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| Rafting | 281.00 Miles |
1,926 AEG |
| | Rafting | 281.00 Miles | 8 Days | | |
| 1,926 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | First trip of the season with Arizona River Runners was more than I could have hoped for- a kick-pumpkin all-girl crew, fantastic passengers, and great weather.
There were condor sightings right away near the Navajo Bridge, always a treat to watch the giants soar. Got to drive more than usual the first day, including Soap Creek Rapid. Chelsea and Julie had to change a motor due to technical difficulties in the Roaring 20s, which I think upped the passengers confidence in their all-female crew. Camped the first night at South Canyon and got to spend some quality moonlight time with the ruins and petroglyphs after the passengers had gone to bed.
Led a hike to the ruins in the morning before continuing on to Redwall Cavern. There was a pull-up contest and I took silhouette pictures of Micro Chicken.
Spent the afternoon playing in the Little Colorado River before making it to Cardenas for camp the second night. The Hilltop Ruin loomed above camp and I took a moonlight hike to check it out. Has a very hostile and defensive feel to it with 360 degree views and small holes for shooting arrows, versus the happy village feeling found at South.
The next day we ran the entire granite gorge- I got to drive Sockdolager, which is always a super-fun hit, and both Chelsea and Julie aced their runs of all the big stuff. They are an inspiration and really great teachers to learn from. Slip-slided toward Shinumo Creek waterfall for a dip, and then spent the night at a camp above Blacktail Canyon. As we arrived, there were 20-25 bighorn sheep babies and moms milling about at river level on the opposite side. We all watched while they figured out the way to get up the Tapeats break to the Tonto Platform. It was a very complex route, requiring them to get the right sequence of tiny ledges and then a big jump across a gap from one ledge to the next. We all cheered as they made it one by one. I told a story in the evening about my disastrous Royal Arch Loop trip that I did in 2010.
The next day I rode with Julie. We stopped at Blacktail Canyon which has great acoustics for a concert by Julie and some of the passengers. It was also Waterfall Day- how could you not like a day with a name like that? I drove Conquistador Aisle, one of my favorites, and ran Fossil Rapid for the first time. We stopped at Stone Creek for lunch and a dip and then on to Deer Creek Falls. Hiked some folks up to the oasis of The Patio- it was definitely a toasty hike, but nothing like it will be later in the season. After the waterfalls, we camped at Football Beach and I told the folks that I'd tell them another story. Except I tricked them and came out with a set of speakers and did a bellydance performance instead! It's amazing what you can carry on one of the big motor rigs. The camp next to us was a Western trip and their crew came over wandering-minstrel style to our camp and their group Blammity Blam did a concert of river songs on the boatman's box. Good times.
The next day we went to Havasu and swam while watching ravens take advantage of unsuspecting people's snacks and sandwiches. The drive to Lava Falls wasn't blazing hot for once. Chelsea and Julie had great runs through Lava and we camped at Chock Rock Camp for our last evening with the 6-day trip.
The next morning we said a sad goodbye to our wonderful passengers as they flew out at Whitmore Wash, mile 187. A new group of 28 flies in at the helipad and we had them for two nights. The new group was super friendly and helpful. I got to drive most of the lower trip, it was a great learning experience and I am finally feeling the current and getting better at reading water.
We camped at 209 mile and the next morning I drove 209 and had a great run, then we dropped folks off for a hike to Pumpkin Springs and the refreshing jump into the river. I drove most of the day, and then we camped at Truckseat.
The final morning, Julie put a special spin on the pancakes: http://youtu.be/TWWPedDClhk I got my wrist slammed in the boatman's box but thankfully it didn't do much damage and there was an orthopedic surgeon on hand to check it out. We visited Travertine Grotto for some final waterfall action and then drove them to the jet boat. After the jet boat picked up the passengers, we had the rest of the day to drive to the takeout at Pearce Ferry. We took it easy, floating and swimming and having a fantastic time. We didn't see any other trips on the runout, so it was just us girls till the end. We didn't see another woman driving a motorboat the entire trip. What a special experience it was to run with three amazing, strong, talented women. The passengers loved that we were an all-female crew and told us repeatedly. What a great way to start my season!!! |
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