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| Since 1969 O.A.R.S. (Outdoor Adventure River Specialists) has been setting the standard in first-class rafting, sea kayaking and multi-sport vacations, with destinations and unparalleled experiences on over 35 rivers and coastlines of the world. The California-based, eco-conscious organization caters to active travelers of all ages and abilities with more than 75 unique itineraries worldwide, including one-day and weekend escapes. | |||||
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Currents
How Will You Celebrate Earth Day?Every day is Earth Day here at the O.A.R.S. HQ in Angels Camp, CA. Yes, unfortunately we all have various commutes that burn fossil fuels. (If only we could bike or raft to work!) However, our company was the first whitewater rafting company in the U.S. to offset all of our carbon emissions, and we’re in our third year of working with NativeEnergy. As mentioned elsewhere in the blog, we’ve gone 100% solar for our operations here in Angels Camp. This new system is expected to generate over 123,000 KWH of electricity the first year and every year thereafter - enough to keep 8 medium-sized houses supplied with electricity for an entire year. This will result in a reduction of approximately 180,000 lbs - over 90 tons of green house gases (mainly carbon dioxide) per year. It’s satisfying to work with a company so committed to preserving the environment. O.A.R.S. solar panels…
Converter boxes…
CO2 saved = 1258 lbs…
Friends of the River ROAM if you want to…Brian McCutcheon, founder of our Canadian sister company, R.O.A.M. (Rivers Oceans and Mountains), graced the O.A.R.S. HQ last week. I wasn’t around when Brian hung out regularly in Angels Camp, but it’s clear from those who were he’s a whole lot of high-energy fun. He’s clearly well-liked. He claims he was once the Global Marketing Director for O.A.R.S. Companies. However, the way he flaunts his propensity for exploring nature in the buff, I’m not so sure. Here he is looking reasonably clothed… … and attacking O.A.R.S. Idaho Adventure Consultant, Azz Azzarello. Brian brought with him a new video clip of the Chilko Multi-Sport, which I expect to add to the Video Collection any minute now. Stay tuned. What do Alaska and the Grand Canyon have in common?Great news for those of you booked on an O.A.R.S. Grand Canyon rafting or dory trip from Lees Ferry or Phantom Ranch. Alaska Airlines will be offering nonstop service from Los Angeles (LAX) - Flagstaff/Grand Canyon effective 6/23/08. At this time, it appears the least expensive flights from Northern California depart from San Francisco International Airport (SFO). (I researched various departure dates and times from Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose.) There are a variety of round-trip flights that are available under $350. North Fork American Race PhotosIt was an awesome weekend at the North Fork American race. Sunny skies, mild temps, lots of boaters and interesting people, outstanding scenery… Representing O.A.R.S. were guides Roberto Carrero and Danny Amos, as well as friends-of-O.A.R.S. Danny and Ashley. Still waiting for results (http://www.nfarace08.blogspot.com/), but, hey, it was really about being on the river and hanging with good folks. Many thanks to James Rodger for outstanding images! The O.A.R.S. safety crew taking a great line heading into Bogus Thunder.
Not an O.A.R.S. boat taking a more interesting route through Bogus.
The result of that line.
Just a great image of the beautiful emerald waters and granite shores of the North Fork American River!
Team O.A.R.S. in Bogus Thunder.  
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Screening Room
Thwart-side up! Tuolumne River Whitewater Rafting VideoLiving proof that O.A.R.S. guide Craig (aka Carnage) can keep the thwarts upright! Here he is guiding a group of whitewater raft guide school participants through Rock Garden rapid on the Tuolumne River. It was a great flow on Thursday, probably around 1800 CFS. Lumsden Road is in great shape - never seen it this nice!! Get out, take advantage of the good road - Get on The T! Tuolumne River Rafting VideoA successful run through Rock Garden on the Tuolumne River. The O.A.R.S. Whitewater Boot Camp gang looked great after warming up throughout the week on the South Fork American and the Merced rivers. I believe this is “JD” at the bottom section of the rapid. Stanley Cup Playoffs = Canada = Sweet Whitewater Rafting May through SeptemberBrian McCutcheon stopped by Angels Camp last week and brought with him a new video clip of the Chilko Multi-Sport vacation. Chilko Multi-Sport. The Chilko-Chilcotin-Fraser river corridor is one of North America’s best-kept secrets. The Chilko River features the longest stretch of commercially operated whitewater in the North America. The Chilko has impressive water from May through September. More Video of the North Fork American RaceThanks to James Rodger, O.A.R.S. CA/OR Regional Manager, for taking these video clips at Bogus Thunder Rapid on the North Fork American at the April 5 race.
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Featured Destinations
Springtime on the Merced RiverI had the good fortune of tagging along*side* the river (no, not ON the river) (yes, I had whitewater envy) to watch aspiring whitewater raft guides learn the tricks of the trade. The “whitewater boot camp” had about 12 hearty folks. They began their journey on the South Fork American River, worked their way over to the Merced, back through Yosemite National Park to the Tuolumne and finally returned to the South Fork. Everyone seemed to have a good time - and no doubt everyone had good clean lines through the rapids. The water on the Merced was a little low on Wednesday due to a late season cold front - the snow stopped melting - so the flow was around 1100 CFS. It’s all good though - slow snow melt = a long, stretched out season. Here’s a successful run through the rapid just below Ned’s…
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Ask O.A.R.S.
Why are rivers all different colors?
Great question Kris! Water has an intrinsic color, and this color has a unique origin. This intrinsic color is easy to see, as can been seen in the Caribbean Sea and in Colorado mountain lakes. Pure water and ice have a pale blue color, best seen at tropical white-sand beaches and in ice caves in glaciers. Because the absorption, which gives water its color is in the red end of the visible spectrum, one sees blue (the complementary color of orange) when observing light that has passed through several meters of water. This color of water can also be seen in snow and ice as an intense blue color scattered back from deep holes in fresh snow. The river color depends on the source of the river and the collection of water in the water cycle, i.e., precipitation, ground water, surface runoff or glacial silt. Blue river water. Basically water is a blue colored chemical. Suspended particles reflect blue tinged light back up towards the surface. Turquoise-colored river water traditionally is a result of rock flours and glacial sediment suspended in the water. Green-colored river water is usually derived from algae.
Brown river water means that there are muddy streams running into the river, and there are high turbidity levels with suspended solids.
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How Green is your Whitewater
Happy Earth Day!Go outside… Celebrate the Earth… It’s Earth Day 2008…  
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Stuck in the Eddy with Unca John
Correct answers to John's 'brainteasers' will be entered into a drawing at the end of each month for a free O.A.R.S. t-shirt. Grand Canyon Adventure to Boggle the Mind
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