GUIDES TRAINING SEMINAR 2006

Planning has yet to commence but our GTS 2006 file is already filling with ideas and emails from potential speakers. Mark your calendars as follows:

GTS land session – March 25-26, 2006 at Hatch River Expeditions in Marble Canyon, AZ

GTS river session – March 28 – April 3 (upper half from Lees Ferry to Phantom Ranch), and April 3-11 (lower half from Phantom Ranch to Diamond Creek)

If you took a moment to read the GTS articles in Volume 18 #2 of the Boatman’s Quarterly Review (or if you have participated in past Guides Training Seminars), you should have a good idea of how fantastic these events are and how necessary it is that you participate! This is the mother of all training sessions and the only totally cooperative seminar of its kind. Not only will you come away with a wealth of information about the cultural, natural and human history of Grand Canyon from top speakers in their fields, but you’ll also have a heckuva lot of fun to boot.

The cost of the GTS land session is $35 or $30 if paid by March 1 st. This will cover food for the weekend. The event is open to the public so anyone who wants to come should bring a small camp chair, a mug, pencil and paper and get ready to learn cool stuff.

The cost of the GTS river session is $165 for the upper half, and $185 for the lower half, payable when you sign up (except for sponsored guides – we’ll bill your outfitter). This includes a $50 non-refundable deposit. If gas prices remain around $3/gallon, we may need to add on a transportation surcharge to cover increased take-out expenses. We’ll just have to see as we get closer, and hopefully the situation will improve.

Our first priority for the river session is to accommodate sponsored guides. Freelance requirements are as follows:

• Must have all your medical requirements and other guide certifications fulfilled as specified by Grand Canyon National Park.

OR,

• You must be a licensed guide on another river, actively working towards becoming a guide in Grand Canyon.

Freelance guides also need to send us a letter or resume with your background – tell us who you are, how you meet these requirements and why you should go. This will help us with our selection process. We will hold any checks until we have made our decision. Not everyone who signs up gets to go…

We’ll have more info in upcoming issues of the Boatman’s Quarterly Review. Simply plan on it for 2006, as the GTS is not to be missed!