Cataract Canyon is the king of Utah river trips. But dynamic geology, massive canyon walls, and big whitewater are only part of the story. This year, we’re excited to invite you to join us on our special Cataract Canyon naturalist trip with John Weisheit, the man who (literally) wrote the book on Cataract.
A Lifetime Studying the Colorado River
John began his career as a river guide and gradually evolved into a passionate advocate, dedicated student, and tireless steward. He founded Living Rivers, a Moab-based non-profit that promotes river restoration. He’s also the official Riverkeeper for the Colorado River. There’s no one better to answer questions—any questions—about Cataract Canyon. If John doesn’t know the answer, you can bet he’s in the process of trying to figure it out!
Paddle a stand-up paddleboard through the calm water, and learn why the approach to Cataract Canyon is so mellow. Hang on tight through the Big Drops (the biggest rapids of the trip), and learn why they’re so big. Look for flood deposits high (really high) along the river banks, and learn about Pleistocene flooding events. Every lunch is an opportunity for an informal seminar. Discover a new way to see the landscape on every hike. Become immersed in your surroundings.
Not only has John written the book, he’s probably read every book about western rivers that there is. John learns by doing, gets into the fieldwork, consults with the experts, and learns from his mistakes; this humility has made him an understated expert of all things river-related. What are the mistakes that scientists, lawyers, and politicians have made concerning the management of the Colorado River? The answers will enthrall you and are the reason why you should join us on our Cataract Canyon naturalist trip. Listen to John tell his story of great floods, ancient canyons, and dedicated titans who have fought (and still fight) to save these magical places.
Learn more about John in his recent interview with Holiday!
And read about why Cataract is king in our Insider’s Guide.