| River Rafting
in North BC: The North British Columbia region is often
referred to as the "Serengeti of the North" because
of the valley plains of the east butting up against the mountains
of the west. A landscape creating a mountainous region with many
alpine lakes feeding tumbling rivers which drop into massive valleys
creating river rafting and kayaking experiences.
The communities of the north, many of which live
on the shores of a major BC river, vary in what they can offer
rafters. Some communities provide river rafting tours with guides
while most northern BC communities do not have rafting companies
operating in the community but do have a powerful raging river
nearby.
Experienced river kayakers and rafters with their
own equipment will enjoy the selection of rivers in the province.
All self guided rafting adventures should be well planned and
researched as BC rivers are very unpredictable. No BC river should
be attempted without the proper skills and equipment. People drown
every year in our rivers because of stupidity, do not be one of
them.
River Rafting tours operating in the B.C. area are
well equipped with the routes and challenges found on each river.
Most rafting companies provide certified guides who are trained
in swift water rescue and wilderness first aid. Many rafting tours
provide a selection of tours ranging from 'Class 1' (easiest rivers)
to Class 4 routes (very difficult rivers).
Like all wildlife tours and adventures, please ensure
your river rafting company of choice follows ethical and environmental
practices. River rafting is exciting because of the challenge
of navigating rapids and currents but many forget it can also
be a wildlife viewing adventure also because it also provides
an excellent opportunity to view wildlife like moose,
bears
and mountain
goats.
River Rafting adventure tours fall into two distinct
groups - the high-end, most expensive remote fly-in rafting tours
and the easy access drive in rafting tours. Drive in rafting adventures
cater to the general public more as they tend to be more affordable
and shorter. Some of the more popular local rivers explored by
rafters and self guided enthusiasts include the mighty Babine,
Fraser, Thompson, Peace, Bulkley and Skeena Rivers.
One of the favorite remote fly in river destinations
in Northern BC is the Turnagain River because it provides untouched
wilderness, some historical content, a strong feeling of pioneering
and is designated as a Canadian Heritage River.
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