This is the un-edited version of the blog on Trishuli rafting. The final edited version (http://deerwalk.com/index.php?id=173) has lots of changes so i decided to post the original blog which retains my own point of view towards rafting.
Summer had reached its limit in Kathmandu and their was no clue of monsoon. We were all tired by heat, so it was great time for rafting. Rafting was passion for most of the guys including me which was already planned month earlier but was canceled due to project deadlines. So, I planned to organize rafting in coming weekend. Accordingly, we fixed 5th June, 2010 for rafting which accidentally coincided with Annual rafting festival. The environment suddenly changed due to the rafting plan and a sense of joy aroused among all of us. The initial reaction to my proposal was dystopian as most of us had never experienced it and heard long tales of risks surrounding it. With positive view, We were twelve people team including me myself Sumit, Anjan, Lakesh, Aabhushan, Krishna dai, Rajendra dai, Nimesh, Jannie, Sushma, Arati, Pritesh and Sagar.
As planned, we all arrived office before 6 well prepared. As organizer, I had extra fear in mind for things which was more than rafting itself because it was my first organize. We reached Charaundi at about 12 which was very hot but river water was very cold. So, Pritesh, Nimesh and Anjan had quick Kayking at Trishuli banks while others joined too. After late breakfast, we were given security briefing by the Lok dai whose words frightened us. We took two small boats each containing 6 persons. We put on the life jackets and safety helmets which gave a distinct look. At boat, we were given introduction to the rafting practices and commands like all forward, all backward, right back, left back, sit down, over right, over left, etc. After practicing , we all started rafting. Kayak rescuers were following us. It was indeed good scenario as Trishuli flowed between the surrounding hills and we can see buses passing by the highway. The heat disappeared suddenly and also our tiredness. The guide mentioned of some named and unnamed rapids. The initial rapid was unnamed but enough to thrill guys. The first named rapid was 'twin rock'. Our boat had to pass between two rocks without hitting them. It was thrilling when the tides shake the boat and waters gushed in the boat. We had Hi5 when we get out of it successfully,. This was way of making celebration for successfully completing a rapid. On the way, we had water splashing competition with other boats which was fun. The second rapid was 'ladies delight'. I don't know why was it called by that name but I think it was due to series of thrilling sub-rapids in it. Then came still water where swimming was allowed. For non-swimmers special instruction was given to use life jackets to float. On the way we passed by the so called 'royal beach' where the royal family had once spent night. I wished to have sunbath there. After still water, soon another rapid came. This one was more powerful. Large waves of water striked us with force moving us and our boat. The water level had grown with regular rainfall so rapids were more dangerous. This rapid was called 'Landslide'. After each rapid, we used to ask guide whether it was most dangerous but he used to say that dangerous one was to come. The flow of river was pressed by cliffs now. It was indeed great to bent outwards looking high above the sky and cliffs by supporting my back on waters. All such things can only be done in rafting! Our second group boat hit the cliff with force but no harm was done. My boat too hit rock next. Then, we rested for sometime. We open out the cameras and had some photo shoot as it was impossible to shoot while rafting. After break, we were given instruction to be very careful and had strong lock on foot as rapids were more powerful. We exchanged sushma and rajendra dai between our boats. Small rapids were indeed nothing now and we ourself expected some powerful rapids by now. The rapid now was Monsoon. It was indeed powerful having rocks and powerful tides. The tides moved our boat by large degree now. But, we had done it and again we had hi5. Not long, we had break for scout where we could view rapids. Lakesh had small accident in foot nail. Our boat was first to start the 'offset' challenge having two rapids. The first one was indeed very wild passing by the cliff. There was no need to paddle because waves itself pulled our boat. So, we had to reduce its speed. The waves pushed the boat exactly vertical by 90 degrees. I can still feel the force. The boat became uncontrolled and guide commanded us sit down. I could see Jany displaced completely and our boat completely immersed in water with large waves of water hitting us hard. This went on till our boat banged hard with cliff as we could not paddle and our boat bounced back away from cliff. We got huge force. I feared if our boat was punctured but luckily it wasn't. But, we had hold the rope and thus remained in boat. Thus, we got out of the boat successfully and had huge sigh of relief. We had hi5. I could see our other boat having same problem and even the large boats following us. The name 'offset' was indeed appropriate. The second 'offset' was nothing now and we passed it in ease with some thrill. Finally, we approached our deadend. It was Phisling. Before we finalized it, our guide thought of having some rafting sport. We had some rope game but we got unbalanced and fall down. So, our boat was settled down where we had photo shoot. We had done 16 km of rafting. There was rapid called 'surprise' after our destination. It was about 4:30 pm then. The food was simple but the tiring journey had its affect on us. So, the food seemed to be very sweet and delicious indeed. We reached office late at 10 pm.
Rafting was indeed different from our initial views. Though it is risky but its worth taking it. Rain water had increased water level and flow but also the thrill. Indeed the Mountain Dew slogan 'Darr ke aage jeet hai' is true. Jannie understood the value of swimming and will be buying safety jackets herself. Krishna dai though was in his second rafting, found it hard as he didnt knew swimming and just avoid hitting to rock. It was farewell day for Sushma from office and what a thrilling way of celebrating it. It happens only in Deerwalk!!
