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Black Canyon Kayaking Adventure- Sport Chalet Adventures

Activity Level

Beginner
Total beginner and can meet the standards below. Class Time: 2-4 hours per day Distances: Can walk/ hike/ paddle 3 miles in a 2-4 hour time period on the surface and elevation types listed below Surfaces: Flat, even "on trail" or calm water paddling Water Exposure: None unless it's raining Altitude: Course location may be at elevations up to 7,000 ft Elevation Change: Little to none Equipment Used: Hiking shoes, hydration and day / fanny pack
Active
New to outdoor adventure but participates in a regular exercise program 2-3 times per week which includes cardiovascular and active movement training. Very few committing areas where paddling, rappelling or climbing may be required. Class Time: 4-6 hours per day (possible camping) Distances: Hike/ paddle up to 5 miles in a 4-6 hour time period on the surface and elevation types listed below Surfaces: Steep, even "on trail" hiking. Some beginner climbing or rappelling on steep rock faces and or water falls or calm water or class I currents if paddling Water Exposure: Shallow wading or stream crossing Altitude: up to 8,000 ft Elevation Change: up to 2,000 ft per day Equipment Used: Kayaks, hiking shoes, hydration, small pack, harnesses, ropes and helmets
Moderate
Some outdoor experience and regular fitness program 3-4 times per week which includes cardiovascular and active movement training. Several committing areas where paddling, rappelling or climbing will be required. Class Time: 6-8 hours per day Distances: Hike/ paddle up to 8 miles in a 6-8 hour time period on the surfaces and elevations listed below some camping living in the back country Surfaces: Steep uneven "on and off trail" hiking with some scrambling using hands for pulling and balance. Some beginner to intermediate climbing or rappelling on steep rock faces and or water falls. Some waves or class II currents if paddling Water Exposure: Waist deep wading and or multiple shallow stream crossings with a pack on Elevation Change: up to 3,000 ft/day Altitude: up to 10,000 ft Equipment Used: Kayaks, hiking / climbing shoes, hydration, small pack, harnesses, ropes and helmets, fall protection gear and advanced layers, simple rope systems for climbing and rappelling
Vigorous
Some outdoor experience and regular fitness program 4-5 times per week which includes cardiovascular and active movement training. Very committing program with no options for early egress but certain obstacle evasion points along the course. Class Time: 8-10 hours per day Distances: Hike/ paddle up to 12 miles most days and live in the back country Surfaces: Very steep uneven "on and off trail" hiking with a lot of scrambling using hands for pulling and balance. Intermediate to advanced climbing or rappelling on steep rock faces and or water falls. Abundance of waves or strong Class III currents if paddling Water Exposure: Must be able to swim under supervision in Class I current with a backpack Elevation Change: up to 4,000 ft/day Altitude: up to 14,000 ft. A doctor's release may be required Equipment Used: Hiking and climbing shoes, hydration, small pack, harnesses, ropes and helmets, fall protection gear and advanced layers, PFD, advanced rope systems for climbing and rappelling
Strenuous
Very experienced with outdoor adventure and regular fitness program 5-6 times per week which includes cardiovascular and active movement training. Very committing program with no options for early egress or obstacle evasion at any point. Class Time: 10-14 hours per day Distances: Hike/ paddle 12+ miles per day on the surfaces and elevations listed below and be able to live in the back country Surfaces: Very steep uneven "on and off trail" hiking with a lot of scrambling using hands for pulling and balance. Intermediate to advanced climbing or rappelling on steep rock faces and or water falls. Abundance of waves or strong Class IV currents if paddling Elevation Change: up to 4,000 ft/day Water Exposure: Constant, deep pools, fast current swimming up to class II possibly unsupervised for brief moments. Altitude: may exceed 14,000 ft A doctor's release may be required

Adventure Details

Black Canyon Kayaking Adventure (Activity Level - )

On this three day adventure, we will explore the Colorado River below Hoover Dam. We'll get a chance to explore sauna caves, side canyons, and natural hot springs. We pack in our own tents and food on this adventure which does involve upstream paddling, making this a trip for more experienced paddlers. All meals and camping gear are provided.

Black Canyon Kayaking Schedule and Itinerary

Price: $495

Days: 3

Locations: Black Canyon, Adventure

2009 Kayaking Schedule
Gear Checklist
Meet The Instructors

Basic Itinerary:

Day 1:

We meet first thing in the morning and go over all the gear we'll be using on our adventure. Group camp is split up between the kayaks. After packing our boats, we'll take a minute to discuss basic techniques for maneuvering on this slow moving river. Once everyone is comfortable, we'll push off and start paddling upstream. We have 8 miles of paddling ahead of us, but an entire day to reach our destination. As we paddle, we'll keep our eyes open for Bighorn Sheep. After a delicious lunch next to the river, we'll finish our paddling for the day as we arrive at our hot springs camping area. They'll be plenty of time for an evening soak after we setup camp and enjoy a filling dinner.

Day 2:

A sunrise wake-up helps us understand the beauty and isolation of this amazing spot. Some may choose an early morning hot springs soak before we set out for the day. We will return to this site in the evening so our boats are much lighter than the day before. We'll finish paddling the last few miles up the river to the looming behemoth of Hoover Dam. After admiring this concrete wonder, we'll start exploring the shoreline. Occasionally our guides will pull us over to take a side trip into a slot canyon or a visit to an accidental manmade sauna cave. We'll make our way downstream enjoying the beauty of the river, coming back to our camp in the afternoon. They'll be plenty of time for swimming in the frigid Colorado, playing frisbee, hiking, and hot springs soaking. After a filling dinner, we'll fall asleep under the star-filled sky.

Day 3:

One final soak, a filling breakfast, and it's time to leave. We'll say goodbye to our campsite from the previous two days and enjoy a leisurely float down the river. We'll hope to see some Bighorn Sheep as we relax in our boats. We'll have a chance to visit a few more slot canyons and even a hot springs waterfall. In late afternoon, we'll arrive back at our vehicles to finish an amazing trip on the not-so-mighty Colorado!

Note on Itinerary:

This course is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and climbing area conditions.

Important Information about Air Travel:

Contact Sport Chalet Adventures prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate.

Price Includes:

Professional instruction; three lunches, two dinners, and two breakfasts; all technical gear (see gear list for details).

Not Included:

Transportation from your hometown to the group meeting point; lodging before or after the course, insurance of any kind; gratuities and items of a personal nature.

Closest Airport(s):

Las Vegas Airport - Las Vegas, Nevada

Qualifications:

Participants must be prepared to paddle eight miles in potentially windy conditions and hike 1-2 miles over uneven terrain. Participants should be aware of a life-threatening bacteria that leaves in the hot springs water. This rare bacteria will only enter the body through the nose and mouth. We will discuss the safety aspects of this bacteria further on the trip.

Weather:

Temperatures can range from 50 - 80° F during the day to 20 - 40° F at night depending on time of year and location. The Colorado River temperature is 50° F year round and the hot springs is typically 95 - 105° F. Course participants should arrive prepared for all possibilities by following the gear recommendations. This is a base version of our to-bring list. Items may be added depending on the time of year.

To-Bring List:

Comfortable Camp Shoes
Closed heel sandals
Synthetic socks
Underwear
Swimsuit
Towel
Lightweight shirt (synthetic)
Lightweight pants
Fleece top
Fleece pants
Hat (for sun)
Sunglasses
2 2-liter bottles for water
Personal prescriptions or medications
Headlamp
Small Daypack

Optional:

Camera (waterproof)
Spare contact lenses or glasses
Personal Tent*
Personal Sleeping Bag*
Personal Sleeping Pad*

* Provided with course

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