Water Sports in Uttaranchal
One
can opt for Canoeing, Kayaking or Rafting, depending on the nature of the water.
Pit your will and skill against nature as you negotiate the rapids, maneuver
the bends, speed along gorges and break into sparkling surf. After all, water
sports are for those adventure seekers for whom land is not enough. Adventure
seekers like you.
WHITE WATER RIVER RAFTING
The challenge of the turbulent rivers is no less than that of the rigged mountains.
The icy heights of the Himalayas are the source of some of India's mighty rivers.
Fed by innumerable streams they race along Tortuous boulder strewn beds, cutting
deep gorges and breaking into silvery white rapids. With the intricate network
of Mountain Rivers flowing through a myriad of different colors of rocky gorges,
forests, flowers and high mountain villages, the Garhwal and Kumaon hills provide
ideal locales for the perfect water adventure.
The sport of White Water River rafting calls for a triumph over the swift swirling
river as it gushes past spectacular mountains. It is practiced mainly in the
upper reaches where the water is wild and white as it froths & foams, crashing
against narrow gorges, rocky out-crops and falls at deep gradients. As with
trekking, mountaineering and other sports, river rafting too has been classified
and graded in terms of degrees of difficulty. There is, firstly, the pleasure
of a gentle canoe trip in a lightweight alloy-metal craft, which holds two to
three people. The gradient best suited for canoeing is the stage near the river's
entry into the plains where the trip can be combined with moderate hiking and
a naturalist' holiday in the forest. For this, the suitable areas are Rishikesh,
dakpathar and the Ramganga in Corbett national park.
For
the slightly more adventurous, Kayaking is appealing as it enables innovation
on the river by a solitary oarsman of two, seated in tandem, the degree of difficulty
would depend on the river radiant and its rapids. Maneuver the bends, speed
along gorges and break into sparkling surf. After all, water sports are for
those adventure seekers for whom land is not enough. Adventure seekers like
you.
The suitable period for river running depends on the adequacy of water volume.
Thus September-November and March- May are most appropriate. The equipment required
is ordinary outdoor gear, goggles, antiseptic cream and a liking for getting
wet. In Garhwal region the sacred river Ganga offers the professional as well
as the amateur the exhilaration of white water rafting. The Alaknanda &
Bhagirath are the main tributaries of the Ganga and meet at Devprayag, frothing
from their racy descent. Their waters are of grade IV to V, challenging the
expert to savor the thrill.
Down river from Devprayag, the Ganga changes into a pool drop river. The stretch
of almost 70 kms. is perfect for amateur and the novice, for here the river
offers some fine Grade III rapids and two Grade iv Golf Course' 4 kms. Below
Shivpuri Village; each followed by rapids, the 'Wall' at byasi and the deep
and placid pools. Sandy beaches line the river at intervals. Allowing river
rafters to pull up alongside.
The slopes on either side are covered with oak pine spruce and fir. With the
occasional village and its terraced fields dotting the landscape. Wildlife is
visible at a distance. Comprising mainly of spotted deer, monkey, leopard, while
multi-hued butterflies flit among flowering bushes. Spiritual and ashrams overlook
the river and add to the spiritual experience.
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