iRaft

I have never seen river so big. I have, but not as that matters to me. I mean it’s completely different to judge about the water volume and the water current 50 meters away and facing it as a front person in your raft. It’s a real thrill (I am sure I used this word more than 20 times on Saturday). At least I found it more thrilling than a Bungee jump.

We started early on Saturday afternoon. Our guide explained about all the commands and the precautions before we started in an accent neither a Nepali nor a foreigner could understand, nevertheless he was really good at his job. The commands made me feel I was on an army training ground. Forward, stop, hold, right back, left back, all back etc. were the rafting vocabulary for that day.
The river was more of calm at the point where we started. It felt good flowing with the waves down the river. Guys were happy, excited and on top of their voice. We were in 2 different rafts and doing everything to prove one is doing better than the other.

Everything was all good until we met a first major rapid (A part of a river where the current is very fast). Forward was the command in current execution when we met a large wave which took our raft in the air - took us totally out of control (at least me). I lost my control and my ore and my raft too.
Bang. I was on the water. The whole raft was above me and it was a nervous moment. Finally I found my head above the water. I had thought the whole raft was overturned and everybody was on water like me. But it was a relief to find later that I was the only one in the freezing water and my team was already on the rescue operation.
WWWWWoooo. It was an early warning call. Fortunately that was the only one.

Nevertheless, I retain the front spot once again after the fall. The rapids were frequent and it was an anxious moment every time we encountered any. Lady's delight, monsoon, Twin rock, upset etc were the famous rapids. What a name? Btw, I fell on the twin rock.

The most memorable rapid was the lady's delight. For more than 70 meters of wavy ride, rising waves were hitting my face every couple of seconds. The waves get bigger with each wave. Well done 'Lady's Delight'. It was a thrilling experience overcoming a massive wave and in no time getting ready for the next one. We made a perfect way through the rest of the rapids (thanks to our early wakeup call in twin rock.)

Upset was the deadliest of the rapids. But we did good enough to avoid the upset. The water was freezing cold and some guys have infact stopped rowing due to the excessive coldness.

After about 3 hours of adventure it was the time to get back to the banks. Worthy experience. Still felt proud to say that I did that for the first time in my life. It’s never too late.


Getting Ready


My Team


Rescue


Upset


Back to Banks


The final act