GET READY FOR WHITEWATER!
Just as the snow from winter begins to melt, our thoughts and plans turn to the upcoming whitewater of summer. We polled some of the local veterans with similar questions to assist with the planning of our trips for this season, and as always–there are some unanimous responses (Ray’s Tavern, Cataract Canyon, a camera, sunscreen). What really helps get the juices flowing, is the anticipation and realization that all your planning is either well thought out, or out the window when you’re going through Cataract at 60,000 cfs.
Walker Mackay–CRATE
What are the three favorite/best river runs that your company does?
All of our rafting trips are exceptional in their own way. If I could only go on three rafting trips each year I would choose an April Grand Canyon Trip, July Tatshenshini trip in Alaska, and September Cataract Canyon trip in Canyonlands National Park.
What is the most essential piece of equipment that you recommend your clients bring?
All of our expeditions are fully outfitted. We provide your sleeping gear, dry bags, and all meals. The most essential equipment that we do not provide are good river sandals and sunscreen.
What is a non-essential piece of equipment that you recommend your clients bring?
A camera is always great to have on a river trip. A secret tip is to make sure to set the date and time on your camera. Then if you share your photos with other people on the trip it will be really easy to make a slideshow with all the pictures in the correct order.
Another nice thing to have on a river trip is a small pillow.
What is your favorite post trip meal, place to eat, get a beer?
Ray’s Tavern in Green River, Utah is the classic after river trip hang out. I also like Blondie’s in Hanksville, Utah for malts and shakes, Roberto’s taco shop in Boulder, Nevada, and the Bamboo Room in Haines, Alaska.
What is the biggest water/run you have run in recent years?
Spring 2008 blessed us with high water on the Colorado River in Cataract Canyon, which made for some great rapids. I was lucky enough to get to run it a couple times during the high water and I even got a video of one of my runs through the famous Big Drop Rapids put on the Canyonlands National Park web site.
What advice would you give someone going on a trip with you for the first time?
At least a month before you come on a river trip, make sure to buy a good pair of sandals–I wear Chaco Z2’s. Then break them in: wear them, hike with them, slosh through a creek with them, it will be totally worth it to have comfortable feet on your rafting trip. You won’t want to miss a hike because your feet hurt or have blisters.
Walter is a guide for CRATE- Colorado River & Trail Expeditions www.crateinc.com based in Salt Lake City. In addition to trips on the Grand Canyon, they also run trips in Cataract, Desolation, Westwater, and beyond.
Tiffany George–Western Rivers
Expeditions
What are the three favorite/ best river runs that your company does?
My favorite three river runs are the 6-7day Grand Canyon trip, the 3-day Westwater Multisport, and the 2-day Cataract Express. The scenery is spectacular in Grand Canyon and similar to the gorges of Westwater Canyon and the beautiful sandstone formations in Cataract; the rapids are big and exciting in all three areas.
What is the most essential piece of equipment that you recommend your clients bring?
Sun protection! Including a hat with a string, long-sleeved shirts, pants/sarong, sunscreen & lip balm with a sunscreen in it. Most people bring inadequate amounts of sunscreen or expired sunscreen and will burn right through it, they don’t realize that it only has a shelf life of 1 year. Don’t forget the top of your ears, back of your hands, and top of your feet!
What is a non-essential piece of equipment, but great to have with you?
Baby powder and a small tube of aquaphor. Most people don’t wear life jackets every day and tend to build up a good deal of chafe which can crack and bleed and be very uncomfortable. It can also come in handy when your hands crack and your feet get beat up.
What is your favorite post trip meal, place to eat, get a beer?
One of my favorite places to get a beer and grab a meal is in Green River, Utah, at Ray’s Tavern. If I was going on a Grand Canyon trip it would be Vermillion Cliffs, great food, excellent beer & wine selection, and friendly staff.
What is the biggest water/run you have run in recent years?
Probably Crystal Rapid in Grand Canyon in 30,000 cfs, it is just monstrous. The only rival I have seen in the US is Big Drop 2 in Cataract Canyon at around 60,000 cfs, just ominous! The biggest amount of large rapids have to be in Grand Canyon on a consistent basis: Hance, Granite, Hermit, Crystal, and Lava are the best!
What advice would you give someone going on a trip with you for the first time?
Put your watch away, keep your camera handy, relax and enjoy! It’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a wilderness like setting and still have your creature comforts. The rivers & canyons transcend you to another existence and the beauty of the deserts will change you forever.
Tiffany is a guide for Western River Expeditions based in Moab, Salt Lake and Fredonia, AZ. (www.westernriver.com). In addition to the Grand Canyon, the run a variety of trips on the Green River, Cataract Canyon, and Westwater Canyon. They also have runs on the Salmon River in Idaho.
Sarah Sidwell–Tag-a-Long Expeditions
What are the three favorite/ best river runs that your company does?
On the Colorado River; Cataract Canyon Favorite (4 day trip), Westwater Canyon Overnight (2 days),and on the Green River Desolation Canyon (5 days)
What is the most essential piece of equipment that you recommend your clients bring?
Sun protection. This includes sunscreen, lip balm, a lightweight long sleeved shirt and pants or a sarong, and a broad brimmed hat.
What is a non-essential piece of equipment, but great to have with you?
There is a split here between the staff. Some of us say carabineers to clip in ‘not being used right now’ items such as hats, sandals, water bottles, etc. Some say water bottles, we provide cups, but a nalgene type bottle is nice to have on hikes. Then the rest say a camera, although the 2/3 of us with other opinions think this is a no-brainer.
What is your favorite post trip meal, place to eat, get a beer?
The Moab Brewery; great beer and a good menu selection from vegetarian to steaks.
What is the biggest water/run you have run in recent years?
Last year, WOW. Not sure what the exact water level was, but I remember it was hovering around 60,000CFS in Cataract Canyon. I made it through the canyon without incident, but there were some who weren’t so lucky. I have never seen it that high before and we had staff there on the day it peaked at 63,000CFS.
What advice would you give someone going on a trip with you for the first time?
Slow down, take your time, don’t limit yourself to just one day because you can’t see it all in one day. Relax and, above all, have fun!
Sarah is a guide for Tag-a-long Expeditions based in Moab www.tagalong.com.. They have been running trips in Utah and beyond since 1964. In addition to trips through Cataract and Westwater canyons, the Green and San Juan rivers, they provide a variety of land safaris, custom and day trips.
Becky Bunnell–Western River
Expeditions
What are the three favorite/ best river runs that your company does?
1. Cataract Canyon 2. Westwater Canyon 3. Desolation Canyon. Cataract Canyon is my favorite trip. Although the first few days are flat water the history is constant, there are plenty of hikes and it provides a great opportunity to get to know all the trip members really well. And it is DEFINITELY worth the wait. Rapid day on Cataract canyon is thrill after thrill.
What is the most essential piece of equipment that you recommend your clients bring?
My first recommendation would be some kind of water proof camera. No matter how miserable you are for forgetting something at least you get to document it right? My second recommendation is a good pair of shoes that can be worn in the water and take on hikes (a good worn-in pair of Chaco’s or Keens are usually good choices). Happy feet = Happy people. Of course sun screen is probably the most important.
What is a non-essential piece of equipment- but great to have with you?
Okay so this is probably where I should mention camera. Besides the camera I believe that a good adventure book that you just love to get lost in would definitely get used, and it helps make the vacation complete. When I’m exhausted from a day of working on the river that is usually my first desire – to just sit down in a beautiful canyon or on the boat with a good book.
What is your favorite post trip meal, place to eat, get a beer?
Definitely the 15 cent wingers at The Moab Brewery-cheap and good. But you’ve got to get there between four and six p.m.!
What is the biggest water/run you have run in recent years?
Cataract Canyon – Big Drop Two. If I didn’t have to worry about passenger’s lives I would probably enjoy it a lot more but still, this is my favorite rapid.
Westwater Canyon – Skull Rapid. Whoa. With barely enough time to breath throughout the constant rapids before, Skull rapid has a tendency to creep up on you. The narrow canyon creates a wall-to-wall rush of deep waves and an intense undercurrent. It’s intense before, during, and after with back to back rapids.
What advice would you give someone going on a trip with you for the first time ?
Come willing to experience new sights and feelings only found on the river. Be prepared to make quick and intense friends with the guides and fellow passengers. Come with the willingness for adventure but a craving to relax and be pampered.
