Canyoneering in Escalante

For those of us who are outdoor adventure seekers, a vacation often means connecting with an outfitter for one or more days to test limits and have new experiences.   While there are lots of ways to be frugal in your travels, choosing an outfitter is one area you definitely do not want to cut corners and a choice you do not want to undertake lightly.   After all, depending on the activity, life and limb is literally at stake.

Last week we had the joy of being in the Utah Canyons of Zion, Bryce, and Grand Staircase of Escalante.   One day we had the absolute out of this world pleasure to take our first canyoneering trip with Rick Green of Excursions of Escalante.   It was out of this freaking world (I get photo credit for the image of my partner Kim used in this article) and reminded me again how fortunate Kim and I have been to choose only the best outfitters.   This was the most remote challenge we have undertaken thus far and Rick is now at the top of our list of must-have guides for future trips.   His philosophy and approach to guiding is similar to our other favorite outfitter Alvah at Maine Kayak. They both truly respect their customers, respect nature, and know what it takes to offer amazing experiences in the safest and empowering way possible.

There’s something about real-world tales of fatalities in the slot canyons to get you really thinking about how important it is to choose a guide with good judgment AND tap into your own inner guidance and judgment as well. The bottom line is, no matter where you go in the back country, YOU are the primary person responsible for your own safety and well-being.   That is why it is so important to have a guide you can trust while also trusting your own instincts.

So, how can you increase your chances of choosing the right outfitter for you?   Follow my lessons learned.

Do Your Research

Know your skill level and limits. Know the conditions and inherent risks with the activity and geography in which you will be traveling.   This will help you evaluate your potential guide as well as allow you to make informed decisions for yourself along the way.

Choose a Qualified Guide

Do your research on the guides you are thinking of choosing. Visit their websites. Check out their storefronts. Do a Google search on the company name and guide names.   Have a hard look at their qualifications, certifications, and involvements.   I personally have found that guides who are actively involved in formal Wilderness First Responder and Search & Rescue efforts are infinitely more in touch with the realities of the outdoors.   They have an innate respect for and understand of what can go wrong and what that really means both for the participants AND any potential rescue efforts if something were to go awry.

Take a Good Look Around

Some things to notice about the company and guides you will be using that can inform your decision:

  • Is their website up to date? (while many outfitters do not have a slick website, do notice whether it has been abandoned or not and whether it has at least been updated for the current season.)
  • Is the store and gear in good condition?   Does the gear look like it is well cared for?   I have found that guides who choose quality gear and care for it meticulously make me feel a lot more confident. After all you are relying on these people AND the gear when you are engaged in your activity. Your well being counts on it.
  • Can the guide talk to you in a down to earth manner?   Do they ask you about your unique fitness and health conditions?   Do they focus on safety first or do they have some Rambo-type attitude?
  • Does your guide speak and conduct him/herself in a way that shows respect for the land?   Mother nature is in charge out there, and without a healthy respect for it, you could be headed directly into danger.
  • Does your guide actively educate and seek to empower you? Do they seem empathetic to you as a person and any emotional challenges you might be facing? (example: no one should tell you when you’re nervous about taking that first step off a cliff on a rope to just suck it up. More appropriate is to acknowledge the fear, respect it, and work through it safely.)

There are lots of quality outfitters out there that truly love what they do, thrive while working with people, and are fully qualified on all levels to co-create the trip of a lifetime with you.   As with anything, there are also people out there who are less than meticulous with attention to details and have an attitude that isn’t conducive to your best experience and safety.   The key is making informed choices to choose the right one for you.

If you are traveling with a same-sex partner, you get to decide how “out” you are or not.   My philosophy is always to just be myself.   When you’re engaged in an adventure activity it is pretty much an irrelevant fact anyway. What is far more important is your ability to work together as a team with the whole group.   That being said, if you ever find a guide acting outwardly discriminatory to you or making inappropriate comments, it is time to find a new outfitter!   In all the states we’ve traveled in we have never encountered a problem.   Most outdoor types are generally nonconformists by nature and tend to have a live and let live attitude based on my experience.

I am all for being frugal but never try to pinch pennies when I choose a guide.   These people put themselves in harms way every day to do what they do best.   Like any true professional they deserve to get paid well for what they do.

Any great adventure trip experiences anyone would like to share?