Adventure Week: Whitewater Rafting, Zip-Lining In The Berkshires
CHARLEMONT (CBS) - You will get wet whitewater rafting. And that's part of the excitement!
Read: WBZ-TV Adventure Week Stories
Raft, kayak, rock climb, bike, zip and camp - you can do it all at one of New England's leaders in outdoor adventure, Zoar Outdoor. We took the scenic drive along Route 2 to Charlemont in Franklin County to kick off our fun-filled afternoon.
Our guides went over important safety information with us before taking on the rapids of the Deerfield River. We used a few smaller waves to get the hang of it and then took an opportunity to swim and practice pulling someone back into the boat.
The biggest rapid of the day, a class 3, was waiting for us. We dug in and paddled hard as our guide navigated us through smoothly.
So what if you're a first timer? Director of guided tours, Kevin McMillan, says that's not a problem.
"We have people that have never been rafting before that come and do that trip and they love it!" he told WBZ-TV.
If staying dry is more your speed than opt for a zip-line tree course through the canopies of the Berkshires, starting at the top of Hawk Mountain.
McMillan reminded me as I tried it out, "I have a backup brake down the other end so if for some reason you didn't brake at all, I could still stop you, so don't worry about the tree that's accelerating towards you."
Zip guide Aiden gave me another tip in case my hand started to feel hot on the line.
"Move that break pad around on the cable, disperse the friction and it should cool right off," he said.
I reached 35 mph on the fastest zip-line and managed to make a semi-graceful landing.
After rappelling down to the ground, I had nothing but a big smile on my face.
Every other tour group agrees that their experience is amazing, and one they'll be participating in again!
For more information on Zoar Outdoor, visit their website.
