Whitewater Rafting

OLTS offers the following whitewater raft training trips for aspiring river guides or those who simply which to develop or improve upon existing rafting skills. The training consists of 5 days of wilderness raft training on the Rio Chama and Rio Grande in northern New Mexico and a 5 day wilderness rafting expedition on the Dolores River in southwestern Colorado. These trips will primarily be in paddle boats but will include some oar boat practice and river rescue training on the Chama and Dolores. Skilled and confident participants will be recommended for employment with various outfitters on the Arkansas and other rivers. The training may be taken in two segments at the prices listed or or may be taken as a whole at a reduced cost. There will be a few openings for non-trainee participants on the Rio Chama, Rio Grande, and Dolores trips.

~ WILDERNESS RAFT EXPEDITIONS ~

RIO CHAMA RIVER TRIP

This trip runs through the remote "wild and scenic" river section for 35 miles below El Vado Reservoir. The trip is characterized by Class II & III swift and cold whitewater from the bottom of the dam and provides opportunity for learning to read the river and captain the rafts while learning to camp and cook in a wilderness river setting. The scenery is colorful sandstone cliffs, ponderosa forests, and plentiful wildlife. A peaceful and mellow way to learn the craft of river running.

DATE:

May 8-10

COST:

$325
(Chama only)

RIO GRANDE RAFT TRIP(LOWER TAOS BOX)

This exciting and exclusive trip traverses the 800' deep Rio Grande Gorge in northern New Mexico, carving like a knife through the volcanic plain near Taos. It offers challenging Class IV whitewater with such well-known rapids as Ski Jump, Powerline, Rock Garden, and Sunset. This two night trip involves camping on the rim, hiking into the Gorge each day, and a possible soak in a warm springs.

DATE:

May 11-12

COST:

$265(Box only)

COMBINED CHAMA/RIO GRANDE TRIP: $475

DOLORES RIVER RAFTING EXPEDITION

This wilderness river expedition passes through one of the most pristine mountain river environments in the country. The trip consists of two sections of the Dolores. The first begins at Bradford Ranch near Cahone(north of Cortez) and finishes at Slickrock, approximately 48 miles down river. The water is Class III-IV including notorious Snaggletooth Rapid; the canyon walls are steep and tree covered with wonderful camps among the Ponderosa pines and on grassy benches. The second section, from Slickrock to Bedrock is mostly Class II-III but with beautiful sandstone cliffs, side canyons, sandy beaches, and a loneliness found on few western rivers. The training consists of paddle boat captaining and practice rowing cargo boats as well as all the mechanics and particulars of wilderness raft trips including daily boat packing/rigging, campsite and food preparation, and canyon exploration.