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Rafting and "Swimming" Merced River

July 3, 2005

"We are going rafting this weekend, " Matthew announced one day, "on some class IV rapids!" OK, I thought, didn't we just do that recently? We just came back from a trip to Waterton/Glaicer park, where we did some rafting, among other things. That was fun, a little exciting, but mostly pretty relaxing. "But those were not class IV rapids..." mumbled Matthew. Well, I got to find out, first hand, exactly what that means...Read the whole story...
01_prep_talk 02_push_off 03_teamA 03_teamB 04_team_photographer 05_nightmareisland_in_sight
06_we_made_it 07_not_looking_good 08_stuck_on_rock 09_paddlers_missing 10_swimmers 11_tumbling_in_the_rapid
12_out_of_first_rapid 13_anna_still_swimming 14_so_glad_to_be_onboard 15_scary_waves 16_still_no_anna 17_finally_rescued_anna
19_crew_reunited 20_lunch 20_on_the_river_again 21_just_alittle_splash 22_chaos_in_the_raft 23_me_and_matthew_in_front
24_big_waves_ahead 25_big_waves_hit 26_spray 27_coming_out_gulchbottom 28_looking_back_in_awe 29_still_more_spray
30_home_stretch 31_jon_swimming 32_packing_up      
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... 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...