Blessed with the best brothers you could ever have! #StorgionBrothers #Family #Travel #Adventure #WestwaterCanyon tropicalRiverGuide @nstorgion
The Colorado River was on my bucket list for a while! I didn’t get any footage of the rapids but the trip through Westwater Canyon also had some incredible views! I highly recommend taking this trip with @moabadventurecenter the guides are great and the trip is well worth it! Get out there! #utahisrad #coloradoriver #westwatercanyon #adventureisoutthere
Pulled our kayak ashore here to set up camp for the night before reaching the first set of class IV rapids the next morning –from our packrafting trip down the Colorado River in Utah last week . . . . . . . #utahwhitewater #tentview #coloradoriver #packrafting #utahdesert #inflatablekayak #packraft #campinglife #westwatercanyon #canyonlands #coloradoriver @airefactorystore #viewfrommytent #airewhitewater #desertcamping #rivercamp #rivercamping #wildcamping #tentcamping #airetomcat #viewfrommywindow #airekayaks #ducky #inflatablekayak
Cactus flowers around our camp while packrafting down the Colorado River in Utah last week. We stopped here in the canyon and pulled our kayaks ashore to set up for the night, just before the first set of class IV rapids the next morning. . . . . . #utahwhitewater #desertwildflowers #desertflowers #cactusflowers #coloradoriver #packrafting #utahdesert #inflatablekayak #packraft #campinglife #westwatercanyon #canyonlands #desertcamping #rivercamp #cactusblooms #desertblooms #rivercamping #wildcamping
Westwater Canyon in eastern Utah, near Moab, is the West's best short (1-Day) whitewater rafting trip. The Colorado River pumps through this narrow gorge of Vishnu Schist (the only other river trip that passes through this rock layer is the Grand Canyon). Book your trip at the Moab Adventure Center and get ready for Class IV whitewater like Skull rapid. Surprise, Marble, Big Hummer, Bowling Alley and Last Chance are all winners when it comes to whitewater romps. #coloradoriverrafting #westwatercanyon #whitewater #moabadventurecenter
#bestlife #westwatercanyon —— Westy @ 7100cfs
What do Timberline guides do in the spring before it’s rrafting season in #Vail? Head WEST. This crew of current and former guides just returned from a classic spring trip through #Westwater Canyon, the first stretch of #whitewater on the Colorado River in Utah. Activities included #rafting, #kayaking, #canyoneering, #mountainbiking, and all of the other usual river shenanigans too! #timberlinetours #timberlineguides #guidevibes #coloradoriver #westwatercanyon #vailrafting
A quick little trip down Westwater was a great way to start the season. Excited to be on the river with the best of the best. #awaymessage #westwatercanyon #spicyskull #sockittome
In terms of a 2-3 day river trip, you really can't beat Westwater Canyon. It truly has it all: redrock desert scenery, sandy beaches, adventurous hiking, and some of the most fun and splashy whitewater around. We run more trips down Westwater than we do any other canyon and we have seats available on many of our dates throughout this spring and summer. If you're in need of a weekend getaway with your family, friends, or colleagues, click the linkin bio to learn more about Westwater or give our office a call today to reserve your spot!
In the second installment of our ongoing blog series chronicling the boat names Holiday has used over the years, we have the Upper Canyons of the Colorado River. In contrast to the Green River, where John W. Powell named the canyons during his 1869 and 1871 voyages, the canyons of the Colorado River experienced a less formal naming process. As Europeans settled the West, many of the names they gave to places were informal and exchanged by word of mouth, therefore frequently changing over the years until the maps being made became more widespread and consistent. Head to the link in our bio to read the new blog today!
All that in 12 months!? #laseudurgell #childrenseternalrainforest #fibark #westwatercanyon #ruby
Enjoying some cold weather river time. #rubyhorsethief #westwatercanyon #riverlife #adventurelife #wherewillyoube
We are trying hard to hold on to the relaxing vibes from the long weekend over here 😜 Tell us in the comments how you got outside over the weekend. We will pick one random winner on Wednesday who will get an envelope of stickers!
Lexi Dowdall paints with watercolors on a sandy beach during a lunch stop. Bringing watercolor paints can be a fun way to spend your time, and bring home an artistic souvenir from your river trip. Photo by @rewikstrom
It’s WEDNESDAY!! Hope your week is flowing! Counting down until the next time I can do this because summer is too far away. Hoping to chase some great canyons down in Mexico while we’re there, 5 months beginning in Jan
Packed up the boat for the season but not before hitting the rapids in Westwater. It was perfect weather and I survived Skull rapid! #westwatercanyon #adventurelife #wherewillyoube
Finally finished this painting “river glow”. It has me craving a morning outside, coffee and listening to the stillness. . Let me know what you think. Prints will be available next week! . . . #painting #acrylicpainting #landscapeart #whitewater #rafting #river #camping #coloradoriver #utah #westwatercanyon #outside #art #artistsoninstagram #painter
Fall river trip down Westwater provided some magical views, splashy waves and peaceful camping. Not pictured: me falling in rescuing Jarett's favorite hat right above marble rapid.(If you ask him, I dived in selflessly and heroically, he's wrong 😂😂) @jaretthart @justachillday #westwatercanyon #coloradoriver #airerafts #desertcanyon #getoutside #girlswhoraft #riverrats
Ruby~>Westwater! We’re taking on water Captain! We’re sinking Captain! I’m swimming Captain! #westwatercanyon #rubyhorsethiefcanyon #sunoutbunsout #confluence #catipillarpower #wastedstate #blackrocks
Pro Tip: Visit Cisco, UT! Few places are as unique or as rich with history.
A trip down Westwater Canyon wrapped up my 2023 #rafting season. Shout out to @brit_wright_ for letting me get out on the river! Howdy to all the homies who shared the trips, and thanks to @rockymountainrafts @nrsweb @downriverequipment and @coloradokayaksupply for enabling my gear addiction. I can’t wait to do it again in 2024! #westwatercanyon #whitewater #river #gearjunkie
Skulduggery 2023 - Westwater. Just shows the versatility of the @rockymountainrafts Storm! Especially with a @downriverequipment frame. #whitewaterrafting #skulduggery #rafting #blm #westwatercanyon
#westwatercanyon at ~3100 CFS was far too much fun. Hit my first real class III+ river and I didn't flip! Thanks for the invite @mattsp88 I definitely want to hit it at higher water next year!! #hysiderafts #coloradoriver #nrsrafting #rmr
Part two of the grand adventure: rafting Westwater with the All Seasons crew! We had amazing scenery, debauchery, petroglyphs, a beautiful campsite and hike, rapids, and so much fun! I was on the fence as to whether I should hop in the guide seat for the rapids since I was still wearing a brace for my broken wrist and was barely a month out from knee surgery. I eventually came to the conclusion that I could do it, and I should trust myself, even if the consequences were a little higher. @keighlum guided the first half and I guided the second half and we both crushed it! 🤘 All in all, amazing experience, loved finding yet another way to challenge my fears and myself! 😊 Also if you want 20% off @stio, follow the link in my bio. I lived in only stio clothes this entire trip and couldn’t have been more comfortable 🥳
Take. Me. There. NOW!!!! . . . . . Please?
Westwater magic 🪄🧞♀️👸 🌊🚣♀️ Season #3 coming to a close, and what a season it has been 😘 #westwatercanyon #lowerlittled #utah #beautahful #whitewaterrafting #bikeraft #holidayriverexpeditions
What a wonderful treat to get to run another baggage boat down a new river! Westwater already has me dreaming of next season #whitewaterrafting #westwatercanyon #lovewhatyoudo
All you can do is believe in maps, cause… well maps always believed in you. #oldschool #westwatercanyon
Dang… what a great wedding river trip. Congratulations to Maura and Nate! #westwatercanyon #westwaterwedding #ilovemyfriends #riversarerad
1st time in my boat in a very long time. Thanx to this great group of neighbors for the encouragement, the fun and the rescue. Good times in the Colorado River. Proud to clean Class IV “Skull Rapid” at 3580 CFS. Still got it. But no more roll for “Socket-it-to me” hence the rescue. Still fun to get a little wet and feel alive! Maybe I need a new boat and more practice. As I paddle out of my first half century I am grateful for the experience and privileged to make this far. #kayaking #westwatercanyon #dunnschoolgrads
🌊 Rafting down the river rapids with these rapscallions. ⛺️🤙 #WestwaterCanyon #Whitewaterrafting #raftingcrew #coloradoriver #desertadventures #visitutah
Create art wherever you wander with guidance from @kapowder ! Our latest blog post is filled with suggested art supplies for traveling and prompts to get you started on your travel journal 🎨 Link in bio!
Part I of trip I. The adventure leading to the adventure. Sending gratitude to so many that have given me the opportunities that have led to these trips. To take a direct quote from one of this years participants, “do we have to go home, yet?” Just quick - Open Roads has given me ,and so many others that have joined us, a traveling community to laugh, learn, and explore with. This year we were able to expand and take more participants outdoors on life changing adventures than we’ve ever done before. I’d say that’s probably because of two fierce leaders and their burn the boat mentality, but I know they’d accredit it all to our community of roadies. Hope you’re not sick of these photos yet because I’ll be posting part II of @openroadscreative trip I and parts I & II of trip II at some point as well. Special thank you to @nikhousemedia for being one of the most dynamic and talented photographers I know. #canyonlandsnationalpark #utah #colorado #westwatercanyon #openroads
A big congrats to all the folks on the Amtrak who got to see the whitest booties on this side of the Mississippi 🪩🐟 Q Of The Day: do you need a degree to raft guide? #mooningisatouristattraction #itsbasicallythegrandcanyon #twopostsintwoweeks #ashylegs4dayz #ismelllikedirtbag #futurecareer #blindingbooty #westwatercanyon
Last month I painted each day of my Westwater raft trip with @bikeraft in a zany little zig-zag book to create one fluid riverscape. Swipe to see the float unfold from take-out to put-in. Head to the @bikeraft blog to check out my tips for getting creative on your next escape. 📷 : the amazing @rewikstrom
"I received an invite in 2019 to my first overnight raft trip with Holiday to float the Gates of Lodore. On a whim, I threw a neglected and lightly used set of watercolor paints, a sketchbook, and a few scrappy brushes in my duffle... As I embarked on a Westwater trip with Holiday in July of 2023, it was a full-circle moment to find myself, now a professional watercolor painter, back in the environment where it all began." - Lexi Dowdall Hit the link in our bio to read more about Lexi's guide to kickstarting a travel journaling habit, and stay tuned for next week's post where she's compiled a list of her favorite supplies to get you started!
Pro Tip: Almost all river runners agree... the best, most fun seat on any raft is the front right (or starboard bow if you want to get technical).
Little sneak peek of a project with my pals over at @bikeraft. Stay tuned… 📷 : @rewikstrom
The Little Dolores makes its way down from Pinyon Mesa through stunning sandstone canyons (irrigating ranch land along the way) and pops out into the Colorado River right before Westwater Canyon (no geographic relation to the Dolores River… 🤷🏻). Still running here in mid July thx to a healthy snowpack. First time seeing its confluence! #coloradoriver #westwatercanyon #publicland
Feeling so insanely fortunate to be a part of the @openroadscreative family ❤️ It’s so hard to put into words how powerful our group trips are. I got to witness a group of teens conquer so many firsts (flying, camping, rafting, hiking, making mini documentaries, etc.) and create relationships that will last a lifetime. My heart is so full from watching us all support each other, and I love that my role with the organization is capturing these moments on camera 🥰 Can’t wait to share more photos from this past trip and I’m so excited for the next 2 trips this Summer! ✨ If you’re interested in learning more about Open Roads and what we do, head to www.OpenRoads.org 🌻 #rivertrip #nonprofit #nonprofitwork #openroads #coloradoriver #holidayriver #adventurephotographer #coloradophotographer #experiencephotographer #nonprofitphotographer #getoutside #utah #greenriverutah #westwatercanyon
We recently participated in an overnight rafting trip down Westwater canyon when one of our group members came down with a nasty GI bug. Symptoms included: Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Fatigue Loss of appetite While the illness was not severe enough to require evacuation, it definitely decreased the “fun factor” of the trip. It’s important to be prepared for both major and minor medical problems in the wilderness; even minor things can feel big out there. Make sure you have a first aid kit with OTC medication for symptom management, practice good hygiene habits, and drink lots of water and electrolytes. 10/10 would run again . . . . #wildernessmedicine #rafting #adventuremed #westwater #westwatercanyon #coriver #utah #getoutside #ems #wfr #wildernessfirstresponder
Life is better on the river… the views are pretty good too.🌈
Join Holiday River Expeditions for this SPECIAL fundraiser trip benefiting @protectourwinters this August! Experience the stunning wilderness, and thrilling whitewater in Westwater Canyon while learning from POW science alliance member, Dr. Andrew Schwartz. Head to the link in our bio to book this trip!
If you've been on a river trip with Holiday you've most likely heard a guide or 3 share some interp of the area. What's some of your favorite interp you've learned on a Holiday trip?
Westwater with the best 🌊 #April2023 #HappyBirthdayMark #TylerForgotTheCake #EasyCheese #PaddlePaddlePaddleLittleGrom #GoodLookinGroup #NoMoreSkiBoots #WestWaterCanyon
GIVEAWAY CLOSED! @bikeraft and @kuhl have teamed up to offer one of the raddest giveaways of the summer! Enter to win a 3-day Westwater trip for 2 ($1570 value) along with a $500 gift card per person! Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience a trip of a lifetime! How to enter: Sign up to be a member of the KÜHL Mountain Culture through link in bio. Follow: @bikeraft and @kuhl Like this photo Tag: Tag who you’d want to bring! Prize(s) From Holiday River Expeditions: 3-day Westwater trip for 2 people ($1570 value) From KÜHL $500 gift card per person Rules This promotion is not sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram in any way. We will never message you to click a link or submit further information. The winner will be notified from this account only. Must be 18 years or older to participate Must live in the U.S. to participate Giveaway starts May 22, 2023 Giveaway closes June 5, 2023 11:59pm The winner will be announced/notified June 6th If the winner does not reach back out within 5 days, a new winner will be picked.
That one time Corey and I luck duckied an extra muddy Westwater run after a big rain in 2021. I had mud in my ears for days after that. #westwatercanyon #coloradoriverrafting
A good reminder that we’re all just passing through.
“To put your hands in a river is to feel the chords that bind the earth together.” Barry Lopez Photo by @gooser
Westwater is a right of spring as a Colorado paddler. I’ve lost count of how many laps I’ve done over the decades. But this time it was my high water record of 26,500 CFS. It was a 3 hour run, half the time of normal. I wouldn’t say it was any harder but it did have bigger consequences for a swimmer. There were very few places to stop or get out in the inner gorge. There were big waves and pushy laterals but the crux was the boils and whirlpools that would pull my JK Gnarvana down for mystery moves and unexpected side surfs. It was awesome to paddle this canyon again with @adventurous.miss and a great crew of long time paddling friends. Thanks @cinforny for the invite on your permit. @jackson.kayak @kokatatusa @wernerpaddles @sealsskirts #westwatercanyon #prettywestern #bigwater #kayakerslife
We are excited to announce that we are hosting a fundraiser trip for @protectourwinters this summer through Westwater Canyon on the Colorado River. Join POW's Science Alliance member, Dr. Andrew Schwartz, to learn about physical processes in the snowpack, and how climate change impacts these processes, thus impacting our river system. Experience the joy of spending time on the river while supporting a great organization! Head to the link in our bio to read more about the trip or to book your seat!
Westwater #paddlemoab #westwatercanyon #utah
Moab, Utah 2023 Part 2: First time white water rafting. Class 4 Rapids, Advanced. Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Guess I'm just going to be 'full send alisha' from now on, so bring it. One of the scariest, yet amazing & coolest things I've done in my whole life. Last picture is my face after the first set of rapids, which looking back, were nothing compared to skull and sock-it-to-me. 😳😂🤙 #westwatercanyon #whitewaterrafting
More boat naps! #whitewaterrafting #rivers #travel #camping #shennanigans #boats #rafting #nature #memories #adventure #Int #wilderness #motherearth #water #coloradoriver #westwatercanyon #boating
It's me! Hi! Photo by @scottosbornphoto #nottheproblem
More chocolate milk please. #whitewaterrafting #westwatercanyon #sawyeroarsandpaddles #hysideinflatables #squaretops #riverboatworks
New video on my YT channel about kayaking through Westwater Canyon, UT, with a crew of amazing friends. Link in bio. @jackson.kayak @kokatatusa @wernerpaddles @mercedesbenzvansusa @winnebagorvs @sealsskirts #whitewater #kayaking #westwatercanyon
If you are short on time but want to experience some excitement on the Colorado River, look no further than Westwater Canyon. This 2 or 3-day trip packs a punch with a beautiful wilderness canyon with splashy, fun intermediate-level rapids at any time of the season from May to September. Hiking, wildlife, beautiful camps, and smiles galore. Photo by @jungle_bill 📍 Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) land
Washing Dee boat! - @bleachbreakfast Photo by @scottosbornphoto
“Great Blue Heron” Oil on Panel, 12x24 #oilpainting #oilpaintersofamerica #coloradoartist #grandjunctionartist #grandjunctionart #coloradoriver #westwatercanyon #greatblueheron #visitgj
Looking forward to these kinds of hits this summer! Anyone else? Photos by @scottosbornphoto
Grab a friend and a duck and get a little quiet time away from the big boats. Whether there are stand-up paddle boards on the trip or inflatable kayaks, it's always fun to try out each craft. Photo by @jungle_bill
"When you see places like this every day the beauty starts to fade." - Said no one ever 😏😍🏜️ Photo by @gooser
Grab your friends and join us on the river! Westwater is the perfect place for a quick getaway; we have weekend trips available, and you get all the perks of a river trip without having to miss too much work. Give us a call after the New Year to book! (Our office will be open again on January 2nd). Photo by @gooser
"Any river is really the summation of the whole valley. To think of it as nothing but water is to ignore the greater part. - Hal Borland, This Hill, This Valley Photo by @ezraschofield
#Littlefriendsbigadventures #Timstoothbrush Tim's little friend that gets to go on big adventures is his toothbrush... but why? Comment your guess (A, B, or C) below! A. Tim keeps his toothbrush in his mouth through rapids to keep from nervously grinding his teeth. B. Tim only brushes with whitewater. C. Years ago, he forgot to put his toothbrush back in his ammo can before rapids, and now, as a running joke, always keeps it in his mouth through whitewater. Photo by @jungle_bill
✨FEEDBACK FRIDAY✨ "I've never been disappointed in Holiday's guides. They are fun-loving, organized, and fascinating folks—10/10 experience. I love asking questions and learning interpretation and the guides were more than happy to oblige! I learned so much about the river and what guides do daily to make guests have the best time." -Holiday Guest, Hannah M.
I think one of my favorite parts about whitewater photos is the face expressions. 😃😱😄 Photo by @scottosbornphoto
Running Westwater Canyon was such a sick trip! The water sure looks bigger in real life versus the YouTube videos we were all studying 😅 First time rowing through class 3 and 4 rapids and we got to connect a stretch of the Colorado river that I haven’t seen before. Video coming out today at 6pm showing what the rapids are all about! • • • #westwater #westwatercanyon #rafting #whitewater #classIII #classIV #lifeoutdoors
It snowed again so more river photos are in order.