Expedition Packrafting Course - Beginner/Intermediate

Expedition Packrafting Course - Beginner/Intermediate

Dark Canyon & Colorado River Course

This 5-Day Expedition Packrafting course includes one day of skills training on the Animas or Colorado Rivers, plus three days of remote backcountry exploring in the canyonlands of Utah. Beginner packrafters will access a remote part of the Colorado River through the lower portion of Cataract Canyon. Starting at the Sundance trail we hike a relatively easy trail along the canyon rim, then descend the rough and steep Sundance trail (a 1200 vertical foot drop) into Dark Canyon.

Known for clear flowing water, ancient ruins and remote hiking, Dark Canyon forms at the Western Flank of the Blue Mountains and flows through the Bears Ears National Monument for close to 40 miles before merging with the Colorado River in the Glen Canyon National Rec Area. Our hike will take us through the lower section toward the Colorado River with one camp along the way. Once we exit Dark Canyon it’s a 30-mile paddle out on the Colorado with two nights camping on the river.

Get 10% off your adventure with the coupon code: TripOutside10!

Animas & Dolores River Course

This 4-day Expedition Packrafting course includes one day of skills training on the Animas River in Durango, plus three days on the Dolores River (section TBA depending on river flows). Paddle up to Class II rapids on the Animas, Dolores and/or San Miguel rivers.

Get 10% off your adventure with the coupon code: TripOutside10!

Course Preparation

This is an Expedition Packrafting course, so we’ll have 1-2 Zoom meetings prior to the course, plus the night before the course to discuss and plan the logistics for this trip. We also use this time to answer any questions you have.

If you’re not sure you are experienced enough for this course, please visit our blog post, “What Level Packrafter Are You?“

About Four Corners Guides

Our self-supported, low-impact bikerafting and packrafting courses are geared toward that subset of adventurers who prefer human-powered adventures, where they have a limited impact on the environment and a low-carbon footprint. While we do drive to get to a start point for an adventure, our goal with everything we do is to do more adventure with less stuff. We hope you can take what you learn back to your “normal” life. We also seek to show you less crowded corners of the Four Corners region.

Popular Four Corners destinations like Moab and Durango are busy. You can’t go anywhere even in the backcountry without seeing people. We cater to those of you who don’t mind suffering a bit in order to find more solitude. The terrain in the Four Corners is complicated, remote and rugged. We believe if we give you a safe, but difficult and engaging extraordinary experience, we may change your life and enhance your reverence for and understanding of this landscape.

Instructors

Course instructors are certified American Canoe Association Packraft Instructors, have Swiftwater Safety Certification and are certified Wilderness First Responders. 

Our guides are early adopters of packrafting that have led many expeditions and courses across the American Southwest.

What Customers Love About Four Corners Guides

Reviews from customers are overwhelmingly positive about their experiences with Four Corners Guides, highlighting several key aspects they loved:

• Expert Instruction: Guides like Steve, Dan, Ben, and Doom are praised for their expertise in packrafting and biking, providing personalized instruction that caters to various skill levels.
• Comprehensive Courses: The courses are comprehensive, covering everything from basic techniques to self-rescue, and even packraft repair and expedition planning.
• Practical and Hands-On Learning: Participants appreciate the practical, hands-on approach to learning, with opportunities to practice in real river conditions and receive immediate feedback.
• Small Class Sizes: The small class sizes are a significant plus, allowing for one-on-one attention and a better learning environment.
• Delicious Food: The food provided during the courses is plentiful and delicious, satisfying even the hungriest of adventurers.
• Safety and Comfort: Safety is a top priority, with guides ensuring that participants are comfortable and secure, even when pushing them out of their comfort zones.
• Adventure and Mindfulness: The experiences are described as not only adventurous but also akin to a mindfulness retreat, offering a chance to connect with nature and like-minded individuals.
• Cultural and Environmental Respect: There is an appreciation for the respectful approach to the land and local culture, especially on trips through areas like the Ute Mountain Tribal Park.
• Personal Growth: Participants report significant improvement in their skills and confidence, enabling them to tackle more challenging adventures.
• Hospitality: The hospitality of hosts Doom and Lizzy is frequently mentioned, making guests feel welcome and well-cared-for throughout their stay.

What's Included

This course includes an open Alpacka Classic, PFD, paddle, helmet, permits, camping, backcountry sanitation kit, all meals for the backcountry portion of the trip: breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. It does not include meals on the first training day or if you choose to dine out.

No packrafting experience required. But basic backcountry skills are necessary. Can you cook your own food and set up your own tent? If so, this course is for you.

Not Included

Adult beverages, transportation, drysuits, river knives, whistles or throw bags. You will need a drysuit for the duration of the course. You may rent them locally at 4Corners Riversports (they have only 4) or at Backcountrypackrafts.com (we will provide you with the 15% discount code once you register for the course).

We also do not provide whitewater boats. However, for 2024 we will have four total whitewater boats to rent for a small fee of $30 per day: one small Wolverine, one medium Wolverine, one medium Gnarwhal and one large Gnarwhal. Please visit the Alpacka Raft sizing guide to determine which boat is right for you.

Though we do not provide transportation, we will work together on the shuttle logistics.

Transportation

We expect most people to either fly and rent a car or drive to the put in/start point to meet us on the first day of this trip. However, up to two people can meet us in Mancos, and we can carpool together to Utah if that is most convenient.

Dates Offered

• March 27th - 31st: 5-Day Course on the Dark Canyon & Colorado River
• April 27th - 30th: 4-Day Course on the Animas, Dolores & San Miguel Rivers
• October 2nd - 6th 2024: 5-Day Course on the Dark Canyon & Colorado River
• OR - create your own course and customize your dates - contact Four Corners Guides for more information!

What You Will Learn

We designed this trip for adventurers looking to hone their backcountry packrafting skills. Although we do teach many of the standard techniques from our other packrafting courses, we spend less time on self-rescue and aggressive swimming skills and drills. Instead we focus more on what it takes to accomplish a multi-day packraft adventure in the backcountry. Checklist of things we cover in this course:

• ✔️Basic packraft equipment use and care
• ✔️Self-rescue, partner-rescue
• ✔️Dealing with currents
• ✔️Aggressive & defensive swimming positions
• ✔️River dynamics
• ✔️Intermediate paddle strokes
• ✔️Using eddies
• ✔️River commands

Plus, you’ll learn some of these skills:

• ✔️Field repair-tips & tricks
• ✔️How to pack light for backcountry packraft adventures
• ✔️Using online resources: GIS, USGS water gauges, Google Earth, etc
• ✔️Using paper maps and navigation in the field
• ✔️Trip planning & logistics
• ✔️Expedition pack lists
• ✔️What to pack and how/where to pack it
• ✔️Expedition vs. personal items
• ✔️Expedition food planning and prep
• ✔️Leave No Trace practices in the backcountry
• ✔️Managing your backcountry camping and boating gear
• ✔️How to find a good camp
• ✔️How to efficiently transition from the river to camp
• ✔️Reading whitewater/hazards and avoiding them
• ✔️Expedition mentality

FAQs

What skills and fitness level are needed for a multi-day course?

Our multi-day bikerafting and packrafting courses are *NOT* for people with zero experience in the backcountry. We do not prepare food for you, set up your tent, teach you how to use camping gear, or cater to your every need. Our goal with our guide service is to provide you with additional skills and tools to accentuate your already-existing backcountry skills and to help you realize you can travel with less in the backcountry (and in life).

Please do not expect a standard big boat river trip with large kitchens, tons of beer, etc. Our courses are low-impact, lightweight adventures where we carry everything we need from start to finish. They are also not easy. We strive to challenge you mentally and physically. While we don’t want to scare you away from doing one of our courses, we want you to be realistic about your abilities. In general, you must have basic backcountry skills and a level of fitness that allows you to:

• Bike from 10-30 miles per day; OR
• Packraft at least six miles of flatwater per day; OR
• Paddle up to 15 miles on a river per day; OR
• Hike five-15 miles per day; OR
• Do a combination of all these things in one day

How do I deal with my garbage?

You will carry all your garbage out, including your toilet paper, baby wipes, extra food scraps and sometimes your poop. We will recycle as much as we can post course. We likely won’t be washing dishes, as we’re exclusively using dehydrated foods. But, if you do end up using pots or dirty your cup with oatmeal, for example, you must wash these items no less than 300 feet from any water source, using biodegradable soap, and burying the waste water at least 6 inches deep.

What is the minimum number of people needed to do a course?

We may book a course with a minimum of two people. However, we reserve the right to add additional people to those small courses if all have similar abilities, skills and fitness levels. Our margins are tight. We don’t make money on courses with only two people. If you wish to have a private, one- or two-person course, please let us know in advance, as the price is higher.

What do I do with my poop in the backcountry?

We follow strict principles of leaving nothing behind. When camping in group sites we will use pit toilets when provided. On all dispersed backcountry bikepacking and packrafting trips, guests must dig six-inch deep cat holes no less than 300 feet away from any water source, campsite or trail, unless regulated otherwise, in which case approved wag bags will be used and all solid (fecal) matter will be carried out. On the river we will follow all regulations regarding human waste. I.e. we will use wag bags and hard-sided containers. No guest or guide will ever burn toilet paper or garbage. All toilet paper and hygiene products will be packed out.

What food/drinks do you provide on multi-day courses?

We provide all the food you need when you’re in the backcountry, including dehydrated meals and packaged foods for lunches and snacks. We’ll also provide some fresh foods, such as apples and avocados. We are unable to prepare or carry fresh foods such as sandwiches due to food handling requirements that we can’t meet because we travel with such minimal weight (i.e. we can’t carry coolers).

Can I take/use electronics with me?

We highly recommend that you take this opportunity to unplug and play hard. You may want to take photos, of course, but most of the places we visit will not have cell reception. Be prepared to disconnect. In case of emergencies, your guides will have an In-Reach device.

What safety precautions are taken?

All our guides have Swiftwater Safety Certification and are certified Wilderness First Responders. Head Guide Steve Fassbinder has additional swiftwater and Kayak Instruction training. Guides will always bring a comprehensive first aid kit(s), appropriate for the length of trip and number of people. We have a Comprehensive Risk Management Plan that includes an Emergency Evacuation Plan. Plus, our guides will teach you about and regularly remind you to consider the following hazards:

1. Heatstroke and dehydration can easily shut down your tour and ruin your experience. We encourage you and will remind you to both bring and drink plenty of water, to eat snacks throughout the day, and to wear hats and sunscreen to minimize sun exposure. We will make plenty of water available to you, and our water sources will be scouted in advance.
2. You may also experience dramatic weather events. For this reason, we require that you bring sufficient warm, synthetic or wool clothing and waterproof rain layers.
3. Rattle snake bites are rare, but can happen.
4. You will be traveling over rough, uneven terrain; roots, rocks and sand are inherent to biking and hiking to and from the water’s edge to camp. You must always wear helmets (and gloves season/weather dependent) while riding.
5. For all packrafting and bikerafting courses, you must respect the power of both flat and running water. Strainers, rocks and swims in cold rivers can make your trip go bad quickly, as can swims in cold lakes due to powerful winds tipping boats over. You must always wear your PFD on the water, a helmet if there are rapids, and weather/season dependent, a dry or wet suit.