Canyoneering Basecamp Adventures

Get In The Wild Adventure's Canyoneering Basecamp expeditions open a whole new world to adventure vacation enthusiasts.  Our all-inclusive wilderness safaris bring you to some of the most beautiful, pristine, backcountry wilderness areas in Southern Utah's spectacular redrock canyons in total customer comfort.  That's right!  Our all-inclusive wilderness destination vacations come complete with cozy campsites, three healthy and delicious meals each day, hot showers and some of the best sunrises, sunsets and starlit skies on the planet.

Each day we set out from our basecamp on a new adventure taking in a variety of spectacular landscapes that are beyond your imagination.  We explore narrow, twisting, turning redrock canyons, incredible slickrock domes and mesas and beautiful desert and river environments replete with wildflowers, Anasazi rock art, birds, lizards and many other equally fascinating sights.  Our day outings are completely flexible to take into account your specific interests or preferences.

Overview

Pursue high adventure canyoneering in a red rock playground

• Explore the dramatic scenery of the Greater Canyonlands Wilderness
• Discover hidden slot canyons and Native American cultural sites
• Experience solitude in one of the most the beautiful and unexplored regions of the Colorado Plateau
• Relax in great company and camp under the stars

Embark on this unique three-day canyoneering adventure in one of the most beautiful, awe-inspiring destinations in Utah’s Canyon Country.  Hike off the beaten path to undiscovered sites within the Dirty Devil/Robber’s Roost Wilderness of Greater Canyonlands .  Encounter wild places once inhabited by the Anasazi and Fremont Indians as well as outlaws such as Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, and the Wildbunch Gang.  Experience the same canyons where the movie 127 Hours was based.   

With an endless selection of stunning canyons and slickrock routes to choose from, you have the freedom to choose your destinations to perfectly match your interests and abilities.  Start your day with a mellow slot canyon hike, or get your adrenaline surging on more adventurous canyoneering routes. This exclusive adventure offers equal parts excitement and tranquility in one of the most majestic and rugged wilderness areas in North America.

Sample Itinerary

Arrival

Most people arrive in Hanksville, Utah the day before the trip departs.  A small town of approximately 250 people, services are limited but you will find a few grocery stores, gas stations, motels, and restaurants.

Day 1

Depart Hanksville for your canyoneering basecamp located in the Robber’s Roost / Dirty Devil Wilderness 1,500 feet above the canyon floor.  Once at camp, you will set up your living quarters for the trip, enjoy a healthy, delicious lunch and depart camp for an adventure tour of the surrounding canyons.  Upon returning to camp, enjoy a hot dinner and campfire before retiring in your new wilderness home.

Day 2 - 5

Awake to a brilliant sunrise on the rim of your red rock basecamp.  Enjoy a hearty breakfast, pack up for the day, and seek out another epic day of canyoneering adventure and exploration.  Return to camp to relax, kick back fire-side, and enjoy an evening of great food, conversation, campfire and fun.

Last Day

Rise with the sun, gather for breakfast, and break camp in preparation for your final day of canyoneering.  Again, feel free to choose your own adventure in the Greater Canyonlands Wilderness. Once your day’s adventure is complete, you will return to Hanksville for the end of the trip.

*This trip requires a minimum number of participants in order to operate.

Details

Duration: Three to six day itineraries available.

Start: Hanksville, Utah

End: Hanksville, Utah

Accommodations:  Wilderness tent camping.

Fitness requirement:  Moderate.  No prior canyoneering experience is necessary.

Price includes:

• Professional guides, camp-chef/manager
• Camping accommodations
• Meals (starting with lunch on day one)
• Canyoneering equipment
• Tent and group camping gear

Price excludes:

• Transportation to and from Hanksville, Utah
• Sleeping bag and pad (rental options available)
• $30 single supplement fee
• Gratuities

Prerequisites

• This trip is designed to suit adventurous first time canyoneers as well as guests with previous canyoneering experience.
• It is suitable for guests of all ages who enjoy an active, adventurous, and educational outdoor experience. 
• Guests should be comfortable hiking between 3-5 miles per day on uneven terrain.
• Guests should be able to carry a day pack weighing approximately 10 lbs, containing 2-3 liters of water, lunch and misc. gear.
• An SUV or vehicle with more clearance than a regular car or minivan is helpful, but not required.

FAQ’s

Q. How do I get to Hanksville, Utah?

A. You can fly into Salt Lake City, Grand Junction, or Las Vegas and then rent a car and drive to Hanksville (three and a half hours from Salt Lake City, two and a half hours from Grand Junction and five and a half hours from Las Vegas). When you register for a trip, Get In The Wild will e-mail you all the travel details you’ll need to arrange your transportation.

Q. What are the camping facilities like?

A. Your canyoneering basecamp will be set 1,500 ft above the canyon floor.  Get In The Wild will provide a tent and basecamp complete with a kitchen, drinking water, hot shower, lounge chairs, bathrooms and campfire.

Q. What if I'm a solo traveler and want my own tent?

A. You can choose to pay a $30 single supplement fee directly to the operator to secure your own tent.

Q. I've never been canyoneering before, is that going to be a problem?

A. No experience is necessary!  All you need is to be in good physical condition and have a healthy sense of adventure.

Q. What is the food like?

A. You will be provided a variety of healthy, delicious, filling and nutritious backcountry cuisine.  Rest assured that your guides are committed to serving you the tastiest backcountry meals imaginable. Please advise us prior to your departure if you have any dietary restrictions.

Q. What should I bring?  Is there a packing list?

A. We will send out an adventure information packet prior to the trip, including a comprehensive list of what to bring.  Generally, count on bringing active clothing and shoes, sun protection, a small daypack, toiletries and camera if desired.

Q. What makes our trips unique? 

A. Our tips are located in some of the last true wilderness areas in the lower 48.  This is one of the few remaining areas that are actually protected for solitude.  Our trips are off the beaten path and will take you to locations that are some of the most spectacular on the planet and where no other guides services operate.

Come Get In The Wild on one of our Vehicle Basecamp Expeditions for an Adventure Vacation of a Lifetime!

Beginner:

This trip is designed for beginners.  It is suitable for people of all ages who enjoy an active, adventurous, and educational outdoor experience.  No previous experience is required.

Requirements:

• Must enjoy great food, incredible scenery, quiet solitude and peaceful tranquility.

We invite you to come with us and experience some of the very best backcountry cuisine imaginable. Backcountry meals are a quintessential part of your wilderness experience and we have taken great strides to ensure you will have an unforgettable dining experience.  For more than a decade, the owners of North American Wilderness Leadership School have worked to perfect wilderness cuisine.  Each adventure is made a dash more savory with delicious food recipes that we have perfected over many years on the trail.  We take pride in serving healthy, flavorful, filling and nutritious gourmet wilderness cuisine rather than the usual camp fare and off-the-shelf backpacking food.  Regardless of the adventure, rest assured that we are committed to serving you the tastiest backcountry meals imaginable. We trust your wilderness meal experience will be “time deliciously spent”.

Note:  We are happy to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, kosher and non-gluten diets on request.  Please feel free to contact us to for additional information.

Clothing:

Wear your “play” clothes.  We recommend that you wear clothes that provide flexibility, comfort and won’t rip or tear easily.  We will send you a recommended clothing list following receipt of your application and deposit.

Footwear:

Comfortable, medium weight hiking shoes or boots generally work the best.  Shoes must enclose the entire foot and toes (no open-toe sandals, or water shoes).  Whatever footwear you chose, make sure you have worn them in advance of your trip to ensure they fit well and are comfortable.

Gear:

Travel light!  Recommended items include two to three 1-liter water bottles, headlamp, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm and camera.  Unnecessary gear is often a hindrance—let the guides do the work for you.  Your guides will have all the necessary equipment to keep the group safe and comfortable.

Canyoneering Basecamp Adventure:  Dirty Devil / Robber's Roost Wilderness

2020 Dates:  April 1 - May 31; September 15 - November 30

3 days/2 nights $1195 per person. 
4 days/3 nights $1395 per person.
5 days/4 nights $1745 per person.
**Minimum Rate Applies.

All Trips include guide, gear and meal(s).  Tax and gratuity not included.  

Note: Custom trips are available.  Please contact us at (818) 381-WILD, or for more information.

General:

North American Wilderness Leadership School (NAWLS) is committed to providing you with an extraordinary wilderness adventure.  Our number one priority on all trips and courses is safety.  We never compromise safety and do everything possible to ensure you have the safest and most enjoyable trip possible.  Our experienced guides manage a variety of significant weather and route related hazards, but they cannot eliminate them.  They draw from their wealth of experience and training to make sure you have the safest trip possible.

Trip Plans & Itinerary:

NAWLS’s trip plans and itineraries are subject to change based on weather, terrain, route conditions and a variety of additional factors.  While we strive to maintain all listed plans and itineraries, we reserve the right to change plans as necessary to ensure that all guests receive the safest and highest quality trip possible.

Should any trip be cancelled due to weather, route conditions, or insufficient signups, a full trip refund will be provided.

Age Requirements:

To ensure the safest and highest quality trip for all participants, NAWLS adheres to the following age-specific requirements:

• Ages 4 & Under:  No participants age 4 & under.
• Ages 5 to 14:  May participate in all Family Adventure trips.  Must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• Ages 15-17:  May participate in all trips and courses.  Must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• Ages 18 & above:  No restrictions.

Note:  Under-aged participants on private trips and courses are assessed on an individual basis.

Guest Responsibilities:

Wilderness adventures require both individual commitment and team unification.  To ensure the strength and success of the team we ask that each participant:

• be physically and mentally fit and properly attired and equipped.
• be honest and accurate in describing their fitness, health, skills and equipment to their guides to ensure that everyone on their team has the opportunity for a safe, fun and successful wilderness adventure.

Payments:

A 50% deposit is required to secure your reservation. Payments may be made via personal U.S. check (preferred), or by Paypal.  Please note that Paypal payments require a 3% additional fee for U.S. residents and a 4% additional fee for international residents.  Send payments by check to North American Wilderness Leadership School, 13110 NE 177th Place, Woodinville, Washington 98072, or by Paypal to:  .  Full payment is due 30 days prior to the start of your trip.

Cancellation:

If you need to cancel your reservation please let us know as soon as possible.  Cancellation policies are as follows:

• 90 days or more prior to trip start date: full refund of deposit.
• 60-90 days prior to trip start date:  guest will be charged 50% of the deposit.
• 30-60 days prior to trip start date:  guest will be charged 100% of the deposit.
• 30 days or less prior to trip start date:  guest will be charged 100% of trip cost.

Note:  We highly encourage you to consider the purchase of travel insurance.  Typical policies provide coverage for trip cancellation, delay and medical expenses.  Travel insurance provides the best possible protection for travel related illness, injury, or delay.

As you prepare for your upcoming wilderness adventure, please feel free to contact us to with any questions including trip details, itinerary, qualifications, conditioning, equipment, etc.  Our experienced guides are happy to assist you with all of your pre-trip planning needs.  We are available Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. PST at (818) 381-WILD (9453), or .