The trip was an 8 day adventure through the Grand Canyon, beginning at Lees Ferry, just below the Glen Canyon Dam (which creates lake Powell), and travels 280 miles, over nearly 200 rapids, to Lake Mead.
The trip was booked through The Grand Canyon Expeditions Company, out of Kanab Utah (http://www.gcex.com). Our pilot, Bob Dye, had 35 years of experience and he knew every inch of the 280 miles we traveled. Running the river and the daily side trips gave us a view into the Canyon that no book or picture could ever hope to match. Bob’s knowledge of the river, it’s history, and its geology really made for a fantastic first class trip. We were also accompanied by a geologist who helped make sense of this incredible geological wonderland.
For a July trip, especially in a desert environment, we should have seen temps, every day, well above 100. When I booked the trip, I forgot that July was in the middle of the monsoon season and for the first few days, we were treated to afternoon thunder storms including one day with hail. The mornings during these days were very pleasant and sunny and the afternoons, after the rain, were just as pleasant. The storms blew through after a few days and the weather was just what you would expect in the desert in July - fabulous!
There was never a time when the urge to snap a picture wasn’t overwhelming. While the pictures that I took give a good view of the canyon, it must be actually seen to be fully appreciated. I ended up with just short of 8 gigs worth of pictures, but there were several others that had much more. In preparation for the trip, I brought what I thought was an ample supply of batteries for the camera. I failed to anticipate the amount of drain that continual on and off cycling and the use of the video function would have on the batteries. After three days of blowing through the “high-capacity” batteries, it was clear that I would run out before the trip was over. Fortunately, I had purchased a small (back-packable) solar panel, made by Goal Zero, and their rechargeable batteries. The entire package, including the batteries, is very small and very efficient. An hour charge during lunch and an hour or so charge at camp in the afternoon were all that I needed to keep the camera at peak power for the remainder of the trip.
In the canyon, there are almost no means to communicate with the outside world. It almost goes without saying that cell phones were useless, although I tried as we passed the south rim. I brought the FT60 and gave it a try nearly every night, but without any luck. Our guides brought a sat phone, but given the height of the narrow canyon walls, it was spotty, at best, sometimes requiring a wait of hours before a signal was available. I felt naked without an HF radio and for the next trip, I will be carrying a portable of some sort.
No trip report would be complete without a mention of food. Bob, and the crew, prepared 3 fabulous meals a day and I even picked up a few tips for my own long terms trips as I watched them work. Larry, this would have been a heaven on earth for you - it was an all you can eat affair! No one ever left hungry and the food was first class.
It’s impossible to pick the highlight of the trip, but I will mention just one - the Little Colorado. As one would expect, the Colorado is a bit muddy, owing to the massive amount of erosion taking place. As we entered the “official” Grand Canyon, the Little Colorado entered from the left. The contrast in color between the two rivers was stunning. The LC was a turquoise blue as a result of the calcium carbonate eroded from the limestone, and unlike the Colorado, it was relatively clear. The pictures below show the point where the two rivers meet and the fascinating contrast in color.
One side note for those who enjoy an evening adult beverage. Since carrying glass bottles was seriously discouraged, we went with box wines. If you chose this option, find a way to protect the box from water. By the time we realized that EVERYTHING on the boat gets wet, the box had been converted to an unrecognizable glob of pulp. Fear not however, not a drop of wine was lost.
One of the unexpected things that occurs on a trip of this length are the new friendships that develop with all of the other people on the boat as well as the crew. This, along with everything else, made for one of the very best trips ever!
CANYON VIEWS AS WE TRAVELED
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THE RAPIDS
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CAMP
WATERFALLS
INTERESTING CANYON SIGHTS
RUNNING THE RAPIDS WITHOUT A BOAT
OUR CREW
GOAL ZERO
SEPARATION CANYON
WILDLIFE
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