A guided river trip might be the perfect segue into the backcountry for folks looking for an in-depth introduction to life outdoors.
I’ve spent a lot of time in the backcountry, and I’ll admit that though I love it — it’s arduous. I am responsible for my food, my gear, my comfort, and my sense of safety.
If something goes wrong, I’m the captain now. I am guide, cook, wayfinder, maid, and client. I am not always perfect at each of these roles. And I do not always want to take them on. And I’ve done river trips before in the spirit of both teamwork and independent effort.
But, for the first time, over the past week, I had the pleasure of being a client on the river. For 5 days and 4 nights, I put my safety, hunger, sense of direction, knowledge of place, and general basic care into the hands of four very experienced and beyond courteous river guides.
And wow, you guys. Everyone should be so lucky.
I rafted the Green River through the Gates of Lodore with Dinosaur River Expeditions in Vernal, Utah. Owners Tyler and Jen Callantine — and their megatalented group of guides — go above and beyond for their guests. And they’ve certainly set a high precedent for this article (and future river trips).
If you’re curious about taking a guided overnight river trip, read on for the ins and outs of what you can expect and why you should go.
A Guided Multiday River Trip: What to Expect
Prior to the Trip
If you’re not used to packing for the outdoors, it can be overwhelming to try to figure out exactly what you’ll need for a stretch of time without access to the developed world.
But, a good guide company will send along a packet with a lot of information. For my trip, they sent paperwork that needed to be signed, a full packing list meant for the length of time we would be on the river, and a sample itinerary.
Gear-wise, many guide companies will have gear available to rent if, say, you don’t have an appropriate sleeping bag or pad. Or, perhaps you’ll need to rent a tent for the excursion. A good outfitter will do just that — make sure you’re outfitted for everything you need.
If you have questions, reach out! River guides are experienced outdoorspeople, and they’ve done this many times before. If answering your questions prior to a trip is going to prevent something bad from happening or just make you more comfortable, they want to help.
I called and asked if I could bring my fishing gear, and they gave me the go-ahead. Pick up the phone and call. Or email with questions. You never know. But they definitely do.
Getting on the River
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Orientation is always helpful, albeit a bit dusty to listen to. “I know, I know,” we all want to say. But rivers take lives — even on guided trips — and safety is important.
For me, this was my first time going whitewater rafting, and I’ll admit I was a little nervous. Learning the different signals and safety measures if something was to go wrong felt primetime important. Our lead guide Jakobe Mold was really clear and concise about all of this. Questions were always welcome, at any time, over the course of the trip.
Every person was given two dry bags — a large one and a small one. The first is large enough for all your necessary gear; the second is a smaller day bag for what you’ll use on the river.
Another expectation is that you won’t have access to your main bag of gear when on the river. So, one must pack that day bag with any and all immediate necessities, be it sunscreen, warm clothes, medications, or a favorite snack. (Lots of snacks are recommended, by the way.)
Put-ins for the river can be crazy places, and with Labor Day weekend in full swing, the energy of the initial boat ramp was high. It’s probably the last time you’ll see a closed-in bathroom for a while. Use it or lose it.
On the River
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At Camp
River Flair
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Getting Off the River: Tip Your Guides
Reflecting on My First Guided River Trip
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