Much as some might grumble and groan, electronics are sneaking their way onto river trips. Whether it’s a GoPro video or an iPhone photo, river rafters want to document and share their adventure. Trouble is, with the nearest electrical outlet tens (sometimes hundreds) of miles away, how to keep your electronics charged becomes quite a challenge.

Over at O.A.R.S.’ headquarters, the adventure specialists have been receiving plenty of questions regarding portable solar charging units, mostly to ask if they are appropriate for a rafting trip. Because of this, we decided to take a closer look at the Guide 10 Plus Solar Kit made by Goal Zero, one of the most popular portable solar charging units available today, to see how it would fair on a whitewater adventure.

What’s Included

The pack comes with two main components, the Nomad 7 Solar Panel and the Guide 10 Plus Battery Pack. Also included in the package is a USB cable, 12V cigarette adapter, and four rechargeable AA batteries. The solar panel measures 6 x 9 x 1 in., and the battery pack is 2.5 x 4 x .75 in. The battery pack and cables fit nicely into a zippered pocket on the solar panel, folding closed and weighing a total of 1.2 lbs. A complete charge takes approximately 2-4 hours for the battery pack and smart phone, while only 1-3 hours for a cell phone or MP3 player.

Using the Battery Pack and Solar Panel

I found the Guide 10 Plus Solar Kit remarkably easy to use and a breeze to set up.  I opened the panels and allowed it to “warm up” for about ten minutes. My cell phone battery had 60 percent power, and the first time I plugged it into the solar panel charge, I didn’t see the battery charging symbol. I waited an additional ten minutes, and then plugged it in again. Finally it started to charge and after one hour of killing time while soaking up the rays, my iPhone was up to 80 percent. Awesome. A nicely added bonus is a small LED flashlight on the battery pack, which I could see using when looking for my toothbrush on the river at night.

Fit for the River?

The Guide 10 Plus Solar Kit would be a solid option for multi-day rafting trips. For one, we almost always have bright, sunny weather (a never ending supply of energy). Secondly, when we pull into camp in the early afternoon, there’s still plenty of time to pull out the solar panels and get some good ole’ charging done. And lastly, I was impressed with the burliness of the kit.  It is water-resistant and can be tossed into my dry bag without a worry.

Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Solar Kit can be bought on their website for $159.  It’s an investment, as any outdoor gear can be, but a worthy one for rafting trips and backpacking trips alike.

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5 Ways to Stage A Tech Intervention at Home

1.  Implement a mandatory weekly tech detox day. No TV, video games, computers, nada. From the time everyone walks through the door in the evening til’ when you all wake up the next morning. (Insert big kid and little kid tantrum here). But guaranteed your backyard will get more use in a month than it’s seen in a year.

2.  Good old fashioned dinners. Remember when families had to sit around the dinner table and talk about stuff together? Bring those days back and make the dinner table a technology-free zone. No more scarfing down your meals in separate rooms, in front of separate devices.

3.  Pull the plug on everything wireless. It’s super easy to change the password on your wireless router. Switch it up and then “forget” to let the rest of the family know for a day or two. They’ll be frustrated with their devices, but forced to get creative with their time until the issue miraculously fixes itself.

4.  Bust out the big bribe. Example: Promise that the in-laws will stay at a hotel during their next visit, if your partner doesn’t bring the iPhone to bed for a week.

5.  Book an “unplugged” vacation together. That means somewhere deep in the woods, out in nature (i.e. the boonies). Finding a cell signal at the bottom of a river canyon? Good luck.

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So here’s why a whitewater rafting trip tops any sort of spa weekend and is the ultimate girls getaway:

Reconnect with friends:
Whether you’re paddling together through a major rapid, floating through the canyon or trying your luck in a double inflatable kayak, rafting provides some of the best opportunities to reconnect with friends. We all know that women make better paddlers, and your guide will be stoked to have you and your friends as his crew. Sitting in a chair on the bank of a river, sipping a beverage and watching the roaring campfire under a star-filled sky, you’ll all being laughing about the day’s excitement and saying there’s no better place to be. It’s the perfect setting for catching up with old friends, making new memories and enjoying the great outdoors.

Rejuvenate:
Escapism is what it’s all about on a girls trip. Getting far, far away from boyfriends, husbands, partners, kids and the everyday grind in general. What’s further from the norm than a trip down the river, into the remote wilderness, with nothing but beautiful sunsets, wildlife galore and whitewater? Paddling hard through the rapids, taking in the surrounding beauty and breathing in the fresh air, you’ll find yourself re-energized and re-charged by the end of the trip. The river has a way of breathing life into you in a way no hot tub ever could.

Have fun:
Have you ever punched through a wave? Gotten completely doused by water as you ride high through the rapid? Turning to your girlfriend, grinning widely, soaked to the skin, I can guarantee you’ll throw your head back and laugh with glee. So. Much. Fun.

If you can’t let go of visions of vineyards and the sweet taste of Syrah on your lips, consider taking a wine on the river trip with the gals. Dinner by the river with linens, food by a catered chef and plenty of wine brought by an accompanied winemaker, your getaway will surely be the best girls trip yet.

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My wife and I are planning on doing Phantom to Whitmore in a dory in September. As we prepare physically I’m hoping you can help us mentally. My wife is somewhat concerned with rapids. We have been whitewater rafting before, and she loves to go, but the nerves build and build in the week or two before the big day. As this trip has months of time for the stress to rise, is there any reassurance you can give her troubled heart about the rapids encountered on this section? How can we best prepare for the worries that come from being miles from civilization in the bottom of the Grand Canyon and in a drift boat going over some of the best rapids in the whole canyon. Please keep in mind we both can’t wait to get there but would rather not have to take anti-anxiety meds to do it.  -Russ

Dear Russ:

I find the beach at Phantom to be a great place for scanning faces. We hand out sandwiches and apples and snickers bars, as well as some much-needed Gatorade, teach you how to pack all your gear for the next ten days into a rubber container the size of a shopping bag, pass out the Ibuprofen, and generally let the enormity of the place soak in while you rest your weary knees.

Then we advise you that you’ve just hiked into one of the biggest stretches of whitewater on the river. The black schist cliffs rise a thousand vertical feet straight out of the water, and the rapid’s roar is right there, sort of in your face.

And as you slowly become aware of those tiny little wooden boats rocking gently in the eddy, and begin to notice the scruffy river guides in our floppy hats, flip-flops and gaudy rescue knives, I watch.

I tend to look for the eyes and the smile. The eyes are a little too big to be just appreciating the amazing scenery encompassing Phantom’s “Boat Beach,” looking instead like they’re about to pop out of their sockets. The smile is curled up at the edges and tight, definitely NOT amused. Those are the ones I veer towards with a kind pat on the shoulder or a hug, and a firm “YOU are coming with ME in MY boat. No arguments!”

Now, I understand that the above isn’t very helpful to your needs, so maybe you won’t want to share that part with your spouse. But I do think it important to illustrate to your lovely wife that she’s not alone, which should help a little. Nothing to be ashamed of, and something we guides cope with regularly. It’s the changeover from one world to the next that gets us–be it getting married, a climber’s first step onto the verticality, or getting dropped off for your first day in childcare (which, come to think of it, isn’t all that different from this). It’s like we always used to say: “The first step’s a Looloo” (whatever that meant). Never easy, always queasy.

But, as always, just barely in the tailwaves of the very first rapid five minutes downstream, everything comes together. Awareness replaces shock. The smile softens. The body and soul lose the feeling of rigor mortis and become supple, ready. This boat’s pretty stable, after all. This is kinda fun. The waves are big, yes, but it’s more exciting than scary. The guide (who might look like the person you’d cross the street to avoid in New York) is calm, strong, a real craftsman, very intelligent, quite handsome (or pretty), witty, and is probably more experienced than most of the other elite professionals who guide rafts down the Colorado put together.
Sort of a WHOOOHOOOOO! moment.

And from that moment on, my vast experience tells me that the very person who was most sh..t scared at first evolves into the one riding the bow, punching the waves, jumping into the waterfalls, sharing stupid jokes and generally acting like a twelve-year-old at camp, which is sort of what this is all about, isn’t it?

So, whilst there is nothing you or I are going to be able to do to quell the pre-trip anxiety attacks, which are perfectly normal and certainly will result in the equivalent of getting between two fighting dogs if you try to interfere, I’d say be loving, gentle, and understanding. Bring her favorite cup of coffee (tea, Jagermeister), encourage her to conquer her fears, and keep telling her that the River God guarantees that she will, when all is said and done, consider this trip as the most fun, most wondrous, most glorious, most perfect adventure of her life. She’ll have made some great new friends, and found that she was capable of feats–of superhuman hiking, camping, and going to the riverside Pooperia–that she’d never dreamed of. She’ll want to come back again and again, spending your children’s inheritance and yes, getting stage-fright before every trip and loving every minute of it.

Cheers,
River God

Got a burning question about rafting trips? Then it’s time to Ask A River God. Send us your questions, and we’ll put our guides and staff to the test!

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Let’s face it, rafting can be uncomfortable. You’re made to wear a bulky, tight personal flotation device, clip on a snug helmet, and hold onto a slippery paddle. Then you’re supposed to brace yourself awkwardly in wet rubber boat while (at times) frantically paddling forward.

Thank GOD it’s so much grin-inducing, hootin’ and hollerin’ fun that you completely forget about all of this.

There are ways to be more comfortable though. ExOfficio’s Give-N-Go underwear provide an excellent addition to your boating gear. Advertised as perfect for travel, these undergarments double as a champion choice for first-time and experienced boaters alike.

No one wants to wear a bathing suit for the duration of a multi-day rafting trip. This practically guarantees you an itchy backside by the end of the trip (not a very good way to remember all the fun you had on the river). ExOfficio offers a much better alternative, trust me.

ExOfficio Give-N-Go underwear are well known in my circle of boat women friends and I think it’s time to share the secret. Made of 94 percent nylon and 6 percent lycra, their mesh fabric underwear are highly breathable and dry unbelievably fast—two qualities that bathing suits don’t have. These durable, odor resistant undies are so compact they take up barely any room in your dry bag.

At $18 a pair ($26 for men’s choices), they are an investment, but a worthy one that will surely last you many river trips. There’s a wide variety of styles from bikinis to full cuts for women and boxers to briefs for men. And with color choices from black or white to bright coral, there’s a full selection for a 16-day Grand Canyon rafting trip (or other lengthy adventure).

On the package it reads: 17 days, 6 countries, one pair of underwear. For us river rafting folk, these should be called 17 days, 6 rivers, one pair of underwear!

You can buy ExOfficio’s Give-N-Go underwear at their website here.

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A journal.

I’m a fervent journaler. I write in my journal at least twice a day. And when guests see me writing they oftentimes get a far-off look and say something like, “I used to journal… I always liked it… I wish I’d brought one…” And I usually tear out a few pages for them and lend them a pen. Sure enough a few days later they corner me on my boat, sheepishly asking for a few more pages. There’s something about wilderness that gets people to a creative, processing, or intuitive place. And they want to record that. Revelations are found by riverside. Allow yourself to record them, bring a journal.

A bigger water bottle, or two.

As of late I’ve seen a lot of tiny water bottles (16 oz. or so) on the river. Maybe you think they fit better in your bag than a 32 oz. bottle. Maybe in the city you aren’t much of a water drinker. Well that will change when you get here. It’s hot. And you’re being active, paddling IK’s, helping us unload boats, and hiking. One of the primary first aid treatments I have to administer is dehydration control. It’s easier to stay hydrated than to come back to hydrated. Help yourself from getting a headache. Help your spouse from having to deal with your potential surly dehydrated grumbling. Bring a BIG water bottle. Or two. And USE them.

Broken-in shoes.

It pains me to see people in pain. Somebody at REI told you these shoes are THE shoes for any rafting trip. So you got a pair for everyone in the family. But you didn’t put them on until the day of put-in. And now you’ve got blisters from the first side hike, even before lunch, on day one! Break those new shoes in before you get to the river. Wear them for a few days around the house before you get on the plane. Walk the dog in them. Wear them to Grandma’s and explain you are training your feet for the coming adventure. Save yourself the on-river foot pain.

That treat.

You know. It’s a bar of incredible 80% cocoa chocolate that you usually believe to be just too many calories. The bottle of Glenlivet 18 you usually deny yourself on the base of over-opulence. It’s that Cuban that’s been sitting in a cedar box in your office for months. Or that Inkblot Cabernet Franc. Now is the time to indulge. Bring them, it’s your adventure vacation. And as the concerned and helpful guide I am, I will make sure there’s a safe place for them to ride on my boat. (Really! I won’t even charge a holding tax or finder’s fee!)

Your favorite cotton piece.

SHHHhhhh! I know, I know. I’ve heard it too. “Cotton kills.” Generally I agree that synthetics and wool dry quicker, wick better, and keep you warmer. This is true for socks, long underwear, summer sun shirts, beanies, and fleece jackets. BUT. I have heard from multiple guests, upon seeing the guides in hoodies and skirts while making dinner say they wish they had brought a little cotton for camp. So go ahead, bring that super comfy summer dress, those perfect cotton shorts, or those yummy cotton pajama pants. Be comfortable. But also bring that practical wool sweater.

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Forget the ocean, the new beach vacation is on the river. And while getting to your very own secluded beach is half the fun, that doesn’t mean the fun stops there. After running the rapids, you’ve typically got the entire afternoon and evening to waste away the hours in total bliss.

What could you possibly do with yourself in the middle of nowhere, miles away from civilization? Plenty. Here are some of our favorite ways for making the most out of your beach vacation (redefined)…

Let your inner-kid shine and play a game.
Whether it’s the classics like horseshoes and volleyball, or a guide favorite like Hunker Down, where you’ll have to test your balance and outsmart your opponent to win, you won’t be able to resist jumping into the beach game action. And when the stars start to come out, the guides will pull out glow bocce. You better eye up the competition throughout the day, because things will get competitive!

Water sports of a different sort.
You’ve been on the water all day, yet the crystal clear water of the river is right there enticing you and the family to jump in. But why just take a dip when you can go on an adventure swim? You’ll need a life jacket for this one because it involves hiking upstream and letting yourself flow through the rapids, minus the boat. Or, back at shore, challenge a guide (or family member) to a “duckie war.” It’s like king of the hill, but you’re both balancing on an upside down duckie (also known as an inflatable kayak). Chances are you’ll both fall off, but hey, you wanted to get wet, right? And sure, you see them on the ocean, but stand up paddle boards (SUPs) are just as much fun on the river. Take one out for a whirl.

Hikes you can only access via the beach.
So, you’re in the middle of this river canyon, on a glorious secluded beach, but you can’t help but be curious about what lies beyond the beach. Is it a stream that leads to a hidden waterfall, or perhaps a hot spring calling you in for a dip? One thing is for sure, beyond a river beach, there is way more than a line of resorts. And it’s all yours to discover on an exploratory hike.

Rediscover your love of fishing.
You can’t just cast your fishing rod from an ocean beach and hope to catch something. But you can do that from a river beach. And with fish biting often, from some of the most pristine fishing holes you’ll ever see, the fun will last for hours.

Just kick back and relax.
Sometimes all you need is a good book, cold beverage, and feet dipped in the water to have a good time. We recommend grabbing a beach chair and plopping it right in the river. Why not?

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So, maybe an all-inclusive family vacation is the way to go? No, not like one of those beachside resorts where the kids get bored after day two. How about a week-long Cataract Canyon rafting trip on the Colorado River through Canyonlands National Park? Or, an exhilarating multi-day paddle down the Main Salmon River, deep in the Idaho wilderness?

Bet you never thought of a rafting trip as an all-inclusive vacation. But think about it. When you travel with an adventure company, they bring all the gear (so no fights packing up the car), every room (ok, tent) has a waterfront view, the guides shop and cook for you (we’re not talking about hot dogs and cheesy fries here), and all of the thrills and activities are included. And guess what? You don’t need your wallet on the river. Now doesn’t that sound like the perfect all-inclusive vacation?

Rafting vs. Theme Park Vacation: You Choose

Just you, your family and an intimate group of fellow adventurers.

OR… Mobs of the most annoying people you’ve ever come across.

Putting your lives in the hands of expert river guides.

OR… Putting your lives in the hands of freaky carny guys.

Hiking to an amazing waterfall.

OR… Hiking to the front of the line.

Riding the rapids.

OR… Riding the puke-inducer.

Steak, mashed potatoes and a green salad with a glass of wine riverside.

OR… Corn dogs and Budweiser at a sticky picnic table.

Glow bocce on the beach for fun.

OR… Throwing darts at balloons for junky prizes.

Staring at stars at the end of the night.

OR… Staring at brake lights at the end of the night.

Have you made up your mind yet?

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Camping is a way for so many of us to unwind.  Yet, let’s be honest, it’s a ton of work for only a few days of outdoor bliss.

First, you have to hunt down all your gear, and make sure all the parts and pieces are in order.  Where the heck did you put the tent again?  Then you have to stock up on all the essentials for while you’re away (plenty of snacks, “adult refreshments,” S’mores fixings, and games, of course).  And finally, you have to figure out a way to cram it all into your car.  All that and you haven’t even arrived at your destination yet.

We all know what happens from there…the set-up.  Best if you arrive before dark, right?

A few days later it’s time to pack it all up again and bring your grimy gear home.  Which leads to about another week of post-camping bliss clean-up.

We’re with you though.  It’s so worth it.  We don’t mind all the work involved because we know all that packing, unpacking, and cleaning comes with big rewards.  Beautiful views, fresh air, great hikes, quality time with friends and family, good stories, campfires and so much more.

But what if it didn’t have to be like that?    What if somebody else did all the heavy lifting for you while you just kicked back and relaxed?

Finding a remote campsite away from “neighbors” of any kind?  Check.

Packing and unpacking all the gear?  Check.

Bringing along all the comforts of your kitchen, living room AND bathroom?  Check.

Cooking all your meals?  Check.

Well, let’s just say that it’s a very real possibility…

Check out the ultimate campsite infographic below or view the full-size version here:  The OARS Camping Experience.

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1. River guides are no joke. Seriously.

Before my first O.A.R.S. trip, I had a pretty vivid picture in my mind of what our guide would be like: Someone college-aged in board shorts and a floppy hat who took his shirt off too often and said “dude” too much. Someone whose overpowering young, outdoorsy hipness would shine a big, fat spotlight on my age and ineptitude.

But I was wrong.

River guides are hard-working, talented, well-educated professionals. I recently had a guide who enthralled us for hours (yes, hours…enthralled!) with the history, geology and biology of the river. His subtle sense of humor that made things like “Morgan Formations” and “Merganser Ducks” seem like stand-up comedy. Plus he made a mean breakfast frittata.

2. A boatload.

The engineering feat that goes into packing a week’s supplies for 20+ people in a boat is absolutely mind-boggling. All the essentials, including drinking water, life vests, food (beer!), comforts like tents, Paco Pads, chairs and three square (and delicious!) meals per person per day gets stored in the bottom of a river raft . On our 5 day/4 night trip that meant 375 meals in total.

You’ll be glad it’s all there. And glad you’re not one of the guides who’s packing it all in! So pack light. You can practically live in a bathing suit and a pair of sweats. Really.

3. Stranger danger.

I was more than a bit apprehensive about hanging with two dozen strangers for five days. But the sense of community and camaraderie with my fellow travelers became one of the highlights of my experience. Even my kids would tell you that what they remember most was the evenings around the campfires telling stories and playing games.

O.A.R.S. knows that this group bonding is an essential part of the trip, which is why they have trip-specific websites for participants to share photos and stories and keep in touch when it’s over. (Speaking of…Hi Tom and all the boys from Minnesota!)

4. It’s polite to stare.

On my trip, I sat and stared for hours on end—at the majestic canyons of the Yampa River, at the clouds, at the ripples of water moving ever-toward the shore, at the tops of my feet as they skimmed the river currents…and more frequently than I would like to admit, at the inside of my eyelids.

It was a much-needed mental break from everyday life letting my eyes glaze over and fixate on the tranquil beauty all around me.

5. Taking care of business

Everyone wants to know. But nobody actually wants to ask. I mean, you can’t hold it the entire time (especially with that ever-present sound of rushing water).

So here’s the dealio: It’s part of O.A.R.S.’ commitment to leave no trace in the delicate environments we travel in. So, while guides provide completely private privies, you must learn to pee and poo in two different locations—both of them outside.

Basically, liquids go in the river, while solids are along for the ride (see # 2 above, but try not to think too much about it). Without TMI (for your sake and mine!), I CAN tell you that the views from the commode are so outstanding that they almost take your mind off the task at hand.

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