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Fraser River Whitewater Rafting Voyage in British Columbia
5 or 6 Days
This multi-day whitewater rafting trip on British Columbia's majestic Fraser River is a simply amazing experience. This trip will take you on a journey 284 km long, from Williams Lake to Lytton.
Dates:
- June 30 to July 4
- September 22 to September 26
Introduction:
The Fraser River is one of the great rivers of the world. From humble beginnings as a tiny trickle in the Rocky Mountains, the river stretches 1250 km (820 miles) and drains one-forth of British Columbia. When still 160 km (100 miles) from the Pacific Ocean it can flow at almost 15,000 cubic meters per second (half a million cubic feet per second) during spring freshet, carrying more water than the Mississippi River.
Since 1973, when we first began rafting the Fraser commercially, a tremendous sense of awe, respect, and love has developed towards this mighty river. In 1998 the Fraser was designated a National Heritage River. We were delighted. Finally it has the respect, recognition, and attention that it deserves.
Geologically the Fraser Canyon dates from 20 million years ago. Slicing through the heart of British Columbia, the Fraser is rich in native and early explorer history. It is vital to fish and wildlife; it is the lifeblood of British Columbia.
Since Simon Fraser's first descent of the river in 1808, few people have traveled the river that now bears his name. Our expedition covers 284 km (178 miles) of Simon Fraser's route. Where he and his men were lucky to escape death from the rapids and hostile natives, our expedition can marvel at his treacherous voyage from the comfort and safety of our large inflatable rafts.
Our five days on the river are spent simply absorbing the hot sun, spotting wild horses, photographing California Bighorn Sheep, hiking into incredible canyons, looking for ancient Indian sites, exploring forlorn mines, panning for gold, and relaxing with your fellow river rats or excitingly running the rapids. A fascinating and luxurious voyage: 5 to 6 hours are spent on the river each day.
In our opinion this is one of the finest and most unique river expeditions in North America. Your adventure begins right now - a time of anticipation and excitement, planning and preparation. To fully enjoy the experience, it is worth taking the time and effort to familiarize yourself with the information we have provided and to read about any special topics of personal interest. Don't hesitate to call us if you have any questions or concerns along the way.
5-Day River Synopsis
- Route: Soda Creek near Williams Lake to Lytton
- Major Rapids: 15 (rated 3 or above on a scale of 1 to 6)
- Raft Capacity: 8 passengers and a crew of 2 on each raft. Maximum 2 rafts per departure
- Minimum Age: 12 years
- Minimum Weight: 28 kg (60 lb.)
- 2008 Departure Dates: June 30 – July 5 ; September 22 -26
- 2008 Trip Cost:
- Adults: $2008
- Youth 12-16: $1508
General Information:
The Guides
Our guides are the top in the industry and the Fraser River Voyage is reserved for our experienced guides who go that extra step towards making trips extraordinary. Although our guides find that this trip is a lot of extra work compared to our normal one-day trips, this is still THE favourite trip of the season. They are all pleasant, intelligent individuals who have the highest training and expertise in the whitewater rafting industry, and they are very excited and happy to be on this specific trip.
The Luxury Camp
Much more than roughing it and staring at your beans and potatoes cooking on an open fire, the luxury camp is as close bringing all the amenities of home to an outdoor-living environment as you can get. Our large, specialized, Fraser River Voyage Whitewater Rafts allow us to bring much more camp gear than your typical outdoor trip.
Cooking is done on our 8 burner stoves, underneath our open or closed freestanding canopy, and besides having great whitewater skills, our guides also have great outdoor culinary skills. Everyone gets their own LoungeLizard chair for lounging around the fire, or the option to jump into our river-side sauna. Food and relaxation outdoors was never this easy and we even get to sample fresh, home-made ice cream one day while onboard the rafts.
The Rapids
The upper Fraser has 36 rapids of class 3 to 5 (on a 6 point scale), depending upon the flow of the river, with the majority of those in the last 100 kilometers. This mighty river has a unique type of rapid caused by constrictions, usually in canyons, and is characterized by pressure-waves, foaming boils, huge eddy lines, and impressive whirlpools. The river volume along our route may exceed 200,000 cfs during spring runoff.
Our departures are scheduled to take place just after the peak runoff. Always swift and strong, the average flow of the river is 13 km per hr (8 miles per hr). Bridge River Rapid, on the second-to-last day, is probably the largest rapid in North America, and unfortunately for the thrill-seekers, we are required by law to ask you to walk around them at specific water-levels.
Wildlife, Flora and Fauna
The Fraser cuts through the Chilcotin Plateau , home to the largest herd of California Bighorn sheep in the world. It is also the home of black bear, grizzly, mule deer, moose and mountain lion. Beaver, river otter and mink can also be seen along the riverbank. Over 25 species of birds have been counted on this trip including majestic bald and golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and many species of hawks. Often present are Canada geese, great blue herons, sage grouse, Lewis woodpeckers and many varieties of songbirds.
The Fraser river has the largest salmon runs in the province and is a spawning route for sockeye, spring and coho salmon, and steelhead trout. It is also home to ancient, and very large, white-sturgeon. In this semi-arid desert, insects are rare. Between the canyons and hoodoos along the riverbanks we see large open grasslands interspersed with cottonwood and ponderosa pine along with sagebrush and prickly pear cactus.
Scenery
The scenery is always indescribable and spectacular. From the gently rolling hills near Soda Creek, to the steep granite walls of Moran Canyon, to the awe-inspiring basalt columns of China Gulch, and the towering hoodoos along the way, the variety is endless. We pass two bridges, one ferry, and about five signs of civilization along our 300km route, with magnificent BC wilderness the usual. Seasoned rafters consider the Mighty Fraser to have more variety and intrigue than the famed Grand Canyon of the Colorado in the U.S.A. Be sure to bring lots of film or memory cards and plan on shooting more than usual.
Fraser River History
Inhabited by the Chilcotin and Interior Salish Indians for thousands of years, the Fraser corridor contains a plethora of pithouse and fishing sites. We have opportunities to stop and explore some of these ancient sites, and traditional Native fishing, via the dipnet, is still witnessed at Bridge River Rapids.
May 28, 1808 Simon Fraser loaded four large freight canoes and began his journey down "the great and hazardous river". His expedition involved 24 men in a journey from Fort George to the ocean, a 640 km (420 mile) journey. He arrived at the ocean on July 1, 1808. Simon Fraser's voyage tested his endurance beyond heroic limits. He was lucky it did not kill him. He wrote "we have to pass where no human being should venture". We will bring a copy of his journals and read his comments as we trace his remarkable voyage.
The first Gold Rush along the river started in 1858 and lasted several years. Several more took place in both the 19th and early 20th centuries. We explore several abandoned cabins and mines along the way, a legacy of fortunes made and lost. This is also ranching country and we look for the wild horses of the Gang Ranch, one of B.C.'s oldest and the world's largest ranching empire. For more than a day we pass through the territory of this massive operation.
Weather
The Fraser River corridor is one of the driest regions in Canada and forms its own, very dry, micro climate. Average rainfall during July and August is less than 1 inch. Temperatures can reach 42 C (100 F) during the day, but sometimes drop to 10 C (50 F) during the night, and in those hot summer days there is a chance of convection showers in the late afternoon. Basically, like everywhere, the weather can be unpredictable and extreme so it's important you come prepared for the worst and expect the best.
A Typical Day
A typical day on the Fraser River Voyage starts with a leisurely wake-up to the smell of fresh brewed coffee and the rustle of the guides through the breakfast food boxes. After a delicious and filling breakfast, camp breakdown begins and everything is stowed on the boats and secured for the whitewater about to be encountered later that day.
The on-raft portion of the trip is focused on the history and exploration of the area, with numerous stops to take pictures and see new sites, or go for short hikes (even the guides get to see new sites, as this is a 300km journey with a lot to see). Typically, a warm light wind begins to blow around noon, and we either stop river-side for lunch or continue downstream and prepare and eat on the rafts.
More relaxation is the theme of the afternoon, with maybe an on-boat siesta, maybe a few rapids, and more than likely some soaking up the sun, some guitar and some story-telling. We start looking for a suitable river-side campsite (quite often either near or on a giant sandy beach) in the late afternoon and then pull over to set up camp and prepare dinner.
While dinner is being prepared it’s possibly time for a beach-volleyball game, some frisbee, crocket, or exploring around the campsite. After a huge, delicious feast, (yes this happens every night), we start the fire, watch the stars come up, maybe have a sauna, then head to bed feeling tired, content, and excited for the next day.
Package Price:
2008.00 Can./Person
0.00 U.S./Person Currency Converter
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Location: Fraser River, British Columbia
Weather: Warm summers
Cold winters |
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Day 1 Pre-trip Sunday:
Our guides, shuttle drivers, and crew and equipment leaves from our Resort in Lytton at 4:00PM on Sunday, and you are welcome to meet us in Lytton, leave your car there, and join us for the voyage to Williams Lake. Prior arrangement must be made with us if you would like to accompany us, and your hotel stay in Williams Lake is not included in the fare of the trip.
There are also numerous flights to the Williams Lake airport with Air Canada, WestJet and Pacific Coastal airlines, as well as the Greyhound Bus. You are responsible for getting to our rendezvous spot at Williams Lake, the Overlander Hotel, for 8:30AM on Monday morning.
Monday
We meet at the Overlander Hotel in Williams Lake, at 8:30 AM, for the shuttle to the boats which are rigged and ready-to-go at Soda Creek, 30 minutes away. Once at the river you will get a waterproof bag for your gear and personal clothing, then the guides will do the final loading of the rafts with your personal gear, and we’re ready to go.
After a detailed safety briefing we load the rafts and push off, leaving civilization behind us. We are quickly into Soda Creek Canyon. Simon Fraser's noted in his journal: "here the canoes being lightened of half of their lading, were run down. The other half of the lading was carried over by land for two miles through very uneven country".
Before lunch we pass under BC's only privately owned toll bridge that was shipped from Alaska in 1968 and reassembled here. Later we stop and explore intriguing "Russian Island", home to a Russian immigrant who came to mine gold but abandoned the Island 50 years ago. After running Chimney Creek canyon, we camp near Riske Creek.
Day 2 Tuesday
We continue south through Iron rapids and semi-arid, sagebrush country exploring a few abandoned miners cabins along the way. We enter the world's largest California Bighorn Sheep Reserve and spot these magnificent animals along the river. After Portage de Barrel rapid (Simon Fraser's description: "the river here, which does not exceed thirty yards in breadth, passes between two precipices, and is turbulent, noisy, and awful to behold!" After he and his men completed their arduous portage, he broke open a barrel of rum. Hence it's name. Camp tonight is in Gang Ranch country, one of North America's largest spreads.
Day 3 Wednesday
After a hearty breakfast and putting on our hiking boots we continue our journey along Simon's River stopping to explore China Gulch, a red canyon that resembles the red canyons of Mars. French Bar rapid is the highlight today. Breaking through "gates" or bars, the river drops over three abrupt ledges and then becomes constricted in a narrow gorge. We tour a reaction ferry at Big Bar - then camp at Watson Bar.
Day 4 Thursday
Not far below here at Leon Creek, Simon Fraser cached his large canoes and continued on foot, the river being impassable for his craft. With our sturdy large rafts we run the 15 biggest rapids of the upper Fraser. After lunching below powerful Powerline rapids, we continue through the steep, granite walls of Moran Canyon and numerous other rapids until we get to Bridge River rapids.
.Here government legislation requires us to ask you to walk around the cascade. Camp is not far below the town of Lillooet, the first contact we have had with civilization since we pushed off at Soda Creek.
Day 5 Friday
Continuing down river through high, rugged, often glacial capped mountains, our voyage continues. Along the river 100 year-old evidence of placer mining activity line both riverbanks and we stop and explore one of the largest of the rock tailings, evidence of a Chinese work camp. We run several rapids before passing the mouth of the Stein River, a well-known BC Provincial Park. The mouth of the Stein signals we are not far above the small town of Lytton and our trips’ end. Upon reaching our takeout in Lytton, we are bussed to the Resort where we enjoy the pool, hot-tub, hot-showers, electricity, and full amenities of the Luxury resort, and then finish the day (and the trip) with a delicious meal in the Five-Star Cutting Board Restaurant.
Day 6 OPTIONAL DAY SIX
On Friday after dinner you decided that you were too tired to drive home, and especially after having a peek in our cozy Cabin Tents and being generally very impressed by our Resort, you have decided that the best option for you would be stay over one more night. Try paddle or motor rafting on the Thompson river and turn your five day trip into a six day adventure featuring Western Canada’s BEST WHITEWATER. Your guide will take you into the guts of rapids like The Frog, The Devils Kitchen, The Witches Cauldron, and the infamous Jaws of Death.
Add this extra day when you reserve and receive a 40% discount off of the regular price of the standard stay-over package and one-day rafting trip (cabin tents or teepees are regular price). Add this extra day when you arrive back at Kumsheen on Day Five for a 35% discount off of the regular price of the standard stayover package and one-day rafting trip.
Personal Clothing and Equipment
The purpose of this list is to ensure that you bring enough clothing and personal equipment to keep you comfortable in all possible situations but no more. "Normally" the Fraser has its own micro-climate which results in very hot summer temperatures.
It is not uncommon to have daytime highs close to 40 C (100 F degrees) in July, and sometimes it doesn't cool down until 3:00 am. The main concern under these conditions is to prevent heat exhaustion. However strange weather has struck on occasions resulting in cool, windy days and even rain clouds and downpours!
Rafting in September is even more unpredictable, and you will need to be prepared for both hot weather and cold, windy days.
When fully packed, your personal equipment should not weigh more than 45 lb. You will be moving it on and off the raft each day so please do not exceed this guideline. All clothing should be quick drying and ideally made of synthetics.
Note: You will be given one waterproof gear bag ( 8x16x30 inches) for all your personal equipment and another that contains your sleeping bag, tent, and sleeping pad.
Upper Body
* 2 long sleeved shirts (1 for sun protection, 1 for warmth)
* 3 T-shirts
* 1 pile or fleece pullover or sweater
* 1 medium weight jacket
Footwear
* 1 pair light hiking boots or running shoes for hiking & camp wear
* 1 pair river sandals e.g. Tevas
* 1 pair warm polypro or wool socks
* 2 pair regular socks
Lower Body
* 2 pair quick drying shorts
* 1 pair hiking shorts
* undergarments
* 1 pair pants
* 1 pair warm pants (fleece)
* 1 swimsuit
Headgear & Handwear
* 1 hat for sun protection, cold protection in Sept. (try a DM Toque)
* 1 pair lightweight gloves
Additional Gear
* toiletry kit (biodegradable soap & shampoo)
* personal medications
* small towel
* extra prescription glasses
* sunscreen & lip balm (with papa)
* sunglasses with safety strap
* small flashlight or Petzel headlamp and extra batteries
* insect repellent
* notebook, journal, reading material, pen
* plastic bags e.g. Garbage bags for wet or soiled clothing
* pillow case (stuff with clothes to make your pillow)
* camera and film (don't forget to bring lots of film and be sure your gear is properly protected and insured)
* binoculars (optional)
Equipment That We Provide for You
* lifejacket
* lounge lizard camp seat
* thermarest sleeping pad
* 1 waterproof gear bag for personal gear
* 20 x40 x75 cm ( 8x16x30 inches)
* 1 small waterproof dry bag (for camera sunscreen and anything small that you will need during the day)
* long waterproof rain/wind coat & pants
* Outbound tent (2 persons sharing)
* Sleeping bag and liner (unless you’ve got one)
Preparation and Voyage Details
Getting to Vancouver BC
Vancouver can be reached via a number of Canadian and International airlines, with same day service from anywhere in North America and other departure points worldwide. It is your responsibility to get to Vancouver in time to make the connecting flight to Williams Lake B.C. on or before noon on day one.
Accommodation Recommendations
Richmond:
Holiday Inn Express Vancouver Airport. 9351 Bridgeport Road Toll Free: 1 800-HOLIDAY or 604 273 8080 Fax: 604 214 8488 www.hi-express.bc.ca This hotel features modern, clean, comfortable guest rooms with free local telephone calls, free gated parking, free airport shuttle transportation, and complementary deluxe continental breakfast. It's 20 minutes to Downtown and close to major tourist attractions.
Richmond Best Western Inn: conveniently located near the airport with free shuttle service to the hotel. 1 604 273 7878 (1 800 663 0299)
Vancouver:
Wedgewood Hotel: a smaller yet trendy downtown hotel, it is situated in the heart of Vancouver and is close walking distance to the major retail district. 604 689 7777.
Discover BC: province wide hotel reservations system 1 800 435 5622
discovervancouver.com A great web site to find out what's going on in and around Vancouver. Plan a on staying a few days in this beautiful city
Personal Preparation
No previous rafting experience is required and swimming ability is recommended but not essential. Your guides will teach you all the basic outdoor skills that you will require to safely enjoy the trip, though you should be prepared for the task of living in an outdoor environment and have an open attitude. Your participation in and around camp is invited, but not expected, as this is a full-service trip.
Registration
Due to the maximum group size of only 16, and limited departure dates, we encourage participants to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. In order to confirm your space on the trip, we require a 50% per person deposit. The balance of the trip fee is due no later than 60 days prior to departure.
Cancellations
Cancel any time up to 60 days prior to departure and receive a refund on your deposit. However, a $100 administrative fee will be charged. There are no cancellations or refunds after the 60 day deadline.
Rafting Equipment
The Fraser is one of the world's largest rivers and we have adapted our equipment to the river. In over two decades of running it's heart-thumping whitewater, we found that our custom-built motorized rafts are the safest and most comfortable rafts for this voyage. Rafts are generally 22 or 28 ft. in length with outrigger pontoons attached for lateral stability. Since we use outboard motors to control the rafts in the rapids, your only job is to hang on and enjoy the ride.
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