This was published 12 years ago
'Don't leave me hanging bro!': high and wet
Splash down ... whitewater rafting in Jasper, Canada.Credit: Tourism Jasper
Luke Higgs goes from damp to 'ohsweetjesusgetmeoutofhere' on an icy river ride.
“Up high . Don't leave me hanging, bro!'
And thus began my whitewater rafting tour in Jasper, Alberta, a picturesque small town nestled amongst the Canadian Rockies.
Canada is renowned for its natural beauty and it was time for me to experience it first-hand. To see what this nature stuff was all about (or as the Canadians say, "aboot").
As we squelched down to our trusty inflatable raft, my goals were clear. Stay as dry as possible and enjoy the stunning scenery. It may be the tail end of summer here in Alberta, but this was no summer I was familiar with.
With the theme from Deliverance playing in my head, I listened to our instructor Jessie as he went through the safety guidelines. One of my teammates had volunteered to be 'rescued' as Jessie went through what we should do in the event of an emergency. After Jessie had plucked her from the virtual river came the high-five congratulations. It was go time.
Wet and wild ... the Athabasca River in Jasper National Park.Credit: Tourism Jasper
He assured us this was a gentle raft down the Athabasca River, but in my mind, we were embarking on a journey of epic proportions. As I looked around at my teammates for this momentous occasion, I pondered whether they would be the last people I would see alive.
We were split into two groups - my team was with Tim, a strapping lad all of 20 years old. He would be responsible for our safe passage.
I was seated second from the front, on the left side. The instructions about how to paddle effectively and safely went out the window as we pushed off the bank. The clanking of paddles together ample proof that this was amateur hour on the river. No matter. This was a hearty group determined to navigate our way to the safety of the van that brought us here.
'Forward paddle,' Tim barked. And away we went.
Keeping a keen eye out for grizzly bears and banjo-playing locals, we drifted downstream. Tim said this was a grade two level set of rapids. So only one grade above what I imagine would be a wading pool. Oh. Maybe we would make it after all.
We approached our first rapid with gritty determination. Gritting our teeth we steeled ourselves for a shower.
Splash!
The brave souls at the front of the boat received the worst of it and I both regretted and congratulated myself on not sitting at the coalface. We went on to the next rapid, same again. Now we were all getting wet. This pool wasn't heated.
Someone asked about the big holes along the river bank. Alligators, water snakes, giant earthworms we wondered? Nope, Tim assured us, just squirrels. Killer squirrels? Nope, just regular cute squirrels.
The third rapid came and went as we picked up more speed. Tim was asked about the water temperature.
“Well, this water was in a glacier 12 hours ago, so it's pretty cold. You can go for a swim if you like,” he said.
We laughed him off but he assured us he was serious. Had living in this chilly paradise robbed Tim of his faculties? No, it will be warmer than we think, he promised.
As my female companions all eagerly jumped into the near-freezing water, for me it was decision time. With my manhood quickly slipping away, I summoned all my courage and took the plunge into the icy depths of the Athabasca.
Ohsweetjesusgetmeoutofhere.
You know when you go to the beach and you tentatively wade in slowly before diving under the first wave? Multiply that by 1000 and you have the Athabasca River. With teeth chattering, I hooked my feet under the straps on the side of the inflatable and lay back. Looking up, all I could see was mountain after mountain surrounding us. It was breathtakingly beautiful. No skyscrapers, no apartment blocks - just unspoilt nature.
I could get used to this adventurous life.
Tim pointed out a mountain which looked about six miles high.
"I hiked up there yesterday," he told us. "Took aboot two hours."
On second thoughts, maybe I am a city slicker after all..
Getting ourselves back into our own little SS Minnow with little grace, our journey continued. Tim decided this was an advanced group so it was time for a little challenge.
'We're going to twirl down the next rapid. So left side paddles forward, right side paddles backward'
This was our grand finale. We tensed and went to work as we hit the rapid. Like clockwork we did 360 degree-spins down the rapid. Now this was rafting! By the third 360 we were all getting a little dizzy so it was back to normal transmission for the final stretch.
There in the distance stood our saviour. The rafting van! We finished with panache, powering our way to the finishing line. As we reached the bank and hauled ourselves back to the safety of land, we congratulated ourselves on completing our journey.
In future retellings of our adventure, the rapids would be rougher, the water would be colder and our lives would definitely have been on the line a number of times but for now we were satisfied. We had conquered the river.
The writer travelled as a guest of Travel Alberta and Tourism Jasper.
FAST FACTS
GETTING THERE
Air Canada flies daily from Sydney to Vancouver. There are frequent connecting flights to Edmonton every day. www.aircanada.com.
Sundog Tours offers transportation and tours from Edmonton to Jasper. www.sundogtours.com
STAYING THERE
Jasper Park Lodge is situated in the heart of Jasper and offers a range of packages. Rooms start from $CA299 per night. See www.fairmont.com/jasper
RAFTING
Maligne Rafting Adventures offer a range of activities for all levels. Further details at www.raftjasper.com
MORE INFORMATION
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