With just over a year of anticipation, the time to hit the road towards Flagstaff AZ was here. We were about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime, rafting 226 miles of the Grand Canyon in just 14 days. One can say the stoke level was high.
We arrived to my friends parents house that evening and were welcomed with hugs and handshakes as we met the rest of the group who would be joining us on this adventure. I had previously only known a few of the 16 people that I would be spending the next 16 days with.
Look at all that gear!!!
I'll admit it, I was nervous about rowing a raft down the Grand Canyon. I'd spent the last 8 summers working as a whitewater raft guide for Whitewater Rafting LLC in Glenwood Springs CO, but never had a rafted water as big and powerful as the water on the Grand Canyon. I couldn't help but doubt myself as I questioned whether I was capable enough, or strong enough to keep my raft upright.
Time to rig the boats with all that gear!
And before you know it, it was time to push off and start this adventure. No turning back now!
I was blown away at how clear the water was. This was uncommon as the river is usually a dark brown/red. The first day was warm and sunny as we spent a lot of time swimming and floating.
At this point I had only known these people for 24 hrs or so but we all seemed to mesh really well together and I thought to myself, these are my kind of people. Little did I know at the time what an impact everyone would make on my life and this adventure.
Anthony and Angela get engaged!!
This power couple crushes every rapid and manage to stay upright. Others, not so much.
Redwall Cavern at mile 33- created by high river flows into the canyons limestone walls.
Mile 52.5- Nankoweap Granary
These bins were constructed by ancient Anasazi to store their seed stock and food. Located about a mile up the canyon wall, they protected the food from animals and weather.
Next stop was at mile 61.7, the Little Colorado. The energy was child like and giggly as we floated the small rapids with our PFD's.
At this point we had only run a few bigger rapids ( Soap Creek class 5, House Rock class 7, and Georgie class 6) But starting the next day we would start to run several big rapids a day, starting at a class 6 and they only got bigger and bigger. The anticipation was building as I soon would be rowing the biggest water I've rowed yet.
But first, a little birthday fun! Dresses were a requirement.
Jolene and Kevin, the birthday boy. Jolene, she likes to have a good time!
When I got the text from Kevin about a year and a half prior to the trip asking me if I'd be his plus one, there was no way I was going to say no! I'm forever grateful for this man. Also, doesn't he look good in a dress!?
Many games of bocci ball. Having a drink in hand was the main requirement.
"River Song" - Anthony Ruptak. Check him out on Spotify!
Hance Rapid, class 8, mile 77.2. The run for this rapid is entering on the left side of the tongue, pulling your stern towards the rocks in the middle of the river, aiming to hit the duck pond just below the rocks, then turning your boat downriver to ride the center waves all the way down. One of my favorites!!
Scouting Hance Rapid.
Day 6, Phantom Ranch mile 88.1. Here we made a passenger exchange as 4 people from the group left us and 4 joined. In this photo we are writing and sending post cards to our loved ones, letting them know we are alive and well. It was strangely odd walking into this building as music was playing and people roamed around. Interesting what just six days away from society does to you. Souvenirs and beers were purchased as we soaked in all we experienced leading up to this moment.
Granite Rapid, class 8, mile 93.9.
We arrived to camp fairly early in the afternoon and were able to explore around camp (located to the right, just above the rapids behind some rocks) I was unable to sleep this night as the sound of Granite rapid crashed just down river from us. I kept playing over in my head scenario after scenario of what could happen in the morning when it came time to face Granite. Turns out I crushed it and we were just fine!
Party boat!
Elves Chasm, mile 117.2. This was by far one of my favorite hikes along the canyon we did. Here you're able to climb up behind the waterfall and jump off into the clear water below.
Here we float through the narrowest section on the canyon. It's roughly only 75ft wide. With the water flows we experienced it was calm and manageable but when water levels are higher, so are the consequences.
Deer Creek Falls, mile 136.8.
Jennie you hold a special place in my heart.
Paul and I scouting Bed Rock, Class 7 mile 131.1.
This rapid can be easily run and have low consequences if ran correctly. If not run correctly, you can end up in big trouble. Bed rock rapid is a wave train leading right into a giant granite rock in the middle of the river. The safest way to run this rapid is to hug the rocks on the right side of the current (you can see them in the photo) as you are constantly pulling away from the massive rock in the middle of the river. If you decide to go left of the rock, your boat will most likely flip. (Rapid is pictured below)
Don't go left!
Ledges camp, mile 151. Stoke level was high as we pulled into camp. This camp is located just below Upset rapid- class nine. For upset rapid we pulled over and walked down to the rapid so we could scout and discuss what line we would take. We did so, and pushed off in a particular order and every boatsmen crushed it!!! What a rewarding feeling! Most of the big rapids were behind us now and it was time to pull out the Keg and celebrate!
The views from the Groover aka the toilet on the canyon are pretty great!
And so is the sky at night.
It's very important to stay hydrated on the canyon.
Home for 14 days.
The inflatable kayak was enjoyed by all!
One of my favorite places to be- rowing a boat!
There's little to no privacy on these river trips.
Coziest place to sleep
Notice the color of the water? This water color is a lot more common than the clear water we had in the beginning of the trip.
One of my absolute favorite days on the canyon was spent hiking up Havasu. We played in the water, climbing under waterfalls and jumping into the blue water. Some of us opted to hike our way down through the water so that on the last portion we could float back through a small slot canyon.
My heart was so full in this moment.
Here's a shout out to the best BAILERS EVER!! BAIL GIRLS, BAIL FASTER!!!!!! I CANNNN'T!
Do you know the great thing about rowing a bucket boat down massive rapids ??
They are nearly impossible to flip!
Megan telling me how she really feels.
We called this beach, F-You Beach. On this day in particular we experienced some crazy winds and were unable to row our boats down river, having to pull over to make camp for the night. When we woke in the morning we all were covered in sand.
We huddled together and embraced the sand storm.
Well, all of us except Boulder..
LAVA FALLS, CLASS 10.
Lava, running at a class ten, is the biggest rapid on the Grand Canyon. As you enter the rapid there is a giant ledge hole (which almost takes up the entire width of the river) that if you went into it, your boat will 100% flip. On the left side of the river is a series of rocks and pour overs, making it impossible to raft, so your only run down the river is on the right. You could sense the nerves as we hiked up the trail to scout. I still remember as I crested the hill I looked out at Lava and was blown away by its sheer power. I had never seen anything like this before. We discussed our run and the order from first to last and we fastened our helmets and pushed off! As the raft floated down the bubble line leading up to the rapid I was completely calm. This is the biggest rapid on the river, the one everyone talks about, and I was calm. "Get ready to punch the shit outta these waves, and lets do this!!!" I shouted to Sarah and Avery. And we did. We hit everything perfectly and in that moment all my self doubt I'd been facing got lost in the water below me.
Picture above is of Sarah and I just below Lava Falls at Tequilla Beach. High on life! Stoke level 10!!
"You are always above Lava, and even when you get past it, you're above it until you run it again"-Brian Conn
What a magical place.
Comentarios