Healey River Raft Trip from Denali - Oar Raft - 4 Hours

Healey River Raft Trip from Denali - Oar Raft - 4 Hours -- Get the whole enchilada on this combination of the "McKinley" and "Canyon Run." trips. A brief break in the middle gives you time for a quick snack if you wish to bring one.

Begin with the "McKinley Run" - a spectacular trip over class II, III water through the most scenic and beautiful portion of the Nenana River. This is your chance to sit back and enjoy the rugged wilderness. Continue on with the "Canyon Run." Hang on! It's whitewater ahead! You'll get wet and enjoy every minute of it as we head for Healy. Get into real whitewater rafting as you hang on through thrilling rapids such as "Cable Car," "Coffee Grinder," and "Ice Worm."

On the Oar Raft Trip, you let the guide do all the work while you just enjoy the ride!

Types of Raft Trips Offered

Oar Raft Trip -- You let the guide do all the work while you just enjoy the ride!

Paddle Raft Trip -- Each person paddles as a member of the team and is lead by our experienced paddle captain. Be ready to respond to commands like "Hard Forward!" "Right Back!" and "Spin!"

About the Raft Adventure

These raft trips have been offered since 1974, making this the oldest and most experienced raft company operating in the Denali National Park area. Through years of experience with varying conditions and equipment, the company has assembled a program that provides a quality experience for an activity that has inherent risks. Depend upon the expertise of your guide so all can raft with confidence while experiencing a sense of adventure, fun, and laughter. Know that when you raft with this company, you are in the best hands!

This is the only company to use Gore-Tex drysuits. 18-foot self bailing rafts made by the best names in the business such as Avon and Riken are used. Passengers generally number no more than 9 per oar boat and no more than 10 per paddle raft. Each trip has a minimum of two rafts, and average trips will contain 4 to 5 boats. With more than 13 boats, groups over 100 can be accommodated.

River Ratings

River difficulty is rated on a scale from Class I (the easiest) to Class VI (the most difficult). For those unfamiliar with this system, a simplified version is in order:

Class I -- Still and gently moving water

Class II -- Whitewater for the informed novice. Currents, small waves, and obstacles.

Class III -- Whitewater for the intermediate boater. Medium-sized waves, fast current, and obstacles that need to be maneuvered around.

Class IV -- For the expert boater. Large waves, very fast current and difficult maneuvers.

Class V -- Difficult even for expert boaters. Involves scouting, long rapids, extreme turbulence, and perfect boat control.

Class VI -- Not navigable, or the most extreme of river running stunts.

So how is it that a first time rafter can go on a raft trip with Class IV expert water? Because you have an experienced guide who can recognize the river's best line and direct the raft through turbulent waters with relative safety, without difficulty.

Safety

Unfortunately there are significant elements of risk involved in rafting. Certain risks cannot be eliminated without destroying the unique character of the activity. Possible risks range from falling out of a raft, the most common, to raft flips and pins, the least common. Any of these risks can cause accidental injury, loss of equipment, or in rare cases, death. In order to minimize these risks, the company takes specific precautions.

Guides & Training

All of the guides meet these qualifications:
~ Previous commercial rafting experience for whitewater guides.
~ Swift water certification or equivalent
~ Current First Aid and CPR certification
~ Train on the Nenana river prior to carrying passengers
~ Ongoing "refresher" training throughout the season

Precautions

~ There is a minimum of two boats per trip to insure "back-up" help in an emergency.
~ Each trip is equipped with a hypothermia bag, and minor first aid kit.
~ The trip leader on each trip carries a cell phone and a major medical kit.
~ Shuttle drivers are equipped with cell phones and monitor the trip via the highway on the whitewater portion of the river.
~Shuttle drivers are posted below major rapids to provide assistance in an emergency.

Clients responsibility

Clients will assume liability for participation in these activities by signing a risk assumption and liability release form, by wearing life jackets, and by listening attentively to the safety talk.

Gear

~ Gore-Tex dry suits with latex booties
~ Wet Suit booties
~ US Coast Guard approved Type V Lifejackets

What to Wear

We provide Gore-Tex dry suits with wet suit booties and lifejackets. We recommend layering your clothing for personal comfort. As the day warms up, it is best to just remove a layer rather than change all your clothes. Fleece, polypropylene, capaline, or similar fabrics are best because they wick away perspiration and water from your skin. Cotton is to be avoided on the river as it gets wet and cold. We highly recommend wool socks to be worn in our wet suit booties, a sweater or jacket, and a hat made of wool or Polartec Fleece.

Restrictions / Risk Management

~ No experience is required to do any of the raft trip options, experience is a bonus for Canyon run paddle boats.
~ To participate guests should be in good health and arrive unaffected by alcohol or drugs.
~ People who are not fully mobile can go rafting, however, we recommend the McKinley Run. Please notify us in advance of any physically challenged participants, to give us time to make special adjustments for them.
~ Children should be 5 or older to participate in the McKinley Run or the Four Hour Scenic. Children age 11 and under are considered to be at the child's rate, refer to the rafting menu for rates on the McKinley Run and Four Hour Scenic.
~ Children should be 12 or older to participate in the Canyon Run, Healy Express, or Full Day at the adult rate. There is no child's rate on these trips. Exceptions are occasionally made regarding the recommended age on these trips, depending on varying conditions and circumstances at the time of the trip.
~ Children should be 15 years or older to participate in the Paddle Raft. There is no child's rate.
~ Pregnant women may not participate.

PLEASE NOTE: ANYONE WHO IS UNDER THE AGE OF 19 MUST HAVE A LIABILITY RELEASE WAIVER COMPLETED BY THEIR PARENT OR GUARDIAN, OR THEY CANNOT PARTICIPATE. For a child rafting with an adult other than a parent or guardian, waivers can be faxed to the parent or guardian to be signed and returned.

This tour does provide hotel pick-up from designated hotels and meeting points. Trips are priced per person. Minimum age for this trip is 12. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 888-613-6039.