Grand Canyon Rafting Trip 3-Aug-2011

twobjshelbys · #1 (**permalink**) 05-19-2011, 08:46 PM

Well, it happened... My friend had a trip scheduled for 31-Aug but was not able to make it and none of his alternates could do it either (it really sucks to get old you know.) So we'd been hatching a plan for me to inherit his trip. Mostly we were going to delay as long as possible to shorten the time for others - we were already prepared so our time to the trip wouldn't have changed. I also decided to try for other canceled dates. Well, yesterday two early August dates (3 & 7) came up so another buddy and I teamed up our lottery points and we won the 3-Aug date...

So, we're scrambling. I'm making no promises here about a seat on the trip, but if there are any experienced white water rafters - prior Grand Canyon experience preferred - let me know and we'll put you on our wait list.

The trip is for 16 people, 16 days. It will be outfitted - no private boats due to previous experiences.

Any other questions about what this is like ask here or PM me and we can go to email. Anyone who's been will tell you it is the experience of a life time.

By the way, this will be my 5th trip. In all likelihood my last.

601HP · #2 (**permalink**) 05-20-2011, 06:39 AM

16 days!! OMG!

That stuff can be thrilling! Peg and I did it about 16 years ago in West Virginia. Had the wet suits and helmets on. We were riding class 4 rapids. I got pitched out of the raft in the first two minutes!

The whole thing was a blast. I can't remember sleeping as soundly as I did the night after that trip.

I'm not sure my 58 year old body can endure a similar trip now!

David

wemooz · #3 (**permalink**) 05-23-2011, 12:03 PM

I have over 50 trips through the Canyon under my belt (and many more on other western rivers) and am a life member of the Grand Canyon River Guides. I am frequently a lecturer at the annual River Guide Training Seminar and was a participant instructor on this year's training trip, from April 1 to April 15. (A cold trip, by the way) Since I went as a guide, it does not count for the one trip per year restriction and I am allowed to go on a private or commercial trip this year. I also have substantial hiking experience in the canyon, and my name can be found in the various reference books about Harvey Butchart. I could be interested in the trip, but only if I could take my own raft. I do not like the 18 foot rafts that REO or PRO supplies, and am more comfortable in my 14 footer. Drop me a line if you have any interest. Bill

kayakjack · #4 (**permalink**) 05-23-2011, 12:19 PM

I am a whitewater kayaker. I have done the Colorado river in the Grand Canyon one time in 1993 outfitted by a Company that I believe is now gone (Expeditions Inc.). 225 miles (Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek). Two weeks. It is a great challenge in a kayak. I am proud to say I did it.

If you have the chance to do this, jump at it. It is an experience like no other. Words can not describe it.

Jack

badrich · #5 (**permalink**) 05-23-2011, 01:39 PM

In case you are thinking of signing up, here's my two bits worth. I've rafted most of the rivers in California over the years (sadly, no Cherry Creek) and spent 10 days on an oar boat on the Colorado a decade ago. At first I was disappointed we weren't paddling, but I was amazed at how much fun we had just hanging on. The amount of water in the big rapids has to be felt to be appreciated. Lava Falls lived up to its reputation. The Colorado is the perfect river for Cobra drivers!

Rich

twobjshelbys · #6 (**permalink**) 05-24-2011, 04:30 PM

I would like to add a follow up. I've been asked (here and by others) about "I'll come but only if I can bring my own boat". Sorry, we can't allow that. We have an outfitted trip meaning all of the boat gear and non-boat gear are matched. The PRO frames are designed to accommodate the PRO coolers and other stuff. In essence the presence of a non-PRO boat does not save us a boat, it merely adds a boat which in essence means the person is a single participant in a multi party trip. We tried this on my last trip. The other person is preoccupied with taking care of his boat and not helping with our stuff. There was a lot of angst over this. Without being able to see any boat and confirm that the gear we need will be accommodated by it we still have to have 5 boats and 5 boaters. I'm trying to add a boater, not a boat.

We did have a "sport boat" - a small cataraft. That person did have some of his own gear but could not carry everything so he fit in to the "one trip" model very well. In almost all respects he was a kayaker - they depend on the other boats for support.

So the answer is, Kayakers are welcome. Full boats cannot be accommodated. If we had a longer lead time with some work we might be able to work it out but I've got 4 weeks to organize and don't have time to work with other rigging.

wemooz · #7 (**permalink**) 05-25-2011, 10:07 AM

I might still be interested without my boat. But the 18 foot boats row like barges, especially with all of the very heavy and bulky things that they are outfitted with. They are virtually impossible to turn over, and thus are well suited to neophytes who might otherwise get into trouble, and they are the standard for not only PRO and REO but also for the NPS and for the commercial outfitters, such as CANX, AZRA, Moki Mac, etc. I simply do not like to row them, even though I can do it. Bill

twobjshelbys · #8 (**permalink**) 03-15-2012, 07:46 AM

I picked up another trip this summer. 25-Jul for 16 days. This time it is a smaller group (8 people, 3 boats).