Rafting the Franklin River
Tuesday, July 1st, 2008Tassy’s Exciting Franklyn River
By: Phoenix Arrien
Today people are gathering in Hobart, the capital city of Tasmania to celebrate the saving of the Franklin River.
I paddled this extraordinary river and found that the river and its wilderness are breathtaking.
Rearing gorges, mighty in their remote isolation, funnels clear water through rugged forest offering a seemingly crazy explosion of life and death in twisting and twirling wildness.
Trees, vines, plants, mosses, wildlife and moisture overwhelm and inspires. Bouncing around on wild rapids and camping on riverside ledges fosters a profound appreciation of the irreplaceable nature of ancient wilderness.
We camped on rock ledges to save disturbing the river banks and as I lay there snug in my (very warm) sleeping bag I wondered at the pungent smells, the sight of moss and vine entangled trees and the sounds of birds and wildlife hidden in the thick forest.
The last few days we hit placid waters, far quieter than the foaming white water we had plunged through and when the seaplane touched down to pick us up, I knew I would never forget this experience.
I never have and neither have the people who saved this special place.
Senator Brown: “In an age of much greater environmental alarm, the Franklin campaign
continues to send out shock waves of optimism around the world. Against huge odds, the wild river was saved because it galvanized national public opinion. Latest polls show the environment is easily the biggest issue for the future on people’s minds.”
Want to raft the Franklin River? Of course you do. Most river expeditions are ten days, though longer and shorter trips also run with any number of rafting companies.
