Press Release

Exciting outdoor adventures filled the whole of a student’s summer EDGE project.

September 11^th, 2014, Blanding, UT

Talon Kartchner, and avid outdoorsman spent 3 months floating the San Juan River, hiking and photographing the four corners area for his EDGE project at SUU.

Kartchner knew he wanted to do something exciting for his project, and found the opportunity to become an intern at Wild Rivers Expeditions, a company offering tours on the San Juan River to visitors from all over the world. Though it was hard work, he loved every day, and is happy to be back in Cedar City to share the experience with everyone.

The EDGE program is a part of SUU that requires students to do something hands-on, giving them an “edge” over competitors in the workforce upon graduation.

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Newsletter

Resume

Talon Kartchner

4354850052

talon_kartchner@hotmail.com

29 S 1400 W APT 10

Cedar City, UT 84720

Profile

Senior student at Southern Utah University student majoring in communications emphasis on videography and social media.

Experience

Tour Guide / VideographerMarch 2013- July 2013

http://www.fourcornersadventures.com

Four Corners Adventures

Blanding, UT

As a tour guide for Four Corners Adventures I took people around scenic southeastern Utah through canyons, over the mountains, and to popular archaeological sites. Tours were from just a few hours to several days. I was expected to be communicable, positive, and pleasant as well as knowledgable, humorous, and informative.

I also took several trips to record the experience, the area, and made videos and postcards for the company.

Web Designer/Developer, VideographerMid 2013-Present

Four Corners Digital Design

Blanding, UT

As a videographer for Four Corners Digital Design, I created advertisements and promotional videos for the company. I also accompanied clients on trips and recorded and edited the experience for them to take home.
As a web designer and developer , I design, develope and maintain web pages for small businesses.

Internships And Co-ops

River GuideSummer 2014

http://www.riversandruins.com

Wild Rivers Expeditions

Bluff, UT

At Wild Rivers Expeditions I floated down the San Juan River as a "swamper" or assistant guide. I helped make lunches, and give information about the area to the guests. There was a lot of loading and unloading, of rafts and gear. I frequently drove shuttles and dropped or picked up guests from trips. The second half of the summer I spent mostly working on marketing materials for the company.

Publications/presentations

Website for the City of Blanding, UT. The website is live at www.blanding-ut.gov

Education

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS
Utah State University- Eastern Blanding, UT (2013).

2 year studying communications at Southern Utah University
1 year hands on experience in SUTV-9 studio.

1 year writing for the University Journal at SUU

Professional Affiliations

2010-2013Blue Mountain Summer Camp

Member of camp staff for 3 years, I helped young boys learn about different aspects of scouting, gave orientation and instruction, and worked with adult leaders to optimize the scouting experience.

River Trip

Summer Internship 2014 for EDGE

     During the summer of 2014  I went to Blanding and Bluff, Utah as an intern for Four Corners Adventures and Wild Rivers Expeditions.

                                  

     It was a blast!

     Both companies are owned by Jared and Spring Berrett, who moved to the area about 8 years ago. Jared was a professor at BYU and moved to Blanding because he wanted to be closer to the outdoors. He started Four Corners Adventures in 2012 as a land tours company, then added river trips when he purchased Wild Rivers Expeditions in 2013.

I had the pleasure of doing everything from river rafting and mountain biking,

to taking pictures of the beautiful landscape to create promotional material for the company.

River Guiding

The lead guide and manager of the companies is Dallin Tait. He and his wife Cassi, and their son Charlie live on-site. I floated down the river with Dallin the most.

I also spent time with Greg

and Marcus, the other two main guides who were on the river almost every day.

I helped promote the business in several ways, including this ad, which I created for a hotel advertisement directory Jared bought in Moab.

Natural Bridges National Monument

 

As and added bonus, my wife was able to accompany me on several occasions, like the time we hiked through Natural Bridges National Monument, to take pictures for Jared.

Since I have experience in photography, Jared had me spend a lot of time taking pictures of different areas.