My first time whitewater rafting was on the Deerfield River in the northern Berkshires of Massachusetts. My husband and I were invited by a friend to go on a guided rafting trip, and I'll admit I had reservations. My only whitewater rafting experience to this point was paddling a canoe on calm water! I envisioned white-capped, churning waters cascading into our inflatable raft. Once I learned there were seasoned guides manning each raft, I felt much better.
The 73-mile Deerfield River starts near Stratton Mountain in Vermont. It has two reservoirs at the beginning and nine dams along it that are used for hydropower. The power company issues an annual schedule of 32 releases. The releases increase the river's flow and provide the opportunity for Class I to Class IV rapids.
Rapids are classified by their intensity from Class I to VI. Class I rapids are defined by smooth water, while Class VI rapids are considered treacherous and potentially life-threatening. The most intense rapids in New England are Class IV and V, which involve turbulent waves and large rocks that require maneuvering to avoid. We were about to experience Class IV rapids on the Deerfield River.
The Deerfield River is notoriously cold. We planned to be on the water for most of the day, so staying warm and dry was important. The tour operators offer wetsuits for rent and I've heard that if it's early in the season, they're sometimes included for free. The day I went was warm, so I layered my clothing and wore water-resistant outerwear. I was comfortable all day.
We decided on a Saturday in May to do the Dryway, which runs from the #5 Dam to the Fife Brook Dam. Our tour company provided us with all of the equipment we needed. Our only responsibility was to be there on time. We convened at the outfitter's base camp and were given a basic whitewater rafting lesson which included river safety, paddling techniques, river etiquette and the guide's commands. We met our guide and climbed aboard the shuttle that took us to the put-in area. Our friendly guide and two other couples got into our raft and we were on our way.
The Dryway started out easy and became more challenging as we moved downstream. The current was swift and the water was crystal clear. As we went over the first set of intense Class IV rapids we dipped and a large spray of cool water splashed across us. I didn't want to close my eyes! My heart was pounding as we were told to paddle hard. The raft rocked and we furiously stabbed our paddles into the water. Whoops of excitement filled the air when our raft shot out of the churning falls. Everyone regained their balance and a smile was plastered across my face. I was hooked.
We enjoyed the variety of rapids in a mix of intensities. With names like Labyrinth (a Class IV rapid), Dragon's Tooth (a Class IV rapid), False Tooth (a Class III rapid), Split Hair (a large midstream rock that splits the river on a turn), and Judy's Hole (a Class II rapid with a fun side play hole for kayakers), the Dryway sounds more like a medieval fantasy than western Massachusetts. But the river was enchanting. There were ledges, holes, and large rocks to navigate around. On each bend in the river we were instructed on how to stay on course. Before hitting dicey rapids, our guide coached us on how to best handle the situation. We worked as a team to control our raft.
We took a brief rest and snack break on the river's edge. Rocks gave way to patches of river grass and a comfortable spot where we soaked in the spring sun.
There was clear sailing at the end of our run which gave us a chance to enjoy the stunning scenery. I took in the beauty of the Berkshire wilderness from a perspective I had never before seen.
We spent a little over three hours on the river. Our outfitter provided a tasty riverside barbeque at the end of the day that was ready when we got there. It was a welcome treat because we all had that tired, worn feeling you get after spending an active day in the fresh air.
I found spring whitewater rafting to be the perfect way to appreciate the season. The winter runoff from the north provided a great rafting experience in the prime of spring. The trees had begun to show leaves and the grass was turning green again. After a long New England winter, the warm sun was rejuvenating. It's an experience I'll never forget.
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