We started out on Friday May 23th and got home on Monday May 26th. The river was rising but we hit the rapids at about 32,000 cfs.
Cutty put out the email asking who was in and I knew we had to try and make it. I ran it by Ash and she said "maybe, if somebody can watch the kids". She thought that was a safe answer but I immediately sprung into action. I then called Coco, my parents and Ashley's parents and they all agreed to take a night. We were set and I called Ash back and said we were going. I then called Cutty and reported we were in! "What????? Alright!!!" said Cutty... Ash was a little taken back by my initiative to say the least.
But what the hell? After reading Ed Abbey, Wallace Stegner and John Wesley Powell I practically knew the canyon's rapids and tributaries. This was a chance we could not turn down. And I am so glad we didn't...
We put in at Potash at about 9:00 pm and floated into the night. Got a few rain drops as we floated but you really got the feeling that everyone was ready to leave civilization behind. Not a lot of talking, but a bunch of great energy and vibes. On the trip were Erin Strub (Denver), PJ Antonik (Mass.), Greg Madsen, Mr and Mrs. Cutty, Ash and Chris Giles and Lizzie and James Badger. 9 total.
Good photo's are credited go to Erin Strub. The rest are GoPro's.
That first night we searched hard for a beach to camp on. Midnight rolled around and everyone was starting to look for their sleeping bags in case we had to spend the night on the boats. Then a camp fire was spotted along with a long white sandy beach. The party that was already there said we could camp and helped us unload. haha.... They were at the end of a long night and ours was just starting. I didn't get much sleep as the birds were literally up all night singing. I think I was tricked into dawn several times. Very surreal nights sleep.
Breaky hit the spot with muffins, fruit, bagels and OJ.
View from camp.
Erin was stoked to have some sunshine as we floated.
Back of the boat!
E-Dawgs's!
The mouth of Indian Creek where we took a hike to a water fall.
On the way in...
5 out of 9 of the group.
We found a ruin and Cutty checked it out. You have got to wonder what it was like 2,000 years ago..
Some geology.
The Cutty's!
View from camp
Boats unloaded on the second night.
Sent off a good omen the night before the rapids. We all thought it would crash but it cleared the rim of the canyon.
It rained the morning of the rapids so Erin got out the umbrella and brewed the coffee. It was a great morning to sit in the tent and listen to the rain patter.
Getting breakfast going.
It's amazing how everyone comes together and pulls their weight, but nobody pulls more weight than this guy!
A view of the Doll's House before the rapids.
Assistant Head Rope Coiler James gets us safely ashore.
Horse shoe match where the loser had to set up the Biffy. PJ and I defeated Ashley and Cutty for the win!
Cutty found the perfect spot on the beach....Snugged up on the back side of Greg's tent!
Group shot minus Grigarii and James.
"Hey Grigarii, Its the last tortilla and you said you were hungry".... "What do you say we Lady and the Tramp the last fajita???"
Wait for it....
There we go....
Great bon fire that night. The guitar made the trip and it hit the spot. Little Boxes and Aliens into the night.
Erin takes in a cup of coffee.
Group shot.
Almost loaded up.
Cutty...
The sun finally came out and lit up the desert.
Exiting the canyon the rocks got smoother. Not as jagged as the put in.
Down below Cutty's is thinking about applying for a Play Girl shoot...
Lizzie and Ash right before the whitewater started.
Lizzie and James relaxing.
Photo bomb with the Doll's House on the horizon.
James with a photo bomb of his own.
Rare form, James was an excited Mexican. Screaming all the way through the rapids. Not a care in the world and that's why we all came!
Setting up for a sender.
Looking down canyon mid float.
Awe Smush!
Looking at the rain moving in. We had a great time this night in the vestibule. We moved dinner and all the camp chairs into a cramped, but fun quarters...
Turning off the GoPro for the night.
Group shot on the way out.
What an original experience right in our backyard. Great group, good chemistry and an unforgettable window in time.
Thanks,
Chris Giles
