Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25059
SUN KOSI, NEPAL After the monsoon passes and the sky returns, the Sun Kosi stampedes down the Himalayan plateau with the abandon of an avalanche . . The "river of gold," as its Nepalese name signifies, races 170 miles through the Mahabharat Lekh mountain range and doesn't calm down until it emerges onto India's northern plains and joins the Ganges. Along the way, its rumpled water brushes against sandy beaches perfect for camping, and jungle where monkeys chatter. Put in at the village of Dolalghat, just 3 hours outside of Kathmandu. From the river's initial Class II and III rapids, the whitewa ter grows more powerful and frequent, reaching a Class IV climax. Paddling season: most of the year, except January and February (too cold) and monsoon time, July to September. "MY WORST SCARE WAS WATCHING OTHER RAFTS-NOT MINE-BEING BIT BY CROCODILES AND HIPPOS ON THE OMO IN ETHIOPIA." JIM SLADE, PROFESSIONAL GUIDE FOR MOUNTAIN TRAVEL-SOBEK FRANKLIN RIVER, AUSTRALIA This river's so tough, it toppled the Australian government. In the late 1970s, con struction of a dam started on Tasmania's wild Franklin. At stake: 50 miles of the country's best whitewater. Kayakers were aghast, and Australia's Green movement soon rallied. After a political leader called the pristine Franklin " a leech-ridden ditch of lit tle interest to anyone," voters had had enough. Out went the governing party and in came the Labor Party, which forced the bulldozers to back off. These days, the Franklin's as wild as ever. It churns with Class V rapids that tumble through thick rainforest and craggy, misty mountains. From the put-in on Lyell Highway, the Franklin rolls 50 miles to its junction with the Gordon River. The trip takes at least one week. From there, without a float plane to pick you up, it's another 13 miles of paddling to the take-out at Horseshoe Bend. Paddling season: October to April. BEST DAY TRIPS For those with limited time or cash, here's 10 GREAT RIVERS FOR DAY TRIPS: KENNEBEC, MAINE: May to September, 13 miles of Class IV water October, 27 miles of Class IV+ water. CHATOOGA, GEORGIA + SOUTH CAROLINA: April to October, 30 miles of Class IV and V water. Deliverance was filmed here. UPPER ARKANSAS, COLORADO: May to August, 100 miles of Class III and IV water. World's most popular whitewater. SOUTH FORK OF THE AMERICAN, CALIFORNIA: Year-round, 20 miles of Class III water. DURANCE, FRANCE: April to October, 10 miles of Class III ",\ater. INN, SWITZERLAND + AUSTRIA: April to October, many se-pa- rate sections of varying length, Class 111+ water. ",,' SJOA, NORWAY: May to September, 21 miles of Class III water. UPPER GANGES, INDIA: Year-round, spring is best, 36 miles of Class 111+ water. TONEGAWA, JAPAN: April to October, 14 miles of Class 4 water. RIVER RUNNING OUTFITTERS IF YOU'RE NOT READY TO SET OFF ON YOUR OWN, THERE ARE MANY RAFTING AND KAYAKING COMPANIES STAFFED WITH EXPERTS. HERE ARE JUST A FEW TO GET YOU START ED ON YOUR SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT RIVER TRIP. EXPEDICIONES CHILE: 704-488-9082. Owner Chris Spelius is a Bfa-Bfa and Futa expert. MOUNTAIN TRAVEL-SOBEK: 800-282-8747. This company made the first descent of the Zambezi in 1981 . OARS (Outdoor Adventure River Specialists): 800-346-6277. One of the top choices for Grand Canyon rafting. liTHE ROCKS ARE LIKE SWISS CHEESE. IF YOU SWIM AND GET STUFFED INTO ONE OF THOSE ROCKS, YOU WON'T GET OUT. A LOT MORE PEO PLE PORTAGE THE ZETA RAPID NOW, BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DYING THERE. GAVERE ON THE FUTA RIOS TROPICALES: +506-233-6455. Strictly Costa Rican rivers-including the Pacuare. "KAYAKER DAN ROW (River Odysseys West): 800-451 -6034. Specialists in Idaho rivers such as Middle Fork of the Salmon. Now running the Upano in Ecuador. PHOTO: TONY OEM IN>