Summer Solstice on the Potomac River! (Class II Whitewater)

—When paddling down a beautiful river, in kind company, surrounded by a living wild landscape and feeling the flow of current, joy stirs freely and friendship unfolds naturally. Together, we let the river guide our way. Join us for this special adventure.

Celebrate the summer solstice with a full-day, plant-powered rafting trip on one of the most beautiful stretches of the iconic Potomac River!

Led by Jeff Cogle of Appalachian Guidance, this 8.5-mile guided journey combines class II whitewater, calm scenic paddling, wildlife viewing, river education, rejuvenating movement, and optional post-rafting dinner at Kelley Farm Kitchen.

We’ll start with a meet and greet and an easy full-body warm-up along the C&O canal of the Potomac. This will include gentle yoga and qi gong techniques designed for optimal spinal movement and relaxed breathing.
We’ll then shuttle together to where we will first embark on a popular class II section that is upstream from Washington DC, and meanders through Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. commonly known as “The Needles” due to the uniquely formed rock patterns. This first section offers a joyous but reasonably gentle selection of rapids, and is a favorite among local boaters.

Instead of exiting the river where the commercial raft trips usually end, we will continue on down a far less commonly paddled section, which generally only private boaters have the opportunity to paddle. This minimally trafficked section boasts giant eagles’ nests in trees above, with a great variety of surrounding wildlife. The beauty and peacefulness makes this section a true local treasure. This second section is mostly flat water with a few class I and II rapids along the way.

We will paddle both sections at a leisurely pace while sharing snacks, stopping for a swim if inspired, taking time to spot local wildlife, and learn some of the river’s history. Jeff will also teach us about important hydrological features, paddling strokes, and raft-guiding technique along the way!

Note: While we will encounter class II rapids on this whitewater rafting trip, this will likely be a mostly calm river trip, due to the time of year. Bigger water is possible in the event of a rainstorm, but not expected. If the river rises to a concerning level, the trip will be postponed to July 18.

Optional Post-Rafting Dinner at Kelley Farm Kitchen:
Kelley Farm Kitchen (aka KFK) was named Yelp’s #1 restaurant in the country in 2021! At KFK, we will each order from their normal menu and each attendee will pay the restaurant directly, based on what is ordered. Check out their big menu!

Cost & Registration:
The price of this event is $108 (discounted from the standard $149 price).

Payment must be made to Appalachian Guidance directly:
https://www.appalachianguidance.com/plant-powered-adventure

IMPORTANT: Note that RSVPing here does not guarantee a spot on a raft. You must contact Appalachian Guidance directly using the link provided above. Space is very limited, so please make your reservation as soon as possible. The reservation deadline is June 18th.
Once someone registers, there will be a follow-up email sent to them with basic event details as well as a standard ACA waiver. Completing the waiver in advance will save some time (and paper).

About Your Guides:
Jeff Cogle is one of the most experienced raft guides in the country. He regularly guides rafts on class 5 rivers and currently trains other aspiring raft guides and leads raft guide instructor trainings. With 40 years of experience, he is recognized by American Canoe Association as an L5 Raft Guide Instructor Trainer (the only one in the Northeast), and L4 Swift Water Rescue instructor, as well as L4 whitewater kayaking instructor.
Sarah Kellett is an environmental activist who has been vegan for 26 years and has worked extensively to protect waterway health. She aims to inspire the whitewater community to consider a more plant-based way of life in order to help protect and preserve our precious rivers. She is also the vice president of the local whitewater club and has been training in various whitewater modalities since 2019, including training with Jeff since 2021.

What To Bring:

• Synthetic pants, or leggings. No cotton clothing unless it’s extremely hot.
• Quick-dry shirt and long-sleeved fleece top (that you don’t mind getting wet)
• Waterproof jacket or shell for an extra layer
• Sneakers or sport sandals with good tread that will stay on your feet. No flip flops! Any laces should be neatly tucked in.
• Optional fleece socks to wear with your sneakers or sports sandals. No cotton!
• Hat with brim or visor
• Wearing contacts is preferable to glasses
• Optional sunglasses. Be sure to have a strap to keep them on your head
• Dry change of clothes (leave in your car)
• Towel (leave in your car)
• Sunscreen and insect repellant (spray-free and natural please!)
• Water bottle – at least 32 ounces
• Lunch and snacks (especially fruit, which is hydrating): We’ll stop for a bite on the river
• A yoga mat or blanket for stretching (To be left in the car after the warm-up)
• Do not wear loose or sharp jewelry (the less worn the better)
• Please avoid bringing peanuts due to allergy concerns

Note: It is normal to feel colder on the water, as a little wind and/or overcast while wet can change body temps dramatically. We recommend preparing accordingly as suggested above. If the weather is expected to be very hot (>90 degrees) clothing recommendations will change. Attendees will be notified with ample time to prepare, based on updated weather info.

There is very limited space in the dry bags on the river, so please leave all non-essential items in your car.

For more information, please see the FAQ section in the Appalachian Guidance link above.

Optional post-rafting dinner: Kelley Farm Kitchen at approximately 6 pm. We will each order from their normal menu and each attendee will pay the restaurant directly, based on what is ordered.