Rafting in Minakami in February

Late February in Minakami usually has blue skies and crisp weather. It's the perfect time of year to grab your board or skis and hit the slopes. Most of the holiday crowds have dissipated as the days grow warmer. Why we decided it was a good idea to go rafting is beyond me, but here are the photos. The mid-day sun was blazing its way through the winter snow pack, swelling the river and making for some good class 3 and 4 rapids. I clothed myself in every millimeter of neoprene I owned and mentally prepared for what was going to happen.