Rafting the Colorado River in Grand Canyon Part 2

Each night we stopped for the night at a large beach of Nate’s choice. Once the boats were tied up, most of the 28 of us formed a line to unload the large waterproof bags, the cots, and the bag chairs. Then everyone found their numbered large bags, grabbed a cot and found a place to set it up for the night. Since rain was not threatened, the tents on board the boats never were unloaded. I neglected to get any pictures of the unloading process. The next morning the process was reversed to load the boats for the day’s trip of 25 to 50 miles.

 

Each of us were  provided with a sleeping bag, sheet, and ground cloth to make up our sleeping arrangements. Mine is at the left, Jerry’s is next, and Mike’s is in the upper part of the picture. Others’ cots are scattered on various level spots. We soon adjusted to the lack of privacy.  We went to bed by 9 PM and were awakened every AM by the cry of  COFFEE at 5:30. I was surprised by how bright the sky was at night from moonlight.

Here is the bedroom of the three of us another night.

Chairs were set up in a circle for socializing and eating with plates balanced in our laps. The yellow object in the middle is the water cooler for filling our water bottles and cups. We were cautioned to drink extra water each day to avoid dehydration in the dry sunny  climate.

This is the kitchen area. The flames  are from charcoal lighter getting the charcoal going for the dutch ovens. Next to the right are two propane burners surrounded by a metal windbreak, with a pail being heated on one. Next to the right on the table is the large griddle,  propane tank and water containers. Behind Shawn, one of the swampers, is the food preparation and serving table. 

This is the dish washing detail. Each passenger was asked to wash their own dishes, but usually volunteers did them more efficiently. Dishes were scraped into the rocket ammunition box at the right, then wiped with a dish mop in the first bucket containing cold water to remove residue, then washed in hot soapy water in the first bucket sitting on a burner, then rinsed in hot water in the next bucket, and finally dipped in a bucket with bleach water to sanitize the plates and table wear. The plates were put, wet, in the cloth bag behind the young man at the left. Table wear was returned, wet, to the containers.

Scenes like this appeared frequently as we went downriver at about 9 mph with the 40 hp motor running about 1/3 throttle. This amphitheater is formed by water erosion, and water accounts for the white and black staining of the rock. The green in the shadow is plants relying on the regular flow of water, perhaps trickles. I took lots of pictures of the rock formations at various places. After a few they all begin to look alike, so I will include only the best in the blogs.

Interesting change of shape of strata in layers of rock.

This view is typical of rapids – smooth water at the top followed by white water  downstream. This rapid probably was rated at a 5 or 6 out of 10.

Here is one of the boats as unloaded at night. A Honda generator is being used to power a blower to increase air pressure to 4 or 5 psi in one of the auxiliary pontoons.