A rafting trip through the Grand Canyon is an amazing life transforming experience, with plenty of time for quiet reflections both on the water and off. Most people are unaware that the river is over 95% smooth water, so the rafts spend most of the time quietly floating past stunning scenery, beneath towering cliffs and buttes that make it clear that art imitates nature. The cliffs seem to encase Balinese statues, Egyptian pyramids and Roman amphitheaters within their escarpments that embrace the river.

The whitewater becomes more of a great way to cool off and experience one of nature most daunting features at the same time. Although, intimating, the rapids of the Grand Canyon are actually the least likely place one will get hurt on a trip. The most common injuries occur in camp and at night and a study done in the 1980’s found that rafting on a Grand Canyon trip is more dangerous than bowling, but safer than golf! So make sure you up date your life insurance before your next golfing excursion!

Camp lends itself as well, to many opportunities to get off by ones self and contemplate the flow of the river and nature. Even on hikes you can ask to stop off part way and photograph or draw. Some companies even encourage getting off by yourself and listening to the sounds of silence in the bottom of some of the mysterious side canyons, after informing your guide where you plan on wandering of course.

These days many people are enjoying these trips well into their 70’s and even older, as long as one is in decent shape and had the ability to negotiate on uneven terrain it is a trip anyone can do.

Single Travelers Shine on Grand Canyon Trips

Having guided since 1982 in the Grand Canyon, I can assure you that it is very common to find single travelers on these amazing trips. Also, there is never any single supplement fees or charges! People who come by themselves find that there are some great advantages to traveling alone on a multi-day rafting trip. Number 1 being, you never have to discuss with your traveling companion where you might camp each evening in camp. Those "I want it my way" discussions such as, "I don't want to be by the river" or "that camp site is too close to the path to the porta- potty" just don't come up. The I want to do the 3 mile hike all the way to the waterfall and other wants to stay on the beach and sunbath with you, issues are non-existant as well. Singles find that it is easy to get to know the guides faster, as they have more time to socialize with them in the evenings, often learning those more entertaining and colorful 'not told in large groups' stories.

River trip groups quickly become a small tribe of people working together to make the trip a good experience for the whole. It is more of an expedition and requires teamwork in many instances. Whether it is giving someone a helping hand on a hike, making a dinner together as a group on a night when for some reason the rafts got to camp late, putting up a tarp together or helping each other with a tent in a rainstorm, the small pod of river adventures quickly bonds and often become friends for life. Singles excel in this kind of situation I have found. Take lots of photos and keep a good journal and you may find that many of your friends will want to join you the next time, but it will be a different experience. Check out this site http://www.ehow.com/how_4511365_book-grand-canyon-raft-trip.html for more information on how to go about finding a Grand Canyon rafting trip.

From River Wild to Wheelchair: Kelley Katafadich's Story

Kelley Katafadich, who was the stunt double for Meryl Streep, in the River Wild, came down with Transverse Myelitis two years ago and is now struggling to walk again. Kelley is one of the kindest and friendliest people you could ever meet, with a penchant for river exploration and wild river trips. She was one of 3 women in the first expedition to self support river board the Grand Canyon. In the middle of winter no less! See her story at:

Record 187-Mile Standup Paddle thru Grand Canyon by Hawaii’s Kalepa

New sport for Grand Canyon Adventurers. Stand Up Paddling. I predict it will only be a matter of time, from when I saw my first stand up surfer in the Grand Canyon to when we will be seeing this as a regular sport down in the Big Ditch. I saw Laird Hamilton paddling along on a private trip about 3 years ago and at the time didn't know he was one of the most famous big wave boarders and surfboard developers in the world. It just looked like a cool way to go down the canyon, not to mention there was a damn good looking guy attached to the board. Unfortunately, Laird hiked out at Phantom Ranch, only 1/3 of the way down the canyon, and did not make it as the first to stand up paddle through the chasm. We were disappointed when we lost our entertainment as well as glimpses at such a well put together athlete . Now it appears we have a first with Native Hawaiian Archie Kapela
Record 187-Mile Standup Paddle thru Grand Canyon by Hawaii’s Kalepa

Return from the Chasm

Topside in the unreal world, trying to make sense of why I am back to computers, phones, bills and responsibilities, after 15 days of blissful isolation. Life is simpler on the river, it flows downstream and you go with it. When stopping along its pristine beaches and taking in stupendous scenery, you find that time flows with the sun, stars and the moon. Companionship and meals together take precedent, as your world shrinks to the basics. Friendship, food, shelter, wonder and humility all conspire and inspire one to place their priorities in order. The river reminds one that, life is simple, so enjoy it, respect it and never stop being amazed by it. Redwall Cavern along river at mile 33 in the bottom of the Grand Canyon is one of those places that evokes those feelings.