First Rafting Tour. Top You Must Know about Karelian River

It may seem to a beginner that rafting is something of a recreational attraction – but it is not. You have to follow many rules (as have a life jacket, don’t lose the paddle, pack light, check your gear – have a camping water bottle, sleeping bags, suntan lotion and etc.,) , to avoid unpleasant consequences. But with all the instructions, rafting will be an exciting adventure, full of vivid emotions and a feeling of victory not only over the water element but also over yourself.

If you decide to participate in your first rafting tour – carefully study the complexity of the route that you want to go. In total, according to the international classification, there are six of them – and the higher the category, the more various obstacles will be in the way. Moreover, some rivers in rafting need to conquer only in certain areas and at a certain water level.

What’s rafting does for our body.

Rafting is not only a tedious exercise but also a beneficial exercise for the back muscles, abs, and chest. No need to give all the best at 100%, choose a steady pace of movement and do not strain … but only up to the threshold! At the limit requires the concentration of one and all, and that is why it is contraindicated to go to the alloy drunk .

First Rafting in Karelian river. How to be a rafting beginner.

Our trip to Karelia, Russia, included many funny and exciting moments. However, today, I want to share our rafting experience on the Suna river.

Our excursion along the Suna river originates at the beginning of May, which coincided with the recent flood. In addition to the flooding, this Karelian river is deep, then becomes shallow and in areas, almost impassable even in kayaks. That said, we couldn’t miss this opportunity to test our survival skills and take exactly this first rafting tour. There are so many interesting rock formations and canyons along the route in Suna river.

Our group and friends we never met before, all gathered at the rustic cabin. After meeting with the instructor and getting to know our new rafting team, we started our journey. We loaded the trucks with food, clothes, watercraft, and other equipment. Once loaded, we moved to our first site.

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Once we arrived, a flurry of activity ensued. Inflating the rafts, stowing the food, securing the clothes to the raft. While the instructors, we got everything set on the barges. At the same time, a group of us cooked our first dinner over a campfire.

We had Stasher plastic-free storage bag that’s made out of pure platinum, food grade silicone. It’s highly resistant to damage and degradation from extreme temperatures. Doesn’t harden, crack, peel, crumble, dry out, rot or become brittle over time. Lightweight, saves space, easy to transport. Non-toxic and odorless – contains no bpa, latex, lead, phthalates. May be 100% recycled at select locations; non-hazardous waste.

We used silicone water bottle to boil water over a fire! It works well. The camping water bottle, made from special grade medical silicone was a great companion in our first rafting experience in Suna river.

How to prepare for rafting

This is tricky, thankfully we followed the advice of our guide; pack compact, only the essentials and share one or 2 bags with your travel companion! Thinking of the different weather conditions as well. Oh, and you have to keep things light, compact, and dry. After we chose all rafting gear, the important thing is to keeping everything dry in case rain or capsizing. Watertight bags that can be crushed for compactness. We selected amazing light reusable, silicone, storage bags , thermo-packing bags and new camping water bottle.

Top You Must Have

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When you go rafting it’s crucial to bring water or hot tea with you and to drink it liberally. You’ll feel better if you stay hydrated, mainly if it’s hot or cold outside, the water will help you digest snacks or meals, and reduce waste. For our first rafting tour, we suggest the 35oz Bubi bottle – camping water bottle. That bottle is eco-friendly, silicone, collapsible water bottle and easy to clean at the end of your adventure. Add a flip cap for ease of drinking and snap on pet water bowl for your four-legged .

There’re no small backpacks, there are corrupt handlers! Save space is vital, since the smaller trunks – the more comfortable and faster it will be to unload and load the craft. For group equipment and food provided barrels and buckets with tight lids. Also, at hand should be a light sweater and a raincoat in case you suddenly get cold or the sky begins to precipitate.

The important things for first rafting

When things are prepared and packed, a life-jacket is put on each rafting member, and a paddle is issued. At the general gathering, the first information about the rules of behavior on the water, about the actions in the threshold, and handling equipment is heard.

NOT to sit in the life jacket unbuttoned,
NOT to leave the craft without a crew-member,
NOT to lose the paddle in the whitewater rapids,
NOT to go unprotected in the hot sun, staying clothed and oiled up with suntan lotion.

First Rafting Tour on a Karelian River

Now the long-awaited moment – my first uncertain step – first rafting tour – into the white water rafting adventure, stepping into the water with the raft floating partially on the shore and in the water. Hands are unusually gripping the paddle. Learning to paddle is easy, you just need to stroke in sync with the whole rafting team. Most of our rafting team have been prepared well. They brought special gear, life jackets, backpacks and camping water bottle. The main thing is to feel the impact your stroke provides the propulsion of the raft. This is teamwork, and each plays an important role. The instructor controls almost everything. He sits at the stern and monitors the raft, with loud commands, and sometimes powerfully overtaking all those sitting …

Sights and Impression

A thousand years ago, the Karelian rivers struck their way between the rocks, forming rapids. And in those places where the glacier pressed deep troughs with its weight, the bottomless lakes were forming.

Much later, with increasing globalization and urbanization level, dams were built. This allowed raising the water level for HPP. In addition to this, were made a log-stone corridor to direct driftwood in the right direction.

Challenging

Now we understand the obstacles that await us? Yes, yes, yes, among the natural sights along the banks of the rivers, the remains of Finnish masonry to huge cobblestones in old water mills, as well as wooden log racks of dams, we were impressed with their monumental. On some islands, ancient churches stand chastely, but on others, on the contrary, tourist fantasy gushes with energy, presented in handicrafts made of wood and other fun things.

Overnight Stay. First Rafting Tour

We spent overnight in picturesque locations in partially equips bivouacs. I put insulating mats on the ground inside the tents, and on top of them, we placed our sleeping bags. We also used additional sleeping bags to keep us warm.

For our rafting team, instructors recommended not dry to things next to the fire: even though they will dry out, the smoke smell will linger, and the potential of a crazy spark could inflame the drying clothes. However, we dried the shoes by the fire under constant supervision, do not trust anyone to watch for your boots from burning. ! Only YOU can ensure the drying process and safety. The fire was so warm and cozy, providing warmth, drying, and a great place to commune and discuss what happened. We have to thank all the men for gathering the dry wood for the fire once we landed ashore.

Caution

Snakes are common in Karelia, the most poisonous of them is only a viper. In general, the snakes will not attack; however, if you touch or step on one, they will defend themselves to your disliking.
Ticks are active in spring and early summer. They bring a different danger, which can be long-lasting with limes disease. The distribution area is southern and central Karelia, especially in Suna river. For the prevention of pancreatic encephalitis, it is necessary, while on the beach, to wear tight clinging clothes, around the ankles and waist, and to inspect for ticks every 2 hours.

Not All Food is Edible,

Be cautious when foraging for food or just walking in the woods, should you find berries or mushrooms, Don’t eat them. If you are not familiar with them outside of name tags in the marketplace. People could die or get violently sick. It is better first to ask the instructor because eating them or adding them to the community pot could cause mass sickness.

Our rafting team completed the trip safe and healthy, it was an extraordinary adventure for us to diversify leisure, instead of the traditional glamorous vacation. We learned a lot about ourselves and mother nature, its beauty, and dangers. I went back to the office and regaled our adventures in Suna river, and will begin planning my next adventure.

Good for the environment.

Plastic bottle waste poses a serious threat to our environment and only a small amount is recovered after recycling. Bubi is a sustainable, reusable, camping water bottle, thereby helping to reduce the damage to our ecosystem. So, by swapping your disposable bottle with the silicone water bottle, Bubi, you are making a greener and more cost-effective choice.

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First Rafting Tour. Top You Must Know about Karelian River