The Paria Canyon Scholarship

The mountains aren’t the only place to have big adventures - and backpacking is a fundamental skill to develop and hone, no matter if you are at the beginning of your outdoor journey or already a seasoned mountain pro. If you love the idea of pushing yourself in a remote backcountry paradise that (typically) doesn’t involve snow and ice, the Paria Backpack is for you. The Paria Canyon scholarship is open to women and girls 14 years or older.

The Paria scholarship includes the expedition fee for an all-women 7-day Paria Canyon adventure in Southern Utah, top-notch trail footwear from LOWA Boots, and more. This scholarship is valued at >$2,500.

  • From the mountains near Salt Lake City to the salt flats and wonders of the Colorado Plateau – there is no limit to Utah’s natural beauty. Nestled in the heart of the Vermilion Cliffs, the Paria River Canyon is right up there with some of the most spectacular scenery in Utah. Red rock walls that soar for hundreds of feet above the canyon floor; narrow sections evoke impressions of Buckskin Gulch, one of the Paria Canyon’s tributaries. The Chinle’s formation rainbow colored rock layers provide a spectacular frame to this diverse desert thruway.

  • The Paria Canyon Backpack is not a mountaineering adventure, but it is an excellent foray into remote backcountry travel and endurance.

    Backpacking the lower Paria Canyon is a bucket list item for many hardcore desert explorers. The traditional White House to Lee’s Ferry Route covers 38 miles of off-trail, canyon-floor ground with plentiful river crossings and miles of mandatory wading. This is a true desert backcountry hike that requires fortitude, stamina, and the willingness to navigate ever-changing conditions that can range from scorching heat to below-freezing temperatures.

  • October 21-27 2023

  • Participants must be in good physical condition. Previous hiking experience is required. Previous backpacking experience is helpful.

    • Accommodation in Kanab, double occupancy

    • Transport between Kanab hotel to the trailhead and back

    • Breakfasts and dinners in Kanab

    • All meals on the trail (incl. water, coffee/tea and hot chocolate)

    • Professional guide(s) with intimate knowledge of the route and conditions along the canyon

    • Team gear including cooking gear, team medical kit, radio equipment, GPS tracking & communication

    • Top-notch trail footwear from LOWA Boots

    • The Summit Scholarship award does not cover:

      • Flights to/from the nearest airport & transfer to Kanab (rental cars / car-pooling advised)

      • Lunches in Kanab

      • Gratuities for guides

      • Personal gear including tents & sleeping bags

      • Personal medications

      • Personal snacks (bars/gels for on-trail & climbing sustenance)

      • Medical, travel, and rescue insurance

2023 applications are closed.

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