Adventure Canyoneering in Utah (US)
Dates: 4/6 – 4/11
Location: Domestic
Price Range: $1,700 – $2,100
Theme: Outdoors Adventure
Faculty Contact: Schenk, Cheryl & Delaney, Matt
Challenge yourself in the canyons, and then relax at camp. Our adventure entails multiple canyoneering excursions in the North Wash (located southwest of Canyonlands National Park). Led by experienced local guides, we will approach slot canyons via short hikes each day before rappelling and downclimbing our way through them. We’ll learn about the ecology of the local area while engaging an expeditionary mindset to keep ourselves, and our terrain, safe. Tent camping at an established site allows for vivid stargazing opportunities while connecting with peers over card games and stories.
Sample Itinerary for the Canyoneering EBC
(Please note that activities and days may adjust and change due to weather in and around the canyons).
Day 1: We take a morning flight into Salt Lake City (SLC), Utah. We pick up three large travel vans, load up, and drive south through the Salt Lake City metroplex. We’ll shop for our groceries for the week and plan in groups as we prepare for our camp cooking. We’ll spend the night at hotel in Springville, Utah and rest up for our first day of canyoneering.
- Students and families should be aware that this experience includes:
-
- Outdoor activity in a remote desert environment with exposure to sun, wind, and temperature extremes
-
- Physically demanding days involving hiking, rappelling, scrambling, and downclimbing through slot canyons
-
- Close adherence to safety protocols under the guidance of professional canyoneering instructors
-
- Tent camping with limited amenities and shared group responsibilities for meals and camp setup
-
- Minimal access to technology, emphasizing teamwork, communication, and presence in nature
-
- Opportunities to develop resilience, confidence, and environmental awareness while navigating challenging terrain
Day 2: We’ll load up and drive down to Hanksville, Utah (population 219). We meet our awesome guides (from Desert Highlights out of Moab, Utah) and drive about 30 minutes further out into canyon country to set up our base camp overlooking the confluence of the Dirty Devil and Colorado Rivers.
Days 3-4: Guided canyoneering day excursions in 2- 3 smaller groups. Various locations in the North Wash, including the ‘Irish’ canyons. Many of these canyons are only accessible with trained and registered guides!
Day 5: Canyoneering in morning, then we head to hotel in Springville, Utah in the afternoon to shower and relax.
Day 6: Sleep in! Drive from Springville to SLC; fly out of SLC in the mid-afternoon.