far:

Awesome! Nice move adding the forums Jason. Hopefully they’ll become quite a place for all kinds of discussion.

And Another:

for the record, this is probably one of the coolest forums I’ve ever been on, looks wise at least.

The rest will come in time, I have no doubt!

I have recently introduced The Advenurist Polls as well.  The first Poll is up.  Stop over and check it out.  I will be using the results of these Polls on The Adventurist.  I will be posting a new one weekly.  Should be fun to see what everyone out there is thinking.  Now stop on over, sign up, and take part in hopefully what will become the best Adventure Forum out there–The Adventurist Forums.

The Adventurist Unleashes The Wrath of The Adventurist Forums!

The Adventurist has taken another step in evolution.  No, I’m not going bald! 

What I have done is created a place for all of us Adventure Lovers to come together and discuss what matters most.

You like kayaking?  Mountain Biking? Climbing? Going on a great Adventure of your own?  Now we have that community.  I am very proud to introduce The Adventurist Forums!

I have wanted to do something like this for close to a year now.  I became interested in what the Forums can do, and what can take place and be discussed through my good friend Alan Arnette’s great site.

His forums have essentially let him get in touch with his readers and offer them a more personal glimpse into mountain climbing.

I am now offering up the same–but we will be exploring the whole world of Adventure–From Sports (climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, adventure racing) to Training to Mt.’s Hood and Everest and beyond.

I have also placed in topics of interest for all of us..The world of Sports?  General News?  I’ve got it all..We all know that Adventure Lovers are very much multi-faceted, and it is claimed..smarter than most.  (Ok, I made that one up!)

Anyways, I am hoping that this will become a great new feature here at The Adventurist in the days, weeks, and years ahead.

Stop by, Check it out, and post your thoughts on what’s on your mind.  It is that easy.  Hopefully we’ll be having some great discussions..and perhaps even the possibility of “Poles” in the future. (Not the North or South silly, but voting polls!)

So swing on over to The Adventurist Forums and check it out.  I am just wondering who the first post will be from–could be a historic landmark in the world of The Adventurist.

Also, if you don’t see a topic on there that you would like to see, I am very open to suggestions.  This will be our community–built by all of us.  Contact me through the Submit & Contact page found at the top of your screen.

I will be adding a permanent link to the site in a bit.  That way you can just “click it” from The Adventurist.

And..as if this weren’t exciting enough…I may just have another BIG announcement tomorrow..so stop back by and check in tomorrow as well.  Now get over to The Adventurist Forums and have some fun.

Bringing the Outdoors In: Indoor Adventure Centers Gaining Popularity

                      

Always trying to find a way to cash in on the next big thing, some savy entrepreneurs have decided to take those things we all love doing in the Outdoors, and bring them all together in one complex.

The US National Whitewater Center in Mecklenburgh County, North Carolina (about 90 minutes from Winston-Salem) opened last August to much fanfare. 

The center, as it’s title would suggest, is based around the world’s largest indoor whitewater rafting river.  The river measures 4,000 linear feet and tops 10 other artificial whitewater rivers in the world, as the biggest. 

The center is not all about whitewater rafting though.  The National Whitewater Center also boasts over 11 miles of mountain biking trails, an outdoor climbing wall and spire, rope courses, and flat-water kayaking on the local Catawba River.  There is definately something there for everyone.

These types of Outdoor Recreation centers are slowly gaining ground, especially around the larger cities where people don’t have the chance to get out to far-away places.  Their origins probably come from Japan and China, who have led the Indoor/Outdoor revolution with their ingenuity to bring the world’s beaches indoors during the 1990’s.

The National Whitewater Center sounds like a blast.  It hosts over 60 certified river guides giving whitewater tours on two different course.  The rapids on the courses range from Class II and III Rapids to a more difficult Class IV run that involves a daring 7 foot plunge.  Each trip takes approximately 90 minutes and involves two trips around the easier course before sending you on your way into the Class IV’s.

Don’t worry if you have never been involved with something of this magnitude.  World class guides and training staff will be working with you throughout your adventure excursion into the whitewater.  Before each journey into the rapids, you are required to listen to a guide for 20 minutes as he explains what you will encounter and how to handle each situation.

The cost of going to an Adventure center shouldn’t hinder to many people for having loads of fun, if you find yourself in the area.  A 90 minute “trip” will set you back $35 through the week and $39 on weekends, but also includes the safety and learning experience, as well as a personal floatation device, a paddle, and helmet.  Wetsuits can be rented at the center as well for a small fee.  The $35 price will give you a seat in a six-person raft that will be fully guided with personal following your trip as well for safety reasons.  If there are six of you, you can rent your own boat for $234 for the 90 minute ride.

For an adreneline pumping account of a recent trip to The National Whitewater Center, please check out THIS article from Lisa O’Donnell from the Winston-Salem Journal.  This article will also let you know a bit more about what is involved on such a trip.

If you are in the area, The National Whitewater Center can be reached at 704-391-3900.  You can also visit their very nice website featuring photos and video of everything that The National Whitewater Center has to offer.  I sure wish we had one of these centers near me, they would have to drag me away..

The Next Big Thing: The Adventurist Teams Up With Adventure Sports Weekly

The old saying goes –when opportunity knocks, you had better answer the door.  Well, in a sense I have answered the door.  A couple of days ago Editor Wina Sturgeon from Adventure Sports Weekly contacted myself and was interested in discussing what I do here at The Adventurist.

After a lengthy discussion about our sites, our future goals, and what we are both looking to achieve, it became real evident that we have more than a little in common.

Adventure Sports Weekly is destined to not only be the first of it’s type on the Internet, but also a leader in the Adventure Sports industry.  Adventure Sports Weekly, the Brainchild of Editor Wina Sturgeon, who many of you might know through her extensive Olympic coverage for Sports Illustrated,  will be the first Online Magazine devoted solely to the Outdoor sporting world. 

I have been very open and straight-forward with all of you, my readers, about trying to put together the best site on the internet dealing with Adventure.  Keeping that in mind, we have decided in a sense to team-up.

Over the course of the next few days and weeks ahead The Adventurist and Adventure Sports Weekly will be sharing some content.  Their dedication to the sanctioned sports side of the outdoor world, IE..Mountain Bike Racing, BMX, Skateboarding, Climbing ect..will actually be bringing something to the table that I have desperately been wanting to add.  Adventure Sports Weekly offers top notch sporting news live from the field, allowing for exclusive coverage and content that just isn’t found anywhere else on the Internet.

I will also be working with Adventure Sports Weekly offering new articles, and maybe even a weekly column I have in the works in the world of Adventure.

This is a very exciting opportunity for myself personally.  I have dedicated myself to the Adventure world and writing.  With Adventure Sports Weekly I now have the opportunity to not only garner a bigger readership, but to also bring about a new direction….a bigger direction that hopefully will help build upon what I have already been able to do.

The adventure sporting field is getting ready to explode.  I have done this now for almost a year, and just about daily there are new sites emerging.  More coverage is being given in the media to these athletes that have pretty much remained under the table.  Just a couple of years ago, you would have never had the opportunity to see JEEP: King of the Mountain on a nationally televised program.  It is building.  It is growing.  More people are noticing and the money is slowly starting to come into these fantastic outdoors sports.

I am happy to say that I am very comfortable in knowing that I have aligned myself up with perhaps the leader in news coverage for these types of events.  Hopefully this relationship will flourish and all of us involved can bring even more exposure to the great athletes and sporting events throughout the years to come.

So what exactly does Adventure Sports Weekly bring to the table?

• It is ran by one of the top Sports Journalists in the world.  Editor Wina Sturgeon has written for Sports Illustrated and The New York Times, to only name two.  She has nearly 40 years of experience at being at the top of the game.  She knows how to do things, and do them right.
• Experience.  Being a leader in the sports writing industry, Wina Sturgeon brings her vast knowledge to a growing field.  She automatically brings  her credibility and dedication to an area that has been lacking in national coverage.
• National Coverage.  Simply put.
• Adventure Sports Weekly is currently the only publication of its kind on the Internet.  It is new with a very big potential in the future to not only lead the way, but to be THE way.
• Future.  Adventure Sports Weekly is currently developing a system to bring top-notch video coverage of these sporting events as they happen–this will make it not only the leader in the Adventure Sports industry, but will also raise the bar on what the internet can bring to you, the viewers.
• Credibility.  I have been straight-forward in telling all of you my eventual goals of writing in this industry full-time.  This gives me a great opportunity to work with some of the best people in the industry and hopefully build on what I have already been able to accomplish.  It is a fantastic opportunity and one that I never would have been able to do without all of the continued support and guidance from you, my readers.  So THANK-YOU very much!
• Oh yeah– and Lastly, Adventure Sports Weekly is FREE.  Can’t get much better than that.  All the great news coverage and articles are completely free to you the reader.  Eventually this will also include the great video coverage that is currently in developement.

I am hoping to recieve your continued support and that you will enjoy what the future has in store.  The Adventurist will still be covering everything it normally does…with a bonus of adding new content from time to time from some very special events.  Also, if you enjoy my writing, keep your eyes peeled to Adventure Sports Weekly, as I will be bringing some further exciting articles their way in the very near future.  Let’s all show Adventure Sports Weekly our support in what they are trying to achieve and welcome them in to The Adventurist family.

Shark Attack on a Sea Kayak

No, this isn’t a reference to a new Dr. Seuss book–this is actually a true story. 

On July 21, Dan Prather was out doing a little fishing on his sea kayak along with 16 other people.  They happened to be fishing a remote island about a mile south of San Francisco.

Suddenly Dan was in the water.  He surfaced to find the front end of his sea kayak lodged in the mouth of what he thinks was a Great White…so what does Dan do?  He climbs right back on his Kayak…then falls back off once again.

Dan finally makes it back on to his Kayak for the second time, and it seemingly scares the shark away.

This is a great story coming by way of Canoe and Kayak Magazine.

When Dan finally high-tailed it back to shore (the shark had punctured a small hole in the front end of the kayak)..a fellow fisherman asked him if he had any luck fishing, he said, “Yeah, caught a shark…”

Swing on over and read this interesting and ARTICLE.  I think that this is one fishing trip where I would have been glad to get the smallest catch.

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