Summary

The Gauntlet (Pine Creek/Numbers Full Day)

Prices From	USD$ $119.00
1st Departure	05.01.2012
Provider	Arkansas Valley Adventures
Destination	Arkansas River
Duration	6 hours, full day trip
Challenge	Advanced
Avg Rating	Not Rated

Advanced + Class V. The most advanced section on the Arkansas River begins in the little mountain town of Granite, which quickly fades away as you enter the exciting Granite Gorge. These Class III and IV rapids are merely a warm-up for what comes next. Get ready to paddle hard as you journey through the Rite of Passage, the gates of Pine Creek, where the river narrows by half. Here you'll encounter the most continuous rapids in the state. This is where the river becomes a creek and its gradient drops an astounding 200 feet with a must-make crux move. You barely have time to catch your breath before starting on The Numbers. Each Class III-V rapid is punctuated by continuous whitewater in between, including a steep ledge drop into No. 5. This run demands good physical condition and a minimum age of 15 years is required. Hot gourmet lunch included. (AVA reserves the right to change minimum age requirements depending on water levels and individual qualifications.)Get <A href="http://www.adventurecentral.com/travel/MapLocation.aspx?lat=39.00424&amp;amp;lng=-106.24123&amp;amp;name=Granite%20Outpost&amp;amp;addr=40671%20U.S.%20Hwy%2024%20N&amp;amp;addr2=Buena%20Vista,%20CO%2081211%2081211%20USA">DRIVING DIRECTIONS</A> for this trip.

Itinerary

Checking In

Before you head out the door, double-check the meeting time listed on your confirmation.   This is the time you will want to arrive at the outpost.   If you arrive earlier than the listed time, you may spend a lot of time waiting around for the other groups to arrive.   If you arrive 20+ minutes after the listed time, you will forfeit your reservation.

Waivers

Once you arrive at our outpost, check in with our friendly office staff and sign liability waivers.   You can also <A href="http://www.coloradorafting.net/files/pdfs/65f5b6a2-22ca-4c1f-af21-bbe15a5ffd91.pdf">download</A> and print your waivers in advance.   If anyone in your group is under 18 years old and will not be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, they will need to get their waiver signed in advance and bring it with them the day of the trip.

Gearing Up

After you've checked in, our staff will direct you outside where you will receive wetsuits, life jackets, helmets, and splash jackets (if the weather warrants).   You'll have time to change into your swimwear and lock your other belongings – wallet, valuables, dry clothing – in your car.   Make sure to hang up your keys in the outpost so you don't have to keep track of them while you are on the river. 

Safety Talk

It's time to go to the river!   We'll shuttle you by bus or van to the put-in, where we'll unload the boats and match you up with your guide.   You will receive instructions on how to paddle and what to expect on the river, as well as a detailed safety talk.   Wondering what kind of safety information you'll receive?   Check out the summary <A href="http://www.coloradorafting.net/mirror/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Safety%5FTalk%5FOutline.pdf">here</A>.

Time to hit the river!

Once your group gets out on the water, you'll have a chance to practice your paddling skills, and before you know it, you'll be headed into the whitewater!   Splash through thrilling rapids, take in the stunning scenery, and let your guide entertain you with local history, ecology, and more.   When you reach the end of your river trip, we'll pick you up and shuttle you back to our outpost.

Post-Trip Review

After you get back to the outpost, turn in your gear and change back into dry clothes.   Check out the hilarious and action-packed photos from the day, and get your favorites printed right in our shop, or have them burned to a disc to take home and print yourself.   Browse our retail shop for tons of AVA and rafting paraphernalia, from t-shirts and hats to picture frames and coffee mugs.

Pine Creek & The Numbers ("The Gauntlet!")

Experience the thrills! <A href="http://www.coloradorafting.net/#about-rafting/video-gallery">CLICK HERE</A> to see video of The Gauntlet! The Gauntlet (Pine Creek & The Numbers) Full Day, Advanced+ Class IV & V Pine Creek is the steepest, most technical, and most continuous section of whitewater on the entire Arkansas River! We launch in the sleepy mountain village of Granite, which quickly fades away upon entering Granite Gorge. A few miles of Class III & IV warm us up for the spectacular crux of the run, the Gates of Pine Creek, where the river narrows to half its width and drops 200 feet over the course of one rapid! The bottom portion of the rapid features a must-make move around a boat-flipping hole that demands precise paddling and expertise maneuvering! This rapid is followed immediately by the pulsing, complex Class V rapid called Triple Drop! On the full day, continue downstream through the Numbers, making this one of the greatest days of whitewater found anywhere! The full day also includes our delicious, hot fajita lunch. This run demands good physical condition and a minimum age of 15 years*.

Gear List

AVA provides wetsuits and splash jackets free of charge if the weather warrants their use. Wearing a wetsuit is often not necessary; they are most often needed early season, if the weather is rainy, and for or our Class IV-V trips. For these advanced trips, we highly recommend you bring additional synthetic layers (as described below). Please also bring the following with you: <UL type=circle> <LI style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Footwear: Bring shoes that stay securely on your feet and can get wet. Tennis shoes, sport sandals (that strap on) or water shoes all work very well. NO FLIP-FLOPS AND NO CROCS  ALLOWED. AVA does not have booties for rent, however we do sell water shoes in our retail store at the AVA Outpost and at the Clear Creek office.</LI> <LI style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Swimsuit to wear under wetsuit</LI> <LI style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Sunglasses and strap to secure glasses</LI> <LI style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen</LI> <LI style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Additional Layers: Lightweight, quick-drying clothing. If you don't want to wear a wetsuit (much of the summer it is too hot to wear one), please bring swimsuits and quick-drying shorts (nylon, etc) to wear. Fleece, polypropylene or other synthetic base layers (i.e. a Dri-fit shirt) are great additional layers in case we have cold or rainy weather. These materials insulate you and keep you warm when you're wet. We recommend that you DO NOT wear cotton on the river. It stays wet and makes you colder. Save the cotton clothing to change into after your trip.</LI> <LI>Water Bottle</LI> <LI style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Money for souvenirs or to tip your guide.  Rafting is a service industry; gratuities are not expected, but they are appreciated!</LI></UL>

Travel Information

Activity Location

Granite Outpost
40671 U.S. Hwy 24 N
Buena Vista, CO 81211 81211 USA