Celebrate Your College Graduation With A New Adventure Whitewater Rafting In The Grand Canyon

Graduating from college is a big deal. A student no more, it marks the time when you set out into the world to make your mark. But don't kid yourself. You've just spent four, maybe six or even eight years studying hard to obtain your degree, so you owe it to yourself to relax. Before embarking on a professional journey, do yourself a favor and head to the Grand Canyon for a Colorado River whitewater rafting getaway.

Of the almost Two million college graduates in 2012, how many of them will be able to say - after everything all said and done - I just rafted the Colorado River!? Chances are, not many.

The Grand Canyon isn't just one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World; it's also home to one of the world's craziest, most thrilling rivers. There you'll discover rock formations that are billions of years old, stunning natural beauty unlike everything else you've ever seen, and a tough desert landscape nonetheless filled with all manner of wildlife. Stretching out 277 miles, the Canyon has an average depth of 5,000 feet and is home to five biological life zones and three of four North American desert varieties.

Nearly 4.7 million individuals will visit the Canyon this year, many of them at the famous South Rim. They'll gaze in awe, perhaps do some hiking, snap a few pictures, etc. White water rafting the river, however, takes you to areas of the Canyon otherwise inaccessible. A Grand Canyon river rafting trip literally places you in the middle of everything. And in so doing, you'll get to ride some of the world's craziest whitewater rapids, like the 60-foot wide, 25-foot-tall (at peak flow) Crystal Rapid, Lava Falls and up to 70 others. To say it's thrilling is an understatement.

The best thing to do is to hire a professional river-rafting outfitter. While these guided tours can have lengthy waiting lists, when you finally get out there, it's like you're a king on a floating throne. Commercial trips last anywhere from one to 18 days. The longest takes you the whole stretch from Lee's Ferry up to Lake Mead. A professional outfitter provides you with everything aside from personal items, such as sleeping gear, food, water and all the gear you will need on the water. You can take a private, self-guided trip down the Colorado River, but keep a few things in mind. First, you'll need a permit of which only about 5,000 are handed out annually. A lottery system establishes who receives permits, and it could take many years before you do. Second, private trips are not allowed to hire a guide. Lastly, you'll need to collect all the equipment, food and additional supplies yourself.

A commercial trip takes care of all that, plus it takes care of all permits, plus transportation for putting in and hauling out. Some outfitters even bus tourists back to Vegas at the end. More than that, though, you have the benefit of a guide who understands the river, is armed with all kinds of stories and facts and does all of your cooking. What could be better than that? Hiking in the Grand Canyon is another fantastic adventure. Backcountry permits, like private rafting permits, are restricted. A river-rafting trip, by comparison, generally involves multiple side hikes from stopping points along the way. Any given day you'll wake up, have breakfast, pack up camp and set out down the river. Upon stopping for lunch, the guide might lead a hike to some majestic location. Then it's back in the water before hauling out again for dinner and sleepy time. You'll do all of it over again the very next day, too, but no two days will be alike.

Even with a commercial trip you will want to book early, as they do fill up. If you're graduating in May or June and haven't made any plans, it's worthwhile to inquire with a variety of outfitters, as you never know what's available. Guaranteed, you'll never forget your Colorado River white water rafting vacation. Like the river, which is never the same in the lifetime of its continual flow, you will never be the same after experiencing it.


------------------------------

Hatch River Expeditions http://www.hatchriverexpeditions.com is a commercial rafting outfitter offering Grand Canyon river raft trips and hiking expeditions that will thrill and educate all participants. Their skilled guides will take you on the adventure of a lifetime, showing you the river and canyon as few see it; they will make sure that all your senses are well stimulated, and will educate you about the importance of conservation.