A group of 7 of us ranging in age from 15 to 49 did the full day whitewater adventure and what an adventure it was!. First off Wild West Rafting is fantastic from the front desk to the guides and everyone in between that we had contact with. They provide wet suits and water shoes so all you need to bring is yourself in your swim suit. After check in you're shuttled to the boat launch by bus and given a brief safety training before setting out on the water.
Our guide Styx was amazing! Not only was he a great whitewater guide but he also used the rest periods to give us a history lesson of the area and it's people. He was very personable and knowledgeable and took the time to learn each of our names. Along the way he let us get in the water and get comfortable with the water temp and getting back into the raft. Little did we know this may have been a test for later in our journey.
Along the way there was an island with a dead grizzly bear and he took the time out to let us get out of the raft and check out the bear. We actually got the opportunity to be up and close to a grizzly and actually touch it without the threat of harm that would normally accompany that experience. We stopped about half way to eat lunch. Drinks, sandwiches and snacks were provided.
On the second leg of the trip we were provided with safety helmets to tackle the bigger rapids that lay ahead. After one particular set of rapids lay a water feature dubbed the "revenge hole" or "boat eater". Styx said we'd been doing a good job paddling to that point and thought we could "probably" make it through the "boat eater". He gave us the choice to try and we unanimously agreed to give it a shot. We did not make it, lol. But Styx was amazing using his knowledge and training to perform a quick water rescue. While frightening at first, it didn't take him long to get the raft upright and all of us back safely in the raft. Although it felt like a long time, I would bet he had us all back safely in the boat in about 5 minutes. With that being said, I would do it again every time. Never did we feel in danger with Styx in control the whole time.
If you're in Gardiner and want to experience an adrenaline rush, look up WWR and give it a whirl. You will not regret it! Thank you WWR and Styx for the adventure of a lifetime and don't forget to tip your guides.