| Sign up for eStream |
Frequently Asked Questions : Class II/III Whitewater Kayaking on the Klickitat River
So – you’re interested in kayaking the Klickitat? Intrigued by the thought of paddling through a beautiful basalt canyon, through Class II/III rapids and calming pools? Brilliant choice! Here are a few frequently-asked questions regarding the River Rally’s White Water Kayaking Field Trip:
Q: I’ve never been kayaking – can I come?A: Yes, but if you have never kayaked, you should select an Inflatable Kayak (aka, “IK” or “Duckie”). An Inflatable Kayak is a forgiving craft on which you sit on-top of a self-bailing floor. Unlike a hard-shell kayak, you do not need to wear a skirt and you are not “attached” to the boat. Should you flip, you will not have to perform any maneuver – except to get to the shore, to your boat or to a guide as quickly as possible.
Q: What is a Hard Shell Kayak?
A: A hard-shell kayak is generally made of durable plastic. The paddler wears a “skirt” that helps keep water out of the cockpit. If you flip in a hard-shell kayak, you need to know how to roll, or at the very least, wet exit. If you do not know what either of these things are and still want to kayak – opt for the Inflatable Kayak. If you opt for a hard-shell, your guides will be in touch with you prior to your arrival at River Rally to ensure a good boat fit.
Q: What is included in the cost of the trip?
A: Included in the cost for this trip is:
- Transportation to and from the river. The Klickitat is approximately a 45 minute drive from Skamania.
- Gear, including: Life Jackets, Wetsuits, helmets, boats, paddles, etc.
- Professional guides and all necessary instruction.
Q: What do the different whitewater “classes” mean?
A: From American Whitewater
The six difficulty classes of boating are:
- Class I: Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy.
- Class II: Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed. rapids that are at the upper end of this difficulty range are designated "class ii+".
- Class III: Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. Scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims. Rapids that are at the lower or upper end of this difficulty range are designated "class iii-" or "class iii+" respectively.
- Class IV: Advanced. Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. A fast, reliable eddy turn may be needed to initiate maneuvers, scout rapids, or rest. Rapids may require "must'' moves above dangerous hazards. Scouting may be necessary the first time down. Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Group assistance for rescue is often essential but requires practiced skills. A strong eskimo roll is highly recommended. Rapids that are at the upper end of this difficulty range are designated "class iv-" or "class iv+" respectively.
- Class V: Expert. Extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose a paddler to added risk. Drops may contain large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex, demanding routes. Rapids may continue for long distances between pools, demanding a high level of fitness. What eddies exist may be small, turbulent, or difficult to reach. At the high end of the scale, several of these factors may be combined. Scouting is recommended but may be difficult. Swims are dangerous, and rescue is often difficult even for experts. A very reliable eskimo roll, proper equipment, extensive experience, and practiced rescue skills are essential. Because of the large range of difficulty that exists beyond class iv, class 5 is an open ended, multiple level scale designated by class 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, etc... Each of these levels is an order of magnitude more difficult than the last. Example: increasing difficulty from class 5.0 to class 5.1 is a similar order of magnitude as increasing from class IV to class 5.0.
- Class VI: extreme and exploratory. These runs have almost never been attempted and often exemplify the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability and danger. The consequences of errors are very severe and rescue may be impossible. For teams of experts only, at favorable water levels, after close personal inspection and taking all precautions. After a class VI rapids has been run many times, its rating may be changed to an appropriate class 5.x rating.
A: Yes – without question. If you are dry at the end of this trip, chances are you forgot to get off the bus.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Your on-river attire should be appropriate for the cold and wet. The water is, after all, fresh from a glacier and weather in May is unpredictable. Wear synthetic clothing such as polypro or polyester and/or a swimsuit and/or fleece for under/over the wetsuit. Dressing in layers will provide you with options to help protect your thermal integrity. This water is COLD, so do bring extra layers if you tend to chill easily. Do NOT wear cotton on the river; when cotton becomes wet, it will make you colder. Bring footwear/socks that can get wet and will stay on your feet; flip-flops are right out. Did I mention that the water is cold?
Q: What else should I bring?
A: You may wish to bring: Sunglasses/glasses with “croakies” or similar retention device; sunscreen; chapstick; a little cash for goodies/tips for your guide; drinking water; non-cotton gloves; a towel and dry clothes to change into when you get off the river. Do not bring valuables on the trip, as we can not guarantee a secure place to leave them while on the river. And don’t forget your adventurous, non-whining spirit. No alcohol while on the river.
Q: What time will we return?
A: We’ll be on “river time” which makes determining our return unpredictable. Best estimates indicate that you should be back at Skamania and in the hot tub around 6pm.
Q: What else should I know?
A: Be ready to leave Skamania as close to noon as possible. You may want to bring your clothing/gear with you to your morning workshops- especially if you are not staying at Skamania. You will be asked to fill out 2 waivers of doom – one for River Network and one for the kayaking company. The weather in May is unpredictable, but the trips will take place rain, snow or shine. Because we pay for the trips in advance, all field trips are nonrefundable. Um, that means we regrettably can’t return any fees associated with field trips.
The trip will have a River Network staff joining you to answer questions you may have about logistics or River Network. However, the River Network staff is NOT your guides (and for this, there should be much rejoicing) nor are they responsible for the weather, the water temperature, the smell of wet polypro or that wave you hit sideways.
Q: So – who are our guides?
A: We are working directly with eNRG Kayaking. They will provide expert guides and instruction to ensure a safe – yet adventurous – afternoon.
Q: And – what about the river?
A: Designated for protection under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1986, the Klickitat River is a tributary of the Columbia River, approximately 75 mi (120 km), in south-central Washington. It drains a rugged plateau area on the eastern side of the Cascade Range northeast of Portland, Oregon. Steep columnar basalt cliffs line the upper river in many places, and chunks of basalt have fallen into the river form the walls. Wildflowers grow everywhere from spring through midsummer.
Q: I still have some questions. Who can I talk to?
A: Contact Katherine Luscher in River Network’s Portland, Oregon office with any questions about the whitewater kayaking trip: 503/542-8384 | kluscher@rivernetwork.org.
