Western River Expeditions - Moab — Local services in Moab

I've been to four continents, nearly 20 countries, in over 70 years. Six days on the Grand Canyon with Western Rivers was an experience of a lifetime. Ronnie and Jeff Haymond created an expedition that fulfilled all my expectations, and more. Not to mention my fellow travelers!

Food, flora, fauna, geology, history, photography--every aspect of the trip was a treat. Ronnie and Jeff prepped three meals a day of fine meat, fresh veggies and fruits, plus the occasional candy bars and other treats. If we hadn't gotten so much exercise on the rapids, hiking the canyons, and around camp we would have gotten fat!

I came especially interested in the photography (see pix at the photo-share page). I got pictures of stunning landscapes, striking skies (day and night) and battling Big Horn sheep. Some comments, for other photo folks: You'll want a good camera, with long lens capability if you want shots of the critters along the way. But as the Western Rivers photo web page suggests, you will stress your equipment to the max. There is a danger of water damage and, more certainly, problems from the fine sand/dust that is everywhere. I took my backup camera, a Sony RX10 III, and a waterproof Olympus TG5. The Sony (kept most of the time in a Pelican case) came back with the sand all over it and in it; every time I turn a dial I hear grating. It produced GREAT pix of the Big Horns and other animals, close-up details of distant geological features. But I'm glad it's my backup camera, because I'm not sure it survived the trip. The Olympus was terrific for landscape photos that didn't need any kind of close-up, pix around camp, and action shots in the rapids. It held up much better, being thoroughly soaked in the rapids numerous times which seems only to have washed the sand away; it performed perfectly the whole trip.

Once Jeff and Ronnie realized my interest (obsession?) with photography, they were very helpful in keeping an eye out for critters along the way, suggestions of likely perspectives for landscape shots, warnings of upcoming rapids, etc.

I brought a portable battery charger to make sure I had plenty of charge for the hundreds of photos, as well as 126 meg camera cards for each camera. I brought a brush/blower for cleaning dust off the cameras, but it's like trying to soak up the ocean with a sponge.

Do bring rain gear, and figure that even with it you'll be wet much of the time. At 100+ degrees, that's a good thing even though the water temp is more like 50. Sometimes you'll be too warm, sometimes too cold; live with it. Dry footwear and socks at the end of the day are a huge relief to feet which have been wet and gritty all day. But even though this is "camping," it's pretty damned comfortable camping! I think most of us slept under the stars most nights, even if we set up our tents on the just-in-case. You will be exhausted at the end of every day, but you will sleep well!

I"m telling friends and family that this is a must-do experience. Thanks again, Western Rivers,...

It is not often nowadays that a vacation sticks with you for weeks and even a month after arriving back home. While vacations may begin to make you think about uprooting your life, moving to the most recent destination, and dramatically changing your pace, the change that you carry home with you often doesn’t last.

However, when you immerse yourself, physically and mentally into a new area, down a historic riverbed that began to form at least 6 million years ago, this appreciation lingers. Wester River Expeditions fostered this new love. They are a top notch company that lead a group with 6 guides for our 21 guests running down Cataract Canyon. The trip could not have been more well planned, immersive, and overwhelmingly monumental. Having an excuse, and truly no other options than disconnecting yourself from the outside world and the digital environment that we live in was only the beginnings of the benefits of this trip. The community fostered by our guides, the unique and freeing sights, the conversation and connection is what has left a lasting impression.

While I cannot wait for my next trip down the Colorado, I will continue to encourage anyone who will listen on booking a trip, and doing so with Western River. The guides were fantastic, sharing special stories and parts of themselves freely with the group. The food exceeded expectations and included surprises that only can be revealed on your own trip. The stars were so unbelievable I could not sleep. The river, and the history of the countless people who have fallen in love and been truly mystified and humbled, is something I will undoubtedly return to as soon as possible. My deepest thanks to our guides Hannah, Kevin, HJ, Ashlyn, Cameron and Piper. I would happily float down the river with you again one day, or next week if possible. Thank you.

This photo was taken on a side canyon hike that I conducted, which began at 5am on July 4th. While I invited the 26 other guides and guests on this trip to join me, no one took me up on the offer. I was alone in the dark as I hiked to this vantage point and sat overlooking the dimming of the stars as the sun slowly rose over our previously traveled up stream canyon. I sat as the first birds started to awaken and call to each other surrounding me in their voices. I sat as our guides began to prepare coffee and breakfast. Never before have I appreciated this country more, and never before have I felt as deep of a need for its’ preservation. I encourage you to see this part of the country as well.

Now about that free trip giveaway you...

absolutely amazing guides, company and trip! Would not use any other company!!!! all 6 of us thought it was a magical trip! we did the 4 day/3 night Cataract Canyon (moab utah) trip in August. Trip leader - Joshua/rich. other guides: Dylan, Caden, Hannah, Bridger and Sarah and Matt. Each was so friendly, easy going, down to earth and musical! the last night, they played ukelele and guitar and sang to us - staying up too late! This company hires great young people and treats them well. They work very hard for you! They are special people that you will want to keep as friends!!

This is like car camping in a wilderness-- but they cook for you and move you down the river- educating you about the natural history and lore of the river, giving you thrills in the rapids and relaxation with swim breaks in the river and side hikes to views and petroglyphs/pictographs. The food was amazing: multicourse meals including hors d'oeuvres (shrimp cocktail!) deserts (cakes, cheese cake, bananas foster). fruit with lunch, veggies with dinner (steak, salmon- always with veggie options). breakfast- coffee @ 0600, - pancakes, french toast. Lunches were mostly sandwiches. they made it a special-magical trip for our family of 2 adults and 4 boys 16-25 to 25 years old.

you sleep on cots with light sleeping bags. You pee only in the river or on shore in the potable toilets ("groovers). They have tents for privacy (changing) or sleeping but its best to sleep outside- cooler. No peeing in the tents.... you get a plastic painters cup to pee in at night if you dont want to walk to the groover or to river's edge.

Bugs were plentiful at only one camp site.

saw one group of big horn sheep and some hawks, and bats at night. not a lot of wildlife. Good star gazing and comets despite smokey air.

advise: a 32 oz insulated water bottle and 1 carabiner to keep it attached in the boat, a hat with a strap so you don't lose it in wind or rapids; good river shoes or tevas for on the river and a casual pair of flip flops for in camp. light colored (tan or light brown to hide the dirt!) quick dry spf fishing type long sleep shirts (+/- hood) for on the river and a clean(er) set for in camp. Most people bathed in the river at the end of the day.

cant say enough good things about our crew and Western River...