Pro Tips for Cold Weather Rafting
Whitewater rafting adventures during the early or late season can be thrilling, as the increased water flow and seasonal variations create exhilarating conditions. Typically, there are fewer people on the water, enhancing the joy of being out in the wilderness and making it feel like the river is yours alone.
However, the cold weather can be a bit of a downer if you're not adequately prepared, resulting in both you and your equipment feeling chilly and damp. To help you plan, we’ve put together a list of our top 13 tips for a cold-weather whitewater rafting journey, ensuring it’s unforgettable for all the right reasons.
As you read, remember that ROW provides a lot of the essential warm-weather equipment you might need for early-season rafting adventures. Aside from wetsuits and booties, we supply wetsuit jackets, helmet liners, and fleece sweaters for our cold weather Lochsa and St. Joe trips.
Keep your fingers cozy
Rafting in chilly conditions requires a little extra preparation, which includes keeping your extremities warm both on the river and when at camp. Consider investing in neoprene gloves and socks for daytime rafting, and don’t forget to bring wool or synthetic socks to keep your feet warm at night.
We’d also highly recommend bringing a synthetic or wool beanie for the evenings and early mornings when temperatures are at their lowest.
Select your materials wisely
Different materials have varying heat retention capabilities, so it’s a good idea to do your homework before buying new gear for your rafting trip. Seek out wool and synthetic fabrics that can hold heat (even when wet) and steer clear of cotton. Cotton not only loses its warmth when damp but also dries extremely slowly.
Instead, look for quick-drying materials designed for outdoor use or choose merino wool. Merino provides many of the advantages of wool, including warmth, natural insulation, and moisture-wicking properties, but without the itch!
Layer up
Layering up is crucial for outdoor activities because it helps you adapt to varying outside temperatures or changes in your body heat. When getting dressed in the morning, make sure to layer your clothes so you can conveniently take off and pack away any extra items in the day bag that you'll have with you on the raft.
Additionally, make sure you pack and store your day bag so extra layers are easy to grab when the temperatures start to drop again.
Deflect water
Looking for the simplest way to keep your base layers dry while rafting? Wear a waterproof jacket as your top layer. Even if rain isn’t predicted during your trip, this will serve as a splash guard as you navigate rapids, in addition to offering some protection against the wind.
If you can, opt for a paddle jacket with neoprene gussets around the neck and wrists to keep water out. And always choose “waterproof” over “water-resistant,” as these terms can have very different meanings.
Stay active
Movement is one of the simplest ways to maintain blood circulation and stay warm in chilly conditions. As you engage your muscles, they consume energy, generating heat as a byproduct.
So instead of sitting idle at lunchtime and getting cold, take a brief hike and enjoy the benefits of exploring beyond the riverbanks. In the evenings, there’s typically a campfire to keep you warm, but don’t resist the urge to get up and stretch your legs. Nothing compares to movement to make you feel warm inside!
Drink warming beverages
Nothing warms you up quite like a hot cup of tea, coffee, or cocoa, and you’ll have plenty of these on your ROW rafting adventure. Our guides always have a good supply of hot drinks available for you to enjoy during each river break, as well as in the morning and evening. However, it’s essential to keep an eye on your caffeine consumption, as too much can quickly lead to dehydration.
Stay hydrated
One effective way to combat dehydration while still enjoying that hot drink is to add an electrolyte mix or tablet to warm water. Staying hydrated is vital for your body to function properly, including regulating body temperature, lubricating joints, and ensuring organs work correctly.
Remember to always keep your water bottle close at hand on the raft so you can stay hydrated throughout the day, and be sure to balance any caffeinated beverages with a drink of water.
Change seats on the raft
It’s well-known that the front of the raft offers the most exciting experience, with the river unfolding right before you. However, it can also be quite a soggy spot if you’re getting splashed or soaked with every rapid that comes your way.
Don’t hesitate to ask your guides and fellow adventurers if you can switch out of the “splash zone” for a bit, especially if you start feeling a bit cold. Others will likely enjoy the chance to be at the forefront of all the excitement while you take a moment to warm up a bit behind.
Wear a cold-weather wetsuit
Wetsuits are essential for keeping you warm during various outdoor activities, such as surfing, diving, and rafting. They function by trapping a thin layer of water inside the wetsuit fabric, which is then warmed by your body heat to keep you cozy.
On ROW’s cold-water trips, such as the Lochsa and the St. Joe, we provide farmer john wetsuits to keep you warm. Alternatively, you can bring your own if you have one that fits like a glove!
Bring hand warmers!
After a chilly day on the water, air-activated hand warmers can be a welcome surprise, and it's simple to tuck a few into your duffle bag for your rafting trip. Just break the plastic seal, and they will begin to heat up immediately, providing warmth that usually lasts for several hours.