What Your 2022 Trip Will Look Like

Health Requirements

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

In the weeks leading up to your trip, we are asking guests to limit their exposure as much as possible to decrease the chance of transmission.

We ask that anyone who is currently experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 or has been in recent contact with a symptomatic or Covid-19–positive individual to stay home and not join a trip.

Although vaccines are not required, they are strongly recommended.  In 2021 our staff was 100% vaccinated, and, in accordance with current federal mandates, they will be 100% vaccinated in 2022 as well.

Smaller Group Sizes

The backcountry areas we operate in have put limits on group sizes since the 1970s in an effort to minimize the human impact on these wild places. We will be taking that ethic to the next level. In an effort to encourage as much social distancing as possible on our trips, we have amended our group sizes from a typical maximum of 25 people to 20 people.

In most cases we have increased our guide-to-guest ratio from a previous maximum of 1 guide per 5 guests, to a new maximum of 1 guide per 4 guests, allowing for more space to physically distance on the rafts.

Face Coverings

Plan to pack your own mask for those moments when physical distancing isn’t possible. Although you won’t be required to wear a mask all of the time, there will be certain contexts when they might be required. These times include when riding in the vans to the put-in or take-out, or at a popular hiking zone or point of interest. Please utilize your mask as needed to make your trip safe and comfortable.

Physical Distancing in Rafts and Vehicles

We’ll be making full use of our fleet of vans and rafts, adding extra vans and rafts as needed in order to create more space for us all to spread out. Groups traveling together will ride together in vans and on rafts when possible.

On the river, the open air and relative physical distancing with added boat spacing should make it safer for us to breath freely and comfortably.

Hand Washing and Sanitizing

If you’ve been on a trip with us before, you know we’re sticklers about hand washing. Hand sanitizer and hand washing systems will be available throughout the day. Hand sanitizer will be available on the boats all day, although we also recommend bringing your own small container of sanitizer to keep in your day bag.

Outdoor Food Service

Maintaining a safe, clean kitchen on the river is nothing new to us. Our guides are certified food handlers, and we are frequently inspected to ensure that we’re maintaining the highest possible level of safe food service. We’ll also be implementing new serving procedures during meals to minimize the amount of contact that guests have with serving utensils and other kitchen items. You can be sure that our outdoor kitchen will meet and exceed the requirements currently demanded of restaurants operating around the country.

On-River Medical Response

All of our guides are trained in first aid and CPR in a wilderness context. In addition to practicing our normal level of caution, we have also developed protocols to respond to any guests who develop Covid-19 symptoms while in the backcountry, including strategies to quarantine anyone who is ill. All of our staff and guides are trained to respond to a variety of emergencies while on the river, and they will address any issues related to this new challenge with the same clear thinking and problem-solving skills that they’ve honed over years of running trips in the backcountry.

Covid-Conscious Packing

In addition to our existing packing checklist, bringing the following items will help us all keep each other happy and healthy:

• Personal face covering or mask (required)
• Personal hand sanitizer (optional)
• Personal sanitizing wipes (optional)

The Great Outdoors: Better Than Ever

A river or biking trip offers abundant sunshine, open space, and fresh air. Not only do these contribute to an environment for safe recreation, they could also be the best possible antidote to the stress of these challenging times. With plenty of UV light as disinfectant and the canyon breeze to disperse harmful droplets, we hope you’ll feel good about joining us for a trip into the wilderness, and trust that, along with Mother Nature’s natural healing power, we’ll do everything in OUR power to keep us all safe and healthy.

A Culture of Care

We ask that guests participate in our “culture of care.” Our guide team spent the 2021 season working harder than ever to provide our guests with a quality wilderness experience while limiting potential for transmission. When we are out on the river or trail we become a team, and it is incumbent upon all of us, guest and guides alike, to share in caring for one another. By adhering to these protocols and doing your best, we can all look forward to another incident free season!

Things to Consider When Making Your Decision to go on a Trip with us

It is the recommendation of the National Park Service that people at higher risk for severe illness from Covid-19 should consider not going on backcountry trips. High risk individuals include, but are not limited to, people with the following conditions:

• Over 65 years of age
• Chronic lung disease or moderate-to-severe asthma 
• Severely obese 
• Diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or undergoing dialysis 
• Liver disease 
• Cardiovascular disease
• Other immunocompromised individuals (HIV, undergoing cancer treatment, or other underlying medical conditions) 

If you or anyone in your party falls into these high risk demographics and you still wish to participate, contact our office and check in with your reservationist.