suwin Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Hi all, Does anyone have any recommendations for white water rafting with a 12 year old in Maine? Been doing research and there are tons of outfitters that run trips. Leaning towards North Country Rivers in Bingham but also have to choose which river to run (Kennebec River, Penobscot River and Dead Rivers). Thanks for any suggestions! Suwin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin B (RPS Coach) Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Hi all, Does anyone have any recommendations for white water rafting with a 12 year old in Maine? Been doing research and there are tons of outfitters that run trips. Leaning towards North Country Rivers in Bingham but also have to choose which river to run (Kennebec River, Penobscot River and Dead Rivers). Thanks for any suggestions! Suwin Suwin, Email Gilly about this. She does an annual trip with her friends each year to go rafting and she might be able to point you in the right direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccarlson Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 For the Kennebec and Dead, I've gone several times with New England Outdoors and also with Northern Outdoors. Kennebec should be fine for a 12 yo as well as the Dead in anything but their highest annual releases. The Penob can be quite challenging and you may want to check the various outfitters to see what their minimum age is for that trip. Just passed through The Forks on my way to and from Quebec and things seemed as busy as usual up there. Have a great time! Hi all, Does anyone have any recommendations for white water rafting with a 12 year old in Maine? Been doing research and there are tons of outfitters that run trips. Leaning towards North Country Rivers in Bingham but also have to choose which river to run (Kennebec River, Penobscot River and Dead Rivers). Thanks for any suggestions! Suwin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suz Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 I have gone with http://www.magicfalls.com/ awhile ago - organized numberous trips with them for large groups. I checked their website and see some of the same guides. Always well done. Suz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glil Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Hi all, Does anyone have any recommendations for white water rafting with a 12 year old in Maine? Been doing research and there are tons of outfitters that run trips. Leaning towards North Country Rivers in Bingham but also have to choose which river to run (Kennebec River, Penobscot River and Dead Rivers). Thanks for any suggestions! Suwin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glil Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Hi, (hopefully will get this posted correctly this time) I would recommend the Kennebec as a first choice-the Alleyway is like a non-stop rollercoaster. Lots of big waves and not too may big holes. After Magic, it gets much calmer so most of us switch to kayaks and duckies at Carry Brook. I know some rafting companies let people take duckies from Carry Brook to the take-out, which makes the lower section much more fun. (Not really a good idea for people who have never been in a kayak though. Last year our group pulled 2 terrified people out of a strainer that they paddled directly into, not having any idea of the danger until they got stuck and were clinging to a tree branch. Their raft guide showed up about 15 minutes later as I was prying the woman's fingers off the branch so another person could grab her and pull her to shore.) So, as long as you avoid down trees, which is pretty easy to do, it's a very safe and beautiful river. The Dead is longer and during their big release (Labor Day weekend) their are lots of long rapids, lots of big waves and holes. Less inviting to take an unintentional swim. It's a beautiful river though and a much longer trip with the biggest/longest rapid (Poplar Falls) at the end. I'm exhausted by the end. We took my daughter and several other kids on the Kennebec (ages 9-11) last year. They absolutely LOVED it! I think we may have taken the younger kids on the 1st third of the Dead also-can't remember, but I know I didn't let Katie do last 2/3's. They used to have 2 releases on Labor Day Weekend, but lately they have just have the bigger one. The smaller one was fun to kayak or canoe. The Penobscot is class V. The Dead and Kennebec are class IV. I don't think I'd take my 11 year old on the Penobscot, but I have never done it, and it depends on the 11 year old, so I would check with the rafting companies and see what is the minimum age. Have fun! We go most Labor Day weekends, but just came back from Acadia and its a LONG drive, so staying local this year. Gay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suwin Posted August 28, 2007 Author Share Posted August 28, 2007 Thanks for all the great info! I'm off to Maine in the morning!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Lord Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 I have done the Penobscot with Northern Outdoors several times and it is great but participants must be at least 14. Northern Outdoors also does the Kennebec and they do a good job. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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