One of the team throws a safety bag to rig a portage around one of the rapids that was deemed unsafe for our crew.

Getting some air time on just one of the many white water drops along the river.

The lead guide Bryan pulling the boats out of the water in order to scout some big white water ahead.

Occasionally the rapids thin out two long sections of fun Class 2 where you can take off your helmet.

The photographer, Rich Crowder, gets smashed by the bumps as he clings to his camera.

Digging in avoid getting stuck in a hole.

The ‘put in’ for our second day on the river in the middle of the Sierra Nevadas.

A splash from the cold snow melt waters of the American River.

Approaching one of the bigger rapids along the American River in the Sierra Nevadas, California, US.

It took about 30 minutes for us to get the boat out of this sticky hole.