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The challenge of a
turbulent river is no less than that of the
rugged mountains. The icy heights of the
Himalayas are the source of some of India's
mighty rivers. Fed by innumerable streams they
race along tortuous boulder strewn beds,
cutting deep gorges and breaking into silvery
white rapids. The term 'White water' refers to
foamy and whitish appearance of fast flowing
water. The white water river rafting is quite
thrilling and adventurous. With the intricate
network of mountain rivers flowing through a
myriad of different colors of rocky Gorges,
forests, flowers and high mountain villages,
the hills provide ideal locals for the perfect
water adventure.
The
sport of white water river rafting calls for a
triumph over the swift, swirling river as it
gushes past spectacular mountains. It is
practiced mainly in the upper reaches where
the water is wild and white as it froths and
foams, crashing against narrow gorges, rocky
outcrops and falls at deep gradients. The
suitable period for river running depends on
the adequacy of water volume. Thus September -
November and March - April - May are most
appropriate. The equipment required is
ordinary outdoor gear, goggles, antiseptic
cream and a liking for getting wet.
Man
is always dreaming up of new adventures. River
rafting is another adventurous sport, which
has been practiced by men through years.
Rafting is a white water sport. The term white
water refers to foamy and whitish appearance
of fast flowing water. During the past 15
years or so, Rubber Rafts, Canoes and Kayaks
and other crafts, have run many of the great
rivers in India. Apart from the logistic
arrangements regarding the transportation of
boats to the starting points and again at the
end of the journey to transport them back
there are no serious problems in river
running. River running in the white waters is
extremely thrilling but it can also be risky.
One
of the great advantages of rafting is to
travel leisurely through the varied terrain
and enjoy interaction with the locals and take
photographs. In river running each day could
hold promise of new discoveries. Most travel
agencies have included rafting in their
trekking itineraries. They use the most modern
unsinkable rubber rafts and have a set of
reasonably trained river guides who have also
developed some expertise in cooking and first
aid.
River
running is usually organized early in the
morning until mid or late afternoon when the
camp is set up on some secluded area on the
beach. Travel agencies have fairly good
logistic support and delicious meals are
cooked in the camp. River trips are generally
safe and can be enjoyed by families and
holidaymakers of all ages. It would be
desirable to insure that the inflatable rubber
rafts are of reasonably good quality and are
specially meant for river running. Most rafts
are specially outfitted for safety and are
virtually unsinkable with an independently
inflatable compartment. Each traveler is
provided with a life jacket as well as
waterproof kitbags for clothes and watertight
boxes for cameras etc. A trained crew,
arranged by travel agencies does the rowing of
these rafts, and they usually confirm to
international standards.
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