Grace and Grit

June 19-22, 2010
$1,075

Paddle in style.Dedicate four days to yourself while you canoe along this beautiful section of the Gunnison River as it winds through Escalante Canyon. This trip provides a great introduction to river skills, a day-hike exploration to view prehistoric rock art in the dramatic Dominquez Canyon and plenty of time to relax and reflect. Learn paddling techniques, river safety, backcountry cooking, and Leave No Trace camping principles for a river environment. Enjoy amazing scenery, terrific food, great stories and the camaraderie of a fantastic group of women. No canoeing experience necessary. Course begins and ends in Grand Junction, CO.

Why Grace & Grit?Explore the next half century. We've designed Grace & Grit for women who are gearing up for the next chapter of their lives and exploring their creative energy, rediscovering and redefining aspects of themselves and their priorities. Share insights and intentions about new endeavors, taking more time for you, aspirations and accomplishments for the coming years. Although we have "middle-agers" on most of our women's courses, this particular retreat provides adventure with a group of peers who are enjoying the freedom to experience life, family, career, relationships and travel in new ways.

What Should I Expect on a Women’s Wilderness Course?Our courses are real-life adventures, and the excitingly unpredictable nature of a real expedition makes every course different. Unlike a guided, “adventure travel vacation”, this is YOUR adventure, and our intention is to teach you the skills to gradually assume the responsibilities of the course, and to be a full participant in the many decisions and judgments that an expedition entails. This includes cooking meals, navigating, setting up camp, and meeting as a group to plan and organize each day. You can expect some “down-time” for hanging out and talking, or journal writing time, but mostly you will be actively learning, doing, and moving.

What Do I Need to Bring?Not much! After you have enrolled you will be sent a packet that will include a list of things to bring. Women’s Wilderness can supply all canoeing gear, including canoes, PFD’s (life jackets), tents, sleeping bags and stoves. In most cases we can loan you clothing if needed, including raingear and fleece clothes. If you desire, you are welcome to bring your won dry bag. Thanks to Sierra Designs, we have women-specific sleeping bags availabe to demo. Just email us to arrange.

Where Are We Going? Just south of Grand Junction, Colo., this 28-mile stretch of the Gunnison River flows through Escalante Canyon. Most of the river is gentle Class I with a few Class II ripples. In Dominguez Canyon, a deep red sandstone side canyon, a short hike takes you to three petroglyph/pictograph sites and a secluded, warm natural swimming hole fed by a 40-foot waterfall. The river corridor is populated by desert bighorn sheep, hawks, deer, and brightly colored geckos. The Gunnison River is a 5-hour drive from Boulder.

What Will We Eat? All meals are included in course cost. There is always plenty to eat, and we pack snacks for munching throughout the day. However, if you have your favorite snack items, feel free to bring them along as well.
Meals are designed to accommodate a full range of preferences – from vegetarian to full meat loving divas! We can accommodate some common food allergies and dietary needs, so if you have dietary restrictions please let us know at least one week before your course.

How Will I Get to the Course Site?This course will begin and end in Grand Junction, CO and transportation will be provided to the canoe put-in. Optional transportation from Boulder is provided, to and from Grand Junction, for an additional fee of $90. The van will leave Boulder at approximately 1pm on the afternoon before the course, it is approximately a 6-hour drive from Boulder. Lodging options will be provided with the travel information we send upon confirmation.

What About Fitness?You should be in good general health for this course, but a high level of aerobic fitness is not required. Strength training for upper body, abs, and back is recommended for paddling. Terrain around the campsites will be rugged, and you should be comfortable walking short distances.

Payment Schedule & Cancellation PolicyA $60 application fee will hold your spot on the course for two weeks while you receive and return your completed enrollment packet. This fee is non-refundable, unless for some reason we cannot accept you on the course. Half of the remaining course fee is due with registration, and the rest of the fee is due two months before the course start. Payment plans may be able to be arranged - please contact us if this would help you pay for the course.

CANCELLATION POLICY - PLEASE READ!Our cancellation/refund policy is based on our investment in staff time, course planning, and food and equipment purchases before your course. Course tuition includes a $60 nonrefundable application fee.

Cancellation refunds will be given according to the following schedule:

Days prior to course start:

More than 60 days: 100% of full tuition minus $60 application fee.
21-59 days: 50% minus $60 application fee.
8-20 days: No refunds, however 50% minus the $60 application fee may be transferred to another course in 2010.
Less than 7 days: No refunds or transfers.

If we cancel a trip: TWWI reserves the right to cancel a trip if sign-up is inadequate to make the trip economically feasible for us to operate. If this happens, we will fully refund the stated cost including the application fee. However, TWWI is not responsible for additional expenses incurred by you in preparing for the trip, e.g. transportation costs, gear, etc.

Trip InsuranceSafeguard your adventure! Plans can change without warning, which is why we recommend securing your course by investing in trip insurance, for example with:
Travelguard.com 1.800.826.4919       Insuremytrip.com 1.800.487.4722