Time for a rare review... TBH, I'm lazy and it takes a superlative experience for me to consider sharing the details of a trip. This trip consisted of two dads and five teens on a two day excursion along the Middle Fork of the American River covering 17 miles(american-rivers.com/mf-rio-descr.htm). I'll break this up into readable sections so you can reference whatever is most important to you quickly.
Trip overview:
-White water rafting to a quiet sandbar near Otter Creek on day 1 for overnight camping. More WW rafting to Greenwood Bridge take out site on day 2.
Weather:
-Hot and dry, which is no surprise for NorCal in the middle of July. It was perfect for jumping in the river to cool off or being drenched by chilly river water. Anytime we needed it to cool off or just enjoy floating along, our guide encouraged us to jump in.
Rafters:
-Who's this trip for? Outdoorsy folks who like a dash of excitement and a cooperative activity. The trip works best if you commit to leaning on each other, working together both in the raft and at the campsite. The more you put into this trip, the more you'll enjoy it... yeah, corny but how are you gonna want to remember your summer trip? Seriously, life is short so join the party.
Food:
-Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Don't expect haute cuisine but the food was a cut above most camp meals I've had, there was plenty of of it, and it was available when we were ready to eat. The pork chops in camp were particularly delicious after a day of paddling. Side note... I like spicy food so a word to those jalapeño and hotter folks that you should bring your own heat--or most anything for that matter as there's some space in coolers on the equipment raft for drinks and extra snacks, etc.
Safety:
-The company and guides are both diligent and professional about stressing the safety guidelines and keeping everyone real about rafting on the river. We got a safety briefing before the trip and regular updates along the way as to what we needed to keep an eye out for and why. The depth of knowledge regarding the river and safety was impressive and gratifying because we were dads with teens who think they're immortal. No one got hurt on our trip and as dicey as some of the water is--for noobs anyway--we never felt the least bit unsure about our safety.
Guides & Gear:
-Our guides were awesome; Ben on the equipment raft and Nicola (I've misspelled this I know) our guide. These are kind folks who knew the river intimately, were safety conscious, worked hard to make our trip enjoyable, and had a demonstrable passion for what they were doing. Did I mention safety? Our raft guide was an EMT studying to be a nurse and had years of experience on the river. I'm a NREMT certified first responder and she clearly knew her healthcare--it's kinda important in the world we live in. The highest compliment I can give this crew is that I will request them on all rafting trips and you should too. As for gear, it was in great shape and nothing looked worn, cheap or poorly maintained. The company is looking after their clients by looking after their infrastructure and that was appreciated by a couple of gear head dads.
Misc Fun:
-Waterfalls! Depending on your trip there are side hikes up to waterfalls along the way. These can be challenging for the less active among us but well worth the time if they fit in your trip as they're fun, secluded, refreshing, and photogenic.
-Cliff Jumping! Ok, not quite that daunting but leaping from 25+ feet into the river is a blast and a great way for teens to enjoy the river while parents record the event.
-Event photos. There are photographer's at the more exciting rapids to snap high quality images as you enjoy a healthy dose of adrenaline. Be sure to pose for them!
Notes:
-Bring a full tube of SPF100 sunscreen and SPF35 chapstick.
-Bring a water resistant mask as you will need it on the trip--COVID's no joke.
-Bring a water tight phone case--they're less than $20 and allow you to take pics!
-Wear synthetics with at least one zippered pocket. Just trust me on this one.
-Bring caffeine if it's part of your normal day. Energy gels from REI did it for me.
-This is a small company and they hire great staff who know that their reputation is built one customer at a time. Their reputation is well deserved.
-Last, and most importantly, TIP your guides generously! They're fine people, working hard to make your trip safe, memorable and will more than earn your appreciation!