Canyons & Desert Backpacking - DownWest Semesters

Meet in Salt Lake City before heading south to spend several days rafting the Colorado River - experiencing this waterway vital to life in the West and camping beneath stars each night. As we paddle past red rock canyon walls and over thrilling rapids, we’ll learn about the history of water in the west, the peoples who call this region home, and the issues facing western communities today. Off the river, learn from experts in Moab before backpacking through Utah’s canyon country, learning leadership and navigation skills along the way. Study geology, history, human impact and American Indian culture. As the weather turns colder, we’ll head to Southern Arizona’s arid desert, exploring a landscape ripe with history. As we travel together though the expansive backcountry, each student group will lead a portion of the trip - drawing upon navigation skills, growing confidence and one another – before celebrating our accomplishments and saying goodbye in Phoenix.