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Paddle Your Way Through The Seven Whitewater Wonders of the World

If you’re a fan of whitewater rafting, but are starting to have a been-there-done-that attitude about the excursion, you might want to consider tackling The Seven Whitewater Wonders of the World.

Outdoor Adventure River Specialists (O.A.R.S.) specializes in all things water, and has been perfecting their services since they started out in the Grand Canyon in 1969. Even if you've experienced some of these places before, they’ve selected the best runs at each location, guaranteeing more gushing water for your dollar.

Of course the Grand Canyon is one of their wonders, as well as the Middle Fork of The Salmon River in Idaho. There are two trips to British Columbia, one of which will find you camping overnight on glaciers along the Klinaklini River. If you get water logged there, just have them drop you off for a little heli-hiking.

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Tags: Extreme Travel / Active Travel / Rafting / → All Tags

Nothing Beats A Chilly Winter Rafting Trip

We know it’s still cold across much of the country, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fulfill your summer vacation dreams right now. The water is still flowing in the rivers—even if it’s a little icy—so jump in and enjoy. Many whitewater rafting companies are happy to take you for a trip down river, and they’ll even make sure you stay nice and toasty.

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Tags: Active Travel / Rafting / Canada Travel / → All Tags

Active Travel: Up-River Rafting in Eastern Canada

Though the summer travel season is winding down, you can still have some warm weather fun through September. Head up to the province of Nova Scotia and point your GPS to the Shubenacadie River. The guides from Shubenacadie River Adventure Tours have all the gear you need to enjoy some late-season up-river white water rafting.

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Tags: Active Travel / Summer Travel / Hiking / Rafting / → All Tags

Active Travel: Training for Your Olympic Dreams

Now that you've earned a gold medal in sitting--for parking yourself in front of the Olympics all weekend--it's time to get moving. You can work on your own dreams of 2012 in London with a trip to the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte.

Celebrating its second birthday this month, the $38-million facility promotes active and healthy relationships with the outdoors. The center has whitewater rafting and kayaking, hiking and even a climbing gym. Eleven miles of trails for both hikers and mountain bikers surround the central buildings, and there's even an "eco-caching" area for a green-focused spin on geocaching.

As you test out your skills on the world's largest artificial whitewater river, you'll be able to walk away with an increased knowledge of rafting, no matter what your experience level. After working up an appetite, there's even the River's Edge Bar and Grill, where you can enjoy a locally grown meal. You may not be ready for 2012, but at least you'll have fun.

Related Stories:
· US National Whitewater Center [Official Site]
· Active Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: US National Whitewater Center]

Tags: Active Travel / Summer Travel / North Carolina Travel / Rafting / → All Tags

Lazy Summer Travel: Taking It Easy on the River

If you find yourself visiting western North Carolina this summer (maybe for the Bele Chere festival?) then you may want to stick around a little longer and take in some nature. Mountain Adventure Guides provides the opportunity for beginners to head out onto the French Broad River and test their skills.

Located about 30 minutes from Asheville, the guides offer a relaxed rafting experience and allow plenty of time to stop and take in the sights. This isn't really an edgy summer vacation, but sometimes you want to do something outdoors without the risk of drowning.

You'll head out for about a half-day and travel five miles along the river. The rookie-level adventure will only set you back $43 per person, and if you're into foliage you'll get a 10 percent discount after September 1. If you're more of an adventure seeker, there are also a couple more intense options--but those are really better in the spring when the river really gets going.

Related Stories:
· Mountain Adventure Guides [Official Site]
· Rafting coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of a slightly different experience: Rupert Taylor-Price]

Tags: Summer Travel / Adventure Travel / Active Travel / Rafting / Fourth of July / → All Tags

4th of July Travel: West Virginia Whitewater

If our other rafting suggestions haven't done it for you, maybe this one will get you moving. ACE Adventure Center in West Virginia has rock climbing, biking, kayaking, horseback riding and more on a 1,400-acre resort.

The center runs rafting trips on different sections of the New River. Each trip varies in difficulty, with some for beginners and some for those who can handle class V and class V+ rapids. For those just starting out, trips in 16-foot rafts make the ride a little more stable and comfortable, so there's no reason to sit on the shore.

With only two weeks until the 4th of July, it's not too late to get there for the holiday weekend. Three of ACE's rafting trips on the Upper New River will be half of the usual price, and there are a couple of discounted options on the Lower New River. The cheapest start around $100.

Related Stories:
· ACE Adventure Center [Official Site]
· Summer Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Sleestak66]

Tags: Summer-Vacations-With-An-Edge / Rafting / Outdoor Travel / Adventure Travel / → All Tags

Summer Vacations with an Edge: Rafting Cherry Creek

Ever wonder what it would be like to shrink yourself and get inside your washing machine, but instead of your whites, it was full of huge granite boulders? We don't know who these masochists are, but if water, rock, adrenaline and a rubber boat filled with 10 of your buddies sounds appealing, then rafting on Cherry Creek--outside Yosemite National Park in California--is your gig. Cherry Creek is without question the most difficult whitewater run in the state and people argue whether it is the most difficult in the country.

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Tags: It's Summer Somewhere / It's-Summer-Somewhere / Adventure Travel / Active Travel / Rafting / → All Tags

It's Summer Somewhere: Lunahuana, Peru

The area around Lima, Peru is just hitting its peak summer season now. But don't get overwhelmed by the bustle of the city. Get to some of the amazing towns further afield, like Lunahuana, south of Lima.

February brings the laid-back festival of grapes and wine, where the local harvest is celebrated extensively. Lunahuana makes some of the best pisco around and is a pretty peaceful agricultural town--but there's a nice dash of adventure sports to keep things interesting. The Cañete River makes a great spot for kayaking, fishing, hunting and hiking.

Since the snow is melting in the Andes, river rafting is a big draw this time of year. Ask around for local tour operators or go with Rio Cañete Expediciones, Lonely Planet's favorite outfitter.

Related Stories:
· Rio Cañete Expediciones [Official Site, in Spanish]
· Guide to Lunahuana [Yahoo]
· Peru Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· It's Summer Somewhere coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Rio Cañete Expediciones]

Tags: Summer-Vacations-With-An-Edge / Active Travel / Live Music / Rafting / Kayaking / Labor-Day-Travel / → All Tags

Summer Vacations With an Edge: Rockin' and Rapids

Summer's winding down, but the long Labor Day weekend means there's still time for one last Summer Vacation with an Edge.

Those looking back and finding their summer deficient of both blues licks and whitewater rafting might want to head out for Wildman Whitewater Ranch's Labor Day Music Fest in Athelstane, Wisconsin. You'll run rapids by day and get juiced up to the sounds of the finest Chicago blues and jug bands every night. Admit it, its been awhile since you've sat down to be entertained by a jug band.

Wildman's stock in trade is serving up barbecue and adventure adapted to all tastes and all levels of death wish. River runs are anywhere between spicy (class IV rapids) and extra mild (lazy river tubing), with kayak touring thrown in to round out the watersports. Dry land offers horseback riding, rappelling and ATV trails with an ever expanding list of other seasonal activities and amusements.

The place is unabashedly family friendly, though maybe not so much this weekend: The food remains authentic hardwood smoked pit BBQ served up in a joint that's been standing since it served hooch on the sly in the Twenties.

Related Stories:
· Wildman Whitewater Ranch [Official Site]
· Wisconson Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: whitneynmatt]

Tags: Adventure Travel / Rafting / Maine Travel / Summer-Vacations-With-An-Edge / → All Tags

Summer Vacations With an Edge :: Rafting Maine's Whitewater

You know, we like adventure travel as much as anyone. But there's a definite edge on your summer vacation if you're heading to a place called Dead River to jump in icy water and tackle class IV rapids.

Do us a favor and entrust your safety to the guides at Northern Outdoors, where 30 years of experience will keep you in one piece--if not exactly dry. NO's 15-mile trips are timed to coincide with dam openings to ensure maximum whitewater.

The Kennebec River--into which the Dead River flows--has smaller rapids if you're looking for something a bit tamer. Just watch out for the next dam release day, when the Kennebec swells to double its normal size. (That'd be July 9, kids.)

Check out our Summer Vacations With An Edge Map.

Know a spot we should consider for this map? Tip the help.

Related Stories:
· Adventure Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Hotels in Maine [HotelChatter]