You have planned your adventure with Wildwater and are everyone is excited, but having a great time in the out-of-doors can depend on being comfortable and prepared for the activity in which you are participating.
RAFTING
In general, what you wear when rafting (or when participating in other water activities) will change based on the season. At
Wildwater, we realize that not everyday is going to be 70 degrees and sunny, so here are some suggestions to help.
If the weather is going to be on the cold or rainy side we would suggest that you show up with synthetic clothing- polypropylene or fleece works best. Garments made out of synthetic materials will work better to keep you warm on chilly days. You will want to avoid cotton as it tends to draw warmth from your body. It takes longer to dry and will stick to you skin making you even colder. A wool or synthetic hat and socks will help you keep the heat in as well.
Particularly for the spring and the fall, we offer wetsuits & booties as well as spray jackets, but these are also available in the summer for those who are cold natured!
If the weather is on the sunny side and warm you should wear what you are comfortable swimming in, whether that be a bathing suit and/or shorts and a t-shirt. Cotton is good on the really hot days as it will keep you cooler. However, if you are cold natured maybe forgo cotton for the day and go with a synthetic material.
Sunscreen is a key layer. The sun reflects off the water and increases the chance of sunburn especially on the face, shoulders, arms and top of the thighs. We suggest a lightweight long sleeved shirt, you will still stay cool, but will have protection for your shoulders and arms.
No matter the weather, you will a need a pair of shoes that will stay on your feet (And no, flip flops are not a good idea!). Old tennis shoes are fine, but water sandals (TEVA, Chaco or Keen) work best and offer some support while walking around on mostly uneven ground.
If you plan on wearing any sort of eye wear out on the river then Chums eyeglass holders are a great investment. Don’t forget a towel and a change of clothes (and shoes) for when you get off the river. No one wants to be in wet clothes for the rest of the day. Hot showers are available after your trip at all of our locations.
What to Wear Rafting
ZIPLINE CANOPY TOURS
The Canopy Tours take less planning but still needs some consideration for the elements and gear.
When going ziplining you want to dress in something comfortable and wear close toed shoes (required). In the spring and fall long pants and a fleece jacket or sweater will provide the comfort and warmth you might need on chilly days. If you typically get cold, then layers are good. In the summer, most clothing will work, but longer shorts and a tee shirt provide the most comfort when in a harness. It gets hot up in the trees during the summer, so lighter clothes (in color and weight), and clothes that wick away moisture are always a great idea.
The weather in the mountains can bring bring mid-day or late afternoon showers in the summer, bring a rain jacket if it looks like a wet one! A change of clothes might be smart as you could get caught in an unexpected rain storm!