Published on Sep, 2024
Make no mistake: If you fall overboard from the raft in 34-degree water, you must get back into the raft quickly and hope someone on board will pull you in as that person falls backwards pulling you out of the water and on top of your rescuer! That was the message from the guide Beau for which we signed wavers. Even though this river trip is described as "mellow", there are some class 1 and 2 rapids and big "roll-overs" which the guide must navigate through. Compared with the Canyon raft trip, which is more "Rowdy" where I was told some 19 riders have gone overboard in the past (all successfully rescued), the wilderness wave was cold and wet, but tolerable, thanks to our very experienced and entertaining guide, Pat--with the long hair and beard and orange sunglasses. My wife and I felt perfectly safe with Pat at the helm and the oars, as we held on tightly and laughed at Pat's jokes! To emphasize my appreciation of Pat for bringing us back safely, I was very generous with a $50 dollar tip! This was the most exciting activity we did in Denali, and we highly recommend this more "mellow" river rafting trip.
