2010 GREEN RIVER/CANYONLANDS ADVENTURES
September 3-9 & September 9-17, 2010 

The Canyonlands adventure retreat in September is expanding to include a 6-day trip that covers a beautiful 40+ mile stretch of the Green River running from Ruby Ranch to Mineral Bottom.  After a brief interlude, a second group will travel from Mineral Bottom through Stillwater Canyon to the confluence with the Colorado River. 
Per National Park Service regulations, both trips are self-guided, meaning that participants share responsibility for navigating the river and the magnificent, surrounding landscape.  To be clear, as a trip leader, Michael will be helping us to rediscover a vibrant potential and to work through the ongoing challenges of embodiment.  Fortunately, we have some experienced paddlers and veterans of this landscape who can share lessons with others.

The sixth annual adventure on the Green River provides an opportunity to explore the reality of awakening in the silence and beauty of Canyonlands National Park.  A magnificent river setting … flat water canoeing … sun drenched skies … remote canyons … secluded sandbars … hiking adventures … healthy meals … evening campfires … and communing with an ancient landscape. 

Outside of the group meeting, the retreat is held in silence except for “necessary communication” which will be defined by the people and the place as we go along.  In practice, the embrace of silence translates into an appreciation for more subtle, non-verbal modes of relating. 

Arrival and Departure

Moab is located in the southeastern Utah, a 6 hour drive from Santa Fe or Denver, and a 2-hour drive from Grand Junction, CO, which is the most accessible and affordable airport.  Participants will be driving from Colorado, New Mexico, and elsewhere in the region.  Moab’s airport is somewhat expensive, and has limited flights, but is very convenient - http://www.discovermoab.com/

Participants will meet at a local campground, Portal RV Resort, to finish packing and organizing our gear.  The next morning, we arrive at our outfitter, Tagalong Expeditions (www.tagalong.com), where we take a shuttle bus to a remote location on the Green River.  This shuttle usually lasts 1 hour and may include a short stop to view petroglyphs along the way.

Schedule

Each morning begins with whatever morning rituals you enjoy, followed by a simple breakfast.  Once on the river, we start paddling quietly in the morning quiet, and then share dreams and other noticings while drifting downstream in the gentle, meandering current.  On most occasions, our approach is to slow down; the retreat provides an unshakable opportunity to bring a contemplative attitude into our functioning/relating with sandstone cliffs, river spirits, bird creatures, and occasional humans, who are traveling downstream. 

In late afternoon we will make a campsite on one of the sandbars along the river, prepare a delicious meal, and sit for a period of group exploration.  As the light grows dim and the quiet of evening takes over, we start a campfire and continue our inquiry surrounded by sky, water and the sounds of night.  At some point, we will fall back into silence and head to our tent-shelters for whatever guidance the dream flow-state might bring.  

Physical Expectations

The Green River is a calm-water paddling experience, and novices can pick up basic skills on the river itself.  A modest degree of physical fitness is required for the trails, which can be taken slowly, and for lifting canoes, coolers and bags of gear. We may be hiking over some rocky terrain in the canyons, and gain some altitude to explore the breathtaking views of the mesa.  The hikes are voluntary and some people opt to relax by the river or to explore canyons in a casual way.