I took my two adult sons to Anchorage for vacation and signed us up for the half day, 3 canyon Six Mile Creek rafting trip. I have taken this same trip many times over the last 25 years with different guides and have to say that Chugach Outdoor Center is top notch.
On past trips with other guides, I was assigned a raft and guide and was given a short safety briefing on the beach before we headed off. However, on this trip Chugach not only gave a safety briefing, but also made everyone do a swim test. This was not swimming in a calm pool or eddy. They made everyone dive into fast moving water and swim toward the opposite bank, then float with the current down the river and finally swim for a waiting raft. Once pulled in the raft, each rafter was required to pull in the next swimmer. The swim test was challenging, but ensured that everyone who continued on the trip knew what they were getting into. It also confirmed for the guides and other guests that everyone going on the trip was capable. That really gave me piece of mind given that we were headed for Class III, IV and V rapids. The swim test paid off later in the trip when my son and and another guest in our boat fell overboard in the second canyon and they were quickly rescued by our boat and another one following us.
The gear was top notch including nice and well maintained dry suits, life jackets, helmets, rafts and paddles.
Our guide "Popcorn" was great and knowledgeable about the river and rapids. I appreciated the fact that he required only minimal paddling on our part.
I would highly recommend this trip for adventurous travelers to the Anchorage area. When I go back, I will definitely use Chugach again.