Whether you’re planning for a half-day or multi-day Moab river rafting trip, your family will enjoy the float even more if everyone is fully prepared. Here at Red River Adventures, we want your family to get the most out of your Moab rafting trip with us. Here are some things you should know as your family plans your next float trip with us. (more…)
Whitewater rafting looks thrilling in the videos and pictures. It is a great recreational activity ideal for families at any skill level. Take in the breathtaking panoramas from Utah’s splendid rivers, in the expert care of your Red Rivers Adventures expert Moab river rafting guide. Below are some basics that are helpful to know on your first-time whitewater rafting in Moab, Utah.
Here’s our shortlist of favorite restaurants in Moab Utah
Enjoy hearty food in a relaxed atmosphere at Zax in Moab. Choose from a huge selection of local Utah beers, take a walk on the wild side with the Pickle Fries appetizer, then dig into the famous Zax Burger loaded with bacon and avocado. They have extensive patio seating to take in the views, and are conveniently located on Main Street.
If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure with the whole family, look no further than Moab, Utah. With world-renowned hiking and biking trails, stunning red rock formations, and plenty of activities for kids, Moab is a great destination.
Here’s a list of some excellent Moab family adventures, facilities, leisure activities, hotels, and dining options to help you build your itinerary for family fun and comfort. Choose a guided tour for family hikes in the Moab wilderness areas and leave it to your guide to make sure you don’t miss any exciting points of interest in Utah’s natural wonderland.
The splendor of Moab’s Great Wilderness draws thousands of nature lovers and adventure seekers to Utah every year. With its amazing hiking trails and breathtaking views, Moab is an unparalleled destination for nature lovers. The world-class terrain is something you will want to explore again and again!
If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure with your four-legged friend, look no further than Moab, Utah. With its abundance of wide-open spaces and pet-friendly accommodations, Moab is the perfect place to explore with your pup. Here are a few tips to help make your trip as enjoyable as possible for both you and your furry friend.
Local laws require dog leashes at all times, and they require you to keep your dog on marked trails. The hiking trails inside the national parks are off-limits for dogs, but there are dog-friendly hiking areas around Moab. Many hikes offer stunning arches and other geological formations that make Moab such a popular destination. Here are some great areas to hike with your dog near Moab:
There is nothing better than spending time in the great outdoors enjoying Moab activities for kids and the family. If you plan a family-friendly vacation, consider visiting Moab, Utah to experience a range of exciting adventures and landscapes. Moab is famous for its rock formations, national parks, and dinosaur fossils. The place is nature at its best and presents perfect scenery to take away the grind of a hectic life. Here are the must-do activities you can do with kids of any age in Moab, UT during a family vacation.
Ah the weather. Ask me if I thought that I have to be a weather forecaster when I started Red River Adventures and my answer would have been a resounding NO. That however is not the case. I am constantly asked about the weather. From the “what’s it like in (month you’re visiting Moab here) to will it rain tomorrow? As it turns out, the weather is a large part of what I talk about. I’ve got to admit that my weather geekiness goes quite deep and back in fact to my childhood. I grew up on the East Coast and surfed. Weather systems are what makes waves in the east, so early on when not in the water I could be found watching the Weather Chanel and listening to the NOAA radio for the latest updates. Now that I ski, climb, and raft weather plays a huge role in what I do and when.
Do you like to ski, snowboard, or snowmobile? Are you interested in getting into the backcountry skiing? If you answered yes, it is in your best interest to take an avalanche class. Being injured, or worse, maybe avoidable with proper avalanche training.
(more…)
One of the best ways to experience Moab is on a rafting expedition. The white water rafting options on the Green River present a magnificent scenery adjacent to the Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. You could experience spectacular wildlife sightings during your Moab rafting trip. Our experienced guides at Red River Adventures can help you spot elusive wildlife making it an experience of a lifetime.
If you are looking for a way to encourage team-building among your family members, friends, or coworkers, then this might take an extraordinary experience. One possible option is whitewater rafting. This is a fun, challenging, playful, and unique group activity that can help you bring everyone closer together. Most teams have gone through traditional team-building activities such as activities around a table or in a multi-purpose room. These can be awkward, frustrating, and boring. This is where whitewater rafting from Red River Adventures in Moab, Utah, can help you and your team come closer together! How can white water rafting Moab help you improve your teamwork?
Be sure and check out this 3 minute look into what powder skiing and travelling through Hokkaido is all about.
We’ll be retuning each January. Check out out our Japow page for details.
Thanks to Black Diamond, Blue Ice, Smith and Dakine for the support!
This would not be possible withoutthe endless stoke and talent of Pat Clifford, PCEDITS.com
We retuned to Hokkaido in January 2019 and it could not have been better. Unbelievably deep snow, great people, food and culture combine to make the trip something to remember for a lifetime.
Thanks to Black Diamond for the support and Pat Clifford, PCEDITS.com for shooting and countless hours in front of the computer to pull together this edit.
Here’s a glimpse of the good times and amazing scenery that makes our Indian Creek climbing clinics so special.
Video by Big Beauty Pitches.
January 24th, 2019 will be remembered as the deepest day that most had ever seen!
Here’s a look at what Japow is all about!
Great for everyone 6 to 60! The Fisher Towers section of the Colorado River is the one day rafting trip to do!
A one minute short that takes you to the heart of our Morning Glory/Ephedra’s Grotto canyoneering trip.
A quick look at what our wonderful riverside lunch stop.
A short but in-depth look into the Colorado River and what it is to be a river guide.
A one minute video with highlights from a day of moab whitewater rafting on the Colorado River through the Fisher Towers section.
The Fisher Towers section of the Colorado River is by far the most popular Moab rafting trip. More people laugh, splash and swim their way down this 14 mile piece of the Colorado River than any other stretch. The longer I am in this business the more I come to appreciate just how great a trip it is.
Close to Moab the trip couldn’t feel more remote. Stunting scenery, rapids that are fun but not scary, great riverside beaches and a variety of plants, animals and geologic wonder make this the perfect way to spend a day in Moab.
Everything about this trip just feels right. What I mean by that is this. Right about the time you would wish for something new or different to happen it does. The ride to the put-in, at about 30 minutes, is perfect. The speed with which we get rafts on the water and people into them, perfect. The rafting before we get to lunch, the lunch stop, the rafting after lunch, the spacing of the rapids, the changes in scenery and the drive back to town, all are just right. Not too long, not to short. With water temps during the summer months in the 70’s there is no better place to spend a hot day than laughing, splashing and swimming down the Colorado River!
I have had the opportunity to run most of the 1 day rafting trips in the West. Each time I do I hold the experience up to our beloved Fisher Towers section and compare the trips. Idaho, Wyoming and Colorado all have rivers that are unique and fun. But what I have realized is that although some may have bigger rapids, few if any are more perfect in time and variety than what we have here in Moab.
Come run this gem with us and you’ll see what I mean!
Carl,
Owner RRA
We couldn’t be more happy about our 2014 Tripadvisor award. Our past guests say it best. Great guides, incredible trips and memories that last a lifetime are all a recurring theme in our online reviews. Thanks to those that adventured with us and took the time to tell others.
There are few places on earth that I enjoy as much as the beautiful mountain town of Ouray. Incredible scenery, friendly people, natural hot springs and, of course ICE!
The Ouray Ice Park is an amazing place to climb. Join RRA for a weekend of Ice Climbing in this world famous venue. All equipment is included through generous support from Petzl.
Here’s the details as always call with further questions or to reserve a spot.
Mid-winter clinic
February 1 & 2
Join Red River Adventures for a weekend of Ice Climbing, fun and friends. Ouray, Colorado is one of our favorite places in the world and we couldn’t be more happy to introduce you to this special place. The weekend will feature climbing on a variety of different ice routes and the will be the option to explore the world of mixed climbing and learn about Ice Protection and anchoring. Level of climbing and/or instruction is tailored to your level of experience. All technical equipment is supplied through our sponsors. Lodging and transportation are the responsibility of the participant.
Climb Like a Girl – Ice
February 8 & 9
RRA is proud to work with Carolyn Parker and her Climb like a Girl program. Carolyn is an AMGA certified rock guide and founder of CLAG and Athena Fit. We have been CLAG’ing for almost a decade in Moab, Indian Creek and Ouray. This weekend clinic is always a highlight of the winter. Incredible climbing, the highest caliber instruction and a real sense of community all combine to make these weekends special.All technical equipment is supplied through our sponsors. Lodging and transportation are the responsibility of the participant.
*Guided by Suntoucher Mountain guides.
Cards can be redeemed online or over the phone and NEVER expire.
Balances are tracked by our system and can be checked any time.
So what will it be? Another boring gift that gets lost in the shuffle
or fun and memories to last a lifetime!
We are happy to share the news that TripAdvisor has named Red River Adventures a certificate of excellence winner for 2013.
Since 2007 our customers have been sharing their thoughts about our incredible trips on TA. 7 years, over 200 hundred reviews and 5 stars later we couldn’t be more happy to have received the recognition from the site itself.
A great way to spend 1 minute. Watch and be inspired.
We recently had the pleasure of spending some time with the talented artist and returning guest, Cynthia Martin. She joint us last year on a Moab rafting trip. Impressed with the Fisher Towers section she returned this spring to pass some time hiking and Rock Climbing in the Moab area before returning later this August with a group of friends. She is best now as a comic book artist and illustrator. I couldn’t be more happy that she took the time to do this piece.
We’ve been working on video of our adventures and here’s preview of what we’ve got for our Morning Glory Canyoneering trip.
This spring we were tapped to help Sperry put together some video for the new Son-R shoes. This video shot on the Fisher Towers section is the result.
We are in our 5th week of operations for the 2011 season and it has been fantastic. It’s starting to warm and the Colorado and Dolores rivers are rising. Utah rafting near Moab is already off to a great start.
So far this season our returning guides have busy. We have had rock climbing clients summit Ancient Art, rafters enjoy our Fisher Towers overnight and day trips and rapelled through our Morning Glory Canyoneering route. The rest of our full time staff of 17 is slowly returning from winter’s spent exploring skiing, grooming, rafting in warmer locations, mushing dogs and seeking higher education. Guides re-training is the first week in May and after that it is full tilt adventure.
So on this Easter Sunday I just wanted to take a second to wish everyone out there who might see this a happy Easter and a great summer.
After a bumpy start with a very cold wet November and a warm and dry December the Utah Ice season is finally off and running.
I spied this at the very bottom of Little Cottonwood Canyon and hadn’t ever remembered it forming. A quick look at Mountain Project yielded no information. I knew that another nearby small flow had been FA’d in a recent winter. Protected by some mixed climbing I thought we might have a shot at doing a new route.
I had a partner lined up for Saturday so Friday afternoon I hiked to the ramps that led to the base of the pillar. There were no other tracks and on my way out I covered mine. There were still a few hours of daylight left and I didn’t want to get scooped.
6AM is always a tough time to get out of a warm bed. Especially to go hike in the dark and stand in the cold but the sunrise found us at the base of the rock and within a short mixed pitch to the base of the Ice.
Easy but insecure slabs went down fairly easily and I was at the base.
Nate lead the pillar of beautiful yellow ice to the trees that we planned on rappelling from and……. that had slings from a previous ascent.
No new route but a fine adventure on new (to us) ice and a great way to start the day.
I just got the first 2011 stream flow forecast and things are looking great. The drainages that provide water for our Utah rafting trips received 150% of average snowfall in December which means that even if we have an abnormally dry month stream flows will be at least normal. If we stay in this storm track the forecasters are talking run off levels not seen since 1997, way above normal.
What does this all mean.
First, our Dolores River trip will be incredible April thru early June. The Dolores is one of my favorite river runs. Technical rafting in a desert setting is not the norm. The Dolores serves this kind of rafting up in buckets.
Second, the Fisher Towers will be incredibly fun and really big. Don’t let this put you off. This section is easily customizable buy simply either missing or hitting the big features encountered along the way.
Third, Cataract Canyon will be huge in May and June. One of natures spectacles, the rapids on this trip are some of the biggest in N. America.
No matter if you have 1 day or a week we have a trip for you and it looks like this is going to be a year to remember.
Well after years of thinking about and now months of development our new site is live. There’s still some work to do but the majority of the heavy lifting is complete. Clean and easy to navigate with lots of photos of our great Moab rafting, rock climbing and canyoneering trips I am super excited about the launch.
Here’s some good news. The NPS has begun offering online reservations for the Fiery Furnace hike. One of the best ranger led activities I have ever done. No one better to see this magnificent area with than a NPS ranger. The ranger I went with was studying the Fiery Furnace for a PHD.
To see a description and book online check out recreation.gov
This hike is a great one to combine with a day of Moab rafting or rock climbing.
We are scheduled to kick off 2010 operations in less than a month. Call now to reserve your adventure. (800) 259-4046
This is a photo of my girl. Emma getting it done at the Kids Wall, Ouray, CO. 1st Ice Climb ever.
This past weekend we got to return to one of my favorite places, Ouray. A quintessential mountain town with unpaved streets, cool architecture, Hot Springs and great Ice Climbing make this a place I miss the moment I leave.
It’s always great to play in the snow that will become our summer time play ground, the Colorado River.
The Moab rafting season is right around the corner. Pray for snow!
Red River wants you to join our good friends at the Sawtooth Adventure Company on thier final float through the Frank Church Wilderness this summer. You will experience fun rapids, huge sandy beaches, amazing food and complete relaxation only found on Idaho’s famous Salmon River.
In an effort to end the 2009 season with a bang we are offering the best summer travel deal around…..$795 per person ($300 off) includes:
4 night Wilderness Rafting Trip that includes all food, river & camp equipment, and amazing scenic flight over the largest wilderness in the lower 48.
Scenic charter flight back to Salmon at the end of the tripThe trip will meet at the Salmon, Idaho airport at 5 PM on Aug 20th.
You will be flown back to your vehicle via an amazing scenic flight on August 24th.Give us a call to take advantage of this unheard of travel deal
Going to the grocery store was so much easier than it used to be.
It dawns on me today as I juggle 5 empty gallon water jugs, 5 lids and 2 re-usable shopping bags, wallet and a blackberry that I carry almost as much into the store as I do out of the place.
In my drive to be green I finally remembered the freakin tote bags and the water jugs that we reuse so we don’t clog the landfill and because we can’t drink the water that flows from the tap and I forget the shopping list.
Tough enough when I had to remember the list, everything on it and to grab all my bags as I left the store (come on you know you’ve left groceries you just bought behind) now I’ve got to have a check list of things to take TO the store.
Well that sure was a quick 2 months. A blur of rafting, climbing and canyoneering with people from all over the world. What a season we and Moab have been having.
I just want to take 2 seconds to say, thanks to those that have shared an adventure with us so far in 2009 and come on down to those who are thinking about it.
The river is still at levels that we didn’t even see in some of the worst dought years and the scenery that surrounds our rock and canyoneering routes is spactacular as always.
Our 2009 guides are doing a fantastic job, keeping people safe, sharing what they know about the sports we do and the area in which we do them. I’ve heard more than a few times this season that the time spent with Red River Adventures was the very best of the entire vacation.
Patagonia sells a T-shirt with the words “live simply” and pictures of seals and whales and such emblazoned on them for $30.
Does this strike anyone else besides me as ridiculous?
Living simply would not, by any measure, include buying $30 T-shirts.
This is one of those posts that has been sitting on my hard drive, 0’s and 1’s, since last September. Two accidents in about as many months left me thinking about doing what we do. It’s been revisited, tweaked, but still hidden until now. Why? This last weekend we lost a Friend and an employee and now just seemed like the time to let this fly.
It’s a strange thing when someone you know dies. It a far stranger thing when someone your age who is vibrant, strong, and who has plans similar to you own dies. Stranger still is that around here this dieing happens, all too often, and while playing.
When I moved here in the late 90’s I did so with the pictures I’d seen and the stories I’d read in magazines filling my head. Wonderful stories of huge powder days, remote rivers and beautiful rock climbs all done with close friends. There were also stories of tragedy and loss. Stories of avalanches, mistakes made in very high places and of the undeniable power of water and our inability to breath it, all taking close friends and leaving the world a little more empty.
Both sides of this coin seemed so remote to me when I left the East to come here. The mountains were a far off place that I was sure I would visit like a tourist, observe and then likely leave. I couldn’t picture myself being a part that world and the culture that I’d so often read about.
I’ve been here 11 years now and in that short period of time have been witness to my own stories of both bliss and tragedy. Fortunately the, can’t wipe the smile from your face, great times I’ve gotten to experienced first hand. The wipe your mind clean sad times, still to this day, through one degree of separation.
I can remember the first time a close friend of a friend was killed while playing. I’d been in the mountains for 2 years and through a weird set of coincidences I met and become friendly with those very guys I’d read about while living “back East”. The stories of folks that filled the pages of the adventure mags had become people I knew and did things with.
It was one of these magazine worthy adventures that prompted the need for the first “slide show” that I would attend. An avalanche had occurred during an expedition to the mountains halfway around the world, two miles higher than were I currently sit writing this. Snow had moved and lives had been lost. My new friends had come home broken and I went in a show of support.
The Slide show is the mountain equivalent of an Irish wake. Folks get together and look at pictures of the lost friend and his or her exploits. Alcohol flows, stories are told and for a brief period I don’t think it hurts so much.
At first it was easy to disregard these occurrences, after all I’d only just arrived. I was still getting the lay of the land. I didn’t think of myself as a climber or a boater or a real skier. Since that night there have been many more slide shows. They are results of drowning, avalanche, misstep, equipment failure, poor judgment and poor luck all while playing. Pretty much the same story over and over. Tragedy always happening to someone I’d met but not really gotten to know. This made the loss real but somehow distant. I still felt like a tourist, observing from the outside, not really a part of the picture.
But now as time, and more people have passed I no longer feel like I’m am an observer. I realize I am part of this shrinking tribe yet I continue to play. As I sit here I can’t tell you exactly why I do so. I’m really not sure how I and others deal with the reality that playing can not only get you hurt but may actually kill you. A few have thrown in the towel. Most are still out there. Some have backed off, some continue on as hard charging as ever.
We’ve just lost another one. Someone I knew fairly well and I wonder if maybe, just maybe I should be watching the world series instead. Is it crazy to continue to do the same things that have been thinning my herd for a decade? Probably but if I or any of us stops isn’t it a bit like dieing anyway?
RIP.
This past weekend myself, Landon, Chelsea and our good friend tommy went out for a quick lap of our wonderful Morning Glory Canyoneering route.
A friend emailed me a link yesterday. I got it while skiing. I knew it wasn’t going to be good.
Shane McConkey 1969-2009
RIP
Well that’s it. Winter’s over.
It might be snowing where you are and admittedly is cold here but winter’s over.
Our first booked trip is for March 31st which means that the 2009 rafting season starts in only a few weeks. To be ready for the 31st means that we start NOW!
Getting boats out, cleaning gear, making changes and improvements all the things that have to be done behind the scenes start now.
I know I keep saying it but this summer should be good. March 1st numbers are above average, 115% of normal, and with more snow predicted water levels should be great.
Reservations are ahead of last year and we’ve already sold out several dates in June and July.
With new rock climbing and canyoneering options guided by the same great people that take you rafting there’s no need to look anywhere else for Moab Adventure.
Longing for some warmer temps, long routes and easy climbing to shake out the cobwebs from a long winter I put together a last minute plan to head to Red Rocks for some fun.
3 days, 3 or 4 routes with an estimated 25+ pitches all under 5.9 were on the menu.
What unfolded was not in the plan at all.
Day 1
Rain.
This although pretty is not something you want to see before heading out for a day of desert rock.
We did mange to get in a two pitch climb during the only break in the clouds.
But then this moved in and we were shut down for good.
You might ask? What next. Well, being well trained and forward thinking outdoor professional we had of course brought along all the things you might need in an emergency. Food, water and adult beverages all laid in for just such a situation. Obviously there was only one thing to do, hit the emergency supplies, hard. Later deciding that shelter was in order we headed to the Bonnie Springs Ranch for food and beverages that didn’t come from a cooler. After much food and drink, meeting Bonnie and seeing freinds who live in Vegas it was time to go, they were closing. Closed a bar in Vegas…enough said.
Pitch tally 2
Day 2
Not so much….and no pictures.
After a rather long nap in the Pine Creek parking lot which prompted quite a bit of conversation among some of the other visitors to Red Rocks we managed to get off at the crack of 1PM. We hiked to what we were sure would be an empty Cat in the Hat to find a party, only slightly more lazy than us, just leading off on pitch 2. We decided to head up. Ooppss. Climbing hurt much more than hiking and with a pinch of hot afternoon sun I, well, I wasn’t feeling “tip top”.
After catching the party above at the bottom of pitch 3 we decided to call it a “DAY”. Down we went. Pitch tally 4.
Day 3
This is what we came for.
** Video Missing – Would Not Transfer**
Steep and fun, classic Red Rocks face climbing, steep jugs, 580′ of a rock climbing “powder run”.
These 5 pitches would have been worth the drive.
Pitch tally 10.
The trip didn’t unfold the way I thought it would but it will be one I remember for ever.
The February snow pack numbers are in and things are looking great. The Colorado River basin is 123% of normal above Moab. Combine this with the fact the reservoirs are about 1oo% of average as well and we are virtually assured that the water levels on Fisher Towers and Cataract Canyon will be great, making for truly exciting Moab rafting trips.
The Dolores River basin is 116% of normal and reservoirs storage is 105% of normal. This is more than enough to count on this amazing river section to run at great levels in 2009.
I just got the Colorado River basin Forecast report for January.
The mountains up stream of Moab are at 125% of normal snowpack. This is fantastic.
I know that we’ve got plenty of time for it to stop snowing or for it to get warm and for the snowpack to go away but for now it’s more snow on Jnauary 1st. than any time since 1997.
Moab rafting is gonna be good, let’s hope.
I had the pleasure of seeing these climbers on Little Cottonwood Canyon’s Coffin Crack, 5.9 while driving down from Alta yesterday.
Winter is holding off so folks are getting out and climbing in the sun.
December 1st. That was a quick month or so.
The posting of the “obs” thread may have been a bit too early. I sit writing this as our snowpack continues to melt, rot and evaporate. The Park City resorts have opened but are skiing man made snow.
Why so much about skiing?
Well we love it and more importantly the snow we slide on in winter becomes the river we run in the summer.
The good news is that the Colorado Mountians up stream of our Moab Rafting headquaters are getting more snow than the Wasatch outside SLC.
Off the the mountains.
Pray for snow.
There are certain things that happen each year that mark the changing of the seasons. Flowers bloom, leaves change, the temps drop, folks around town start wearing bennies, the first flakes fly and one of my personal favorites WOW starts the new “obs” thread on Telemark.com.
WOW, as he is know, is a person. Bob Athey or the Wizard of the Wasatch has for years started the unofficial/official depository of backcountry trip reports and observations for the Wasatch.
Well the leaves have changed, I’ve indeed got to put on a beenie and the thread has been started.
Pray for snow!
I’m often asked, how long does it take to get from place to place. LA to Moab, Las Vegas to Moab, etc. To be honest I don’t know. When I’m on vacation I drive slowly, get sidetracked easily and generally tend to wander around. So when folks ask I usually let Google give me the answers, everyone should. Google maps is great. Type in the town you’re leaving from and going to and bam you’ve got total milage, a map and a guesstimate of the time it will take to drive it.
This time estimate is, of course, the actual time it takes to drive the route not stop and pee or get lost, read those roadside interp signs, sight see or eat. These can all add alot of time to a trip.
Well a Friend of mine just reset the bar on how long it takes. Over the Labor day weekend, drove from Trenton, NJ to Park City, Utah in 2 days. This is a journey that, back in the days of the 55 MPH speed limit, would take my dad 5 days to cover as we headed west on our family vacations.
He left at 7:30 AM on Saturday and arrived Park City at 8PM on Sunday. 2 days, 2142 miles and I can’t imagine that there was any stopping for any of the things that I mentioned along the way. So next time your wondering how long it takes check out Google Maps and know that it is possible to roll through 1071 miles in a day.
Had the oppritunity to see John Mayer in SLC recently. I get to see a college buddy of mine that works for JM and each summer we get the chance to catch a show and I get to reconnect with one of the few folks that I stay in touch with from that chapter in my life.
The real bonus this year was catching Brett Dennon opening the show. Check it out.
My 4th of July vacation happened in the early hours of July 6th. I went to Big Cottonwood Canyon, Mule Hollow wall and linked Down, Dirty, Doublecrossed, 5.7 430 feet and Implorien 5.9 200 feet.
Up at 5:30 AM, meet Dan at 6 on the route by 7AM after about a mile and 1200 vertical feet of approach.
Sunrise happened some time during the first or second pitch. Beautiful rock and views of Stairs Gulch for the next hour or so keep us content and make the “evil StairMaster” approach worth it. 2 and a half double rope rappels gets us back to the ground. A short walk and we are heading up again on Implorien. More great stone and a trail of bolts gets us to the top and we rap. Back on the ground again we suck down some water, eat an apple and run out to the car.
6 pitches, 4 rappels, 2 miles, 2400 vertical feet of up and down approach and 4 hours and 27 minutes and we are back at the car. 4th of July celebration complete.
For the grade I don’t think that rock climbing in the Wasatch gets much better.
Imagine my surprise when, at 6 PM Sunday, I walk into the office and a camera crew, sound guy and the artist Kenny Harris are standing there rolling film. This is the last time in the next 24 hours that things are remotely normal.
My first thought was that my wife had finally, after years of threatening, signed me up for some TV show.
Turns out Kenny is an artist who has, for the last 32 days, been making his way across the country trading the art he makes for food, transportation and lodging. NY to LA on only what he can get from his art.
Kenny wants to incorporate some rafting into his journey and after some time I concoct a plan to run him through Cataract Canyon in a day. This will get him 120 miles closer to LA. This plan involves running 29 0f the biggest rapids in N. America and traveling from 8AM til 6PM or so in a “sport boat”. These are basically dingies on steroids. After some convincing the production crew is “in” and departure is set for 7 AM.
The day is a blur of red rock canyons, blue sky and clouds, HUGE rapids and the camera. The camera followed us everywhere from the office, to the bar (only to finalize plans), launching the boat, running down river, making lunch, running rapids and finally, to the middle of no where in the hot the desert, saying good bye.
The show air’s in October. I wonder what I’ll look like on TV?
I think that Kenny’s blog does a good job of capturing the day, check it out.
What a great experience! We had the best day hiring a guide to take me and my daughter rock climbing and repelling. Going with a private guide was extra special, just the 2 of us got a chance to enjoy our day without being in a large group. We will be back! Thanks Red River for helping us make amazing memories in Moab!
Great raft guides! Cold raining day. They provided rain gear. Great scenery. Made new friends paddling against the headwind. Fun. A memory!
Such a fun adventure repelling from cliffs in the Utah dessert! Our guide Dan was so amazing and kept us safe and kept us calm in a few times of nerve wracking adrenaline moments! We will all have memories to last a lifetime!
Amazing half day climbing in Moab with guide Aaron Livingston. He took us to the Wall Street area and setup a bunch of toprope climbs for my girls (10 & 12) and myself in the 5.7-5.9 range that each had distinct climbing (friction, layback crack, chimney). His route selection was challenging and fun. Aaron has significant personal and guiding climbing experience and knowledge of the Moab area and was rigorous with respect to safety. I would not hesitate to hire Aaron and Red River Adventures again. Can't wait to come back!
Great coaching and training. Highly recommend for AMGA training and outdoor trips
Had a great evening experience on Ancient Art in Fisher towers. My guide Aaron was extremely knowledgeable, encouraging and friendly. He was able to coach me through tougher sections of the climb and was patient with me during my first multi pitch trip. He also took pictures and was genuinely interested in making sure I had a fun session. Even though my climbing day had to be delayed due to weather, red river called me immediately to reschedule and worked within my schedule to make it happen. Overall can’t recommend them enough!
We did the Bow and Arrow canyoneering trip yesterday with our family. We were a group of five people from age 9-75 and everyone had an amazing time. Aaron and Sharbo were incredible guides and this was the highlight of our trip.
Fantastic route, great views, and an amazing day ascending rock. This is my second time climbing with Red River Adventures, and there is a consistent level of quality/safety that I appreciate.
Canyoneering on the Bow & Arrow trail was great. Our guide, Brian, shared info about the petroglyphs & plant life during the walk. Brian was very reassuring & positive when we went on the rappels. The rappels were a good mix of heights (ranging from 15 ft to 120ft). Brian made us, as beginners, very comfortable. It was a great family experience and we highly recommend.
I was a little worried my 8 year old would be too scared to complete the rappelling, but our guide was great, talked him through it and we all had a blast. Great memories made! Thanks Red River Adventures!
We thoroughly enjoyed our canyoneering adventure with Brian and Adam! They were knowledgeable and thoughtful and funny! We would highly recommend! Our family included our 12, 13, and 16 year olds and they loved it as well! Thank you!
Our guides Adam and Bryan were a lot of fun and also very safety minded. They did a great job of making sure everyone was comfortable and gave lots of good info along the way. Would definitely recommend Red River for adventuring.
Super awesome canyoneering trip!! We took Bow and Arrow (?) and did 4 rappels! We had Chabro (not sure if that’s how it’s spelled) and Dan and they were both awesome! They were super helpful when there was some more climbing aspects to the trail. They were both super friendly and made us feel safe and secure the whole time. They helped to make the experience that much more awesome. I would highly recommend since it’s just such a cool experience! The scenery was particularly breathtaking and included some of the coolest views in Moab.
We had the best time this morning!! Family of 5 with three kids ages 15 to 8. Guides were amazing and the route was perfect!! Gorgeous views!! Highly recommend!!!
John is a great guide - have been out desert climbing and Wasatch touring with him and both experiences were great. Really took the time to explain things and get the newer members of our group excited and confident about the adventure
My husband and I had an awesome time this weekend in the Wasatch for our AIARE 1 Course! John and Garth were both incredible instructors and I feel grateful to have spent a weekend touring and learning from some of the best. Highly recommend!
Carl saved our week. It hadn’t been properly snowing in Utah for a long long time, and judging from the snow in the resorts we were a bit worried about our backcountry touring trip. He knew exactly where to go. Where everything else was all tracked out, and there were even moguls in some backcountry areas. Not where we went. We skinned up an amazing peak around Big Cottonwood Canyon, through the trees, up a ridge for some of the most beautiful views, and then down into the back bowl where we actually found knee deep soft snow. Carl was an amazing guide, knew his ways up the mountain, taught us some new techniques along the way, and is just an incredible fun guy to hang out with. Highly recommended.
John was incredibly knowledgeable and able to teach effectively. He had great resources to point us toward for continued self-learning and was engaging in the field.
My wife and I went with Carl. Incredible backcountry experience!! Powder powder powder. Really helped us get some back country experience and educate us on a path forward for newbies to be able to split board independently. He is an incredible guide with many years experience and perhaps more importantly a really cool guy.
Spent the day ice climbing with Owner/AMGA Guide Carl who was fantastic! It was my first multi-pitch climb at the Great White Icicle and Carl made it safe, fun and informative. He explained each step as we moved up the ice wall and did everything I could ask of a guide. I would highly recommend Red River and Carl to anyone and look forward to seeing them again!
Had a great day backcountry skiing/snowboarding with our guide John in the Little Cottonwood Canyon area near Salt Lake City, Utah. Snow is a little hard right now, even in the backcountry, but still had a great time and were able to find a few soft spots for good turns. If you are looking for a guide to do a day of backcountry touring in the SLC area, I would definitely recommend Red River Adventures.
Red River adventures provided and excellent learning experience! Our guides, John and Garth, were a wealth of knowledge about the area, and did a fantastic job of communicating lessons to us. I would highly recommend this company (and these guides in particular) to anyone looking to further their education.
John and Garth were great guides for the AIARE 1 course. Super professional and thoughtful with their answers to all questions.
Today was the first time I did a backcountry tour. John provided me with an excellent education and I look forward to working with him on the future.
I recently took an Avy 1 course taught by John and Chris. The course was phenomenal and I'd highly recommend it. John and Chris were professional and excellent instructors. More than that, they made the lessons come to life by making applications to our local environment and the realities of ski touring (e.g., its more than just avalanche safety to consider). They also just made the whole experience fun and engaging. One thing to mention- we had a 3:1 ratio of students to instructors due to some COVID cancellations. I'd be willing to bet other companies would have cancelled because of the economics of a group of our size, but Red River went on as planned with 2 lead instructors. I cannot recommend this company enough!
I took my AIARE 1 class through them and it was a great experience. Chris was super informative and responsive in the classroom and a master in the field. The weekend of field work reinforced the learning we had done prior and I feel more confident in my ability to navigate the backcountry.
John was a fantastic guide. Skied some really cool terrain. Highly recommended
excellent course and outstanding instructors. Both John and Hannah were on top of their game, were patient and gracious with information sharing, and made us feel confident in the field while building skills. Would highly recommend RRA for AIRE courses, and plan to use their services again in the future. Stay safe out there!
Very pleased and satisfied with my decision to go with Red River Adventures to do my AIARE 1 avalanche course. The guides were super knowledgeable and helpful. Always felt informed and assisted in hands on course learning.
Fun trip along with beautiful scenery. I broke my ankle the day before my rafting trip and was on crutches. Everyone was so helpful and accommodating to me.
I loved my AIRIE Level 1 Course with John and Garth. They were really in tune with the needs of the group and gave us all an experience that challenged us to be curious about the potential dangers in the backcountry. I feel more confident and, frankly, excited to go out and keep learning about the snowpack now that I’ve taken this course.
John was an awesome instructor and the course was very instructive and worthwhile.
I took the AIARE 1 online education and fieldwork class through Red River this weekend (3 days). This was done “as a refresher” as I took this previously 8 years ago and I spend about 10 days a year Backcountry Skiing. The instructors (John and Chris) did an excellent job, I learned new skills, exposed some weaknesses and explored some new terrain. Great experience!!!
Awesome guides- very knowledgeable and safe. I had an incredible time!
By far our most favorite experience of the trip was canyoneering with Adam. He was so personable and had a great wealth of knowledge about the area. He kept us entertained and most importantly safe. We will be back for sure!
The guides and company were absolutely wonderful!!!! We came to Moab for a wedding and enjoyed river rafting and canyoneering - the guides were super helpful and knowledgeable. Will definitely use them again!
Nathan and Dan were fantastic. I took my teenage son and his friend on a canyoneering trip, and Nathan and Dan put them at ease during the long repels. They were ready to do it again! This was the second time we used Red River and they do a great job communicating during booking and pre trip to get you ready. Also, their website is easy to navigate and very accurate. This outfitter is highly recommended!
Had an amazing trek with my family including 3 boys ages 12-15 with Dan on the Bow and Arrow trail. Felt very safe in his experience and ability. Nice hike up followed by 4 amazing rappels down! Highly recommend!
The hike & rapelling was spectacular! It was an awesome way to experience a day and this beautiful terrain. Kenzie was awesome. She was a great leader and tons of fun!
Had such a good time canyoneering with Red River Adventures! The guides were fun, professional, and had lots of interesting information about the area. Great time for all experience levels.
Had a great half day trip climbing with them. Hunter was a great guide, knew a ton about the area and where we were going to climb. It was a nice relaxed environment but he still made sure safety was on the top of the list. Looking Glass Rock is a bit outside of town so it was super quiet, and the rappel down from the top was amazing.
Great rafting trip! We loved the crew and the trip. Relaxing, fun and Colton, our guide was excellent! He was informative and a ball of fun!! So many fun memories made! Thank you!
We did bow and arrow canyoneering with red river. Adam is a great guide, on the trip you’ll see some dinosaur tracks, petroglyphs, four rappelling (one short, two medium and one long ~120 ft). Adam also introduced a lot of good food options in moab. If you go to quesadilla Mobile, tell Adam from red river sent you, you got 10% off (we tried it today, it’s legit).
Went canyoneering with Dan as our guide. There were 7 people including a young girl and teenage boy. Dan did a great job instructing us on how to repel and made sure we all felt safe. It started with a fairly strenuous 30 minute hike up the mesa and then 4 repels down. Great time. Thanks Dan.
We had a great time on our canyoneering tour! Our tour guide, Dan, was excellent!
A wonderful first time canyoneering trip!! Our guide Nate was the perfect combination of fun, encouraging, safe, funny and laid back confident. He helped us get over our fear and nerves and made it seem easy. Great for first time repelling and canyoneering. It was a bit intense at times, but in a good way. I'm afraid of heights and it was putting me out of my comfort zone, but that's a good thing. But you do need a degree of fitness. This should not be your first physical activity if you've been on the couch for the last two years... A very professional organization and I would do any of their trips in a heartbeat!
