Holiday River Expeditions & National Parks Traveler Team Up for Cataract Canyon Raft Trip

What better time than National Park Week April 18-26 to announce a joint collaboration between two noted conservation advocates on a co-hosted raft trip through Canyonlands National Park.

Holiday River Expeditions, whose river running ethics include an adherence to a strict no-motors-allowed policy, and National Parks Traveler, whose mission is to build a stronger advocacy for protection and sound stewardship of the parks, invite up to 22 fellow enthusiasts on a six-day Cataract Canyon river trip in Utah, Sep. 28-Oct. 3, 2015.

This trip during southern Utah's typically warm and cloudless early fall climate will be guided by professional river runners from Holiday River Expeditions http://www.bikeraft.com/. They'll provide the gear and expertise to handle the rapids along with natural history interpretation and three sumptuous meals a day.

Once ashore, National Parks Traveler Editor-in-Chief Kurt Repanshek will be along to keep the parks conversation flowing. He and others will lead campfire discussions about the National Park System, how it has changed over the decades and what threats and challenges may be faced in the future. During the day award-winning photographer Patrick Cone will offer expert instruction and tips for capturing the striking scenery. All participants are wise to bring a camera and curiosity.

Kurt Repanshek, founder and editor-in-chief of National Parks Traveler, the top-ranked website dedicated to daily editorial coverage of national parks, was recently awarded the George Wright Society's Communication Award for 2014. This award recognizes outstanding efforts in communicating highly technical or controversial park-related subjects to the public in a clear and understandable manner. Repanshek received the award April 2 at the organization's biennial conference in Oakland, CA.

This co-hosted trip ventures through some of the most remote, rugged and iconic landscape of the Southwest and arguably the Lower 48. It was a favorite of wilderness advocate and conservationist Edward Abbey.

"We load the boats, secure the hatches, lash down all baggage, strap on life jackets, face the river and the sun, the growing roar of the rapids," Abbey wrote of one of his encounters with Cataract Canyon. "First Brown Betty, then Ben Hur and Capsize Rapids, then the Big Drop and Satan's Gut. Delightful names, and fitting. We feel the familiar rush of adrenaline as it courses through our blood. We've been here before, however, and know that we'll get through. Most likely. The odds are good."

To celebrate the trip partnership and announcement, Holiday River Expeditions is offering a chance to win two seats on the trip through a Facebook contest April 17-25. People who post their best national park photo and visitors to the site will be able to vote on their favorite image and story. All submissions will be due Apr. 25, the finalists will be selected on Apr. 27, Facebook fan voting takes place on Apr 28, and the winner will be announced May 4. Go to:
https://www.facebook.com/HolidayExpeditions/app_128953167177144

To reserve a space on the Sep. 28-Oct. 3 trip, call Holiday River Expeditions at 1-800-624-6323 and request the National Parks Traveler trip. Or, book online at Holiday's website by picking the Cataract Canyon trip for Sep. 28 departure. Groups meet in Green River, Utah and the six day trip is priced at $1,150 per person.

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