Whitewater Rafting Mega Dam Release

Let's go Whitewater Rafting!

Whitewater Rafting Adventures (WRA) is the premier rafting outfitters in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. It's a 40-year-old, family-owned business with consistent great reviews.

When: Saturday, October 12, 10:15 a.m., which is the scheduled whitewater Mega Dam Release date.

Where: Whitewater Rafting Adventures (WRA) in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania near the historic town of Jim Thorpe, PA. Meet at the tables in the center between the two large buildings where I’ll have a TCSC sign.

Transportation: This is a drive-yourself trip. Arrange carpooling with participants who sign up. Traveling on I-81 South is recommended. Meet at WRA in Nesquehoning at 9:30 a.m. for the 10:15 a.m. paddle. 

Raft One L to R: Shari (Jill's sister), Ingrid, Jill Darling, Ginny (Jill & Shari's friend), Yvonne (Ingrid's friend).

Raft Two L to R: Karen, Elliott (Mark's son), Gerry, Mark, Alex (Karen's son).

What: WRA's Class III whitewater trip is the most popular with its wet and wild, 13-mile trek on the Lehigh River that runs through the breathtaking scenery of Lehigh Gorge State Park. Their annual Mega Dam Release is three times the volume of water as its regular weekend dam releases. It's still considered Class III and is still a 13-mile run. There are only 49 spots left on this date/time, so sign up ASAP with the outfitters or you won't have a spot.  

You'll paddle on your own with five or fewer other paddlers, depending on how many are signed up, in a six-person raft. You'll be briefed ahead of time about what to expect and led by guides in kayaks. One in the front, two  guides in the middle of the pack and one as sweeper, binging up the rear to help those who may need assistance.

Read the trip specifications and considerations to see if you're able to participate.This trip is only for experienced paddlers who can confidently handle the intensity of raging water for 13 miles. 

Who: Participants must be members of the Triple Cities Ski Club. Guests are welcome but must become members prior to the paddle. 
Join TCSC: Dues are $25 per year.

Registration and cost: Sign up here first so we know who is going and to make carpool arrangements. Then go to the WRA rafting reservations site to sign up for the 10:15 a.m. session and pay for the trip on your own. Price is $74.95 per person plus and additional $6.25 for bus transportation to the starting point. This trip is open to the public and will fill quickly, so sign up soon if you are interested! Note: There is a refund until September 20, but after that date there are no refunds. The rafting adventure takes place rain or shine.

Contact: Jill Darling, organizer, (email) or 607-239-1029 for more information.

Additional Information and Details

What to bring:

• Wear dry-fit clothing. The water’s going to be cold and you will get wet, so a wetsuit is a must and is available for rent there for $12, booties for $5 and gloves for $3, unless you have your own. Wear a warm wicking fleece base layer underneath with wool or some other wicking socks—no cotton clothes or socks.  
• Closed-toe water shoes or light sneakers are recommended, and footwear must be secure. Flip-flops or open-backed shoes are not allowed on the trip.
• Bring a change of clothes that you'll leave in your car because everything inside the raft will get wet.
• Water, sandwiches, snacks and sunscreen. Three choices of sandwiches in a boxed lunch are available from the outfitter for $10.55.
• Waterproof bags that can attach to the D-ring on the raft with a clip would be a good idea for your belongings.
• Your phone in a waterproof bag that can be worn around your neck. The outfitters provide you with a waterproof bucket that isn't attached to the raft but does float if it gets knocked out. Keeping things secure will avoid trying to retrieve loose items out of the rapids.
• A coat for later in the evening.
  If you wear prescription glasses or sunglasses, buy a water-buoyant eyeglass retainer like the ones pictured.

Examples of waterproof bags and water-buoyant eyeglass retainers. 

 Trip details:

Plan on spending 6 hours at Whitewater Rafting Adventures with about 5 hours on the water. 

Once we arrive and check in, get suited up with wetsuits, the provided life vests, and have our briefing session, we'll be transported by bus to the starting point.

An experienced paddler who knows how to steer (J-turn--very important) needs to sit in the rear seat of the six-person raft. The next best paddlers sit in the front while the least experienced ones are in the middle.

If people get stranded on a rock or have some other issue, the group waits up ahead along the bank until the others catch up. We'll have a lunch break on land where you can go find a tree to stand or squat behind. 

ATTENTION: Water Rafting Adventure Rule - no alcohol or drug use prior to or during the trip. I'm also going to add: no smoking or vaping during the paddle unless you're stopped for a break and out of the raft, which is just common courtesy toward others.  

WRA photographers will be poised and ready to take pictures partway through the trip. They can be purchased for $13.78 for one and $26.50 for two. Additional copies can be purchased and mailed to anyone else in the group who'd like photos. Only one photo per raft can be bought and taken and the rest are mailed out.