1. What do we wear?
In warm summer weather, a swimsuit or shorts and T-shirt are appropriate. Always wear laced shoes with sturdy soles (wet suit boots or sneakers are great). Loose-fitting sandals, flip-flops, "crocs" and bare feet are not permitted. In cool or mild conditions, a wool sweater or windbreaker is ideal. Also, avoid wearing cotton. When wet, cotton loses all insulation value and will make you colder, not warmer. A baseball cap, visor, or sunglasses are helpful in bright, sunny weather.
2. What can we bring?
In the raft, bring as little as possible. If there is medication you do or might require, keep it with you on the river. Towels, dry clothes, valuables, and other than waterproof cameras should be left locked in your car.
3. How do we get back at the end of the day?
Your vehicle will remain at our rafting center, and our free shuttle buses will take you to and from the river.
4. How deep is the water?
River depths vary. Slow, calmer stretches of water tend to be those that are deeper. Faster, choppy water tends to be shallow, often 4 feet deep or less. Regardless of the depth, however, if you should find yourself overboard (this is rare, indeed) in fast moving water, the proper procedure is to float on your back, feet pointed downstream, and not attempt to stand until the water is less than 18 inches deep. A guide or nearby raft will assist you, or you may prefer to simply swim to shore.
5. Do I have to know how to swim?
Swimming ability is not required. Nevertheless, if you are especially apprehensive in or around water, you may want to consider one of our land-based adventures. Rafting, by its nature, places you on, in or around water most of the day. On all of our trips a PFD is worn at all times. Safety equipment will not fit all shapes and sizes, so please consider this in planning your reservations. Also, please remember that whitewater rafting is an active sport that requires some exertion on your part. The larger the rapids, the better your physical conditioning should be.
6. How big are the rapids?
Rapids are rated from Class I (easiest) to Class V (most challenging). Class VI is considered to be not navigable without unreasonable risk of injury. Our easiest trips feature Class I or II rapids; others feature Class III, IV, or V whitewater. The Salmon River features primarily Class II and Class III rapids.
7. Do I need experience?
All except our Class V Lower Moose trips are open to first time rafters.
8. How old must I be?
Minimum age for our Salmon River trips is 10.
9. How do I decide which river to run?
For youth groups, families and first timers, we generally recommend beginning with a trip on the easier portion of the Lehigh River, the Salmon River, the middle Moose River or a summertime trip on the Hudson River. For a more challenging adventure, select a Springtime or Dam Release Lehigh River "Exhilarating Whitewater" trip, a summertime Black River trip, or a Springtime Hudson River trip. For very challenging whitewater, choose the Black River in May or early June, or the Hudson River in April. And for extreme whitewater, select the Lower Moose River in April.
10. How do I choose the best outfitter?
Refer to our guidelines for Choosing the Right Outfitter.
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For Reservations & Information Contact:
Adventure Center at Whitewater Challengers
PO Box 8
White Haven, PA 18661
(800) 443-RAFT
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Directions to Salmon River Base:
Stoney's Pineville Campground
2904 Rt. 13
Pulaski, NY 13142 |
Whitewater Rafting 
