Level II and III rapids (Intermediate.) They just moved our check-in time forward because they are planning on putting guides in each raft. Due to the rain recently they expect the best water this season.
People die doing all kinds of things. I’ve wanted to do this for a long time, and I’m going to do it.
That’s my way of looking at things!! Have fun. I have done water like this solo and had a good time. I didn’t even realize the Lehigh had rapids. Its rep is more of a family float trip.
What River Hippie says. Read it over a few times.
You might find a farmer john (sleevless) wetsuit more comfortable than a full (sleeved) wetsuit, provided that you wear some fleece and a paddling jacket over top, so call the rental folks to see which type they rent.
If you end up paddling during a cold snap, or if you try a cold water river someday, consider weaing a light helmet liner that covers your ears – that will significantly help with the ice cream headache problem. Also consider wearing a light dicky or turtleneck to keep your throat warm unless your paddling jacket already has a high collar or gasket.
If you go over in a cold water river, close your mouth and tuck your chin to your chest before you flip – that will help significantly with the mamilian dive reflex problem that otherwise might seize you up for a few seconds.
Also as River Hippie has stressed, do not try to stand up in the current. If you stand up and then slip, you risk getting pinned and not being able to get your head out of the water. Similarly, if you come upon a tree laying across the water, swim the hell away from it.
When come back, bring pics.
(I’m a retired white water kayaking instuctor with decades of experience in very cold conditions.)
You’ll do great. Just try to stay in the boat, and keep your feet downstream if you don’t.
Have fun.
I’ve been trying merino wool for a first layer for the last few years. It’s about the same as similar weight poly up until it gets wet, then we’re back to the fundamental problem that wool holds water more and takes longer to dry out than poly. One advantage of merino is that it bends and stretches a litte easier than similar weight poly, so merino socks go on slightly more easily. Bottom line? For a first lawyer, merino is nice for the first hour, but after that I prefer to be in poly.
As far as wool for a second layer goes, the only paddlers whom I have come across who still wear it are tippers or historical re-enactors rather than white water paddlers. Compared to mid-weight and heavy-weight poly, it is heavier when wet and takes longer to dry.
Sometimes I use wool as an exterior layer (sweater and pants) while skiing, but the temperature range is pretty limited at the lower end, for it does not block wind very well. Snow gloms onto it and won’t let go. On the slopes, I won’t wear wool as an exterior layer if the air temp gets much below freezing. It’s retro-tele fashionista fun, but otherwise not very functional.
If it’s the same outfit I went out with on the Lehigh, they’ll have two-piece Farmer Johns for rent; the bottom part will cover legs and chest, and then there’s a “jacket” that has long-sleeves and covers the torso (and maybe the upper part of our legs). Cold tolerance is very subjective, but I did the Lehigh one March with the two-piece farmer john and booties, and while I got chilly it was far from debilitating. I was fine while paddling, and was really only uncomfortable when sitting still. The first time the cold river water splashes into your face will certainly be a shock, but (speaking only for myself) I got used to it pretty quickly.
If they still do the lunch stop, pour a little of the hot chicken soup into your booties (and maybe even down your back). Make sure it’s not scalding, but a little mid-trip heat is very welcome.
Most of all, have fun!
Exactly. The second layer is what we’ve been discussing this far (the sweater recommended unthread), which is why we should be comparing wool to fleece, not a poly base layer.
Are you doing this section?
[This](American Whitewater page) page gives levels and other info for all WW rivers in PA.
Have a blast, you’ll be fine!
Thanks everyone! You’ve been very helpful! The big day has arrived - I’ll be sure to let you know how it went!
I believe that’s the one. I remember passing bridal veil.
So, that was an amazingly awesome good time.
Two strokes of luck for us:
Gear, top: Bathing suit, Under Armour cold weather shirt, farmer john wetsuit, polyester fleece, wetsuit coat/splash jacket, wool hat.
Gear, bottom: Polyester long underwear, polyester cold weather running pants, wool socks, wetsuit booties.
Ended up soaking wet, but didn’t really get cold at all. The only part of me that was moderately cold were my feet, which were under about 6 inches of standing water the entire time.
Though I have to say… the twenty minutes between stepping off the bus and changing into dry clothes were the COLDEST minutes of my life. My feet were still cold by the time I got home hours later.
Oh my freakin’ god that was awesome! The water was moving so fast we were only on it about 2.5 hours. Since the river was so high we were getting rapids not inconsistent with a level IV (though the river is Class III.) A couple of times I thought the boat was going to flip over backward or bend in half. The closest I came to falling out was when I underestimated a wave coming at me from the side. It knocked my feet out from under the raft foot thingy but I managed to hang on. The scariest part was when we slid right over the top of an enormous rock and had quite a drop - the only warning was the guide screaming, ‘‘GET DOWN!’’
The Obligatory Pic
I’m the girl in the goofy winter hat third from top left, completely oblivious to the camera. Sr. Olives is the guy in the other goofy winter hat, 2nd from bottom left.
The hardest part was remembering to keep paddling in the midst of just getting pounded by waves. After we got through a particularly rough stretch (the one that included the rock and narrowly missing another rock) we all cheered. Big sense of accomplishment!
They do level IV rapids in upstate New York through the same company and we have already decided to make plans… for the summer. 
Glad you had a good time!
Glad you had a fine time. Welcome to the wonderful world of white water. I hope you have lots more fun on rivers in the future!
If upper NY state is within your range, also consider the Ottawa River near Beachburg. Lots of big water that is very friendly. Guided rafting trips, self-guided raft trips, kayaking courses, and several companies that all have excellent safety records and know how to show their clients a very good time (only two fatalities – a drunk gorbie jumped in above a waterfall – a woman filming a kayaking safety video slipped under the ice).
I was very surprised that only one person in your crew was wearing a helmet. If you dump, there is a significant chance that you might get banged about a bit before rescue. If you take a knock to the head, there is a significant chance that you will not be able to rescue yourself or make rescuing you possible by grabbing a rope or grabbing the boat or swimming to shore, or even keep your face above water.
The paddler in me says that a helmet will help keep me alive even more than my pfd. The lawyer in me says running wild water trips in which the clients do not wear helmets is grossly negligent. Seriously, pick another company next time.
I gotta second this.
I was surprised there were no helmets available as well. Especially because there were quite a few young kids on the trip. I would have worn a helmet if they had been offered. As such, only the guides had helmets, and when we questioned our guide, he said it was because he usually was in a hard boat and he was just used to wearing it.
