What Your 2023 Trip Will Look Like

What Your 2023 Trip Will Look Like:

The 2023 season will be our fourth season operating in COVID times. While the world has returned to business as usual in most aspects of life, and Covid impacts have become less intimidating, it’s important for us to highlight some key differences with “wilderness context.” We operate multi-day trips in the backcountry and are far away from definitive medical care. Additionally, we have limited options for evacuation. Taking sensible precautions in the weeks leading up to your adventure will save you the headache and heartache of a trip gone awry as well as support your guides in being able to go back out on the river or trail the following week.

Please review the recommendations and expectations below; we hope they will help you feel comfortable and confident in choosing to join a trip with Holiday this summer.

Keeping each other safe means putting the health of our community and river family first. We’re counting on you, our guests and friends, to be conscientious, considerate, and cautious. Self-monitoring and open, honest disclosure of any health issues are imperative. Please help us in this important work of keeping everyone safe while still enjoying the places we love the most.

Be well, and be safe. We can’t wait to see you out there.

Our standard cancellation policy applies.

Health Requirements

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

In the week leading up to your trip, we are asking guests to limit their exposure as much as possible to decrease the chance of transmission. We highly encourage masking on planes or in any other crowded indoor places you may find yourself in while traveling to join us.

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.

We urge guests to take a rapid-test before joining us for the pre-trip meeting & although vaccines are not required, they are strongly recommended.

Face Coverings

Please plan to pack your own mask. Although you won’t be required to wear a mask at this time, there will be certain contexts when they are strongly encouraged. This includes when riding in the vans to the put-in or take-out. Our government agency partners have the right to alter Covid-19 protocols at any time so these encouragements may turn into requirements at any point; that is why even if you’re not wearing a mask, you are asked to have one on hand.

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. Healthy hand washing habits keeps you safe from much more than Covid-19!

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. You can be sure that our outdoor kitchen meets and exceeds 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. Our guides 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.

*Be aware, if Covid-19 is detected on the trip, it could alter the trip itinerary. Scenarios ranging from removing symptomatic individuals to ending the trip early are possible.

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)
Covid-19 rapid test kit (optional)
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 sunlight and the fresh canyon breeze to disperse harmful droplets we hope you’ll feel good about joining us for a trip into the wilderness. Trust that along with Mother Nature’s natural healing power, we’ll do everything in OUR power to keep us all safe and healthy.

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. If you are in any high risk demographic, please remember we are in a true wilderness context far away from definitive medical care and consider whether a backcountry multi-day trip is right for you. Pease call our reservation office anytime with questions: (801) 266-2076.