Interview With Rafting Guides

There are endless outdoor adventures available to those living or just visiting Colorado. White water rafting is both an intense and exciting experience for people of all ages. Dan Fleishman is a guide for Rocky Mountain Adventures in Fort Collins, and absolutely loves his job as a raft guide.

"It's my seventh year here but now I train the new guys which is pretty neat because they’re just starting; actually two weeks ago they just started. See I raft all over the West, as much as possible. I just got off a 21 day Grand Canyon raft trip"

Like Dan, most of the river guides have loads of experience rafting. They know when the water level will be at its best, and also areas to avoid when the current is flowing faster than normal. Dan explains that the best time to raft is around May and June, although not many people know this. The busiest season for tourists is during July.

The Cache La Poudre River is most popular for white water rafting. Rocky Mountain Adventures, which Dan is a guide for, offers a variety of trips down this river; both half and full day. There are several other rafting companies located in Northern Colorado too. They each present different prices and trips. Some only take tours down the Poudre River while others will make the trek down the Colorado or the North Platte.

"There are five companies on this river. It’s a national wild and scenic river so there are only five companies allowed by law and each company has a quota. We can only take so many people down the river each day; 100 people on weekends and 120 on weekdays," is what Dan explained. He also advised that during the peak season which is July and August, reservations should be made in advance because once the quota is hit, they cannot take anymore rafters.

Owen McCain is another raft guide who has been assisting people down the Poudre River for four years now. He works for the Wanderlust White Water Rafting Adventures which specializes in the Poudre River only. Owen describes the various levels of rafting that his company offers to people wanting to raft, "We provide class two, three, and four. Class two and three is beginner stuff, more family oriented and class four is more advanced. Right now the class fours are definitely fun."

He tells us about the joys of his job, and how he looks forward to seeing his co-workers every day he comes to work. He also boasts about what an experience it is to be able to have a different kind of adventure every single day.

The rafting season goes on until late August. Therefore, while the river is running high and the sun is shining, river guides are urging residents and vistors in Colorado to take advantage of the opportunity, and jump into a raft and head down the white waters.

Follow this link to access an Audio of this story: http://www.box.net/shared/c4bzd763si