It’s day eight and we’ve reached Lava Falls, arguably the largest rapid in the Grand Canyon. Overhead, the sun is blinding. The canyon is a chameleon and has changed its look again, opening up to a panoramic desert view. Just yesterday, we were paddling with icicles forming on our helmets. The cold front that lingered for days is finally gone. As we float closer, our anticipation heightens. Most of us take the scenic hike up river right to scout. Even from up here, it still looks big. After watching a few in the group style the rapid, the rest of us head down to our respective boats. One after another, we peel out.
mon in recent years, remote multi-day whitewater trips are still a relative rarity amongst everyday paddlers and are usually reserved for epic first descents in far-off destinations. There are many riv- ers in the United States perfect for a multi-day trip, and it’s easier than you might think. In January, I paddled the Grand Canyon self-supported—instead of having rafts or larger crafts haul gear, we packed our kayaks to the brim with everything needed for weeks on the water, and I do mean everything. It’s not just paddling gear and rescue gear, but food and a cook stove, tents and sleeping bags, and, everyone’s least favorite, the groover. Once you’ve established your route, here’s how to do everything else.
Any Heavy Hitter
The first step is to find your vessel. Look for a crossover boat. My boat of choice was the Pyrahna Fusion, a whitewater boat that al- lowed me to pack 20 gallons of gear in a dry storage hatch in the stern, fit a little more in the bow and still paddled well. Even with such a big load, your kayak will handle fine, but you will
feel the additional weight. What you lose in maneuverability, you’ll make up for with driving force. You’ll feel like you can blast through any rapid. The Colorado is big water with relatively few obstacles. There are certainly some large holes, but for the most part it’s large waves—perfect for a loaded boat. Since the rapids don’t require too much maneuvering, we were able to paddle the river with our skegs down. The skeg, traditionally used for staying straight and fast in flatwater, proved to be equally useful in the rapids.
SELF-SUPPORTED KAYAK TRIP, let alone one down the Grand Canyon, is an ad- venture of a lifetime. Although more com-
Chow Down
Expect to work on a self-supported trip and pack for burning extra calories. Kayakers usually paddle in 10 to 14 days what rafts take upwards of 20 days to do. Add in the amazing side hikes and you know your entire body is going to be fatigued by day’s end. Proper nutrition and hydration becomes of utmost importance to ensure you don’t become a liability to your group members. As for what kind of food to bring, think classic river snacks. You
need items that can be packed into your boat as efficiently as pos- sible. Lightweight, non-perishable items are the target. Peanut butter, oatmeal, bagels, tortilla wraps, jerky, dried fruit, trail mix, rice and bean packets, pasta and Clif bars are just a few common items. Blocks of cheese, tuna and dehydrated meats are also good choices. Watch out for spoilage in meats and cheeses, especially if you’re paddling in summer. While everything mentioned above will certainly get you through
breakfast and lunch, for dinner it’s nice to have something warm and flavorful. Dehydrated meals popular amongst backpackers are great—when you roll into camp tired from the day and still have to unpack your boat and set up your tent, you’ll be happy to have them. Just boil water and dinner is served.
Water, Water Everywhere
While having the proper amount of food is imperative, staying hy- drated is your other primary concern. For group trips, gravity filters are becoming more popular because they’re efficient and simple to use. Simply fill up the bladder, then hang it on a tree branch and let the water be filtered into your water bottle via a hose. No need to stand by the water’s edge, pumping away. Whichever filtration method you use, ensure you know how to properly use and maintain it before venturing out. Bring a flavored drink mix to add as well, it’ll be a welcomed addition each day.
Staying Comfortable
For me, paddling the canyon in January meant dealing with cold temperatures. In fact, it was some of the coldest weather the canyon had seen in years. Luckily, we were prepared. Down coats, down boo- ties, beanies, gloves, several pairs of wool socks and off-river pants were all essential pieces of clothing. Everyone wore union suits as a base layer. Remember, however, that you only have so much room in the kayak, so choose clothes wisely. Invest in a compression stuff sack for your clothes, it’ll save precious space that will be needed for other gear.
www.rapidmedia.com 53
PHOTO: DAVE FUSILLI
PHOTO: JEREMY LAUCKS
PHOTO: TY CALDWELL
PHOTO: DAVE FUSILLI
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