TRIP PREPARATION CHECK LIST

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "TRIP PREPARATION CHECK LIST"

Evan Alexander
5 years ago
Views:

Trip Planner: Vernal Trips PO Bx 1324 Mab, UT 84532 (800) 332-2439 (435) 259-8229 Fax (435) 259-2226 Email: inf@griffithexp.

1 Trip Planner: Vernal Trips PO Bx 1324 Mab, UT (800) (435) Fax (435) Trip Planner Please use this Trip Planner as a resurce fr general infrmatin n yur whitewater adventure. The infrmatin enclsed cvers mst everything yu ll need t knw befre yur trip. Of curse, if yu have questins that are nt answered in this packet, we are happy t help! Call us at r us at inf@griffithexp.cm Table f Cntents Getting t Vernal Orientatin Lcatin & Time Weather & Water Cnditins Packing fr Yur Trip Suggested Packing List Mre Details Terms and Cnditins Tipping Guidelines TRIP PREPARATION CHECK LIST Purchase Travel Insurance: Sheri Griffith Expeditins has a NO REFUND plicy. Since yu have reserved space fr which we have a limited number f seats, ur nn-refundable plicy applies in every instance. There are n exceptins fr any reasn, s we highly recmmend that yu purchase Travel Insurance t prtect yur vacatin investment. Please take sme time t visit the fllwing website which cntains infrmatin abut Travel Insurance. Trip Frms: Each participant will need t cmplete the required trip frms. Refer t yur cnfirmatin fr details. Frms must be filled ut n later than 60 days prir t yur trip. If yu are reserving yur trip within 60 days, please cmplete the frms immediately. Send them t inf@griffithexp.cm r fax them t Reserve flights and/r shuttles: Cnfirm travel arrangements t and frm yur departure and return cities. Verify with ur ffice that yur trip has met minimum numbers prir t bking flights. Htel Reservatins: Reserve vernight ldging fr the night prir t yur trip, if applicable. Yu may als wish t reserve a rm fr the night that yu return frm the river. It is imprtant t make reservatins early, as rms may be limited during peak travel perids. If yu want a list f ur preferred ldging guide let us knw. Payments: Final payment is due in ur ffice 45 days prir t yur trip (refer t yur invice fr final payment date). Please let us knw if yu wuld like us t autmatically charge yur credit card n file when final payment is due. G e t t i n g t V e r n a l A green and tree shaded cmmunity in an therwise dry plain, Vernal is an attractive small twn with sme 8,000 residents. It serves as a gd base fr visiting nearby Dinsaur Natinal Mnument, Flaming Grge Natinal Recreatin Area and the Uinta Muntains. It ffers a decent selectin f mtels and has numerus small restaurants, cafes and fast fd jints. It als has a small, well-dne prehistry museum, a cuple f mvie theaters and water slides fr the kids. Vernal is lcated alng Hwys. 191/40 in the nrtheast crner f Utah. It is sutheast f the Uinta Muntains, 20 miles west f Dinsaur Natinal Mnument and 35 miles suth f Flaming Grge. D r i v i n g D i r e c t i n t V e r n a l Mre specific directins visit We meet at Best Western Antlers 423 West Main Street Vernal, UT Frm Salt Lake City, UT (2.5 Hurs) I-80 East t Park City / Turn nt US-40 Suth and East t Vernal Frm Grand Junctin, CO (3 hurs) US 139 Nrth t Rangely/ US-64 West t Dinsaur/ US-40 West t Jensen and then On t Vernal Frm Denver, CO (8 hurs ) I-70 West tward Grand Junctin, CO / US 139 Nrth t Rangely/ US-139 Nrth t Rangely/ US-64 West t Dinsaur/ US-40 West t Vernal 1

2 O r i e n t a t i n The day befre yur trip we will meet at 6:30 PM at the Best Western Antlers Inn lcated at 423 West Main Street in Vernal, UT, fr a pre-trip meeting. Yur trip leader will prvide a thrugh trip rientatin and pass ut yur waterprf bags s that yu can pack yur belngings that evening. The trip leader will als recnfirm the meeting time fr the fllwing mrning and give yu an pprtunity t ask any last-minute questins. W e a t h e r Yu can expect warm, sunny, delightful days in Nrtheastern Utah. In May thrugh June, high temperatures range between 70 and 85. July and August high temperatures typically range between 85 and 90. The climate here is very dry with little humidity and is nt ppressively sweltering. Nighttime temperatures can range between 40 and 50. Other than an ccasinal rain clud, there are few vercast days, hwever, always pack yur raingear! N matter the weather, yu will find yur visit t be fascinating and unfrgettable Average Temperatures ~Vernal, Utah MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT Avg High Avg Lw Mean Avg Precip 0.7 in 0.8 in 0.9 in 0.8 in 0.5 in 0.6 in 0.9 in 1.1 in Degrees in Fahrenheit W a t e r L e v e l s The Yampa River: The flw f the Yampa River is generally unregulated. The river can reach flws cnsidered extreme during spring runff in years when the high cuntry feeding the watershed has received a plentiful snwpack. Peak run-ff usually ccurs between mid-may and mid-june, but can vary widely frm early May and int July. High water trips equate t a mre intense whitewater experience and a high level f physical fitness is recmmended. Water temperatures are cldest during the high water perid and rain gear and warm synthetic clthing will be required. The Gates f Ldre: The Flaming Grge Dam regulates the flw f the Green River thrugh the Gates f Ldre. It is very cnsistent thrughut the year and has little variatin. Packing List *Available in ur Travelers Stre r by phne (800) ***We prvide wetsuits when cnditins require them What t pack: T maximize the versatility f yur travel wardrbe, we recmmend packing lightweight clthing that can be wrn in layers and ne warm sweater r fleece jacket. Casual clthing that is cmfrtable and practical is apprpriate fr travel in the American Suthwest. All htels and restaurants are accustmed t infrmally dressed travellers, and in camp, dress is entirely casual. It is especially imprtant that yu pack clthing that yu d nt mind getting wet. Synthetic fabrics have the advantage f being quick t dry because they dn't retain water. Pile and fleece made f plyester r nyln wrk well as insulatin. Cttn sweatshirts and jeans are nt recmmended as river wear as they are usually made f heavier fabric and take a lng time t dry when wet. If yu wear prescriptin glasses r cntact lenses, we recmmend that yu bring an extra pair. A strap fr yur glasses is essential. If yur wear cntact lenses, wrap arund sunglasses are recmmended, as are gggles during the rapids. ESSENTIAL ITEMS Rain jacket & pants * ~ thunderstrms in the desert are very unpredictable! Fleece r sweatshirt ~ nights & mrnings are cl; als great under raingear Water bttle w/ strap r carabiner * Sunglasses with a retainer *(2 pairs) Sunscreen ~ SPF 15 r greater * ~ a must! Lip misturizer ~ SPF 15 r greater * 2 Hat r visr with hat clip t attach t life jacket r shirt * Flashlight * r headlamp T-shirts *(ne per day) 2 Swimsuits/sprts bras ~ ladies a sprts tp & swim shrts are very cnvenient! 1 pair Lightweight pants ~ zip-ff, cnvertible pants are great they re 2 in 1 and save space when packing yur dry bag 2 pairs Quick dry shrts ~ swimsuit and shrts all in ne! Lng sleeve cttn shirt ~ prvides sun and insect prtectin Underwear River sandals r shes that can get wet, will dry 2

3 quickly, and will nt slip ff f yur feet Hiking shes & scks ~ fr hiking and wearing arund camp Misturizing ltin ~ Ale Vera Waterprf camera * Sun umbrella ~ if sensitive t sun Binculars ~ fr viewing wildlife Bks ~ fr relaxing in the evening Cash fr Gratuities Dispsable mist twelettes Small day r fanny pack Ziplc bags ~ fr extra water prtectin Sarng * ~ 101 uses! Travel pillw Garbage bag r stuff sack ~ keeps wet & dry clthes/items separate Extra snacks ~ fr individuals with particular tastes r wh may be diabetic great fr kids t! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ITEMS TIPS FROM THE PROS (Our Guides) Tiletry Kit: Tth brush & tth paste Bidegradable sap & shamp Feminine hygiene prducts Small pack f tissue Medicatins ~ prescriptin and nn-prescriptin Cmb and/r brush Small twel and washclth Persnal sdas / juices / alchl (n glass) Jurnal r ntebk with pen / pencil Duct tape ~ great fr quick repairs f almst anything sandals, sunglasses, luggage, yu name it! A few clthespins and small piece f rpe fr drying clthes Gggles ~ fr individuals wh wear cntact lenses Area guide r River Map * NOTES ON PACKING ~ Pack clthing that yu will nt mind getting wet and dirty. Fast drying, durable, cmfrtable clthing is best fr rafting. Cttn is recmmended fr ht weather and synthetic plyprpylene r wl clthes fr cl weather. Packing Tips Waterprf Bags: Each guest will get tw waterprf dry bays at rientatin. The vernight bag is evening items ges int a 20 x 20 x 27 dry bag. Yur sleeping bag will cme already packed in this bag als. Yu may pack in an athletic bag fr easier access. Yu will als receive a day bag which are 9.5" Dia x 20" H Handy Items Ziplc and trash bags are very useful fr separating persnal items in yur dry bag such as medicatins, shamp, sap, wet items, and dirty laundry. Wet wipes are great fr washing yur face, wiping yur hands, and cleaning sand r dirt ff f persnal belngings. Pack a few clthespins and rpe t dry clthes while n the river. Remember, n the river it is better t have it and nt need it than t need it and nt have it! All f these items can be invaluable and d nt take up much space r add much weight t yur luggage. Carabineers Carabineers are very handy in the utdrs as well as back hme. Their val shape and simple gate mechanism allw yu t easily clip yur water bttle, camera, hat ~ just abut anything ~ nearby. Extra Snacks We prvide snacks thrughut the day, but it is a gd idea t bring extra snacks fr children, fr individuals wh have snack preferences, r fr thse wh are diabetic. Beverages Each bat has an ice cler fr persnal drinks such as sda, juice, beer, wine, etc. Since there are n stres alng the river, we recmmend bringing mre than yu anticipate needing. Please d nt bring glass. SGE prvides water, available t yu all day lng, with lemnade, Gatrade, and iced tea mixes. We als prvide tw sdas per persn, per day. Vehicles and Valuables Yu can leave yur vehicle at the Best Western Antlers if yu are staying there. We recmmend that yu leave yur valuables at hme. Fr persnal items like wallets, purses, keys, and cell phnes, we have a lcked safe area fr strage while yu are n the river. Extra Luggage If yu d have extra luggage that yu need t stre, we can stre it at the Best Western Antlers. Dress Up Night Traditinally, this last night is a Dress Up night. Anything ges, frm frmal wear t clwn utfits with flppy hats. Guests are nt required t participate, but are welcme t use their imaginatin and help celebrate an amazing trip. 3

4 COOL WEATHER ITEMS (March, April, May, September Octber & Nvember) Extra set f wl r fleece jacket & pants Neprene glves & bties Extra wl r fleece scks Dry suit Wl glves Wetsuit *** Wl r fleece hat Extra shes Plyprpylene lng underwear Extra set f warm clthes fr evening M r e T r i p D e t a i l s V e r n a l S t r e s The grcery stre is pen late s yu can pick up any last minute items yu may have frgtten. The liqur stre is pen frm 11 AM t 9 PM in the summer (May thrugh Octber). The bkstres in twn carry an excellent assrtment f bks abut the rivers and the Clrad Plateau. R e s t a u r a n t s There are a few restaurants in Vernal t chse frm that accmmdate varius culinary tastes. Mst are pen late in the evening and early in the mrning. Our guest services staff can help assist yu with what restaurants are clsest t yur htel. T i m e Z n e s Utah perates n Muntain Standard Time (Please nte that Arizna des nt have Day Light Savings time) At 9:00 am in Utah, it is: 11:00 am the same day in New Yrk Eastern Standard Time 10:00 am the same day in Chicag Central Standard Time 8:00 am the same day in Ls Angeles Pacific Standard Time P h t g r a p h y Generally, when travelling, yu'll want t bring all the film, camera batteries and ther equipment yu will need, as supplies may be intermittent. If yu plan t travel with digital phtgraphic and/r vide equipment, make certain t pack the specific charging apparatus fr each piece f equipment. We als suggest that yu take int accunt the amunt f data strage f each unit when determining the amunt (if any) f additinal memry discs t pack. Bring a prtective sprts puch t prtect it frm water. Participants will be able t stre cameras in a shared dry bx. If yu are bringing a variety f lenses, please have a waterprf cntainer f yur wn. Keep in mind we cannt take respnsibility fr the safety f yur persnal prperty. An ld river adage is dn t bring it n a river unless yu can affrd t lse it. Waterprf/dispsable cameras are a great idea. Sheri Griffith Expeditins prvides a camera t the guides t phtgraph the trip. A CD can be purchased at the end f the trip fr $40. If yu d nt want t risk yur camera yu are mre than welcme t take phts with urs. R i v e r C a m p i n g The private camps in which yu ll stay are mbile-tented river camps. They are set up t hst yu and yur fellw travellers exclusively. After yu depart, the entire camp is brken dwn and the campsite returns t untenanted wilderness again. Many aficinads f the true camping experience vastly prefer mbile camping, which is truer t the traditinal, rmantic camping atmsphere. Yu will nt nly be very cmfrtable in camp, yu will als enjy abslute privacy in yur wn pristine crner f the wild. Yur guides, camp staff and travelling cmpanins are likely t be the nly ther peple yu see. C a m p i n g E q u i p m e n t We prvide tp quality tents that sleep tw r three persns cmfrtably. The tents used n the rafting prgrams are large enugh t stand-up in (10' x 10' x 6'). We als prvide cmfrtable sleeping bags and pads. T keep tents cl and airy there are tw "drs" and a mesh, pen tp with a nyln rain fly. Sleeping bags are czy and prfessinally laundered prir t each trip. F d a n d D r i n k Riverside meals, prepared and served by camp staff trained in utdr cuisine, are delicius and varied. Meals are served buffet style. Yu may bring yur wn beer, wine r hard liqur and we will be happy t stre it and keep it chilled. Please avid bringing glass. Bring beer in aluminium cans and transfer hard liqur int plastic cntainers. Please nte: Please remember we are in remte areas, usually in a mixed grup, and far frm medical assistance. We trust ur guests will nt endanger themselves, ffend thers, r evke a guides interventin by ver drinking. If yu have a special dietary requirement, please advise Sheri Griffith Expeditins f yur needs at least six weeks prir t departure. Every effrt will be made t cmply with yur request. 4

5 B a t h i n g a n d T i l e t s F a c i l i t i e s In camp, there are separate shared bathrm facilities fr men and wmen. Due t envirnmental impact issues, bathing facilities are limited t areas in, r directly adjacent t the river. If yu chse t bring yur wn sap/shamp, we suggest they be bidegradable prducts. Sanitary facilities thrughut the American West need t be in cmpliance with the strict standards set by the land management agencies and lcal, state, and federal guidelines. We prvide tp f the line prtable tilets that ffer privacy and are designed t be stable and cmfrtable. The mst widely used system is a sealed cntainer with a regular tilet seat attached. Hand washing statins will always be lcated near tilet and dining areas and all guests are encuraged t use them regularly. E l e c t r i c a l P w e r There is n electrical pwer in the pitched camps alng the rivers. It is suggested that yu carry a supply f additinal batteries fr yur camera and any battery-perated appliances yu are taking alng. On a trip f this nature, items such as curling irns and hair dryers are NOT recmmended. Mechanical r electrnic devices that are nisy and which may disturb ther guests wilderness experience are discuraged. E n t e r t a i n m e n t Yur campsite will als include a library f bks and infrmatin abut the river and surrunding area as well as a variety f games and activities such as hrseshes, bcce and vlleyball. Singing and telling stries arund the campfire are nightly ccurrences. C m m u n i c a t i n s Yu will be visiting sme f the mst remte areas f the United States, yu shuld be aware that radi cntact is nt ften pssible while travelling in river canyns. Additinally, cellular phnes d nt perate in river canyns. G e n e r a l I n f r m a t i n RESERVATION DETAILS A $300/persn depsit is required at the time f reservatin. The balance is due 45 days prir t departure. After making yur reservatin yu will receive a reservatin packet that will include a packing list, helpful travel hints, travel insurance infrmatin, a beverage request frm, and a guest registratin frm. Please fill ut the guest registratin frm and send r fax back quickly. Call t reserve a trip. CANCELLATION POLICY The initial $300 per persn DEPOSIT is nn-refundable. The FINAL PAYMENT, due 45 days prir t departure is als nn-refundable. (This includes cancellatin f the river trip, rental equipment, ldging and, vehicle reservatins.) Since yu have reserved space fr which we have a limited number f seats, ur nn-refundable plicy applies in every instance. There are n exceptins fr any reasn, s we highly recmmend that yu purchase Travel Insurance t prtect yur vacatin investment. A link fr Travel Insurance is: SAFETY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND, INSURANCE We maintain an excellent safety recrd, since Hwever, all utdr experiences invlve risk and we all must recgnize that accidents r illnesses may ccur. We cannt guarantee yur safety. We place final respnsibility fr yur safety firmly n yur shulders where it belngs. Yu have t pay attentin t what yu are ding. Mther Nature cntrls the water level, the weather and the elements, s there is a risk invlved in rafting and camping. Befre yur trip departs, yu will be asked t sign an Assumptin f Risk and Release Frm. If yu have questins regarding this dcument r wuld like t see ne ahead f time, please feel free t request it. We assume n respnsibility fr injury t trip members, their persnal belngings r, fr time and expense incurred. We strngly recmmend Travel Insurance, which cvers vacatin lsses and accidents and prvides a refund if yu have t cancel yur trip. NON-PERFORMANCE We make every effrt t fllw thrugh n ur plans. Hwever, we reserve the right t make changes in the itinerary r pssibly cancel a trip if necessary including but nt limited t weather cnditins, water fluctuatins, insufficient reservatins, changes in internatinal relatins, r ther factrs beynd ur cntrl. If cancellatin is necessary, yur mney will be refunded. Our financial liability shall be limited t the amunt actually paid and shall nt be extended t cver any ther csts incurred by the trip member. HEALTH ISSUES If yu are f an adventurus spirit and in reasnably gd health, yu shuld have n prblem enjying any f ur trips. It s nt necessary t be an athlete t participate in a river expeditin. Hwever, it is several hurs t the nearest medical center. If yu take medicatin yu shuld bring a gd supply and infrm yur guide f all medicatin that yu are taking. When yu meet yur guide, yu shuld discretely explain any medical cnditins yu may have r be cncerned abut including allergies t bee stings, etc. Each guide carries a first aid kit and will need t knw if specific medicines shuld be stred. It s als helpful t knw abut ther health issues when planning activities fr the day. Pregnant wmen and anyne with heart truble shuld have their physician s apprval befre taking a river trip. GRATUITIES Guests ften ask whether gratuities are apprpriate, and in what amunt. If yu feel yur guides have prvided a very special trip fr yu, a gratuity may be left with the trip leader and will be shared amng the crew. Entirely discretinary, anything between 15% and 20% f the trip cst is a general tipping guideline. If yu plan t tip, remember t bring a persnal check r cash ATM s are hard t find in the 5

6 backcuntry! PLEASE, d nt make ut checks t Sheri Griffith Expeditins. If yu are writing check please make it ut t the Trip Leader. NOTE: we cannt take credit card gratuities. What is Included SKILLED, PROFESSIONAL AND FUN GUIDES: the best in the business. FULL DAYS ON THE RIVER ~ We begin early the first day and return the last day at day's end. ALL RAFTING, CAMPING and SAFETY EQUIPMENT ~ Rafts & related equipment, life jackets, safety equipment, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, persnal dry bags fr yur gear, kitchen, dining & tilet equipment. Sme cmpanies make yu rent camping gear frm them, thers will even make yu buy a cup(we give yu ne free.) We include everything yu need t g camping. ALL MEALS ~ Beginning with lunch the first day thrugh lunch the last day. Our menus are healthy and creative, and are prepared fresh daily by yur guides. Many f ur fruits and vegetables are lcally grwn. Dinners always begin with hrs d'euvres. Breakfast and lunch are equally tasty with varieties f fds t chse frm. Every meal is balanced and there is always plenty. We can accmmdate mst diets and fd restrictins with advanced ntice. HIGHLY EXPERIENCED, LICENSED GUIDES Trained in the art f river running, all f ur guides have Emergency Medical Respnse and CPR certificatin, as well as hurs f river rescue and river specific training. We are ne f the few cmpanies that train ur guides this extensively. TRANSPORTATION: the van ride t start the trip is included in the cst f the trip. Transprtatin t the start lcatin frm the htel the mrning f the trip and frm the take ut back t the htel. Sme cmpanies make yu pay extra fr the land transprtatin. This is all included in ur prices. ORIENTATION: The day befre yur trip we will meet at 6:30 PM at the Best Western Antlers fr a pre-trip meeting. Yur trip leader will prvide a thrugh trip rientatin and pass ut yur waterprf bags s that yu can pack yur belngings that evening. The trip leader will als recnfirm the meeting time fr the fllwing mrning and give yu an pprtunity t ask any last-minute questins. BEVERAGES ~ Iced water, Gatrade, lemnade, Wine and iced tea are n every bat. Sda, wine, cffee, ht tea and cca are prvided in camp. There is als an iced cler available fr additinal beverages yu may wish t bring, i.e. beer, wine and sda. What is Nt Included TRANSPORTATION TO VERNAL: GRATUITIES: by n means required but always appreciated by ur guides(15-20% f yur trip price is the suggested gratuity) PERSONAL ITEMS: See packing list. LODGING: We recmmend spending a night befre and after the trip in Vernal. We recmmend the Best Western Antlers, in Vernal. TAX and Gvernment User fees. Abut 6% f the trip cst. 6

Ski & Snowboard Group Guide. Wilmot Mountain, a Vail Resorts Company Fox River Rd. Wilmot, WI 53192

Ski & Snowboard Group Guide. Wilmot Mountain, a Vail Resorts Company Fox River Rd. Wilmot, WI 53192 Ski & Snwbard Grup Guide Wilmt Muntain, a Vail Resrts Cmpany 11931 Fx River Rd. Wilmt, WI 53192 Phne: 262-862-2301 www.wilmtmuntain.cm WilmtMtnGrups@vailresrts.cm www.facebk.cm/wilmtmtn Welcme! We are