(EMAILWIRE.COM, July 23, 2009 ) Angels Camp, California – Are you fed up and ready to make a change, but just don’t know where to start. Are you worried about your drinking habits or making the mortgage payment? Are you wondering how you are going to come up with your child’s college tuition? Dealing with stress and uncertainty in uncertain times is a problem many men are facing these days. How do other guys handle these problems?

Don Hatch River Expeditions recently announced a special men-only whitewater rafting expedition through Dinosaur National Monument on August 20, 2009. The four-day rafting, hiking and camping trip, open to males over the age of 18, encourages participants to address their fears or problems while in a wilderness setting. No previous camping, rafting or outdoors experience is necessary in this unstructured men’s retreat. The only ground rules? The expedition is alcohol and tobacco free.

Kicking off the trip (but not joining the expedition) will be Ultra-Endurance North Face Athlete Diane Van Deren. Van Deren underwent radical brain surgery to alleviate epileptic seizures, ending a successful professional tennis career. The seizures stopped, though she can no longer focus on certain daily living activities or read a map or a GPS. Never one to give up or wallow in self-pity, she has competed in dozens of ultra-endurance events taking her from her home in Colorado, across the U.S., to the frigid Arctic wilderness to Chamonix, France, in events ranging in distance from 50 miles to 430 miles. Diane feels it’s important to share her personal story with others and has spoken at many events. “I enjoy talking about how we all have obstacles in our lives,” she says. “Mine was epilepsy.”

Joining the trip will be Carl Dick, who has helped form men’s groups based on Recovery from drugs and alcohol. Carl has a long, successful history as a public speaker, contract negotiator and sales manager. In his early career, he successfully negotiated contracts and sales for Johnson and Johnson and Baxter International. His own company topped Inc.’s Top 50 list in the early 1990s. His leadership role has taken him from his Colorado home into the world of Recovery in hospitals, detoxification centers and prisons.

George Wendt, Founder and President of Hatch’s parent company - O.A.R.S., stated from his Northern California headquarters, “Carl is a long-time O.A.R.S. adventurer and whitewater rafting enthusiast. While traveling with Carl recently, I noticed his innate ability to connect with other travelers on a very deep level. I watched time and again as people experienced an unexplained confidence in him. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but he has a unique ability to draw people out and allow them to safely deal with issues and challenges they haven’t entirely processed. I thought – here is someone around whom it would be ideal to create a trip. I look forward to going off on river trips and losing myself deep in a river canyon… and refocusing on what truly matters. Getting away from daily distractions always helps me to re-prioritize and gain clarity.”

From his home in Colorado, Mr. Dick commented, “I help people reflect on their choices and take responsibility for their current situations. Instead of commiserating endlessly about what is not working, I focus on solutions. George and I envision this journey as an opportunity for men to speak freely about their deepest feelings in a nonjudgmental setting. Participants may choose to discuss their fears or they may simply listen. There is no intended structure nor expectations. Who knows where our unencumbered conversations may lead?”

Don Hatch River Expeditions knows a thing or two about playing host – the company has been guiding people downstream for 80 years. Their Green River rafting trip through Dinosaur National Monument offers a Colorado rafting journey set in an abbreviated version of the Grand Canyon. Complementing the days spent in a raft are endless exploratory side hikes in river canyons, quiet beach camps and moderate whitewater.

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The HATCH family name has been synonymous with river running since 1929. With blessings from the National Park Service and the Hatch family, in 2007 Don Hatch River Expeditions became a part of the O.A.R.S. Family of Companies. It has been a seamless transition and one that offers generations of Hatch adventurers more opportunities on dozens of rivers throughout the West. Since 1969 the O.A.R.S.Family of Companies have set the standard in first-class rafting, sea kayaking, hiking and multi-sport adventures, with destinations and unparalleled experiences on over 35 rivers and coastlines of the world. O.A.R.S. caters to active travelers of all ages and abilities with more than 75 unique itineraries worldwide, including one-day and weekend escapes. For more information on the O.A.R.S. Family of Companies, including Grand Canyon Dories; Rivers Fiji; Rivers, Oceans & Mountains and Don Hatch River Trips, call 1-800-346-6277. Email the company at info@oars.com or visit www.oars.com.

Contact Information:
Don Hatch River Expeditions
Stephanie Moreland
Tel: 832-755-7661
Email us


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