Overview
Trip Snapshot
MEETING PLACE: | Behind Jack Knight Hall in Calaveras Big Trees State Park, 1170 CA-4, Arnold, CA 95223 |
GPS COORDINATES: | 38.278723, -120.308098 (Intermittent GPS/cellular service in area) |
MEETING TIME: | 9:00 AM |
RETURN TIME: | Approximately 4:00 PM, depending on water levels |
RIVER RATING: | Class IV (suitable for intermediate to advanced rafters) |
RIVER MILES: | 6 river miles with 8 named rapids |
PUT-IN: | Sourgrass Recreation Area at Boards Crossing |
TAKE-OUT: | Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Big Trees Parkway |
TRIP LENGTH: | 1 Day |
AGE LIMIT: | Minimum age is 14 (16 at high water) |
BOAT OPTIONS: | Paddle raft; paddle raft with oar assist |
ATTENTION: OARS has developed a COVID-19 General Mitigation Plan that seeks to minimize the chances that disease transmission will occur on our trips. A condition of participation is to read, understand and agree to follow the rules and guidelines and participate in all screening measures. Failure to comply with these conditions of participation will result in declination of service and/or removal from the trip.
Prepare yourself for an incredible whitewater adventure! The North Fork of the Stanislaus River is a unique Sierra Nevada river that thunders through six miles of granite gorges and deep alpine forest glens. From our put-in just below Sourgrass to our take-out amid the Giant Sequoia groves of Calaveras Big Trees State Park, you will raft through dark green woodlands, endless wild azaleas and old Mi-wuk Native American sites. Best of all, you will challenge some of the most technical and intense Class IV whitewater in California. The “North Stan” descends through massive drops and holes at a dramatic gradient of 70 feet per mile, which creates huge adrenaline-pumping rapids such as Beginner’s Luck, Body Slam, The Thing, and the mighty Big Trees Falls. This river trip is recommended for paddlers with previous whitewater experience or very aggressive first-time rafters.
BOAT OPTIONS
Paddle Raft with Oar Assist—During periods of high water, we will only offer paddle rafts with an oar assist. The most agile of any boat in the OARS fleet, your guide steers the raft with two hefty oars on a rear-mounted frame while the crew wields paddles up front to provide the necessary horsepower. Helmets required. (Four to six paddlers)
Paddle Raft—The sportiest of crafts we put on the water, everybody handles a paddle while the guide steers and gives directions from the back of the boat. Paddling together is essential to finding the right run, and teamwork begets success. A thrilling way to brave the rapids! Helmets required. (Four to six paddlers)
In Paddle Rafts and Paddle Rafts with Oar Assist:
- Parties of 1- 4 should expect to be in the same raft paired up with one or more travel units, which won’t allow for 6-feet of physical distance.
- Parties of 5-6 will most likely have their own raft.
WHITEWATER
The water releases on the North Fork of the Stanislaus are controlled by power companies that release water in conjunction with the demand for power needed in the surrounding area. This causes fluctuations in river levels with little advance notice. The Stan’s watershed is also relatively small; therefore, depending on the snow-pack—as well as the rate of snow-melt—we are unable to guarantee raft-able flows. Please call us the day prior to your trip to check on water levels. The Stan’s spring rafting-season is usually over in June.
WHITEWATER ORIENTATION
To increase your safety, we expect everyone to watch our 23-minute Whitewater Orientation video before joining us. Watch at https://www.oars.com/experience/safety/ or call 800-346-6277 to request a free DVD. Please don’t leave home without watching.
Sample Itinerary
We pride ourselves in running a relaxed and flexible schedule. Every trip is different depending upon the group, other trips on the water and sometimes the weather. The following is a sample of what your trip might be like:
Meet in the parking area behind Jack Knight Hall at Calaveras Big Trees State Park at 9:00 AM. Please be prompt and dressed for the river. Look for the OARS guides/vehicles in the parking area. (Turn right immediately after the Park Tollbooth; take your next right and then take the next left. Parking is behind Jack Knight Hall.) We will board the van for the 20-minute ride to our put-in at Sourgrass. Once at the river, the guides will deliver an orientation and safety talk and fit you with your safety gear. Then, we’re off!
Beginner’s Luck gives us a good warm-up, followed in quick succession by Body Slam and Bear Claw. With an average gradient of 70 feet per mile, the rapids are intense!
Come lunchtime, either just above or just below Convulsion rapid, we will pull over to a beach for a delicious picnic. Your guides will lay out an abundant spread of cold cuts, cheeses, veggies and breads, or perhaps a tasty taco salad for roll-your-own burritos. Lunch is always accompanied by fruit, cookies, cold water and lemonade.
Dig Dog, Whiteout and Rattlesnake are among the continuous steep drops and boulder slaloms we negotiate. After a couple of miles of aggressive paddling through tumultuous whitewater, we face Big Trees Falls—the river’s most infamous rapid. This rapid marks the end of the Class IV section.
As we reach our take-out point, our river trip draws to a close. An OARS van will be waiting to give us a 10-minute ride back to our vehicles. We will return at approximately 4:00 PM.
What’s Included?
- Skilled, professional guide service
- Delicious picnic lunch and snacks
- High-quality inflatable rafts and related river equipment including paddles, helmets and personal flotation devices (PFDs), wetsuits and splash jackets
- Transfers from the meeting place to the river and back
What’s Not Included?
- Transportation to or from the meeting place
- Pre- and post-trip accommodations and meals
- River Access Fees
- Calaveras Big Trees State Park $10/vehicle entrance fee
- Items of a personal nature (see suggested packing list below)
- Insurance of any kind, including a travel protection plan
- Wetsuit booties
- Gratuities
Travel Arrangements
Meeting Place & Time
The meeting point for our North Fork of the Stanislaus trip is the historic Calaveras Big Trees State Park. We will meet you in the parking area behind Jack Knight Hall at 9:00 AM. Please look for our OARS vans and guides. Click here for a Google map of the park.
Mileage and Driving Times
Getting to Calaveras Big Trees State Park
By Car
- From Stockton, the Central Valley and other points West: From Stockton, travel east on CA State Hwy 4. Approximately 52 miles east of Stockton you will arrive in Angels Camp. Hwy 4 intersects Hwy 49 at the town’s stoplight, but you will continue straight on the expressway towards Murphys, Arnold and the State Park. Continue driving east on Hwy 4 for another 25 miles. Calaveras Big Trees State Park is on the right side of Hwy 4, four miles east of Arnold. Please be prompt, have all your gear ready and be dressed for the river.
From San Francisco | 156 miles (3 hours) |
From San Jose | 155 miles (3½ hours) |
From Sacramento | 103 miles (2½ hours) |
From Los Angeles | 410 miles (7 hours) |
From South Lake Tahoe | 115 miles (3 hours) |
From Reno | 169 miles (4 hours) |
From Stockton | 77 miles (2 hours) |
From Angels Camp | 25 miles (40 minutes) |
These are approximate mileage and driving times and do not take into account any delays, so please allow yourself extra time.
Pre- and Post-Trip Accommodations
Pre- and Post-Trip Accommodations (not included in your trip cost)
We recommend you make reservations well in advance in order to guarantee lodging.
Lodging
- Arnold Meadowmont Lodge, Arnold (888) 538-1222
- Murphys Historic Hotel, Murphys (800) 532-7684
- WorldMark Resort, Angels Camp (209) 736-2999
Camping
- Calaveras Big Trees State Park (209) 795-2334
- Golden Pines RV Resort (209) 795-2820
Weather & Water Conditions
You may want to check one week prior to your trip for an up-to-date weather forecast. We recommend you check the following web sites for weather in Arnold, CA: www.weather.com or http://www.accuweather.com.
Average Air and Water Temperatures
Air (Day)°F | Air (Night)°F | Water Temp °F | |
April | 65-69 | 38-42 | 48 |
May | 74-78 | 43-47 | 50 |
June | 81-85 | 48-52 | 56 |
Getting Ready
River Runners Responsibility Code
1. Read the pre-trip literature and arrive at the meeting place on time.
2. Understand the risks: your safety is ultimately your responsibility.
3. Wear the OARS-issued and properly–fitted Personal Flotation Device (PFD) at all times when in the boats or swimming. Wear a helmet when required.
4. Wear clothing and personal protective equipment suitable for the current conditions.
5. Listen to and follow the guides’ instructions.
6. Abide by the managing agency’s rules.
7. No drugs or alcohol prior to, or during, your trip.
8. Minimize your impact on the environment.
9. Treat your fellow guests and guides with respect and courtesy; harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.
10. Your children are your responsibility!
Essential Eligibility Criteria for River Trips
The following are the physical and mental eligibility criteria for all participants on any OARS river trip.
- Ability to remain seated and balanced while in a whitewater craft while holding on with at least one hand.
- Wear a Type V Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (maximum chest size of 56 inches). Wearing leg straps may be required to ensure proper fit. Where required, properly wear a helmet.
- Ability to independently board and disembark a boat four to ten times each day. This may require stepping into the boat, and then maneuvering your body over and across tubes and fixed objects into a seated position.
- Ability to independently navigate shoreline terrain, including safely maneuvering around and across boulders, rocks, and slippery and uneven surfaces, under low branches, and around vegetation. This includes the ability to maintain your balance near precipitous ledges or cliffs.
- Ability to independently swim in whitewater or swift currents while wearing a PFD. This includes being an active participant in your own rescue, including having the ability to (a) keep your airway passages sealed while underwater, and regain control of your breathing when being submitted to repeated submersion under waves or currents; (b) orient yourself to new “in-river” surroundings; (c) reposition yourself in the water to different swimming positions; (d) swim aggressively to a boat or to shore in whitewater; (e) receive a rescue rope, paddle, or human assistance, and possibly let go of the same; (f) get out from under an overturned boat.
- Ability to swim 100 yards in flat water while wearing a PFD.
- Ability to assist another passenger who has fallen out of the boat by pulling them back in.
- Ability to follow both verbal and non-verbal instructions given by guides in all situations, including during stressful or dangerous situations, and to effectively communicate with guides and other guests.
- Ability to carry personal dry bags and other personal gear (as heavy as 20-30 pounds) uphill from the boats to your camping location and back the next morning, independently, or with the assistance of a friend or family member. (This only applies on multi-day trips)
- Ability to manage all personal care independently, or with the assistance of a friend or family member.
- If taking prescription medications, have the ability to maintain proper dosage by medicating independently, or with the assistance of a friend or family member.
- Ability to remain adequately fed, hydrated, and properly dressed so as to avoid environmental injuries such as hypothermia, heat related illness, sunburn and frostbite.
The above criteria, if not met, will disqualify a person from participating in a river trip with OARS. The criteria exist for your own safety and that of all trip participants. None of the criteria are meant to discriminate on the basis of any physical or mental disability, and are applied uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability. OARS is committed to making reasonable modifications to any trip for any persons with a disability, so long as they do not fundamentally alter the nature of the trip.
Further Information About Our Expectations of Trip Participants
The following paragraphs are meant to further inform all potential participants of the expectations for all participants in order to promote a safe, enjoyable experience for everyone on a trip. There may be requirements, whether physical or mental, that are not specifically applied “essential eligibility criteria”, but that help our guests understand the reality of being on a wilderness river trip.
Our primary goal is to minimize the risks associated with adventure trips in a wilderness environment. The trip involves physical exertion and exposure to the elements, including cold water and the potential for heat, sun, wind, rain and snow. We have experience accommodating people with a wide range of physical disabilities and/or health conditions. However, individuals who are overweight, lack conditioning, or have other physical limitations or ailments that interfere with the realistic encounters on a wilderness river can endanger themselves, other guests, and the guides. Please consult your doctor if you have medical or health conditions that could impact your ability to participate in this outdoor adventure.
It is very important that each trip participant take an active role in their own safety. You will likely encounter wilderness conditions that you are unfamiliar with, and those conditions may change rapidly. It is critical to pay attention at all times, to be aware of your surroundings, and to avoid taking unnecessary risks. Even a non-life threatening injury in a wilderness setting can become a major emergency for you, and can endanger the entire group. Swimming alone or hiking alone is discouraged. Excessive alcohol consumption or illicit drug use is not tolerated. Using common sense, and following both the explicit instruction and the lead of your guides can go a long way towards keeping yourself and the group safe. Some obvious things to avoid in camp and on shore (by way of example) are: walking around without shoes in camp, approaching wild animals, not paying attention to what is above or around your tent site that could harm you, not paying attention to hazards such as poison ivy and rattlesnakes, and walking near precipitous ledges.
River trips, particularly those involving whitewater, are inherently risky. While the risk of a trip is part of what makes it an exciting adventure, you must be entirely respectful of the risk that such a trip poses. It is important that you are confident in your swimming ability, and your ability to stay calm in the event you become a non-voluntary swimmer. Your odds of becoming a non-voluntary swimmer change with the classification of a rapid, boat selection and environmental factors. On class IV and greater whitewater, the probability that you will become a non-voluntary swimmer is significant. A swim in whitewater is much more difficult and physically draining than swimming in flat water. Swimming in cold water can cause a gasping effect on your respiratory system. This can be overcome by focusing on your breathing and calming yourself down. Swimming in cold water will also much more quickly sap your energy and decrease muscle function than swimming in warmer water. While our guides are highly trained and will do their absolute best to rescue you, a successful rescue is greatly hampered by a swimmer who is unprepared for a swim in whitewater, who fails to actively participate in their own rescue, and who is not able to follow directions while under stress. You will receive a detailed orientation talk at the start of your river trip, but you can get a better idea of what to expect by watching a version of an orientation talk here: http://www.oars.com/videos/oars-whitewater-orientation.
Due to the physical nature of this trip, we highly recommend that you engage in regular exercise for at least three months prior to departure to ensure preparedness. No gym membership required! Simple exercises like push-ups, sit-ups and squats go a long way to improving core fitness. Start with these exercises and do three sets of ten repetitions each, three to four times per week. Aerobic training is also easy to accomplish without expensive equipment. Take 30 – 40 minutes two to three times a week and go for a brisk walk, easy jog or bike ride around town. If you have access to a pool, lake or the ocean, swimming is obviously an ideal choice for aerobic exercise. It provides a full-body workout and is training that is useful in the event of an involuntary swim in a whitewater rapid. It is important to push yourself in the months leading up to your trip by increasing your strength training repetitions and the pace of your aerobic training. Check with your doctor prior to beginning any exercise program to be sure you are medically safe to participate. Starting an exercise program that is more strenuous than you are ready for may result in injury or risk exacerbating existing health conditions. Getting in shape will certainly add to your enjoyment of the trip.
What To Bring
Click on this link for helpful information about packing for your trip: https://www.oars.com/video/wear-bring-one-day-rafting-trip-oars/
The information below is subject to when your trip takes place. The need for warm weather or cold weather items should be based on a reliable weather forecast leading up to your trip.
All guests must supply their own hand sanitizer and reusable/washable face coverings (minimum of two) consisting of two or more layers. A clean face covering should be used each day of your trip; masks may be reused if they are washed. For more information, visit the CDC
Footwear
The best choice is an amphibious shoe that drains water, protects your toes and won’t come off in swirling current. A retired pair of athletic shoes can work well, too. Sport sandals with a heel strap are a good option. Find professional-grade options made by Chaco®, the official footwear sponsor of OARS guides.
Clothing
We recommend starting with bathing suit/swim trunks and a lightweight synthetic shirt. In cool weather, add layers of synthetic long underwear and warmer clothes as needed. It can be very cool in the morning even in June, but especially in April or May. As the day warms, one may shed layers, though you might wear your synthetic /wool long underwear and fleece during the entire trip (along with our included wetsuit and splash jacket, of course.)
Sun Protection
Protecting yourself from the sun should be taken very seriously! A hat, sunscreen, lip balm and sunglasses are a must. Rheos, the official sunglasses sponsor of OARS guides, offers polarized floatable nautical eyewear with 100% UV protection at www.rheosgear.com. Use promo code OARS15 to save 15% on any purchase from The Nautical Eyewear Collection.
In many cases, a long-sleeve shirt is the best method for preventing sunburn on your upper body. Light-weight long pants may also be appropriate to protect your legs.
Packing List
☐ Sunscreen & lip protection: waterproof and SPF 30 or higher
☐ Water bottle
☐ Reusable/washable face coverings (minimum of two) such as a bandana, cloth mask, or neck gaiter
☐ Hand sanitizer
☐ Shade hat/visor, flexible enough to wear underneath your helmet
☐ Sunglasses (preferably polarized such as Rheos floatable eyewear www.rheosgear.com)
☐ Swimwear; a two-piece is recommended for women for changing and using the restroom. Tankinis and board shorts are a great option.
☐ Shorts (long board shorts preferable for sun protection) and quick-drying top
☐ River/tennis shoes or river sandals with a heel strap (such as those made by Chaco®)“Aqua socks” strongly discouraged
☐ Synthetic long underwear for spring trips
☐ Warm socks (neoprene or wool)
☐ Dry clothes and shoes to change into after your trip
Find all the gear you need for your trip online in the OARStore + 15% of your purchase helps provide under-resourced youth with outdoor adventure experiences.
Reminders
- There is an additional $10.00 State Park Day Use Fee to park your car in Calaveras Big Trees State Park. This fee enables you to enjoy the Giant Sequoias, hiking trails and visitor center after your river trip.
- ALWAYS BE PREPARED FOR CHANGING WEATHER! Especially during the months of April, May and early June, California can experience extreme changes in weather.
- Wearing cotton on this river is never appropriate. Wet cotton will chill your body temperature.
- Provided wetsuits and splash jackets (on early-season or cold-weather trips) do not include “wetsuit booties”—please bring your own, or wear wool socks with tennis shoes as a good alternative.
Special Considerations
Please let us know if you have any medical issues or dietary needs that we will need to consider in planning your trip.
Cameras
You may want to bring a small waterproof bag to hold your camera and other items you might need during the day. While most rafting-specific bags are designed to be waterproof, you may wish to place your camera in a zip-loc™ plastic bag or waterproof casing for additional protection.
Trip Forms
Each participant will need to complete the required trip forms online and submit them no later than 30 days prior to your trip, or immediately if booking within 30 days.
Payments
Final and full payment is due at the time of booking.
Extra Gear
We advise that you leave your valuables at home or in your private vehicle and take on the river only what’s absolutely necessary. We also recommend you leave dry shoes and clothing in your car to ensure a comfortable drive home.
Gratuities
Tipping is optional, but appreciated by our staff. If you are wondering how much to tip, you may consider that we operate in a service industry with a host of behind-the-scenes contributors in addition to the guides on your trip. In general, we suggest a gratuity based on 10 – 15% of the trip cost. It is customary on OARS trips for gratuities to be given to the Trip Leader in the form of cash or personal check, who will then distribute appropriately amongst all the guides and support staff.
SOMETHING VOLUNTARY
In reviewing your statement, you will note a $1/person/day donation to Friends of the River, a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to protecting California’s rivers, streams and watersheds. One-hundred percent of these funds go directly to Friends of the River, and your contribution is tax-deductible. See www.friendsoftheriver.org for more information. This donation is voluntary and may be removed from your invoice if you choose not to participate. Please notify our office to delete the donation from your balance.
If you enjoyed your trip, consider donating to The Pam & George Wendt Foundation. This organization is a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 organization with the express goal of providing opportunities for young people to experience the magic of the outdoors. Visit https://www.oars.com/oars-foundation/ to learn more about how a tax-deductible donation can change young lives for the better.
Helpful Links
Gear up in the OARStore where 15% of all purchases help fund outdoor adventures for under-resourced youth
www.oars.com/OARStore
Shop for the latest in top-quality clothing, footwear & outdoor gear
www.rei.com
Explore gear made and tested for water-lovers
www.nrs.com
Recommended Reading List
https://www.oars.com/blog/best-california-books-about-the-sierra-nevada-and-beyond/
Watch our “What to Wear and Bring” video
https://www.oars.com/video/wear-bring-one-day-rafting-trip-oars/
OARS practices a Leave No Trace conservation ethic
www.lnt.org
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=551
Terms & Conditions
Reservations
Full payment is required at the time of booking. Payments may be made by check, money order or Visa/Mastercard (American Express and Discover incur a 3% processing fee). Prices are in US Dollars and all payments must be made in US Dollars. Payment of the deposit establishes your acceptance of our complete Terms and Conditions. Individual departures and trip capacity are strictly limited by the managing agency.
Cancelling your trip after your deposit has processed will incur cancellation fees because OARS has absorbed costs on your behalf and will turn others away who would like to book the spaces we’re holding for you.
Cancellations and Refunds
Your payment is fully refundable, less a 3% processing fee, for 48 hours after making a reservation when you reserve a trip 7 days or more prior to departure.
If you must cancel your reservation after the rescission period described above, your cancellation fee will be determined according to the schedule below. We regret we cannot make exceptions to the cancellation policy for any reason, including foul weather, poor air quality, wildfire activity, acts of terrorism, civil unrest or personal emergencies. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. For these reasons, we strongly urge you to consider purchasing a travel protection plan (see Travel Protection below).
DATE OF CANCELLATION | CANCELLATION FEE |
30 or more days prior to your trip | $15/person |
29 to 7 days prior | Payment can be transferred to another trip for a fee of $30/person within the same year or to a credit account to be used the following year. No refund. |
6 days or less prior | 50% of the trip cost can be credited to another trip (within the same year) |
Late arrivals or “no shows” | No refund or credit |
Please note that different deposit/cancellation policies may apply for charter groups. Refer to the group organizer’s confirmation e-mail for details.
Cancelled Trips
OARS reserves the right to cancel any trip due to insufficient registration or other factors that make the trip impractical to operate. In such instances, we will inform you at least 7 days prior to departure. Do not make nonrefundable travel arrangements unless you have spoken to your Adventure Consultant regarding the status of your trip. If a trip must be cancelled or postponed due to force majeure (factors outside the control of OARS), OARS will provide full credit for payments made toward future travel, or a refund less a 5% service fee plus any nonrefundable payments made on your behalf to 3rd -party suppliers. OARS will make good faith efforts to recover deposits made on your behalf to 3rd-party suppliers; however, we can’t guarantee recovery of any or all of the advance payments made. OARS is not responsible for expenses incurred by participants in preparation for a cancelled trip.
Transfers
If we are within 30 days of your trip departure, you may transfer from one trip to another, within the same season, for a fee of $30/person fee up until 7 days prior to departure. You may choose to make a one-time transfer of your payments to a credit account for use during the following season, which also incurs a $30/person fee from 29 days prior up until 7 days prior to departure. Transfers made after this time will be treated as cancellations.
Medical
Under most circumstances, if you are of an adventurous spirit and in reasonably good health, you should have no problem enjoying an OARS trip. People with medical conditions, including pregnancy, should have a physician’s approval before taking an adventure travel trip.
Within 5 days prior to your trip departure date, you must complete a Health and Hygiene Pledge for your travel unit and answer questions regarding whether you have had any recent symptoms of respiratory illness associated with COVID-19 or other communicable disease. You will be screened at the beginning of the trip and on subsequent days throughout the trip for fever, breathing problems and other symptoms. If you exhibit symptoms, you may be quarantined from the group or required to evacuate at your own expense.
Travel Protection
Because there are costs that you will incur if you cancel the spaces on this trip that we’re now holding for you, or in the event you need to be evacuated during the trip due to an unforeseen illness or injury, we strongly encourage our guests to purchase an optional travel protection plan. A travel protection plan may help reimburse the cost of your pre-paid, non-refundable payments in the event you are prevented from taking your trip for a covered reason. Trip participants must understand that in the event of an illness or injury on a wilderness trip, evacuation can be prolonged, difficult and expensive. For complete details and to purchase the plan we highly recommend, visit: https://www.oars.com/tpp
Please note: To be eligible for coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, you must purchase the plan within 21 days of your initial trip payment and you must be medically fit to travel at the time you pay for the plan.
Liability Release / Assumption of Risk
Everyone is required to sign a standard liability release / assumption of risk form before the trip, confirming awareness that there are inherent risks associated with the trip. Due to the nature of the activities, a condition of your participation is that you will sign this form and return it to our office before the trip begins. Anyone who refuses to sign the form will not be allowed to participate, and consistent with OARS cancellation policy, there will be no refund of the trip fees at that time.
Responsibility – An Important Notice
O.A.R.S. West, Inc. and cooperating agencies act only in the capacity of agent for the participants in all matters relating to transportation and/or all other related travel services, and assume no responsibility however caused for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service, including but not limited to that resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays and expenses arising from quarantine, pandemics, strikes, theft, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or change in transit over which it has no control. Reasonable changes in itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and wellbeing of the participants, including cancellation due to water fluctuation, insufficient bookings (this trip requires a minimum of 8 guests), and other factors. There is risk in whitewater rafting, particularly during high-water conditions. Rafts, dories and kayaks do capsize. You could be swept overboard. Your guide will make every attempt to assist, but you must be strong and agile enough to “self-help” and “float-it-out” without further endangering yourself or others. We reserve the right not to accept passengers weighing more than 260 pounds or with a waist/chest size exceeding 56 inches. We may decide, at any time, to exclude any person or group for any reason we feel is related to the safety of our trips. We are experienced at accommodating people with various disabilities. Please give us an opportunity to make you feel welcome. We need to discuss any special requirements ahead of time.
OARS trips occur in areas where unpredictable environmental conditions are to be expected. To moderate dangerous situations for our guests and guides, all travelers must obey the rules and regulations as determined by the managing agencies and the Trip Leader and demonstrate reasonable consideration for other guests and OARS employees. We reserve the right to remove any guest from a trip if, in our opinion, that guest’s actions or behaviors pose a threat to the safety of her/himself or others, or if those actions or behaviors compromise the enjoyment of the trip for others. Should a guest be asked to leave a trip, there will be no refund for the unused portion, nor will OARS be responsible for additional expenses incurred by the guest for accommodations, return transport, change fees, etc. Prices subject to change without notice. Upon advancement of deposit, the depositor agrees to be bound by the above recited terms and conditions. OARS is an equal opportunity provider.