What a Whirl Wind Season!

Wow!  The 2016 is just flying by.  We have been so fortunate to have such a wonderful group of folks come and visit us in the canyons this year.  September is now rockin & rollin and the canyons are awaiting our Fall season visitors.  Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for more up to date photos etc.  

Teamwork!  Passing of the ropes.

Best Friends Trip!

Spring has Sprung!

Guided tours are in full swing now that spring is here.  Bob and Jo joined us again this year for an early canyoneering tour. They were here back in 2012 to take a 3 day technical course with us! It was great fun to see them again.  Jo also purchased and broke in a nice pair of TX3 La Sportiva shoes from our new gear store.

Of course with spring also comes “Spring Cleaning”…. Which is not near as fun as Canyoneering but has to be done. Amie is busy spring cleaning in the office, purging, organizing and dusting. Part of the cleaning is in preparation for a much needed new desk.  However, she’d much rather be out in the Canyons! 

Amie is also taking the jump and moving from a PC to an iMac! She has been waiting for a long time to buy an iMac and is very excited for the jump! This is quite an undertaking, between transferring files, learning the differences from the Windows world to the iMac world. Once the office is ready, then we plan to open the Shop for the season!  We are very excited about the new products we will be carrying this year. Come in and check it out!! And have a safe and wonderful spring season!

An Unforgettable Family Trip

Canyoneering can be an excellent way to strengthen family bonds.  The Westgates recently had an unforgettable family canyoneering experience. Canyoneering incorporates teamwork and communication.  These skills can be used in daily life. Come visit for your canyoneering experience!

Woot! Looking good Westgate family!

Learning knots.

On Rappel!

Flower Friday!

Happy Flower Friday from Excursions of Escalante!  The grass is green and needs to be cut.  The flowers are getting buried in the madness.  Kelleen had to move grass to get this shot.  

The canyons are epic and the tours are a rockin.  The weather has been fab.  We were lucky to get a touch of rain today to brighten the desert and water the cactus.  Check us out on Facebook and Instagram for current happenings here at Excursions.

Hyacinths in front of the shop this morning. 

American Canyoneering Academy (ACA) Guide/Leader Rendezvous

Spring is here and we have kicked off the 2016 season by hosting an ACA (American Canyoneering Academy) Rendezvous for Professional and Aspirant canyoneering guides.  The crew of 17 arrived Thursday evening 3/3 and departed the evening of Sunday 3/6.  Rich Carlson, head of the ACA joined us for this event, leading groups through the canyons and conducting rescue scenarios for group members.  Safety First!  Rick, ACA Master Guide conducted training, anchor practice etc. along with leading groups through the slots.  We were also joined by Jared Hillhouse of Northwash Outfitters (Blanding, UT).  Jared was kind enough to offer his time to conduct a rigging workshop for the group.  Thanks Jared!  And thank you to Jeana for putting together a weather presentation for the group.  Weather plays a major part in canyoneering.  As always, Safety First.  A big Thank You for all who attended.  We are looking forward to hosting another Pro Rendezvous!

Rick (in red) and crew practice down climbing skills.  Looking great guys!

We hosted a catered dinner in our shop Fri/Sat nights.  

Jared Hillhouse of Northwash Outfitters conducts a rigging workshop in our backyard of the shop.

Partner assisted up climb!  Nice shot!

It's Almost Time!

It is officially mid-February and the weather here in Escalante has been epic the past few days.  The 16 inches of snow just about gone.  Now granted, it is likely that we will incur a bit more inclement weather, but this break has been fabulous.  Rick has been getting out and doing some canyoneering in Nevada and California along with more exploring in Baja, MX.  

The 2016 Season will kick off with our first tour March 7th.  I liked this shot that someone emailed me of the guides hiking out of the canyons.  The warm summer months are just around the corner!  Belay is On!

Winter Canyoneering

The Winter months are going by ever so quickly.  Escalante is currently blanketed in a foot of snow!  Rick had a chance to get out of the cold and do a canyon named Bubba's in Nevada.  Below are a couple of shots. 

Thanks Petzl for sending Rick the new static Push rope to test out!

The 2016 Season is right around the corner and we are preparing for March 8th opening.  Come and visit us for an adventure in the slots!

Rick backing up the sand trap anchor.  Belay is on!

Rick testing Petzl's new static Push rope.

Monday morning dusting.

We hope this post finds that everyone had a nice Holiday.  The 2016 canyoneering season is just 8 weeks around the corner!  We are busy prepping for a fun filled year.  Our shop will be fully stocked with your canyon necessities.  We are now the area's retailer for Five Ten and La Sportiva footwear, BlueWater ropes and Petzl gear and ropes.  We will also carry Black Diamond Equipment, Chums accessories etc.  Stop on in and check it all out while you're in town.  And of course we'll still have killer espresso drinks.  Looking forward to 2016!

Rick and guest Alison

Thank you Alison for sending this photo of you and Rick, taking a breather after hiking out of the canyon.  Nice shot!  Looks like you're ready for ice cream back at the shop!

Two Track and Epic View

This past Friday Rick and I took the afternoon and went for a hike.  We just love getting off the beaten track.  Loved this road on the way home! 

Got Mud?

Canyons were a tad muddy a couple of weeks ago.  I think Rick wore it well!

Summer coming to an End

Our 17th Season is quickly coming to an end!  Just a couple of months to go, but what a wonderful season it has been so far.  Fall brings fabulous weather and awesome time in the canyons.  Also, if you are in Escalante for a few days, the mountain right outside of town will have gorgeous leaf peeping.  A must do in the fall is a drive on Hell's Backbone Road.

If you are visiting this Fall, be sure to stop by our shop to check out our new retail section for your slot canyon needs.  Footwear by Five Ten and La Sportiva, BlueWater Ropes, Petzl and Black Diamond Equipment, Chums etc.  We hope to see you!

Seated Bridge

A Walk on Mars

Girl Scouts

Last week we had the pleasure of spending a couple of days with a group of Girl Scouts from Phoenix, AZ.  Rick, Craig and Ian had a great time with these ladies in the slot canyons.  The girls learned seated bridges, foot bridges, body bridges and smearing techniques, along with teamwork and trust exercises.    

All smiles ladies!

Rick and Craig demonstrate rappelling safety and bottom belays.  SAFETY FIRST!

Summer Canyoneering

The Frankenberg family joined us for a day in the slots last week.  Escalante has been fortunate to get lots of rain this spring to help make up for a very dry winter.  This has made for a wet and muddy fun canyoneering season!  Come join us for some rockin good times on the ropes!

Flashback to 2008 Day Off for Rick!

Check out a flashback to 2008.  Great photos and fun read from one of Rick's adventurous days off.
Read Here!

Excursions of Escalante Featured on KSL OUTDOORS!

Check us out on KSL Outdoors.  We were fortunate to have Adam Eakle visit with his team for a day of canyoneering.  They put together a great piece.  Thanks guys!  Looking forward to the next time we can get you out in the slot canyons here in Escalante!  http://www.ksl.com/?sid=34937029&nid=1112&title=ksl-outdoors-excursions-of-escalante

All Ladies Canyoneering Tour 5/28/15

We were so lucky to spend a day with this awesome crew.  Two of these fabulous ladies have been coming canyoneering with us for years.  Thank you Laura & Leslie for bringing your friends out to play in the canyons with us.  Can't wait for the next adventure!  And our congrats to you both!                           P.S. Private Joke...  "It's not how you feel, it's how you look.  And you all look AWESOME"!

Love these ladies!  All girls canyoneering trip.  Well, except for Rick and Ian.  Gotta have guides!  Miss you all already!

KSL Outdoors TV Shoot

Hello Canyoneers & Future Canyoneers!  It has been a super busy Spring here in Escalante.  Our tours have been packed, the accommodations in town busting at the seams and waits to get into the restaurants!  If you haven't visited Escalante, come for a visit and join the action.  

I took the photo below this morning as the team sat down to make a plan for a day of canyoneering.  Adam Eakle with KSL Outdoors is spending the day shooting with us for a piece on canyoneering safety.  We are excited to have him (back) in the canyons for a day!  The weather is awesome, so here is hoping for some great shots with today's crew.  We'll keep you posted!

Spring is Here!

Greetings canyoneers and future canyoneers!  Spring has arrived early here in Escalante and therefore our season is already rockin and rollin!  Spring Breakers are arriving in Southern Utah to enjoy this fabulous weather.  (it could be snowing)... Trees are already greening up and the flowers are blooming.  Crew out in the canyons today, so I thought I would post a flower shot from in front of the shop this morning.  Cheers!

Wrap it up, put a bow on it and call it Season 2014! Make way for the 2015 schedule!!

Ready to start thinking and daydreaming about next year?  

We are happy to announce the 2015 Multi Day Trip schedule is out! Click on the link below to learn about all the fun adventures we're planning for next season. See you in 2015!

Excursions of Escalante 2015 Schedule 

Well folks, the days are getting shorter, the leaves are dropping and the busy season is winding down.  Soon Excursions will be following the summer sun south to Baja, MX where we'll be spending a little time relaxing and a lot of time poking around the backcountry of Baja, hunting down those hidden gems and secret spots for future Baja adventures. 

But first, let's look back at some of the highlights of our 2014 season...

Spring was beautiful, and the raptors were nesting! Rick rescued a very emaciated falcon chick from a canyon in the spring.  Last we heard from Best Friends was that the chick had regained strength and had been moved to the flight pen so he could beef up for a release!  

In August we had to say farewell to our assistant, Matt and his girlfriend Kami as they left Escalante for the Northwest and new adventures.  Matt started graduate school and last report was that he was happily emmersed in his studies and enjoying his classes. 

Excursions got technical.  Not only did we join the smartphone society (finally! our friends and family are very pleased.) but we also entered the wonderful world of social media!  Now you can follow our adventures and antics on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Trip Advisor, and Pinterest...as well as right here!! 

The 2014 season was filled with great people, wonderful adventures, and fun times with friends- new and old. Thanks to everyone for joining us for another amazing year doing what we love and sharing it with others. You made it happen.