What an adventure on the White Salmon river!

Super fun time--all smiles!

One of the girls said, "This is the best time I've ever had in my life!" Then later, added, "This is the most fun I've had all summer." I think we all agree. Our guide, Paul, was awesome. The guide company, Wet Planet Whitewater, was professional, helpful and fun all wrapped in one. Our trip include several Level 4 rapids, one 25' cliff jump and a 12' drop in the last rapid. Exhilarating.

Since this was only my second experience with whitewater rafting, I decided to share my limited knowledge of --

What to expect when whitewater rafting:

1. You will get wet.
2. You will get cold.
3. You will have to paddle.
4. You might fall out of the raft. Your guide will train you on what to do in common emergency situations.
5. Your gear will be provided for you, including wetsuit, booties, lifejacket, helmet, fleece (optional) and dry jacket.
6. You may want to supplement with neoprene/smartwool socks to go under the booties. Also, a tight-fitting rashguard underneath the wetsuit can help with warmth. Swimsuits are optional as the wetsuit/booties are all washed EVERY time, but recommended as there are only a handful of dressing stalls.

The reasons behind the getting cold part has to do with the fact that whitewater comes from snow-packed hills that melt and travel swiftly down the waterways. The temperature of the White Salmon was around 42 degrees.

Although the air temperature was near 80 degrees, this did little to provide warmth while in the raft. Your feet will be submerged in a few inches of water which stays in the bottom of the raft. It is likely that your feet may be the coldest part of your body. If you are a particularly cold-blooded person, you might consider wearing a low-profile fleece hat under your helmet for added heat retention.

If you have never been whitewater rafting, late August/September is a great time to get started. In fact, there are trips on the Tieton River off US HWY 12 that only run in September, and Wet Planet Whitewater is the guide service of choice. 

Good luck!