Rafting the Grand Canyon
As told by AJ Gellman from her 1996 adventure.
There are many choices of how to see the Grand Canyon. Walking along the rim, helicopter fly over, muleback riding, or hiking to the bottom but in order to see it from the bottom up - my choice was rafting.
We were two rafts 28 people and a crew of seven. We carried everything we needed for an eight day float. ARR (Arizona River Runners) supplied tents, sleeing bags, utensils, life jackets, etc. In the eight days not once did I want for something we didn’t have - AMAZING!! We were now ready to embark on an eight day 240 mile raft trip from Lee’s Ferry to Lake Meade. Interestingly, this was the same trip explorer Wesley Powell did in 1869 in a wooden boat with one arm. I tried to view the adventure as he might have all those years ago. The crew read excerpts from his diaries and that added an extra edge to the adventure.
There is so much natural beauty and things to see in the canyon. We had ample time to explore. We climbed, hiked, explored caves and cooled off under spectacular water falls that appeared out of nowhere - this was all in between hitting the churning rapids.
Each day started at daybreak with someone shouting ‘COFFEE!!’. We would break down our tents, pack our gear, eat a great breakfast, load the rafts, and face down three rapids by 8 o’clock. Mid-morning we always stopped to explore side canyons or other points of interest. The knowledgeable crew knew all the best spots. You could do as much as you wanted or you could just sit in the sun and relax. And then back in the rafts we went till lunch time..
Mid-afternoon we would explore some more. One of my favorite spots was where the Colorado River and the Little Colorado River come together. There was a sandy beach and we swam the rapids. What a thrill! There was also a watefall and the water was warm. Usually by 4pm we would make camp for the night. Everyone scrambled to find the best spot to pitch their tent, but really there were no bad spots….The natural beauty of the Canyon is awesome.
The crew did all the cooking and the rest of us put on dry clothes had a glass of wine and waited for dinner. The food was incredible. There was something different every night and always plenty to eat… a nice time to make new friends.
By 9 o’clock we were ready to lay our weary bones down. I never knew how dark or how quiet it could be. I refused to sleep in the tent. Canyon nights are like nothing else I’d experienced. So close it felt as if the sky was my blanket and I had to be careful not to bump the stars while rolling over. What a way to end a perfect day.
And then…”COFFEE!!” X 8
January 5th, 2007 at 11:40 am
I enjoyed the pictures and the diary by my friend, A.J. Looks like it was a memorable trip.