The Grand Time

Tom's Journal

June 18, 2007 - Day 34

View A Different Day

The weather has been its normal carbon-copy: hot and clear with almost 50 degree variations between day and night. We continue to settle into its pattern and again are up early.

This day, however, we began by scouting Unkar rapid, whose current pushes everything in it towards a big wall on the left shore because the river is making a sweeping right turn.

The time spent scouting paid off and all do fine.

A few miles farther along we encounter Nevill’s rapid and again all come through without incident.

The canyon is beginning to close in around us as we near what is known as the inner gorge. Not only are the walls much closer together, but they are composed of dark, hard rock.

Within a couple more miles we stopped to look at Hance rapid, rated the most difficult since Lee’s Ferry. After some time spent in decision (a.k.a. indecision) we paddled through. It went well for all, but I must admit the large size of the waves took me in my small kayak by surprise.

We were fortunate to be ahead of some other groups and maintain our lead through another challenging rapid known as Sockdolager.

The shores are now hard rock with a very rough surface. The only exception for miles is a beach on the left side, which is the only decent campsite for miles.

The camp is named Grapevine, after the name of a rapid just below it, and it is a phenomenal place we are lucky to have to ourselves.

We arrived at 1:30 pm, and even at that early hour we are treated to shade from the hot sun. The afternoon is spent lounging, laughing, bathing and napping-not necessarily in that order.

My brother Dave also remembers our Mom, who’s birthday it would be today if she were still with us. It is the second we have been without her and it still doesn’t seem as though she is really gone.

The scene is breathtaking and we wonder at Powell’s resolve as it is obvious the only way out of this place is down the river.
View A Different Day

Mile by Mile Photos

June 18, 2007 - Day 34
Mile 721 through Mile 731

May 16 2007 - Day 1May 17 2007 - Day 2May 18 2007 - Day 3May 19 2007 - Day 4May 20 2007 - Day 5May 21 2007 - Day 6May 22 2007 - Day 7May 23 2007 - Day 8May 24 2007 - Day 9May 25 2007 - Day 10May 26 2007 - Day 11May 27, 2007 - Day 12May 28, 2007 - Day 13May 29, 2007 - Day 14May 30, 2007 - Day 15May 31, 2007 - Day 16June 1, 2007 - Day 17June 2 - 11, Day 18 - 27June 12, 2007 - Day 28June 13, 2007 - Day 29June 14, 2007 - Day 30June 15, 2007 - Day 31June 16, 2007 - Day 32June 17, 2007 - Day 33June 18, 2007 - Day 34June 19, 2007 - Day 35June 20, 2007 - Day 36June 21, 2007 - Day 37June 22, 2007 - Day 38June 23, 2007 - Day 39June 24, 2007 - Day 40June 25, 2007 - Day 41June 26, 2007 - Day 42June 27, 2007 - Day 43June 28, 2007 - Day 44June 29 2007 - Day 45June 30, 2007 - Day 46July 1 - 13, Day 47 - 58July 15, 2007 - Day 59
The last day; The river’s end