Here are several links to descriptions of past
trips by some of the participants.
1) Description of
1998 trip by Roger Carter
2) Roger Carter's
recommended "what to bring" list
3) Keith
Scoular's log and diary from 1998 trip
4) Photos by Bill
Lieske, a past participant on at least 11 of our River trips
GEOLOGY RAFT TRIP THROUGH
May 13-20, 2007
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
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 13, 2007. In order to launch with us, you will
need to attend a safety orientation on May 12 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 of May 12, you may camp on
the soft red shales near the Hatch warehouse. For
those who wish, lodging is available at Cliff Dwellers Lodge adjacent to the
Hatch Warehouse. Rates range from $64 to $77 (2006 prices, 10% AAA discount
available). Up to 4 people may share a room. You will need to make your own
reservations (1-800-433-2543). 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 (928) 355-2230)
Food service
doesn't begin until we launch; you will need to take care of all meals prior to
launch on May 13. 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
13, 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 20): 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 an "after-the-trip" party on Saturday, June 2. It is a chance to share reflections and meet people from previous trips. You may also meet and brief people going on our July 30 trip; they have been invited to get information from you and attend an orientation session for their trip. We start about 5:00 pm and go until whenever. Put this on your calendar!
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?
Tents and sleeping
bags can be rented from Hatch River Expeditions for an additional charge. Contact them at 1-800-433-8966.
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
May I bring a camp chair?
Yes, a great
idea---but keep it small! Inexpensive canvas camp chairs that collapse
into a bag a couple of feet long and less than 10" wide are now widely
available for under $20. Please
note that extravagant versions of this (extension foot rests, rockers) do not
work well in the sandy environments we camp in. You want to be able to
collapse the thing easily in the morning and not struggle with sand-clogged
slider mechanisms. Keep it simple! Under no circumstances should you
bring an aluminum lawn chair. These cannot be packed in our duffel pile,
are cumbersome to load, and get mangled.
Those taking all their gear out on the helicopters may have to leave
their chairs behind.
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
$2157 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 and this was given to a crew of
4. 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 $2057, not $2157. You need to bring the
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? This worries me a lot!
This trip 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.
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 one or two solar shower bags at a camping store. You can pull these out at the campsite, fill
them 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). 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 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. 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. You do not want to 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, the biggest raven on the River.
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. Three tips for buying sport sandals: (1) Get the variety with the
strap that comes over the top of your toes rather than between the toes. You
will want to wear socks at times to keep the sun off. (2) Consider buckles
rather than Velcro straps. The Velcro is more convenient (most people use it),
but be forewarned that it can fail after repeated soakings and heavy use. (3) Tevas© and competitor brands now come in a variety of
progressively more expensive models. The cheapest version is just fine.
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).
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. Each morning, the crew
fires up a small electric generator 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.
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). The toll-free number
of Hatch River Expeditions is 1-800-433-8966. Sincerely, Paul Knauth,
Professor of Geology,
FIELD TRIP
ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RELEASE
FIELD TRIP
DESTINATION: Raft Trip through
DATE(S) OF FIELD
TRIP (INCLUDING TRAVEL): May 13-May 20, 2007
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________________, 2007.
________________________________
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
Contact-lens wearers advise us that soft lenses tend to work best in the sandy river
environment.
Camp chair (optional, must collapse into a duffel bag several feet long and <10” wide)
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 or Darla Ekbom: (480) 329-6081; Dekbom@sprintmail.com
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
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 Grand
Canyon river trip is really like. Abbey captures perfectly the riotous, raunchy
fun of the voyage, along with just the right hint of the deep spiritual
experience the trip becomes for many of those who take it.”
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. This 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. Down the Great
Unknown: John Wesley Powell’s 1869 journey of discovery and tragedy through the
Paul Knauth
Department of Geological
E-mail:
Knauth@asu.edu
(480) 965-2867
office
(480) 965-8102 fax