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Western River Expeditions

Founded in 1961 by Colorado River rafting pioneer Jack Currey, Western River Expeditions is the largest licensed outfitter in the Grand Canyon with 13,000 user-days, and the largest single tour provider in Moab, UT. Western River offers trips through the natural wonders of Utah, Idaho and Colorado for adventurers of all ages and levels.
 
Moab Adventure Center
At Western's Moab Adventure Center, you can create your own experience with as many half to full-day activities as you wish, plus stay in a comfortable hotel each night. The center is your place for all the gear and souvenirs for your trip too.
 
Office Locations
Western River Expeditions is a nationally recognized outfitter headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah with operations and offices in Moab, Utah and Fredonia, Arizona.
 
Annual Guests
Western services over 30,000 guests on trips each year through river vacations and the Moab Adventure Center.
 
Points of Departure
Western River currently has seven points of departure for its trips, depending on which adventure you choose. They include:
Salt Lake City, Utah
Moab, Utah
Las Vegas, Nevada
Marble Canyon, Arizona
Stanley, Idaho
Boise, Idaho
Grand Junction, Colorado
 
Waters to Raft
  • Western River provides professionally guided rafting trips on:
  • Colorado River in Utah and Arizona
  • Grand Canyon (188 or 100 miles)
  • Cataract Canyon (100 miles)
  • Westwater Canyon (16 miles)
  • Moab Day Trip (14 miles)
  • Green River in Utah
  • Green River, Desolation Canyon (84 miles)
  • Idaho Rafting Trips
  • Main Salmon River (89 miles)
  • Middle Fork Salmon River (100 miles)
  • Snake River through Hells Canyon
Vacation Variety
Everything from day trips to week-long escapes, from everyday adventurer to first-time fun-seekers, from extreme thrills to tame chills, from roughing it in the elements to pampering at four-star resorts and spas.
 
Price Range and Duration
Fully-equipped, multiple-day expeditions are all inclusive in their prices. Some trips will have optional add-ons (such as flights and shuttles). All multi-day trips include transportation to the river, food (meals and snacks), drinks camping equipment, safety equipment and professional guide service. For a complete list of trips and prices, see our printable summary sheet: http://www.westernriver.com/comparisons/
 
Western’s Guides
Western’s staff includes over 60 licensed and professionally trained guides, all with their own stories and experiences to share. Each Western guide experiences nearly 300 hours of training before escorting his or her first guest down the river. This training includes swift water rescue certification, CPR and First Aid Certification, a state licensing test, food handler's education, on-river cooking courses, geology and interpretation classes, and Western's renowned custom guide-training program.
 
Western’s Fleet of Vessels
Western uses 4 different types of vessels to navigate the waters, including:
  • 20 J-Rigs
  • 25 Row Rafts
  • 20 Paddle Boats
  • 30 Inflatable kayaks
Western’s Special Hummers®
Western’s professional guides operate custom Hummer® vehicles with raised seating in the rear for optimum passenger viewing. With 16 inches of ground clearance and an extremely low center of gravity, the Hummer® can navigate virtually any terrain imaginable.
 
Season
Western River offers trips March through October on selected waterways.
 
Other activities
In addition to the best rafting vacations in the West, Western River offers tours via Hummer, horseback, jet boat, 4x4, airplane and mountain bike.
 
Specialty Trips
Western offers trips for everyone and every group, including:
  • Women’s Adventure
  • Corporate Retreats
  • Group and Family Reunion Trips
 
Western’s Culinary Arts
Western’s guides are not only trained in the outdoors and geography of the area, they are also talented campfire cooks. Expect anything but your normal camping food on trips with Western River. Look forward to plates of steaming flapjacks, fresh fruit and scrambled eggs every morning and tasty chicken and veggie wraps or perhaps chicken salad pitas as part of Western's mid-day buffet. Dinner every night is different including grilled chicken breasts, tender steaks, pasta, or fresh fish.
 
Guiding Green Philosophy
Western River is committed to not only providing the best rafting trips in the world, but also to protecting those valuable resources in the environment we operate in and giving back to our community. See: http://www.westernriver.com/whywestern/environment.php
 
Awards
Western River Expeditions Recent Awards and Recognitions:
  • National Geographic Adventure Magazine “Best Adventure Travel Company”
  • Utah Best of State
  • The Official Best of Utah
 
Reservations
Western River Expedition’s helpful reservations specialists are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. MST at (801) 942-6669 or toll free at (866) 904-1160. You can also book your trip online at: http://secure.westernriver.com/express/reservation/
 
Contact Information
 
-Brandon Lake, Vice President
Phone: 801-942-6669 x101
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
-Widness & Wiggins PR
Sara Widness / 802-234-6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or
Dave Wiggins / 303-554-8821/ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

River Rafting Pioneer, Western River Expeditions, Predicts High Waters, Stellar Year on West’s White Waters

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Released on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 15:14

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, MAY 17, 2011 – This spring / summer promises to be one of the top 10 best high water years on record for the Colorado River System in Utah and Arizona, reports Brian Merrill, CEO of Western River Expeditions http://www.westernriver.com /that 50 years ago helped pioneer the sport of river rafting on white waters of the West. 

“It’s possibly the best water year ever on Utah’s Green River  in our half century of river running,” Merrill said. He noted that for raft enthusiasts and whitewater adrenaline junkies “2011 is THE year to book a river trip through Westwater or Cataract Canyons of the Colorado Riveror Gray and Desolation Canyons on the Green.” Also, the Bureau of Reclamation is releasing extra flow from Glen Canyon Dam which means higher water through the Grand Canyon this year. (The water release strategy is an effort to increase the level of Lake Mead.) 

Merrill anticipated that high water would continue through late July this year; ordinarily it tapers off at the end of June. The public may monitor Colorado and Green River drainages on a daily basis by going to: http://www.cbrfc.noaa.gov/rec/rec.php. 

As of mid May the water content from snowpack in the mountains of the Colorado River Basin is the fifth highest on record, potentially making this year one of the 10 best high water years ever, with 1984 setting records when the flow in Cataract Canyon peaked at 114,000 cubic feet per second (CFS). In 1983 it peaked at 103,000 CFS. The current snowpack is 10 percent behind where it was at this point in 1983 and 20 percent behind where it was in 1984. Anything over 50,000 CFS is considered significant according to Merrill. 

“We will easily exceed that number this year,” said Merrill. “There is no way to accurately predict because there are so many variables such as how quickly will the weather warm up and the amount of spring rainfall. These factors could either cause the water to peak quickly or come down more gradually creating a nice sustained flow that stretches later into the summer. But based on the snowpack and the long-term weather prediction, we could easily see levels around 70,000 - 80,000 CFS on the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon.” 

He explained that two benefits of faster, higher water are bigger and more exciting rapids plus faster journeys down river so there’s more time for side canyon hiking and exploring. 

“Desolation Canyon on the Green River, again thanks to snowpack, will be spectacular. It's still a more moderate river as compared to the Colorado River, but a great number of the rapids become a solid Class III http://www.westernriver.com/riverscale/, and it is incredibly fun.  It is more rare for the Green River to get big, so this could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” 

The larger waves and increased river speed present high water challenges that his staff have been trained to meet. 

“Our philosophy is that we always prepare for the most extreme conditions and if we don't have them, it's ok to be over-prepared,” he said. 

Rafting trips offered by Western River Expeditions range from one to seven days:

-Westwater Canyon, Colorado River – http://www.westernriver.com/trips/westwater1day/;

-Cataract Canyon, Colorado River – 2 day http://www.westernriver.com/trips/cataract/ and 4 day http://www.westernriver.com/trips/canyonlands/;

-Desolation & Gray Canyons, Green River – http://www.westernriver.com/trips/green/;

-Grand Canyon, Colorado River – http://www.westernriver.com/trips/grandcanyon/ 

Western River Expeditions

Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/) is an adventure travel company headquartered in Salt Lake City, with operations and offices in Moab, Utah and Fredonia, Arizona. Annually from March through October it escorts more people down rivers on professionally guided rafting trips in Utah, Idaho and Arizona than any other company. It is the largest licensed outfitter in the Grand Canyon and the largest single tour provider in Moab, UT, through its division Moab Adventure Center (http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/). 

Western River Expeditions, providing Grand Canyon rafting, Utah rafting, and Idaho rafting trips, was founded in 1961 by Colorado River rafting pioneer Jack Currey. Today it pursues a “guiding green” philosophy and belongs to some of the top environmentally conscious organizations in the world: See: http://www.westernriver.com/whywestern/environment.php 

In 2009, Western River Expeditions was named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by the editors of National Geographic Adventure magazine. The company was recently honored as the 2010 recipient of "Best of State" through Utah’s Premier Recognition and Awards Program. This is the seventh consecutive year Western River Expeditions has earned this distinction. 

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Western River Expeditions, River Rafting Pioneer, Heralds 50 Years on American Rivers

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Released on Tuesday, 01 March 2011 13:38

 Western River Expedition’s 50thAnniversary Season Celebrated with Shared Stories, Discounts, Cake and Complimentary Trip Photos 

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, Mar. 1, 2011 –Fifty years ago Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/) helped pioneer the concept of river rafting vacations, targeting wilderness canyons and white water rivers in the American West that five decades later continue to amaze gadget-driven, world-weary clients who may find themselves in raw nature for the first times in their lives. 

From humble beginnings Western River Expeditions (WRE) now offers multi-day rafting itineraries on the Colorado River in Utah and Arizona, Utah’s Green River, the Salmon River in Idaho and the Snake River along the Oregon-Idaho border. WRE has the distinction of being the single largest licensed outfitter offering rafting trips through the Grand Canyon. 

To celebrate a half century in business and help guests preserve their extraordinary memories, all guests on 2011 adventures will receive a special gift from Western River and trip-partner Shutterfly. On every multi-day trip guests will help celebrate over freshly baked Dutch-oven birthday cake. Plus, for those celebrating a 50thbirthday or anniversary of their own, they will receive a $50 gift certificate from the Moab Adventure Center (a division of the company) for, among others, rafting, hot air ballooning, mountain biking and 4-wheel drive tours. 

Said Brandon Lake, WRE vice president, “In addition to the extraordinary natural settings in which we operate, our commitment to professional guides, trip safety, and integrity have secured a position for Western River Expeditions that’s second to none in the river rafting industry.” 

“Every year, Western River Expeditions escorts more people down the rivers we run than anyone else in the business. In addition to thousands of repeat customers each year, more than half of our new guests come each year as a result of the recommendations of past guests,” said Lake. 

WRE’s rafting season runs from March through October on rivers in Utah, Idaho and Arizona. Aside from its river operations, it is also the largest tour provider in Moab, UT, through its division Moab Adventure Center (http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/). 

To help document its 50 year history and river legacy, all year long the company will be sharing and collecting stories from managers, staff and guides while also encouraging former guests to share and blog about their own tales.  See: http://blog.westernriver.com/blog/western-river-guest-stories 

WesternRiverExpeditions  

Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/) is an adventure travel company headquartered in Salt Lake City, with operations and offices in Moab, Utah and Fredonia, Arizona. Annually from March through October it escorts more people down rivers on professionally guided rafting trips in Utah, Idaho and Arizona than any other company. It is the largest licensed outfitter in the Grand Canyon and the largest single tour provider in Moab, UT, through its division Moab Adventure Center (http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/). 

Western River Expeditions, providing Grand Canyon rafting, Utah rafting, and Idaho rafting trips, was founded in 1961 by Colorado River rafting pioneer Jack Currey. Today it pursues a “guiding green” philosophy and belongs to some of the top environmentally conscious organizations in the world: Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association, American Rivers, Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics, Utah Rivers Council, America Outdoors, and National River Cleanup Week. See: http://www.westernriver.com/whywestern/environment.php 

In 2009, Western River Expeditions was named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by the editors of National Geographic Adventure magazine. The company was recently honored as the 2010 recipient of "Best of State" through Utah’s Premier Recognition and Awards Program. This is the seventh consecutive year Western River Expeditions has earned this distinction. 

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Western River Expeditions Announces Three Truly American Adventures Wrapped in New Four-Day Program in Iconic Moab, Utah

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Released on Monday, 13 December 2010 16:35

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, DEC. 13, 2010 – One of the oldest and most respected river and canyon outfitters in the American West (http://www.westernriver.com/) wants its guests to have it all.  

Western River Expeditions’ appropriately dubbed “Red Rocks, Whitewater and Blue Sky” adventure combines three uniquely American activities into one active four-day/three-night package based in the iconic Moab, Utah region. The activities are 4x4 off-road exploring, whitewater rafting and hot air ballooning. The per-person rate is $897 ($815 ages 12-15). 2011 Departures begin May 4 and continue weekly through Sept. 25. See: http://www.westernriver.com/trips/moab-utah-multisport/

The setting is red rock canyons, exhilarating whitewater rapids and limitless blue sky horizons surrounded by two of the nation's most alluring national parks; Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. Guests depart each day for a new adventure returning with the setting sun to the down-home comforts of Red Cliffs Lodge on the banks of the Colorado River. 

First up is back-country exploring along isolated arroyos, sandstone fins and slickrock slopes via an American-built, specially modified Hummer® with engines powered by environmentally friendly bio-fuel.  

The following day introduces guests to another truly American-made activity; whitewater rafting the Class II-IV rapids of the Colorado River through Westwater Canyon, named “The West’s Best Short Whitewater Trip” by National Geographic.  While the sport of recreational rafting may have begun as early as 1940 in the American West, it was John D. Rockefeller who is credited with launching the first commercial float trip operation in 1956 at his family resort in Wyoming.  

The final morning celebrates the vision of American Paul Edward Yost (1919–2007) the "Father of Modern Hot-Air Ballooning”.  Rising before the sun, guests help stage and inflate their hot air balloon before climbing in with a veteran pilot to soar up to 4,000-feet above the maze of canyons, cliffs and desert surrounding Moab with Arches and Canyonlands National Parks below.  

Before and after adventures guests have free time to browse the art studios and shops of Moab, Utah, rated by Trip Advisor as one of the United States’ Top 3 Outdoor & Adventure Destinations. Trips begin at the Red Cliffs Lodge, 25 minutes outside of downtown Moab. Travelers can fly directly into Moab and shuttle into town, or fly into Grand Junction, Colorado (1.5 hour drive) or Salt Lake City (4 hour drive) and rent a car.  

WesternRiverExpeditions

Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/) is an adventure travel company headquartered in Salt Lake City, with operations and offices in Moab, Utah and Fredonia, Arizona. Annually from March through October it escorts more people down rivers on professionally guided rafting trips in Utah, Idaho and Arizona than any other company. It is the largest licensed outfitter in the Grand Canyon and the largest single tour provider in Moab, UT, through its division Moab Adventure Center (http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/).  

Western River Expeditions, providing Grand Canyon rafting, Utah rafting, and Idaho rafting trips, was founded in 1961 by Colorado River rafting pioneer Jack Currey. Today it pursues a “guiding green” philosophy and belongs to some of the top environmentally conscious organizations in the world: Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association, American Rivers, Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics, Utah Rivers Council, America Outdoors, and National River Cleanup Week.

See: http://www.westernriver.com/whywestern/environment.php  

In 2009, Western River Expeditions was named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by the editors of National Geographic Adventure magazine. The company was recently honored as the 2010 recipient of "Best of State" through Utah’s Premier Recognition and Awards Program. This is the seventh consecutive year Western River Expeditions has earned this distinction.  

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Western River Expeditions Announces New Family Rafting Trips Creatively Designed Just for Parents and Kids

Details
Released on Monday, 29 November 2010 10:43

Salmon River Family Trips Feature a Special River Jester to Encourage and Entertain Children as Young as Five 

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, Nov. 29, 2010 – For over 50 years Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/) has delivered whitewater thrills to adventurous families from around the world. Wanting to raise the bar (and fun meter) on family-exclusive adventures the company recently announced the launch of a new series of trips for 2011 on Idaho’s Salmon River that may redefine adventure travel with the kids.  

Western River Expeditions’ new five day/four night Salmon River Canyons Family Magic rafting trip caters exclusively to families (aunts, uncles and grandparents are welcome) with children as young as five. The staff includes not only accomplished guides and camp hands but also a designated River JesterTMwhose sole duty is to lead nature-oriented games and activities for kids and teens. Parents and grandparents may choose to join in the fun, or spend adult time together knowing that their children are well attended.  

“Families with school-aged children account for a growing percentage of our business,” explains Brandon Lake, vice-president of Western River Expeditions. “The addition of a specially trained staff member to encourage, inspire and entertain the kids will more than enhance the experience. It’s the most exciting new concept in family rafting trips we’ve seen.”  

The duties of the River Jester don’t end with camp games and activities on the beach. They assist with a special kids’ dinner each night “that would make Dr. Seuss drool” and see that the day ends with stories and songs around the campfire. The special kids’ dinner time (usually served around 6:00 PM) allows adults to enjoy a quiet social time before their dinner, usually served 90 minutes later. Children are welcome to eat at either or both meals.  

The nature of the river canyon and the 74 wild and scenic river miles from put-in to take-out also lends itself to ideal conditions for families with young children.  This lower stretch of the Main Salmon River as it merges with the Snake River is characterized by huge white sand beaches, playful "pool and drop" rapids, great riverside hiking, rich and fascinating Nez Perce Indian and pioneer history, and warm water for swimming.  

The Class II-IV rapids are more fun than intimidating and perfect for paddle rafts and inflatable kayaks (affectionately called Daring Duckies). Oar-powered rafts are also used to carry camping gear and food, and to effortlessly carry those who want a break from paddling.  

Trips meet and end in Lewiston, Idaho (closest airports: Lewiston, ID or Spokane, WA). 2011 trip departures are July 11,18, 25, Aug 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Trip rates are $1,435 for adults and $1,245 for kids 5-15, plus tax. All trips are run in partnership with ROW Adventures based in Coeur d’Alene, ID. For more information see: http://www.westernriver.com/trips/salmon-river-canyons/  

This same approach to “family magic” river trips with the inclusion of a River Jester, games and activities for kids, special meal times and campfire fun will be incorporated into all of Western River Expeditions’ family rafting trips on the Green River in Utah as well.  Western’s four and five day Green River through Desolation Canyon trips feature outlaw hideouts, ancient dinosaur habitats, and Fremont Native American petroglyphs along 84 scenic river miles.  Minimum age is five and 2011 departures are weekly from June to August. See: http://www.westernriver.com/trips/green/  

Western River Expeditions

Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/) is an adventure travel company headquartered in Salt Lake City, with operations and offices in Moab, Utah and Fredonia, Arizona. Annually from March through October it escorts more people down rivers on professionally guided rafting trips in Utah, Idaho and Arizona than any other company. It is the largest licensed outfitter in the Grand Canyon and the largest single tour provider in Moab, UT, through its division Moab Adventure Center (http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/).  

Western River Expeditions, providing Grand Canyon rafting, Utah rafting, and Idaho rafting trips, was founded in 1961 by Colorado River rafting pioneer Jack Currey. Today it pursues a “guiding green” philosophy and belongs to some of the top environmentally conscious organizations in the world: Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association, American Rivers, Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics, Utah Rivers Council, America Outdoors, and National River Cleanup Week. See: http://www.westernriver.com/whywestern/environment.php

In 2009, Western River Expeditions was named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by the editors of National Geographic Adventure magazine. The company was recently honored as the 2010 recipient of "Best of State" through Utah’s Premier Recognition and Awards Program. This is the seventh consecutive year Western River Expeditions has earned this distinction. 

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Family Adventures with Western River Expeditions Offer a Cure for Digital Overload

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Released on Thursday, 01 July 2010 09:31

 

River Adventures for Families Structured To Accommodate
Children Ages 5 and Up – and Detox Is Free
 
SALT LAKE CITY, UT, July 1, 2010 – Seeking an antidote to communication overload and the digital world? How about journeying off the grid, unplugging and just “rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river” this summer.
 
Brandon Lake, Vice President of Western River Expeditions, worries about decline in quality family time as our lives become filled with constant communication and media. In an average day, AC Nielsen company reports that a typical teenager will watch over 3 hours of TV, spend nearly 1 hour on a PC, 23 minutes on the internet, 6 minutes talking on a mobile phone, send or receive 96 text messages, watch 17 minutes of a DVD and, play 25 minutes on a game console, watch 13 minutes of a mobile video, 6 minutes of online video, and listen to one or more songs on an MP3 player.
 
Contrast this digital overload with the amount of time being spent with family. TV Free America reports that average amount of time parents spend in meaningful conversation with their children is 3.5 minutes per week.
 
“Families need a way to log off and find quality time with each other,” said Lake. “Families struggle to find quality time at home. It can even be difficult to completely unplug on most vacations. This is why Western River Expeditions has created family adventures that offer the perfect setting to create bonds and lifelong memories.”
 
“A multi-day rafting journey is different from other vacations,” continued Lake. “Getting out onto a river with no distractions other than rapids and wildlife offers the perfect escape for the entire family to have true fun, create lifetime memories and bond with each other instead of a keypad. It’s very much like detox for that over-used X-Box.”
 
Fifty year, river rafting veteran Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/) reports that there are still openings for its family rafting trips in Idaho and on Utah’s Green River this summer, recently ranked as one of the top 10 rafting vacations in the US.
 
Western River Expeditions accepts children ages 5 and up on itineraries that combine river rafting with off-river adventures. A four-night Green River rafting vacation covers 84 river miles on the Green River through Desolation Canyon with explorations of outlaw hideouts, dinosaur habitats and Native American petroglyphs. The per person rate, inclusive of guides, vehicles, lodging, meals and chartered flight is $1,210 adults and $920 children for a 4-night program (http://www.westernriver.com/trips/green/).
 
Also offered is a 7 Day Green River & Ranch combo that begins at Red Cliffs Ranch on the banks of the Colorado River near Moab, Utah where guests experience an off-road Hummer® Safari, an optional horseback ride, and some of the most inspiring scenery in the world. Rates in July are $1,580 for Adults and $1,270 for Youth ages 5-15 which also include a chartered flight.
 
Getting to Moab is easy. There are direct flights from Denver to Moab; air service is also available to Grand Junction, CO, a 1.5- hour drive to Moab, and Salt Lake City, a 4-hour drive to Moab.
 
Western River Expeditions
Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/) is an adventure travel company headquartered in Salt Lake City, with operations and offices in Moab, Utah and Fredonia, Arizona. Annually from March through October it escorts more people down rivers on professionally guided rafting trips in Utah, Idaho and Arizona than any other company. It is the largest licensed outfitter in the Grand Canyon and the largest single tour provider in Moab, UT, through its division Moab Adventure Center (http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/).
 
Western River Expeditions, providing Grand Canyon rafting, Utah rafting, and Idaho rafting trips, was founded in 1961 by Colorado River rafting pioneer Jack Currey. Today it pursues a “guiding green” philosophy and belongs to some of the top environmentally conscious organizations in the world: Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association, American Rivers, Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics, Utah Rivers Council, America Outdoors, and National River Cleanup Week. See: http://www.westernriver.com/whywestern/environment.php
 
In 2009, Western River Expeditions was named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by the editors of National Geographic Adventure magazine. The company was recently honored as the 2010 recipient of "Best of State" through Utah’s Premier Recognition and Awards Program. This is the seventh consecutive year Western River Expeditions has earned this distinction.
 
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Western River Expeditions Hosts Girlfriend’s Getaway July 20-23

Details
Released on Thursday, 27 May 2010 10:31

 

Plus 2, 4 and 6-day Summer-Long Rafting Adventures
On Colorado River through Cataract Canyon in Utah
 
SALT LAKE CITY, UT, May 27, 2010 – Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/) announces a July 20-23 Girlfriend’s Getaway plus 2, 4 and 6-day summer-long adventures on the 100-mile stretch of the Colorado River called Cataract Canyon in Utah.
 
All programs include rafting and hiking in Canyonlands National Park with explorations of Native American culture and the thrill of 30 world-class white water rapids, camping equipment including cots, delicious meals, guides and return air from Lake Powell back to Moab, UT, where the trips begin.
 
Ideal for mothers and daughters, groups of friends and solo travelers, the Girlfriend’s Getaway (http://www.westernriver.com/trips/womens-trip/) also includes daily yoga and optional massage. The rate is $1,205 per adult, including scenic return flight to Moab.
 
The two-day Cataract Express designed for those challenged with busy schedules (http://www.westernriver.com/trips/canyonlands/) offers a 100-mile, thrilling adventure via motorized raft at $695 per person ages 12 and up, run weekly through early July.
 
Cataract Classic (http://www.westernriver.com/trips/cataract/) engages guests for four days of rafting and three nights of deluxe camping on the banks of the river and a little more time for side canyon exploration at $1,150 per person and $995 per youth ages 10-15, run weekly through August.
 
The six-day Cataract Ranch/Raft (http://www.westernriver.com/trips/cataractranch/) includes two nights at Sorrel River Ranch with an off-road Hummer safari and optional horseback ride in advance of a four-day river adventure at $1,730 per person and $1,560 for ages 10-15, run weekly through August.
 
Brandon Lake, vice-president of Western River Expeditions, said Cataract Canyon offers comparable beauty and whitewater excitement, with more affordable multiple-day trip options and better last-minute availability than the company’s already-sold-out excursions through the Grand Canyon (with one exception - a few spaces remain available for the Grand Canyon 6-Day trip on Aug. 25). He said that while Cataract Canyon bookings are up nearly 30 percent this year with waiting lists on some departure dates; however there are still a number of prime departures available.
 
Lake explained, “Cataract Canyon is often overshadowed by its downriver counterpart, the Grand Canyon, primarily due to name recognition. But the whitewater and scenery in Cataract are comparable and absolutely breathtaking. It’s somewhat of hidden gem. The trip cuts right through the middle of Canyonlands National Park. In fact, the river itself was recently made a "district" of Canyonlands National Park.”
 
“The trip has much warmer water than Grand Canyon and water levels fluctuate more because it’s not dam-controlled.  This gives visitors the chance to choose between bigger rapids in May and June and more moderate (but still very exciting) whitewater later in the summer. Guests also have a choice of boat: high speed snout rig, j-rig, oar-powered rig, and paddle raft,” he said.
 
Getting to Moab is easy. There are direct flights from Denver to Moab; air service is also available to Grand Junction, CO, a 1.5- hour drive to Moab, and Salt Lake City, a 4-hour drive to Moab.
 
Western River Expeditions
Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/) is an adventure travel company headquartered in Salt Lake City, with operations and offices in Moab, Utah and Fredonia, Arizona. Annually from March through October it escorts more people down rivers on professionally guided rafting trips in Utah, Idaho and Arizona than any other company. It is the largest licensed outfitter in the Grand Canyon and the largest single tour provider in Moab, UT, through its division Moab Adventure Center (http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/).
 
Western River Expeditions, providing Grand Canyon rafting, Utah rafting, and Idaho rafting trips, was founded in 1961 by Colorado River rafting pioneer Jack Currey. Today it pursues a “guiding green” philosophy and belongs to some of the top environmentally conscious organizations in the world: Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association, American Rivers, Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics, Utah Rivers Council, America Outdoors, and National River Cleanup Week.
 
In 2009, Western River Expeditions was named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by the editors of National Geographic Adventure magazine. The company was recently honored as the 2010 recipient of "Best of State" through Utah’s Premier Recognition and Awards Program. This is the seventh consecutive year Western River Expeditions has earned this distinction.
 
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