100% of your fundraising contribution directly benefits students. 100% of the administrative expenses are covered by the Geogrpahy of Hope Board of Directors and The Road Less Traveled, Inc.
Travel with the Steins -
100 Mile GOH Fundraising Trip
August 8th - 15th, 2016 // 8 Days
ALUMNI/STAFF/FAMILY/FRIENDS
ENROLL NOW
Join the Stein Family, founders of the Road Less Traveled, on our exclusive edition trip - the first annual RLT Staff, Alumni and Friends Fundraising Challenge to support Geography of Hope in August of 2016. Our 5-day on river rafting adventure in Utah is a chance to reconnect with old friends, meet other RLT alum, and raise funds to support students and impact the world through life-changing educational experiences. It is a chance to spend time with Donna and Jim as they share stories of their travels around the world and back - what they have seen, what they have learned and what has stuck with them. Their compassion and enthusiasm are contagious. This is a trip not to be missed! This exclusive experience is limited to just 20 guests, so it is sure to be an intimate and unforgettable experience.
Your participation will make it directly possible for future generations of financially disadvantaged students to enjoy a summer on The Road Less Traveled.
Kayak and raft desolation canyon -
JOURNEY TO A FARAWAY TIME AND PLACE.
They DO call it Desolation Canyon for a reason. This stretch of the Green River is the most austere and empty canyon that we float through. If you want to get away from it all, this is where you should come. If you want to spend a week with your kids and not worry about anything except putting on sunscreen, this is where you should take them. There are long, flat stretches of river that lend themselves to conversation and entice us to swim; there are uncountable side canyons that encourage exploration or at least invite wonder; there are short hikes, long hikes and hikes we have never done. We'll visit ancient petroglyphs from Native Americans who dwelled here thousands of years ago, explore abandoned homesteads from early pioneers who lived here hundreds of years ago, and hear tales of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid who hid out here so recently that we'll feel their ghosts. There are sand bars for camping on, cottonwoods for napping under and views for blowing your mind. There are even a couple of clear creeks that provide a refreshing and welcome mid-trip surprise. We offer two different types of boats to ride in: oar rafts which are built for lounging and lazy conversation (some guests have been known to fall asleep), and inflatable kayaks which are built to increase confidence and start water fights.
We're off to a good start. Join us in our work to enrich the lives of young people around the world - All we need is you!
Participation is for those 18 years of age and older (unless accompanied by an adult), group size is capped at twenty, unless we can reach 40! Past RLT Alumni/Staff/Friends of RLT are welcome!
Highlights
Activities
- Whitewater Raft & Whitewater Inflatable Kayak: Desolation and Gray Canyons, Green River
Ages
18+ (or if child/children, accompanied by a parent or guardian)
Days
8 (5 days on river)
Dates
August 8th - 15th, 2016
Arrive/Depart
Salt Lake City, UT (SLC)
Cost
Minimum Participation Cost is $1,500.00 (Includes meals/food/transportation to and from put-in, hotels and closing celebration on the last evening)
Suggested Matching Contribution is $1,500.00 (And please note, any size donation large or small, is gratefully acknowledged and accepted by Geography of Hope.)
(Airfare to and from Salt Lake City not included)
Itinerary
Green River - Desolation Canyon River Trip Details
Where to stay:
Lodging before the trip with be in Salt Lake City and after the trip will be at the River Terrace, 435/564-3401
Our Job (What we provide):
- Pick up at Salt Lake City Airport
- A pre-departure gathering meeting.
- Transportation to Sand Wash (launching point)
- All meals from lunch on the first day through lunch on the last day, lodging and banquet on last day.
- Transportation from the take-out in Green River to Salt Lake City
- Rafts (see below)
- Safety Equipment, Lifejackets and helmets
- Waterproof bags for the limited amount of personal belongings you MUST bring
- All equipment, professional river guides, cooks and bottlewashers
YOUR JOB (What you are responsible for):
- Personal clothing and other miscellaneous items (see equipment list)...(there is a prize for the smallest bag!)
- Sleeping bags and tents (these items can be rented if desired - see equipment list)
- Soda, wine, alcoholic beverages for those over 21 years of age (see below)
- Guides gratuities if you are so inclined (see below)
Additional information:
Types of boats: We will travel with two types of boats which you will be able to ride in:
Oar rafts are 18 feet long, carry all of the overnight gear and up to 5 guests. They are rowed by a guide using oars attached to a metal frame. You ride in the front, hang on through the rapids and relax in the calm stretches.
Inflatable kayaks are 10 - 12 feet long and are paddled by 1 or 2 people using double-bladed paddles. They are fairly stable, require no previous experience, and allow you to feel the thrill of independently paddling the river.
Inflatable kayaks are limited. We will bring as many as we can possible fit, and, we may have to rotate if an over abundance of folks prefer to kayak so that everyone gets a chance to participate.
Meals: Great fresh food, meats, fruits, and vegetables. The river guides double as camp chefs and the menu includes a multitude of choices. Lunches are usually hand-held foods and are enjoyed picnic-style at riverside stops. Dinners and breakfasts are cooked over an open fire and often include tasty Dutch Oven baked treats. Any special dietary requirements or special event during the trip we should know about, please just give us a call in advance.
Drinks: Hot coffee, tea and cocoa start us off in the morning and water, lemonade and punch are provided during the day. If you would care for soda, beer or wine with your dinner, please bring your own in unbreakable containers, (beer and soda can be in cans, wine in bags/boxes or plastic bottles.
Camping: Overnight camping is our mode of lodging at riverside beaches with spectacular views of the river and canyon. There is usually a central kitchen area and campfire burning and guests pick out spots in the surrounding area to pitch their tents or lay out their sleeping bags (which Jim has volunteered graciously to manage.) Portable toilet facilities are provided (a.k.a. Groovers). Dinner is served at sundown and the campfire is often kept burning into the night for music and story-telling.
Weather: The weather along the Green River is usually very comfortable and sunny with highs in the 90's during the day and lows in the 60's at night. The sun can be intense for those not used to it and lightweight cotton clothing, (synthetic, long-sleeved shirts, lightweight cotton pants, old dress shirts, etc.), and sunscreen along with a wide-brimmed hat should be worn for protection. The water temperature is warm in August, but always provides a refreshing way to cool off. Wet, loose-fitting clothing and a wet hat provide natural air conditioning and will help keep you cool. Rain, usually in the form of short thunderstorms, can occur at any time and good rain protection for both day and night (rainshell and tent) are advised. Desolation Canyon often experiences strong, afternoon winds, (always upstream), and our we do our best to accomodate this - expect early morning departures and early afternoon arrivals in camp with plenty of time for exploring.
Wildlife Habitat: Mule deer inhabit the canyons and on occasion a big horn sheep is seen. There is plenty of birdlife, and beaver can be seen along shore. Hawks, golden eagles, Canadian Geese, falcons and a wide assortment of other birds are always in abundance.
Fishing: Fishing in the Green River is not the best. There are two notable sidestreams, Ranch Creek and Range Creek, where we may stop and have an opportunity to fish for small trout. If you are a fisherman, a Utah fishing license is required and should be obtained in Green River before the trip (please make sure to accomodate as we depart from Sandwash. Ultra-lightweight spinning or dry fly gear works best. Bring the minimum in a sturdy case.
Map
Packing List
PACKING List
READY, SET, LET'S GO!
One of the joys of life on the river life is how simple it is. We will be leaving a lot of stuff behind, hopefully life as we know it on a daily basis. Remember, less will be more on this trip. One synthetic fleece pullover is much more compact and versatile than six cotton sweatshirts. You should be able to find most of the gear you need in your closet, garage or neighbor's basement and what you can't find or borrow, you can rent from us. If you have any last-minute difficulty with decisions a please feel free to call us; our goal is the best most comfortable trip possible.
What to bring:
This list has everything we can think of for our August departure, and, you probably shouldn't skip anything.
CAMP ITEMS: These will be packed in your dunnage bag and will generally not be available during the day.
- *Compact sleeping bag, (down or synthetic, rated to 35 degrees).
- *Closed-cell foam or self-inflating sleeping pad, (ensolite, Thermarest, or air mattress).
- *Sleeping bag liner or flat bed-sheet (perfect for hot nights and will add warmth on cold nights).
- Small tarp or ground cloth
- Compact, lightweight tent, (free-standing preferred, no wall tents please).
- Your favorite pillow (an extra pillow-case is handy for organizing stuff in your bag).
- 2 complete changes of clothing (versatile pants and shirts, cotton is fine - something excitingfor dinner is welcome!)
- Extra swimsuits, shorts and T-shirts for in camp
- Extra socks, (wool or fleece are best), and underwear (wool only for the rugged!)
- Camp shoes, (flip flops or trail running shoes, ultra-lite boots, tennis shoes, etc. Something you can walk and hike in comfortably).
- Small towel, soap and shampoo (Campsuds and Dr. Bronner's seem to be the most environmentally friendly; Ivory is fine).
- Personal hygiene items, including medicine, insect repellent, dry-skin lotion, etc. Please bring twice the amount needed of any essential medicine.
- Warm jacket, (thick fleece is great - will work on-river as well - or compact/down coat).
- Rain gear, (can double as on-river gear); top is essential, bottoms are optional.
- Small flashlight with extra batteries, (headlamps are great).
- Book, sketch pad, journal, etc.
RIVER ITEMS: These will be worn, or packed in your personal dry-pack and will be accessible during the day
- Sandals with heel strap (Chaco, Teva) or old running shoes. NO FLIP FLOPS OR SLIP-ONS! Wool or fleece socks help keep your feet warm.
- Swimsuit or shorts and T-shirt, (nylon quick-drying shorts are best - women often prefer to wear shorts over their swimsuits).
- Lightweight cotton clothing, (synthetic long-sleeved or old cotton dress shirts) for sun protection.
- Sunglasses with strap, (maybe not your best pair).
- Brimmed hat, (a spare is a good idea, baseball style is fine, kayakers will wear helmets).
- Waterproof sunscreen/block (SPF 30), lip balm.
- Polypropylene pile or fleece top (essential).
- Polypropylene pile or fleece pants (encouraged).
- Waterproof rainshell (essential) and rainpants.
- Small water bottle, 1 quart, (essential - even if it's just an empty plastic Gatorade bottle).
OPTIONAL ITEMS: Not absolutely necessary, but you are welcome to bring them.
- Waterproof camera, (if you want to bring your cell phone to use as a camera, we strongly recommend getting a sturdy case such as an Otter Box or EscapeCapsule)
- Beer, wine, or soda in unbreakable containers, (cans or plastic bottles).
- Fishing gear, (compact, lightweight, minimalist)
- Biking/Sailing gloves for inflatable kayakers.
- Carabiner, handy for securing your day-pack.
- 1 or 2 plastic garbage bags and some gallon size zip-locks for organizing and separating gear.
- Underlined items are the choice of our professional river guides.
- WE WILL PROVIDE: a chair, cup, plate, and eating utensils for each guest.
- PLEASE DO NOT BRING: Valuable jewelry, radios, guns or irreplaceable items.
*Rental gear:
There is good equipment available to rent. Reserve and pay for it in advance, pick it up at the pre-trip meeting, leave it behind when you're done; simple.
---> Sleep Kits (polarguard bag, liner, self-inflating pad and tarp) are $40 per trip.
---> Tents (two-person, free-standing, comfortable) are $40 per trip.
Call us once you have registered for your trip and we will coordinate.
PROFESSIONAL TIP:
'Fleece' is a generic term for a spun, polyester fabric developed for outdoor use. It is great for the river, as it is thick and fluffy and does not absorb water, making it ideal insulation. It is commonly called Polartec or Polarfleece. “Polypropylene” is a thinner, stretchier, woven variation used predominately for long underwear. Any polypropylene long underwear will work; heavyweight tends to be the most versatile.
How to dress:
ON HOT DAYS you will want clothing that dries quickly (nylon shorts and bathing suits) and a sun sheild which is best provided by an old lightweight cotton dress shirt and maybe even lightweight long pants or capris). A brimmed hat and a bandana also will help in staying cool.
ON COOL DAYS you will want a thick, synthetic fleece top, (pullovers are best) and a sturdy, fully waterproof rainshell. You may also want fleece pants or polypropylene long underwear bottoms and rainpants. Don't bring a cotton sweatshirt and a windbreaker; cotton is worthless when wet and won't work for on-river insulation and you need something waterproof over your fleece.
ON YOUR FEET you will want shoes that stay on if you go for a swim and are comfortable for hiking. Sport sandals with heel straps (Tevas, Chacos, Keen, etc.) work well, (buckles are better than velcro). Old running shoes work well and are easy to find. Neoprene, wool or fleece socks will add a bit of insulation under shoes or sandals. Wetsuit booties work but can be a bit clammy after a full day.
IN CAMP you will want comfortable walking/hiking shoes, (flip flops, lightweight boots or tennis shoes), and versatile clothing, (T-shirts, warm shirts, cotton shorts, jeans or sweats, extra fleece, etc). Cotton is fine for camp stuff, but because it is worthless for keeping you warm on the river, many people bring two sets of fleece - one for the river, one for camp - and have a backup in case one gets drenched.
PROFESSIONAL TIP:
Layering your clothing is the most effective way to adjust to the daily weather changes. A light polypropylene layer under a heavy fleece top under a rainshell will get you going on the chilliest of mornings and allow you to shed layers as the day warms up.
Where to find it:
PROFESSIONAL TIP:
Thrift store.
How to pack:
CAMP ITEMS go in a watertight dunnage bag provided by our River Guides, (only one per person :-). These are generally not accessible during the day. The bags are roughly 17 inches in diameter and 24 inches tall, (the size of a large duffel bag); plenty big, but you should try to limit all of your gear to about 25 pounds. We'll show you how to close the dunnage bag so that it stays watertight even if temporarily submerged, but packing your sleeping bag in a garbage bag will help provide extra protection.
RIVER ITEMS will go in a watertight dry-pack provided by our River Guides, (one per person). These small packs are 9 inches in diameter and 12 inches tall, perfect for rain gear, fleece, sunblock, and other things you want to keep handy during the day. For expensive cameras we recommend a Pelican Box, which can be found on-line and at most outdoor stores.
PROFESSIONAL TIP:
Our dry-bags are great for keeping things dry but are somewhat awkward for packing and living out of, (they are tall and narrow with a small opening at the top). Compact sleeping bags are much more convenient, and small stuff sacks, pillow cases or zip-lock bags are helpful for dividing up your stuff inside the bag. Trying to put your entire duffel bag or luggage into the dry-bag never seems to work.
PROFESSIONAL TIP:
Our girl guides say that one of the handiest things to bring on a trip is a sarong. Versatile, comfortable and colorful, sarongs get used for quick clothing changes, beach throws, sun screens and dinner celebrations. Some of our boy guides bring them too and no one laughs (at least not out loud).
Questions:
Please feel free to call our office 800/939-9839 or e-mail us if you have any questions. We have been on many trips, have tested a lot of gear, and we enjoy talking about what has and hasn't worked.
History
More about the river:
The Green River starts its journey on the slopes of 13,800 foot Gannett Peak, the highest point in Wyoming and travels almost due south for nearly 700 miles before joining the Colorado River in Canyonlands National Park. The waterway is remote and vast, traversing some of the least inhabited country in the west.
Our journey takes us through one of the most isolated stretches. Desolation and Gray canyons are rugged, austere, and starkly beautiful. Wide sweeping bends in the river form majestic amphitheaters which clearly display the rugged, dramatic cliffs of the neighboring Tavaputs Plateau. Complimenting the starkness is a sublime and colorful beauty waiting to be discovered. Long, thin ridges of red and orange, talus slopes dotted with evergreen juniper and pinyon pines, and the white and gray cliffs provide a colorful and ever-changing palette for discerning eyes.
Equally colorful is the history of the area. This is a region overflowing with tales of Native Americans, Old West ranchers, and infamous outlaws. Petroglyphs and clay figurines, abandoned homesteads, and the ghosts of Butch Cassidy and his Hole-in-the-Wall Gang, (who hid in the many side-canyons and traded horses with the locals), are current reminders of this fascinating history.
The warm water and moderate rapids make this a great trip for learning the skills of paddling yourself through whitewater. Our trips are designed around small inflatable kayaks, paddled independently by one or two people. Novices as well as seasoned river runners will find enjoyment in paddling themselves down the Green.
Attractions
Amazing Attractions
Hiking, fishing, biking, sightseeing and many other popular things are available in the area. The Green River is well know for its fly fishing so grab your gear and go right out on the river.
You can visit San Rafael Swell, the Canyonlands, Arches National Park, Dead Horse Point and other great destinations. The following information will give you an idea, and a must is the first and our personal favorite...
John Wesley Powell Museum
Relive adventures of the early explorer John Wesley Powell. Watch an exciting video in the museums theatre and enjoy other cool exhibits of early river boats and Utah dinosaurs.
Across the Street
Walk 2 min, 472 ft
Goblin Valley State Park
One of the area’s most popular attractions. Famous for its sandstone goblins and formations. Many people compare it to hiking on Mars.
18630 Goblin Valley Rd, Green River, UT 84525
50 mi, 1 h 7 min
San Rafael Swell
Home to thousands of square miles of geological wonders. Enjoy hiking and exploring the majestic sandstone canyons, cliffs, and formations.
San Rafael River Rd, Green River, UT 84525
57.3 mi, 1 h 49 min
Crystal Geyser
A spectacular cold water geyser that can erupt to a height of 130ft. Timing of eruptions is sporadic so be sure to do your research. However, the sight is well worth exploring.
Crystal Geyser
8.2 mi, 26 min
Arches National Park
View hundreds of breath taking rock formations as you tour this beautiful national park. Home to the longest natural rock span in the world.
N Highway 191, Moab, UT 84532
46.9 mi, 46 min
Dead Horse Point State Park
Learn about the legend of wild horses. Hike to the top of the mesa and enjoy a compelling view of the canyons and the Colorado River, 2,000ft below.
Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah 313, Moab, UT 84532
59 mi, 1 h 4 min
Canyonlands National Park
View the deep canyons that have been carved by the Green and Colorado rivers. The park is home to countless canyons, arches, spires, buttes, and mesas.
2282 Resource Blvd, Moab, UT 84532
61.2 mi, 1 h 11 min
Colorado Mission Wolf Family Service Adventure ›
Learn about wolf conservation efforts at Mission: Wolf Refuge, whitewater raft the Arkansas River valley, and explore the San Isabel National Forest
Costa Rica Family Service Adventure ›
Live, immerse, support, serve and explore a rural village community near Turrialba. Hike to waterfalls and pools in the rainforest and whitewater raft the Pacuare River.
