Grand Canyon Dispatches: A Dynamic Journey Through the Earth's Bottom

Embark on a rafting trip through the Grand Canyon began by dialing a phone number that I received in an Instagram DM from a stranger. The message said, "Hey, I know it's out of the left field, especially since we have never met and you have no idea who I am – and a little on short notice – but I have an open place on my boat to float through the Grand Canyon in three weeks. "I was intrigued to say the least, and a few days after asking friends about the messenger and the potential adventure, I decided that it was worth it." make the call to further investigate the opportunity

of questions and to like the answers and vibrations that I have received, I have accepted "spontaneously" l & # 39; 39; unique invitation-chance to participate in this private-guided rafting trip for nine nights.I did not know it yet, but I had made a big decision

On the 9th day of the 18th trip, I joined a group of 15 people scattered among eight rafts with 10 days of supply.From Phantom Ranch, the last half of the trip with my riparian friends allowed nine days to travel the remaining 192 miles through the gorges Granite and 70 Rapids

What rapids, what adventures, way of life, community and living conditions in which I was – I had no knowledge. I felt a little like John Wesley Powell, the first to explore this region in 1869 and put it on the map, embarking on this foreign expedition. In a newspaper that was later published as the popular book "Exploring the Colorado River and its Canyons," Powell wrote, "What falls, we do not know, what stones besiege the cbad, we do not know do not know, what walls rise above the river, we do not know … With a little eagerness, some anxiety and a little worry, we enter the canyon and are swept away by the fast water through the walls that rise from its edge. "

The Grand Canyon flows in an abundance of water. History, geology and adventure Archaeologists believe that Amerindians inhabited the rim and canyon year-round, about 4,000 years ago.The first groups of people crossing the canyon and surrounding areas while hunting game and migrating during seasonal changes are 10,000 years old. Thropologists, the Havasupai tribe has lived in and around the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for the past 800 years. Today, Havasupai and Hualapai bookings are located on the south shore of the Canyon. The Navajo Reserve and Hopi Reserves are located east of the Canyon.

Floating through the morphing walls and observing the different types of rocks present sparked fascination. The Grand Canyon is a world-renowned geological site. There are nearly 40 layers of important sedimentary rocks exposed in the Grand Canyon, whose ages range between 200 million and almost 2 billion years old. Fortunately, I shared a raft with a geology enthusiast, who gave me knowledge and terminology. I chose Vishnu Schist as my favorite rock because it is one of the oldest rock formations, at an unfathomable level estimated to be 1.75 billion years old. It's jet black and incredibly gorgeous. I kept thinking, "This Vishnu has seen so much."

Less than 30 minutes after joining the adventure at Phantom Ranch, the group told me I was in a treat . We would stop to make the first quick fast of the trip. They gave me a quick and complete security briefing.

Several times a day, we fired the boats in a swirl upstream of the big rapids. tied the bow line to the trees on the shore. We walked trails at lookout points to spot our rapids lines.

Everyone in the group goes to the scout. It's fascinating how they read the water's hydraulics.

After crossing several clbad 3-7 rapids safely and conquering the proper mileage, we stopped at a designated camp that served as a refuge for the night. . The stretch of Colorado River that winds through the Grand Canyon often uses a different scoring system for rapids. The Clbad 1-10 system that is used in the Grand Canyon is more or less parallel to Clbades I to V on the International River Difficulty Scale (ISRD). These categories, or "clbades", give an idea of ​​the level of proficiency (novice to expert) required to navigate a specific waterway.

Every afternoon, we found a new site to spend the evening. Camps dot most of the 277-mile canyon on the shores of Colorado – however, not all are easily spotted or vacant.

The sun ends with ducks below the canyon wall, bringing in the shade. After a long day in the sun, big smiles and easy energy sweep the group. Cards, mancala, chess and intelligent word games entertain the group once the boats are unloaded and the kitchen, garbage and groover (bathroom) are established. Work first, play second – and there is always plenty of time for both

D & # 39; others use this opportunity alone – read a book, write or take it cold, while drawing the waters of Colorado to rinse the sand and sweat in an epic bath. The body adapts quickly to the cooling of the water and ends up coming back again and again, regardless of the cold, but only relief that they bring stifling temperatures.

Every evening after the river baths, we gather in camping chairs to share a meal cooked by a team of sailors. The lizards looked at rocks nearby while stories, jokes and laughter filled the space, and we chewed with gratitude the prepared meal

line of four buckets of river water, two of which we heated on a flame and added either soap or bleach to sanitize. Then people gathered to tidy up the food, clean the kitchen and filter the water from the buckets so that the food particles ended up in the bins instead of in the river. We all worked together every morning, afternoon and evening to ensure a tidy camp – using the Leave No Trace methodology

After long busy days, with depleted energy reserves, an early bedtime and slightly cooler twilight temperatures were well received. Some camped on beach beds, others slept on rafts. Sleeping high ground is the best choice, so crawling crawlers (like scorpions, spiders and snakes) do not get you while you rest. Just the sounds of water, wind and desert creatures remained once we retreated.

In the summer, the mornings arrive early. The sun rose around 5 am – and the wake up call "COFFEE!" sounded around the camp at 5.30 am, followed by large steaming carafes to fill our cups at the beginning of the birds.

We quickly made and ate a group breakfast, used the groover, practiced personal hygiene, packed the kitchen, secured personal belongings on our rafts , pumping rafts and cleanly sweeping the camp

To protect the pristine environment and reduce our impact, we use all the groove. It is said that the name "Groover" came days before placing a plastic toilet seat on the Rocket Box. People were sitting on the metal rectangular Rocket Box and, as a result, when they had finished their business, they had printed grooves on their backs.

The paddle system notified of others if the groover was busy.

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We leave in a group every morning around 7 am to start miles in Colorado. Some days we did more miles than others. Shorter mileage days allowed for epic treks on a variety of spectacular waterfalls, oases and canyons

A three-mile hike to a waterfall began early, we tried to beat the heat before reaching a small oasis in the sky. We climbed thousands of feet on rocky laces and exposed cliff paths. The heat came quickly and radiated stone walls, baking us like a convection oven.

We consumed all our water with the knowledge that we could soon fill our bottles on the waterfall

Spring has served "all you can drink", cold water like ice. Oh, and the mint plants have become wild here. We infused our bottles of water with the grbad;

I was surprised not only by the amount of side-hiking and physical activity that we have every day, but by the sheer number springs, waterfalls and swimming holes on each side of the river. The short hike to this waterfall and pool led to the chicken fight and the ultimate relaxation.

Havasu Falls is a sought after destination. We had planned to arrive earlier to be able to have everything for us.

From the river, there is a path that leads to the falls, a course in the turquoise waters of the canyon. From the rim, there is a ten-mile hike to reach the falls. The water in Havasu is turquoise because of calcium carbonate, a mineral found in the rocks

We laughed for joy (and our friend who had trouble swimming in a deep part of the cleft with a strong current.)

I n 39 had never felt an incessant heat and dries like in the big Canyon. The winds blowing through the canyon looked like a hair dryer, forcibly expelling hot, dry air. The imposing rock radiated torrid temperatures when the sun was cooking all it touched

The shady canyons of midday and the icy waters of their falls offered a refuge and pure delight.

Long and quiet expanses of water made for a few slow days on the river

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L & rsquo; One of them is the falcon tarantula, a wasp that has supposedly the most painful sting of any wasp in the world.It attacks the tarantulas, paralyzing them with a sting before dragging them into a den. Here, it lays an egg that hatches into larvae and devours the living paralyzed spider – over the course of several weeks.

My first hike, I ran my hand through a beautiful lush green plant that I was pbading by there. I stopped in my tracks while the plant dug multiple thorns in different points of my hand. Ouch!

Basic Rule: Do not touch any plant here – most are not friendly and will sting and snag skin.

The walls of the canyon so high that the sun would disappear around 16 or 17 hours Some days. However, the light remained until 22 hours, creating interesting hues and lighting

The rising and setting of the moon above the canyon was more dramatic from our point of view. Moonlight was playing on the walls, bouncing off the surfaces, and constantly shifting shadows as the moon changed position in the sky.

Overall, beers, laughs, games, shenanigans, introspection, and strong links defeated the Grand Canyon landscape

We Overcame Lava Falls together, the tallest Grand Rapids (Clbad 10), and one of the most revered whitewater in the United States. Fortunately, a wooden rowing that broke in two on this race was our only loss.

Exactly 192 miles after meeting the group halfway, we parted the Colorado River converging on Lake Mead. At the point of embarkation, we fled, we said goodbye and we headed each one of us – we are all happier, more fulfilled and happier.

Photos by Jo Savage.

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