GEOLOGY RAFT
TRIP THROUGH
May 12-19, 2008
The ASU geology trip is a special charter with Hatch River
Expeditions, the oldest and best of the commercial companies. We launch
from Lees Ferry and travel on large motorized rafts to mile 185. Helicopters
lift us to Diamond Bar Ranch in
PRE-TRIP ORIENTATION SESSION FOR LOCAL PARTICIPANTS: Those
living in the
The orientation session
will include an overview of the trip, slides of what the rafts are like, a
brief introduction to the geology, and answers to questions. We will also try
to match up those who need a ride with those who can offer one. Several
participants have gone with us previously and can provide additional insights
regarding the experience.
RENDEZVOUS AT HATCH RIVER EXPEDITIONS FACILITY : This trip originates at the
Hatch River Expeditions facility located next to Cliff Dwellers Lodge on
Highway 89A, about 14 miles west of Marble Canyon. You will have to arrange
your own transportation to the rendezvous point. Most participants will
drive from Phoenix to Flagstaff and then north on HW89 for about 110 miles
until 89A branches off to the left at Bitter Springs (do not continue on HW 89
toward Page!) and crosses the new bridge over the Colorado River. If you arrive
early, it is worthwhile to stop at the new Visitor’s Center on the north side
of the new bridge (east side of road). There is an excellent gift shop with maps
and books about the area. You can also walk out over the old bridge for a
stupendous view of the river gorge. From the Visitor’s Center, continue west on
89A about 14miles to Cliff Dwellers Lodge and the Hatch Facility. There is a
large warehouse on the north side of the road with a big "Hatch" sign
above.
For those traveling to the Hatch Warehouse from
The boats launch at 8:00 a.m. on May 12, 2008. In order to
launch with us, you will need to attend a safety orientation on May 11 at 7:30
p.m. at the Hatch Facility next to Cliff Dwellers Lodge. This is the latest
time at which you should arrive at the rendezvous point. You can park your
vehicle at this place for the duration of the trip.
LODGING AT THE RENDEZVOUS POINT: On the pre-launch night, you may camp on the soft
red shales near the Hatch warehouse. For those who
wish, lodging is available at Cliff Dwellers Lodge (Cliffdwellerslodge.com) adjacent
to the Hatch Warehouse. Rates are about $80 (10% AAA discount available). Up to
4 people may share a room. You will need to make your own reservations (1-800-962-9755). If you wish to do this, make your reservation
immediately. Other lodging near Lee’s Ferry (14 miles away) are Marble Canyon
Lodge (1-800-726-1789 or (928) 355-2225) and Lee’s Ferry Lodge at Vermillion
Cliffs (800) 451-2231)
Food service doesn't begin until we launch; you will need to take care
of all meals prior to launch. There are no cooking facilities available, but
you can bring camp stoves and ice chests which can be left in the vehicles.
Cliff Dwellers Lodge has meals at very reasonable rates, and most participants
take advantage of this convenience.
ON THE RIVER : About 7:30 a.m. on May 12,
Hatch personnel will transport us by van to the boat launch at Lees Ferry. Our
typical day will involve long float intervals with 3-5 extended stops to
examine various aspects of the geology. We try to camp about mid-afternoon at
side-canyons that afford good opportunities for individual exploration.
EXIT FROM THE RIVER (May 19): Our trip ends near
WHAT-TO-BRING LIST: A copy of the what-to-bring
list is given below. Those of you living in the
BOOKS ABOUT THE
LAWYER STUFF: Everyone
must sign the legal release given below. You can bring this one or sign a new
one the night before the trip.
PARTY/REUNION: Nancy
and I invite you to our annual River reunion party on Saturday, May 31.
For those who have been, it is a chance to share reflections and meet people
from previous trips. We start about 5:00 pm and go until whenever. Put this on your calendar if you live in the
area or can be in town!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Who runs the boats and who does the cooking?
The boats are operated by professional river guides employed by Hatch River
Expeditions Co. Hatch has a superb safety record and is the oldest and 2nd
largest outfitter on the river. The boatmen are assisted by a "swamper", who helps tie up the boats, cook, load, etc.
The boatmen and swampers do all the cooking. We have
had outstanding crew members on all previous trips.
The boat company provides the food; what about drinks?
Both drinking water and lemonade are available at all times. You will
have to provide your own soda and beer. Because this is a university-sponsored
trip, we ask that you not drink alcoholic beverages during the day. Your
day-supply of soda can be put in Hatch’s dunk bags that are hung over the side
for cooling (the river is 48°F, like your refrigerator). Your long-range supply
is stored during the day in the hold of the boat. Ice is available at night for
cocktails, but you will have to bring your own booze. Glass containers cannot
be stored with the duffel; please reload any booze into metal or plastic
containers.
Can I rent camping equipment?
Camping gear can be rented from Hatch River Expeditions for an
additional charge of about $50. Contact them at 1-800-856-8966.
Should I get ammo cans to store my gear in?
NO!! Row
trips often require everyone to store gear in military surplus ammo cans which
can be readily stacked and lashed in tiny rowboats. Our boats are much larger
and we store gear in a duffel pile. Soft-sided duffel is required for this to
work. If you bring an ammo can for anything, it will have to be lashed topside
between legs of people sitting in the “chicken coop” (see below) where it is
prone to scrape legs and generate enemies. Hard-case luggage of any kind should
be left at home.
Do I have to lug all my gear out in the helicopter at the end?
Only if you are not returning to the
How much gear may I bring?
There is no set limit on gear for people having their gear returned to
Those
who must take their gear with them to catch same-day or next-day flights from
Should I bring a camp chair?
No. Camp chairs are provided.
Will there be a lot of hiking?
We often do short group hikes up some of the side canyons during the
day. These are usually about ¼ mile, but the scrambling over rocks and ledges
often makes it seem longer. Some are longer. We try to camp early at the mouths
of side canyons that have longer hikes for those that want recreational hiking.
Because conditions and circumstances vary, we cannot guarantee that all
campsites will have these optional recreational hikes. There are special raft
trips that focus on long side-canyon group hikes. This is not one of them.
Will we get to see all the famous features such as Elves Chasm,
No. Many of these require 1/3 to ½ day to see
as well as dangerous rock climbing and/or lengthy hikes. We do see most of the
scenic icons associated with raft trips, but we stay focused on the
interpretive side. Each trip is different and we adapt to the weather, the
traffic, the time of day, and the flow rate of the River. Many of the most
magical side canyons become hell-holes during mid-day. We just cruise on
because others await. There is no shortage of
spectacular features in the Canyon. It is beyond belief and the best way to
approach it all is to come without expectations of what you will see. I doubt
you will be disappointed.
What is the story on tipping and other "hidden" costs?
It has become customary to tip boatmen. They do not get paid very much
and they really knock themselves out for us. We have built a minimum $100 tip
into the $2300 advertised cost of the trip. River etiquette has it
that we pitch money into a hat on the last night, so you should bring at least
$100 in cash for this purpose. The leaders count it, announce the results, and
give it to the head boatman who divvies it up according to their custom
(usually even splits). The average tip last year was $120 per participant. You
are certainly not required to make the tip. I do ask that you talk with me
about the reasons if you decline. Many past participants have commented that
the service is so good that we should advise a large tip. Please recognize that
this is probably less than you would spend on tips if you vacationed for a week
in a hotel.
Again, please note that the tip is given on the River at the end of the
trip. You are paying Hatch River Expeditions $2200, not $2300. You need
to bring the $100 cash with you! There has been some confusion about this
in recent years, so please contact me if you have any questions.
The helicopter pilots once had a small sign over the instrument panel
saying "tips welcome" with a $5 bill in a clip. Some gave the pilot a
few bucks; others didn't. I wouldn't be surprised if the airplane pilots don't
do something similar one of these years because many of them normally shuttle
tourists around on sight-seeing trips. We have never tipped the airplane
pilots.
The other costs hinge around the gear you choose to bring. Much of this
can be rented at camping stores or at the
What kind of people go on these trips? Will there be
college students carousing and partying late into the night? I hear there is a lot of nudity on raft
trips. What kind of restraints are
there?
This is a university-sponsored trip and is on the more serious side
relative to commercial or recreational river trips. Our main purpose is to see
the Canyon and try to understand some of the geologic story behind the scenery.
Geologic presentations are aimed at the serious layperson with little or no
background in the subject. Those interested in more technical explanations have
ample time for one-on-one discussions with me. The age range is usually from
about 21 to 70. This is purely an outreach trip; there is no academic credit
offered or available.
Everyone seems to have a great time and the issue of carousing or
partying has never been a problem. We insist that people be able to sleep in
peace as soon as it gets dark. Anyone carrying on loudly will be asked to tone
it down or disperse for the evening. In the few cases when this was necessary,
the offenders were extremely apologetic and responded immediately. We have had
really great, cooperative people on all our past trips. The key thing here is
that one person’s fun should never become another person’s irritant.
We often encounter nudists on the River, especially among the
non-commercial groups. This is something
we do not allow on our raft excursion. Other trips have different rules, but
this one is a university-sponsored outreach effort and we act accordingly. We insist that everyone respect the privacy
of others in bathing and bathroom situations.
Various protocols regarding the issue will be discussed in the group
meeting the night before the trip.
Is the tip for the boatmen included in the fee I pay
The tip is part of our advertised price but is not included with the fee
you pay Hatch. You are encouraged to give a cash tip to the boat crew the
last night we camp. I know that this is repeating what was said above.
How do I keep clean? Here are the water sources:
The River itself. The river is normally
clear, cold water released from the bottom of
Side streams. Many of the side-canyons have flowing streams. These are
generally very clear and “warm” enough to soak in. A few have waterfalls and
swirl-pools that beat any Jacuzzi. For ecological reasons, you may not use soap
in these streams.
To take a shower, get yourself a solar shower bag at a camping
store. You can pull this out at the campsite, fill it with cold River
water and wait about an hour. The water warms up to air temperature (in
the 80’s or 90’s) or warmer, depending if you lay them in the sunshine or on a
black rock. Two small bags are much more convenient than one large heavy
one. The kind you can hold in one hand is particularly handy (so to speak), but
these are getting hard to find. Please note that it does not help to lash
these to the boat during the afternoon to allow lots of solar heating. We
camp mostly in the shade and by the time you get set up or wait until dark, the
water cools back to air temperature. Also, the bags are a real nuisance
on the boat and can get easily damaged there.
What happens in case of serious illness or injury?
The boatmen have satellite radios (for emergency use ONLY), and can call for an
emergency helicopter if a medical situation is critical. Please note that
emergency helicopter service is now run by the National Park Service and has
become extraordinarily expensive. A bill of over $4,000 is now possible. Please
check with your health insurer to see if this cost is covered. If not, contact
Hatch River Expeditions (1-800-433-8966) about insurance options. Cell phones
do not work anywhere in the Canyon.
This all sounds great, but what do I do when I have to go to the
bathroom?
Urination into the river is the only acceptable practice. The volume of
river water is so enormous that there is no sanitation problem with this
procedure. Land areas away from the river are off-limits because, frankly, it
leaves a smell for the groups behind us. Remember, someone will probably camp
the next night very near where you just did. Every stop offers secluded
areas along the river for privacy. We can also pull over at any time if the
need arises. In addition, there is a deep motor well at the back of the boats
which is often used while cruising. Don't worry about having to hold it in.
For the more serious activity, the boatmen set up self-contained porto-potties in highly secluded areas at the campsites. A
special "day-tripper" is available for use during the day, although
many boatmen will stop and set up the porto
if necessary. This induces an impromptu
geology talk for the rest of the group. All human waste is carried out with us. The
boatmen lovingly tend to this using a high-tech sealing system built into the porto-potties. The procedure works well, but be ready for
an open-air bathroom.
Midnight trips to the River can be bothersome, especially if you are
camped far away. A solution is to bring a wide-mouthed water bottle for
use as a "tent chamber pot". You can carry it to the River in
the morning. It is a good idea to wrap this special-use item in duct-tape
and mark it with a skull and crossbones. Never
get this one mixed up with your REAL water bottle!
What about food for vegetarians?
The boat company provides vegetarian meals if notified in advance. No
problem, just contact Hatch River Expeditions.
Is there a danger from snakes, scorpions, and other critters?
Yes. We occasionally see a snake and I am sure there are scorpions around.
There is little to fear, however. We will give you a few commonsense rules to
minimize any danger. There is no danger of being attacked. The biggest nuisance in
usually the ravens. These clever thieves will pick through your duffel
if you leave things scattered about. We have seen them flying away with socks
and underwear! One flew away with a
packet of pink Pepto-Bismol tablets and became, for a time, one enormously big
bird.
What is the food like?
Everyone says it is excellent and there is lots of it. Hatch River
Expeditions usually throws away more food than other companies bring. Breakfast
is usually eggs the way you want them, bacon, sausage, potatoes, fruit,
biscuits, juice, hotcakes and cowboy coffee. Lunch is typically a spread of sandwich
fixings with an assortment of meats, salad, and tuna salad. Suppers are likely
to include steak, chicken, or veal with a good selection of veggies, salad,
potatoes, rice and dessert. A specialty is Mexican food night. If you eat
everything available that night you may be visited before dawn by--THE ROMERO BROTHERS!
What is the weather like? What should I wear?
The long range forecast is for perfect weather. Mid-late May can be a
bit cooler and drier than later in the season. The first night at the Hatch
Warehouse is at an elevation of 4500'. If the night skies are clear,
temperatures could dip into the upper 30's. Subsequent camps on the river
should be considerably warmer. The lower stretches of the river will get
downright hot.
You will be in the open air the entire time. There is always a chance of
rain, and you should come prepared. One year it snowed on an ASU trip, but that
was very unusual. Bring a good rain-suit (hooded jacket and pants). Ponchos are
not good enough and interfere with the efficiency of life-jackets. Your tent
should have a rain-fly. Come prepared for the possibility that it is going to
rain for 2 straight days (it is not impossible at this time of year!). Even if
doesn’t rain, you will need rain gear for cold-water protection in the morning
rapids. Do not show up without a hooded rain jacket and rain pants!
When the sun is shining, it can get quite hot. Air blowing over the cold
river keeps us comfortable on the boats, but the sun can be a killer. Bring a
good sun hat--one with a wide brim and a hold-down strap that goes under your
chin. This is IMPORTANT because winds approach hurricane strength along some
stretches of the River. You will need plenty of sunscreen. I recommend long
pants, long-sleeved shirts, socks if you have open-air footwear,
and even some white gloves if you are sensitive to the sun. Sunburn is one of
the biggest hazards of the trip. You get the reflection from the river in
addition to the direct rays. Sleeping on the ground is bad enough for most of
us soft, lazy Americans--try sleeping on sunburned ears! Remember: it is always
easy to peel off layers if you want some sun.
What kinds of footwear work best?
Different river runners have different preferences. Sport sandals have
become very popular. They are unsurpassed for walking up streams. The traction
is incredible and you can actually walk on wet, water-smoothed rock. Sand can't
get trapped and your feet dry out rapidly afterwards.
These types of shoes do have some disadvantages. Your feet are unprotected
when walking through grass and brush and there is no ankle support. Gravel can
also collect between your foot and the sandal. While great in streams, these
are terrible hiking shoes on dry ground. You will need to bring additional
footwear for walks over dry ground.
When exploring the side canyons, it is inevitable that your feet will
get wet. For this reason, leather hiking boots and leather athletic shoes
should be left at home. Non-leather boots and athletic shoes work fine, but
they take time to dry out. A good combination is a pair of sport sandals and a
pair of nylon sport boots or beefy athletic shoe. Keep whatever you aren’t
wearing in your day pack and you can then use whatever the occasion demands.
You should have 2 sets of footwear in any case.
When buying sports sandals, be sure to get the variety with the strap
that comes over the top of your toes rather than between your toes. You will
want to wear socks at times to keep the sun off. You want the most ventilation possible so
that your feet dry out as fast as possible (especially wet socks). However, it is highly desirable to have your
toes covered. This keeps you from
snagging the horizontal root stringers that grow from the tamarisk trees on
many of the beaches and also protects in other ways. The Teva “Toachi”, Teva “Karnali
Wraptor”, or “Keen “Zerraport”
look like the right idea (Google ‘em).
‘What are the rapid rides like in the big boats?
There are several places to be on the boat as it goes through rapids.
The “chicken coop” or “tea room” is a box-like area just behind the duffel pile
in the center of the boat. Riders in this area stay safe and fairly dry going
through the rapids but still experience some of the wildness. The side pontoons
can be straddled for rides through all but the biggest rapids. This is a very
wild ride comparable to what small boats experience, maybe even better. Riding
the pontoons carries a strong element of risk, and you should not do this
unless you are prepared to hang on tightly. Sitting on the boardwalk along the
sides and inside the pontoons is the safest place, but it gets pretty wet. A
small area at the very front of the boat holds 2 people,
gets maximum water, amazing vertical views of the holes behind waves, and a
very wild ride. This is called the “fishbowl”. To simulate a ride in the
fishbowl, fill your refrigerator full of water, sit on the floor in front, and
open the door suddenly (as pioneered by past participant Roger Carter). River guides suggest riding the hood of your
car through your next carwash.
What is the danger of drowning? Can the boat tip over in a rapid?
While on the boat, you must wear a life jacket provided by the
outfitter. It is very unlikely that a huge raft like the ones we will be riding
will tip over. There is certainly an element of risk in any venture of this
sort, but note that over 20,000 people a year go down the Canyon safely.
In all our trips, only 4 people have ever fallen in; all were involved
with riding the side pontoons. In 3 cases, this happened in quiet water while
the victim was carelessly shifting toward a ride on the side pontoons. In the
other, a careless pontoon rider went over the side in a rapid. In the
extraordinary event you are thrown into the water, remember that it is actually
not as dangerous as it might seem. In 1958, two
Will people be smoking on the boats?
No. Although we are in the open air, we are close to each other on the
boats. We have decided to outlaw smoking while on the boats. There are frequent
stops, and participants may light up there.
Are children allowed?
No. Most children would probably not enjoy or appreciate the type of raft
trip we offer. They would be greatly outnumbered by adults and might not
understand what we are trying to accomplish. Parents might consume so much time
supervising that they miss what they came to experience. Our trips are designed
for college-age and older.
Will people be playing musical instruments or boomboxes?
No. The overall philosophy on our trips is to let people do whatever
doesn’t interfere with others. Musical offerings can be something other people
appreciate or resent. There really isn’t room for guitars or large instruments.
There once was some limited strumming in the evening and one group rallied
around a harmonica player after supper. People tend to scatter after dinner,
and we ask that whatever you do, you allow your fellow participants to enjoy
the natural sounds of the canyon without having to move very far away. We will
not force music on anyone. Under no circumstances should you bring a boombox or any kind of audio device that broadcasts through
speakers. Bring headphones if you bring a tape, CD, or Ipod
player!
May I fish?
Yes, but you need an Arizona Fishing License. The cooks will not cook
any fish you catch, so you will have to throw them back after you have finished
torturing them. Beware that the storage of poles can be a little awkward and
that they are subject to damage during loading and unloading.
Is it true that the tortured ghost of famed geologist/river explorer
John Wesley Powell still lurks about in the depths of the Inner Gorge and that ASU
raft trips usually experience an encounter?
Yes, but the apparition has sometimes been pretty pitiful. I will
try again this year to conjure up this perturbed spirit after the short evening
talk about Powell’s explorations and their significance.
I want to bring a camcorder and need to recharge batteries. Is
this possible?
Yes, if you bring your AC charger. The boatmen tend to have solar
powered batteries with 110V AC inverters.
You can plug in anytime. If not,
the crew fires up a small electric generator each morning to power a blower for
restoring lost air in the pontoon boats. There are a couple of 110V AC
outlets. You can plug in for about 20-30 minutes.
What is this I hear about “water wars”?
Although all participants are adults, water wars tend to
break out on and between boats along warm stretches of the River. These at least serve to cool everyone off, so
you may want to bring a water weapon.
The most effective seem to be the meter-long tubes that load by pulling
a plunger up while dipping the nozzle in water.
These are also useful for hosing off hot or muddy neoprene when we load
on the boats during hot days. Those not
interested in water wars can duck, recognizing that the exchanges are brief. Don’t waive a white handkerchief unless you
want to get it wet. The boatmen usually
have a couple of extra cannons, but bring your own if you want to take out some
aggressions (and get cool).
What is different about the experience on a one-boat vs
two-boat trip?
Two-boat trips require us to camp at larger campsites. This strongly affects the daily agenda
because large camp sites are getting rare.
A one-boat trip is more flexible because we can stop at considerably
smaller camps. We can do a few more
geology stops than on a 2-boater because it takes less time to get everyone
back to the boats. However, the extra
person on the one-boat trip will make things more crowded. We may ask people to bring a little less
gear. Space in the chicken coop will be
more in demand and prioritized for people who need to get dry. Camps are likely to be smaller resulting in
people having to camp somewhat closer together.
This is the first year we have offered an alternative one-boater, so it
remains to be seen if there will be differences in the camaraderie and group
esprit that has been so much fun on our previous multi-boat trips. There certainly won’t be any boat-to-boat
water wars. So, it may be an issue of
flexibility vs comfort. We shall see; all paths are good.
Does ASU or Hatch provide accident insurance?
No. Individuals are responsible for the cost of any emergency medical
treatments or emergency helicopter exit. You should have your own medical
insurance for this trip. You may want to check with your carrier regarding
reimbursement for an unlikely helicopter evacuation.
What if I must cancel?
All payments now go directly to Hatch River Expeditions. Please contact
Hatch for the current cancellation policies.
So what is this trip really like?
At any point along the river you are able to look at a single stretch of
canyon wall which, if it were anywhere else, would be a National Park all by
itself. That view also exists to your left and right, and behind you. As you
drift along, it goes on mile after mile and day after day until it becomes
something transcendental. The scenery and your experiences speak for
themselves. My job is to accompany you and point out aspects of the geologic
story at appropriate times. It is a tough job, but someone has to do it.
Feel free to call me if you have any questions (480-965-2867 office;
480-654-4159 home). The toll-free number of Hatch River Expeditions
is 1-800-433-8966.
Sincerely,
Paul Knauth, Professor
School of Earth and
FIELD TRIP ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RELEASE
FIELD TRIP DESTINATION: Raft Trip through
DATE(S) OF FIELD TRIP (INCLUDING TRAVEL): May 12-19, 2008
In consideration of my being allowed to participate in the field trip
described above, including any associated activities, travel, transportation,
and lodging (collectively, the "Field Trip"), I, the undersigned
hereby acknowledge that there are significant risks of physical harm and injury
inherent in participation in the Field Trip including, but not limited to,
exposure to risks in mountainous/wilderness setting, exposure to allergies and
poisonous plants, as well as animals in their natural environmental settings,
and connected activities in and around travel areas, and I assume the risk of
and hereby release and forever discharge the Arizona Board of Regents, Arizona
State University, and Geology Field Trips LLC, or their officers, regents,
agents, employees, directors and members. If I am under the age of 18 years, I
certify that I have obtained the signature of my parent or guardian allowing me
to participate in the Field Trip and that my parent or guardian has full
knowledge thereof.
I hereby assume all risks of injury that may be sustained by me in
connection with the Field Trip. I understand that it is my responsibility to
obtain all necessary permission or medical approval to participate in all
activities associated with the Field Trip or to verify that such permission has
been obtained on my behalf.
I certify that I have no pre-existing health condition or injury,
including without limitation, neck or soft tissue injury or condition that
could result in injury or reinjury to me in
participation in the Field Trip.
Dated this ____day of________________, 2008.
________________________________
Signature of Participant
_________________________________
Printed Name of Participant
__________________________________
Parent's/Guardian's Signature if Participant is under 18 years
Sleeping
bag (down bags are unnecessary for warmth, but they compress nicely) Sleeping
bags can be rented
from Hatch; let them know.
Ground
cloth and pad or air mattress (you usually can find soft sand to sleep on, but
the ground can be hard at some of the campsites; Thermarest™
self-inflatables are great)
Tent
(with rainfly) (Tents can be rented cheaply from
Hatch; let them know )
Sport
Sandals and hiking shoes
Sunglasses
(Polarized are best, a spare set is desirable)
Sport
strap or around-the-back-of-your-neck chain for eyeglasses and sunglasses
Sun
Hat with under-the-chin wind strap (one that keeps ears shaded is essential)
Spare
hat (in case your main hat blows away in a wind gust and sinks)
Suntan
lotion
More
suntan lotion
Toiletries
(soap, toothpaste, small mirror, etc.)
Moist
towelettes (Baby wipes)
Flashlight
Pocket
knife
Personal
first aid kit (for minor scrapes)
Camera
(consider a spare battery if your camera depends on one. Also, for fancy
cameras,
bring instructions on how to reset your camera's computer when
you replace the battery)
Camera
film (lots, more than you think you will need; spend some money here)
Soda and/or beer and/or wine and/or your alcoholic poison of
choice.
Duffel
bags for all gear (small bags are easier to carry than large ones). NO AMMO
CANS!
Day
pack (to be lashed on boat during day; pick up some caribiners
or other type of quick- disconnect clips that allow you clip and unclip
your pack quickly from a rope lashing).
Canteen or water bottle.
Shorts
Long
pants
Long
shirt
Wind
breaker
Warm
jacket
Swim
Suit (many participants wear this always as a basic layer)
Rain
gear (hooded jacket and pants--no ponchos; spend some money on this. Make sure
you are getting "water proof" rather than "water resistant"
rain-gear. “Water resistant” cannot hold up to the hosing you get transiting a
rapid)
Towel,
washcloth
Personal medication (aspirin, ibuprofen, sunburn relief
cream, allergy pills, etc.)
Wide-mouth
water bottle wrapped in duct tape for use as tent chamber pot
Water
Cannon for water wars
Pack
gear in waterproof, watertight bags. Special rubber river bags are available at
camping stores, but you can also pack gear in
plastic garbage bags and then stuff the bags inside a regular duffel bag. Store
gear for the day separate from other gear.
Questions? Call Paul Knauth: (480) 965-2867 (office);
(480) 654-4159 (home); Knauth@asu.edu.
See
also: http://www.public.asu.edu/~icrjc/Geology/GrandC/gear.htm for an
independent recommendation.
BOOKS ABOUT THE
GEOLOGY
Collier, Michael. 1980
Beus, Stanley
S. and M. M. Morales, eds. 1990.
Belknap's
Stevens'
Elston, Donald P. 1989. Geology of
Grand Canyon (with
Ranney, Wayne. 2005 Carving
Redfern, Ron, 1980. Corridors of Time: 1,700,000 Years of
Earth at Grand Canon. Times Books,
Powell, James Lawrence, 2005,
RIVER RUNNING
Lavender, David.
Ghiglieri, Michael P. 1992. Canyon.
Cooley, John. 1988. The Great Unknown. Northland
Publishing. The side-by-side journals of participants on the historic
and controversial first expedition down the
Beer, Bill. 1988. We Swam the
Kolb, Ellsworth. 1947. Through the Grand Canyon
from
Eddy,
Teal, Louise. 1994. Breaking into the Current.
Lindemann, Linda L. 1996. Colorado River Briefs for a Trip Through The
OTHER
Carothers, Steven W. and B.T. Brown. 1991. The Colorado River Through
Stephens, Hal G. and E.M. Shoemaker. 1987. In
the Footsteps of John Wesley Powell. Johnson Publishing Company. Photos made in
1872 compared with photos made in 1968. How much does the river change in 100
years? Take a look.
Webb, Robert H. 1996.
Zwinger, Ann H. 1995. Down Canyon.
Thoughts and meditations of a naturalist who is just as fascinated by the tiny
bugs and twigs as by the Canyon’s overwhelming scenery. Wonderful nature
writing, but might get a little tedious for fans of
Calvin, William H. 1986. The River that Flows Uphill.
Sierra Club Books. Details of an extended row trip
interspersed with musings on the deepest nature of things from a scientific perspective.
Written by a neurobiologist who apparently accepts current
scientific theories about natural history as fact. Occasional
profundities, but don’t take it too seriously. The author needs to travel with
us for a few days.
Blaustein, John, Edward Abbey, & Martin Litton, 1999
(reissue) The Hidden Canyon: A River Journey, Chronicle Books. One of our
regular participants (Howard Bond) has this to say about it: “It is the best
book available that describes, in Blaustein's
gorgeous
pictures, and the late Edward Abbey's incomparable prose, just what the
Canyon
Worster, Donald. 2001. A River Running West: The Life of
John Wesley Powell.
Stegner, Wallace, Beyond the
hundredth meridian: John Wesley Powell and the Second Opening of the West.
Penguin Thsi is a much celebrated work that frames
Powell and his work in terms of the bigger picture regarding settlement of the
American West. Lots of analysis of 19th century politics.
Could be an over-rated work.
Dolnick, Edward. 2001.
Down the Great Unknown: John Wesley Powell’s 1869 journey of discovery
and tragedy through the
Ghiglieri, M.P. and G.Y. Bradley, 2003, First through Grand
Canyon: The secret journals and letters of the 1869 crew who explored the Green
and
E-mail: Knauth@asu.edu
(480) 965-2867 office
(480) 965-8102 fax