Rafting and social distancing, companies take precautions
A party rafts down the Middle Fork last week. Montana Raft Co. has gone to rafts with the guide in the center of the boat to socially distance parties on trips.
Local rafting companies are taking steps to socially distance parties while heading down Northwest Montana’s waterways this summer due to concerns about the coronavirus. Public health officials are also setting up surveillance testing in West Glacier to test employees who come in close and frequent contact with guests as the summer tourist season comes into full swing in the next few weeks.
At Glacier Guides and Montana Raft Co, the business has taken a proactive approach this season, marketing director Courtney Stone said.
This year the company is reducing the number of people per raft and guides are using center oars to keep parties that aren’t related separate.
So one party is in the back of the raft and the other is in the front — six feet apart, Stone said.
In addition, staff wear masks while onboard buses that transport staff, gear and clients to and from the river. The bulk of raft trips in the region are from Moccasin Creek launch site to West Glacier. Gear like wet and life rafts — is sanitized between each trip, as are buses.
The company also guides hikers and backcountry trips in Glacier National Park.
While hiking in the park is easy to social distance groups, once at camp, guides will be making the meals and people will eat in shifts. Tents will be situated farther apart and its recommended that people sleep head to toe, which could be an odorous proposition on a long backpack.
Glacier backcountry is tentatively supposed to reopen on June 26. Backpacking in the park is a popular activity for folks who want the true Glacier experience.
Until the end of the month, the company is offering rent one, get another rental free for locals who want to try out an inflatable kayak or other gear.
At Wild River Raft Co. the company isn’t using rafts with center oars, but it is giving reduced rates for private boats this summer, said owner Lexi Woods. That way if a family wants a private boat with a guide without passengers they don’t know, they can still do so.
Like Montana Raft, Wild River is also taking stringent sanitation steps to keep staff and clients safe.
On the testing side, Flathead Community Health has a contract to do surveillance testing in West Glacier this summer partnering with North Valley Hospital and the West Glacier clinic, Flathead County Public Health Officer Hillary Hanson said recently.
The intent of the testing is to determine if there’s any asymptomatic people in the workforce, particularly those that come in contact with a lot of different people everyday.