Wild Rapids: White Water Rafting

White water rafting is another famous outdoor sport in Sagada, since it is situated in the upper end of the Malitep tributary of the Chico River, which runs through the Cordillera and the Ilocos Ranges.

(c) the pinaysolobackpacker

Commercial rafting is done in the Chico River, while other rivers are available for expert kayakers. Unlike other commercial rafting rivers in the Philippines, the Chico River offers a more exciting experience since the rafting takes place in the uppermost sections of the river, high in the mountains, where the stronger current makes the water more demanding, more intense.  

Six sections of white water rafting are accessible to Sagada, each of them characterizes a certain degree of difficulty. White water season usually runs from late June to early January. J

White Water Rafting in Sagada (c) dutchpickle

Sabangan Run (Sabangan – Dantay)

-kayak water which offers an exceptional level of paddling for experienced kayakers who want to avoid extreme exposure and focus on a safe but challenging scenic run. Class 2 to 3+ rapids are nearly continuous throughout the roughly 9km.

Dantay Run (Dantay – Bontoc)

-commercial rafting; offers fun continuous class 3 boogie water with several standout rapids. The lower flows are for experienced kayakers.

Bontoc Run (Bontoc – Chico and Talubin Rivers Confluence)

-advanced section that offers numerous Class 4 rapids including Domay’s Drop, a 12 foot pour-over that is exciting even to international rafting veterans.

-raftable only in high water; technically demanding, demands light rafts and coordinated work from paddlers. (Kayakers will need a bombproof roll and solid technical skills.)

Chico River Rafting (c) Pueblo Philippines

Confluence Run (Chico and Talubin Confluence – Gawa)

-more consistent rafting than upstream sections; medium to high flows

-half-day section involves class 4 technical rapid

Gawa Run (Gawa – Brgy. Anabel)

-short but demanding section; offers class 4 rapids

Anabel Run

-tightly channeled bed

-comparable to Colorado’s Royal Gorge

-ideal progression of rapids (convenient flat water warm-up section to a mild class 2 section, to a long stretch of class 3 to 3+ water, and class 4 in the end.)

Sources:
http://www.saggas.net/2009/09/spelunking-attire.html
http://www.raftingphilippines.com/index.php?page=home&selectlanguage=eng&task=sagada