Rafting the Hudson River

What started out as an idea in the bar at gore this past season came to pass last Sunday. My ski buddy Pat said we should go rafting in the spring. My wife,who swims like a rock, wasn't to keen on the idea even though she has done it before. Fast forward to April and she asks me " What do you want for your birthday" The answer was to go rafting with you. She said ok and reservations were made after going a little research. We chose North Creek Rafting Co. because they were small and we got a great rate. They gave us a group rate for only 6 people. Sundays weather wasn't the greatest but the trips run rain or shine so off we went.



Pat who had spent Saturday on the golf course, with a few beers in the clubhouse wasn't looking to good.



We pulled in to North Creek Rafting a little after 9am. We met Nate the owner and our guide for the day Justin. In no time we were suited up and ready to go.





Pat still wanted a little more sleep.



The raft was ready.



So were we.



As luck would have it we had our very own raft. We all piled into the van for the ride to Indian Lake and the put in. After the safety talk and some paddling instructions we hit the water. The first part of the trip is on the Indian river with class 2 rapids pretty much the whole way. The girl in the front were getting good and wet but smiles were all around. Once we hit the Hudson it was amazing to see how high the water had gotten. There was a row boat wrapped around a tree like a horseshoe about four feet above the ground. Thats the power of water. We pulled to shore for an amazing lunch of homemade veggie burritos and chocolate cookies with a nice hot chocolate to warm us up. THEN THE FUN BEGAN!



You want a hangover cure try cold water to the face!



Try to stay in the raft.



Hope I don't fall out.



That water coming for me.



Even the back seat gets wet.



WOW!



That sure was fun.



We made it!



Even with the rain the trip was a blast and I would recommend to anyone with a sence of adventure. The guide Justin was great, and by the way he is a patroller at Gore. What a gig ski in the winter raft in the summer.Where do I sign up. Here are a couple of short videos of the trip.



and



GO YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT TIME.

Great report Raymo, love those action pics on the river!

Raymo40 wrote

My wife, who swims like a rock...

LOL.

Great looking report.  Did you use a helmet cam for the pics or were you slackin on your paddling?  Sound like in the vids the guide is driving you pretty hard!

You mention Justin's gig ... skiing in the winter and rafting in the spring and summer.  North Creek is one of a very few towns in the northeast with both a legit skiing and rafting season. It's the Abanakee dam that makes that possible. Glad it survived the recent stress.

No question that North Creek Rafting Company is a great choice to ride the river.  IF (big if) you could get me out there, they'd be my choice.

Hey, that TR looks familiar.

Helmet cam was used.  We had to paddle hard on the one rapid to avoid a big hole. I guess we were slacking. That was the only time Justin got excited.

Come on Harv if an old man like me can do it you could too.

I'm running the Gorge tomorrow. It should be lots o fun! No GoPro, so no photos. Well, maybe my friend will bring his along.

Ok, it was fantastic. The river was up around 7 feet. The people I talked to said that's pretty much the best level you can catch it at. The water is huge, but it doesn't get washed out. I got to play guide for a bit, and ideally working towards getting my guide license. I went with Adventure Sports Company who are out of Indian Lake.

I ran the Sac with a friend of mine in Kayaks today. We met up with an awesome group of people who showed us a thing or two. I learned how to surf and did some of my first whitewater rolls, successfully! It has been an awesome weekend.

Still no pictures though.