Winter 2007-2008 Trip Schedule
Exploring China’s River Heritage:
The Great Bend of the Yangtze River, 2008
Last Descents Rafting Expeditions and the China Rivers Project are now forming teams to explore the Great Bend of the Yangtze River during the winter season, 2008. Join us for this rare opportunity to experience one of China’s most outstanding river canyons!
What is special about China’s Rivers?
China’s rivers are the lifeblood of the country; their power can be harnessed to produce electricity, supporting the country’s growing economy. They provide drinking water and irrigation, and are home to a diversity of plant and animal species. They are also the central features of some of China’s most stunning landscapes. But few people have the opportunity to experience these rivers first hand. At a time when China’s leaders are faced with many challenging decisions with regards to the future of China’s water resources, we hope to provide them the chance to get to know their rivers in a fun and relaxing way.
The River Experience:
Exploring river canyons through recreational river rafting provides the most intimate way to experience rivers and their surrounding landscapes. River rafting is a fun and safe group activity that can be enjoyed by all types of people. Some of the activities that can be part of a river trip include:
Photography
Hiking up side canyons
Team building activities
Bird and wildlife watching
River-side camping and fire-side conversation
Scientific research (geology, hydrology, biology, anthropology)
Visits to villagers’ homes
Wilderness skills building
Every river trip is different, and Last Descents and China Rivers Project is poised to offer trips tailored to the interests and abilities of trip participants.
What is the Great Bend of the Yangtze River?
The Great Bend of the Yangtze River is the premier rafting trip in China, offering a rare glimpse into a remote section of China’s famous river inaccessible by road. The trip passes through stunning scenery, including vertical cliffs thousands of meters high and Naxi villages. We camp each night on pristine sandy beaches. In the winter, the river is clear, and the weather is dry. Long sections of calm water are interspersed by seven large rapids which are some of the most fun and exciting whitewater in all of China.
Why raft with us?
Last Descents Rivers Expeditions, founded in 2006, is the only commercial rafting company licensed to run multi-day rafting trips in China. Lead guide and founder Travis Winn has explored 25 different river sections in China, and has led eleven major exploratory river expeditions. Our rafting guides are experienced and trained in the United States as well as on the Great Bend of the Yangtze. We provide state of the art rafting, camping and safety equipment and our guides are certified in wilderness first aid. Trips are as participatory as guests would like them to be. Those who would like to be more involved are invited to learn to row or paddle, or to try their hand on a cook crew. We work with each trip to find a level of involvement that works for the goals of the team.
What kinds of trips will there be in 2008?
In winter 2008, China Rivers Project, in coordination with Kunming-based Last Descents River Expeditions, will organize three river trips on the Great Bend of the Yangtze:
January 5-20, 2008: Training trip for guides/media trip. This trip provides a “warm up” for our guides and a chance to expand awareness of the Great Bend through the participation of members of the media.
February 11-18, 2008: Trip for corporate leaders and government leaders. This trip will provide a platform for decision makers working in river management to experience and enjoy rivers in a new way. We will invite Chinese participants to bring along colleagues from outside of China.
March 1-13, 2008: Research trip. This trip will bring Chinese and non-Chinese geologists, anthropologists, biologists, and others interested in using a river trip as a basis for scientific research and collaboration.
How to learn more:
If you are interested in learning more about how to participate in one of our trips, please contact us:
Travis Winn (文大川)
Last Descents River Expeditions
China Program Coordinator, China Rivers Project
email
Phone: (970) 208-7769
Kristen McDonald （麦可婷）
US Program Director, China Rivers Project
email
Phone: (510) 528-4273
Li Bo (李波)
Advisory Board, China Rivers Project
email
Phone: [cn] 13888727121
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