Is This Trip Right For You?

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Essential Eligibility Criteria

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Guest requirements:

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1. Read all pre-trip materials from GCE. Communicate and ask questions!

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2. Listen to and follow instructions from crew members.

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3. Treat other guests and crew with respect and courtesy.

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4. Perform necessary self-care, including maintaining adequate nutrition and hydration, dressing appropriately for environmental conditions, maintaining personal hygiene, and maintaining proper dosage of prescription medications.

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5. Be capable of climbing on and off the boats independently or with the assistance of a companion. This involves an approximate 3-foot step.

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6. Be able to walk in sand, over rocks, and rough terrain. Some surfaces may be wet and slippery. Camps are usually sandy and may require walking uphill to reach a flat surface to sleep on. Hiking is optional on our trips. If you opt to hike, realize that trails are unmaintained and may require walking on loose rocks and climbing over boulders.

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7. Carry your personal gear to your campsite and back each day independently or with the assistance of a companion. If you follow our packing list, this should be about 20-25 pounds of personal items. You will also receive roughly 20 pounds of camping gear.

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8. Hold your weight on the boat in rapids. Your guide will instruct you on suitable places to hold onto the specific craft you are riding on.

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9. Be able to assist in your rescue if you become an involuntary swimmer.

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10. Sit on the boat for 4 hours at a time. The time spent on the boat will often be less than this, but sometimes, your trip will need to make miles.

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11. Disclose any medical conditions, allergies, and physical limitations. Communicate with your crew about medical needs, illness, or dietary requirements.

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12. Fit into a personal flotation device (PFD). The maximum chest size to fit into one of our PFDs is 58 inches. You will also be required to follow instructions from your guides on properly fitting and wearing your PFD.

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13. Understand that our recommendation is to be eight years or older for a motorized trip or 12 years or older for a dory trip. An adult must accompany any minor under the age of 18.

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14. Be physically and mentally capable of participating in a trip without endangering or negatively impacting the health and safety of other trip participants. 

In return, GCE ensures that all of our guides are highly trained. They are CPR certified and hold Wilderness First Responder (or more advanced) medical certifications. We provide extensive first aid supplies. Our equipment is high quality and regularly maintained and inspected.


Our trips are not without risk. That said, most of our trips do not experience significant issues. Please call our office if you are still determining if one of our expeditions is a good fit for you and your traveling companions. We would be happy to discuss any concerns that you have.

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