Exploring the Geology and River Systems of the Tibetan Plateau & Western China
Beginning in 1994, Shangri-La River Expeditions (SRE) was issued permits to raft numerous rivers in western China in order to gather data and perform detailed field-checking of Chinese geologic and topographic maps.
SRE's rafting trips continued through 2007 and during this time we explored many sections of the Mekong, Salween, Brahmaputra and Indus headwaters as well as several of their respective tributaries. In return for this extraordinary access to the Tibetan Autonomous Region and discounted permit costs, I conducted geologic surveys and shared my results with the Chinese Institute of Geology.
A few smaller tributaries were run after 2008 and commercial trips began on some rivers around 2006. A variety of teams organized by Chinese, Russian, German, Australian, Japanese and American paddlers led the trips on these other sections.
The links below provide details of the geology of western China and the Tibetan Plateau as well specific information about the History of First Descents in the region and each of the rivers SRE explored and rafted.
For over 30 years, Peter Winn, an American geologist and his son, Travis Winn, have explored and run rivers throughout the vast wilderness areas of the Tibetan Plateau and Western China.
Pete formed Earth Science Expeditions in the early 1990s and, subsequently, Shangri-La River Expeditions to pioneer commercial rafting in China.
Travis carries on the legacy championing river conservation efforts in China and working with government officials to establish the Three Rivers' Source National Park.
Travis founded Last Descents, a company focused on bringing people from China’s growing cities out to see the last remaining wild rivers in Western China and, in doing so, marshal support for protecting them. Several videos of Travis' work can be found online.
Travis‘s mother, Cindy Appel and his sister Carmen Winn worked as river guides for Travis in China and provided support services.
