Royal Gorge Rafting Gone Terribly Wrong [Podcast Ep. 13]

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Listen to This Podcast Episode About Rafting the Royal Gorge

In this Episode…

• A travel story of one of the closest calls I’ve had while traveling
• How and why we rafted the Royal Gorge
• Bighorn Sheep Canyon vs the Royal Gorge
• Rafting terms and limits for safety
• What its like to fall out during a rapid
• Chaos and rescues in the Royal Gorge
• Why it is important to stay humble and have respect when rafting

Before We Begin…

Before we begin, I am all about authentic adventuring here at The Bucket List Mermaid.

Therefore, instead of bringing you a bunch of epic rafting pictures that looks like they are off of a travel influencer’s instagram page, I am going to tell it like it is…

And this was pretty much my face throughout my entire Royal Gorge rafting journey…

Show Resources for Rafting the Royal Gorge

Raft the Royal Gorge

As mentioned, this unbelievable adventure story is NOT meant to scare you off of white water rafting the Royal Gorge. In fact, I would still highly recommend it!

With that being said, I would either go during summer (July or August) or make sure that you are trained and prepare for high water rafting.

Above were the two rafting trips we did. We got put onto the Bighorn Sheep Canyon when it was too dangerous to raft the Royal Gorge itself. We then went back and did the Royal Gorge a few days later.

The Bighorn Sheep option was more family friendly and had longer stretches between rapids. Don’t let it fool you though – it had a rapid called “three rocks” that was pretty intense.

The Royal Gorge was a whole new level. Rapids at every turn! I would recommend it to intermediate to advanced rafters only.

Please note that during high water, both options will be exciting! However, Bighorn was more of an adrenaline rush. During the Royal Gorge, I just felt like my life was ending…ya know…in an adventurous kind of way.🫣

Fly to Colorado

The closest airport to the Royal Gorge is Colorado Springs (COS), but this might be expensive and you may have limited options. You could also fly into Denver (DIA), but you will need to drive about 2.5 hours.

If you do not have a car, you can rent one 👉 here.

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Important Parts in the Show

• 0:58 – Disclaimer for this Terrifying Travel Story
• 1:18 – Introduction to Rafting in Colorado
• 2:07 – Attempting to Raft in Buena Vista
• 2:47 – Going to Cripple Creek After a Forest Fire
• 3:29 – Class Systems of Rapids
• 4:07 – Defining CFS
• 5:13 – Rafting Bighorn Sheep Canyon
• 6:29 – Trying to Raft the Royal Gorge
• 10:06 – You are My Sunshine…Rapid
• 11:51 – Falling Out of the Raft
• 18:53 – Attempting Rescues
• 26:10 – Actually Seeing the Royal Gorge After the Chaos
• 26:53 – Perspective of the Survivor
• 28:41 – Realizing How Lucky We All Were to Be Alive
• 30:18 – Do I Still Recommend Rafting Royal Gorge?
• 33:02 – A Good Reminder for Adventurers

Overview of This Episode About Rafting the Royal Gorge

In the latest episode of Tick It Before You Kick It we delve into an unforgettable adventure that tested our limits and showcased the unpredictable power of nature.

Trying to Raft in Buena Vista, CO

The episode begins with the anticipation of whitewater rafting the infamous Browns Canyon in Buena Vista.

Known for its intense and exhilarating whitewater rafting opportunities, Browns Canyon does not disappoint.

However, the adventure took an unexpected turn when we had to evacuate due to a forest fire in Twin Lakes.

This episode is a testament to the raw and unyielding force of nature, highlighting both the beauty and the dangers of outdoor adventures.

Read More – Buena Vista Bucket List

Rerouted to Cripple Creek

We were then routed to the charming town of Cripple Creek and decided to reschedule our rafting adventure to the Royal Gorge.

Despite being excited for some intense rapids, the Royal Gorge was shut down to to the water being too high and fast (around 3,200 cfs).

We then rafted the Bighorn Sheep Canyon, a stretch that is known for it’s more family friendly rapids. Luckily, the water was still high and we still experienced some thrills on the river.

However, we were not yet satisfied and still wanted to take on the infamous Royal Gorge.

Coming back a few days later, the Gorge was open…but just barely. They warned us and we were ready to take on the most terrifying rafting trip of our lives!

Rafting the Royal Gorge

As we navigated the rapids, the thrill of the ride was quickly overshadowed by a series of unforeseen challenges.

Pam recounts the terrifying experience of being ejected from the boat, trapped under the raft, and struggling to understand why her life vest wasn’t lifting her up and providing air.

The rapid sequence of events made the situation even more intense, contrasting with previous, more leisurely rafting trips like the Tully River in Australia

Amidst the chaos, the guide’s urgent instructions and the emergency whistles highlighted the danger, as 13 people from multiple boats, including guides, ended up in the turbulent water.

Suddenly, we had a stark realization of the risks involved in such extreme conditions.

The chaos that ensued was nothing short of a nightmare. Emergency whistles blared, guides shouted instructions, and we found ourselves in a desperate struggle to rescue everyone, including a set of rafters who were clinging to their raft without a guide.

As people struggled to stay safe amidst dangerous rapids, I recount the terrifying moment of realizing the life-threatening situation we were in and the frantic efforts to rescue fellow rafters.

Chaos and Rescues on the Royal gorge

The worst part came when we witnessed a 14-year-old boy clinging to a flipped raft pass us as he soared down the river and more rapids.

Ten minutes felt like a lifetime as we put in everything we had to save the boy. And luckily…we did!

The episode highlights the extreme physical and emotional challenges we faced, the intensity of the water conditions, and the relentless drive to ensure everyone’s safety.

Through moments of sheer fear and determination, we managed to pull through, emphasizing the unpredictable and hazardous nature of the adventure.

The intensity of the experience underscored the perilous beauty of whitewater rafting and the need for utmost respect for the river’s force. This was a great reminder of the importance of safety and caution, despite the thrill of the ride.

We also take a moment to appreciate the professionalism of our rafting company, which ensured everyone’s safety amidst the chaos.

Still…rafting the Royal Gorge is Rad

Despite the dangers, we emphasize the excitement and allure of rafting in the Royal Gorge, encouraging listeners to experience it with caution and respect.

We also highlight the commendable efforts of the rafting company in ensuring everyone’s safety during such a chaotic event.

For more adventures and updates, we invite everyone to visit our website, thebucketlistmermaid.com, and follow us on social media (@thebucketlistmermaid).

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