Grand Canyon 2014

For this page and for this topic I have decided to take my gallery/blog in a slightly different direction.  Think of this room as an exhibit transcending categories such as "landscape," "abstraction," etc.

From September 22nd to October 12th I journeyed through the inner most depths of the continent down the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River.  All 226 miles from Lee's Ferry to the Diamond Creek take out were traversed in six rafts, 2 kayaks, and one ducky (inflatable kayak) with which the 16 of us carried in and out all food and provisions for the 21 days.  This trip is an interesting story in itself and was the culmination of more than three years of planning as it was essentially the remake of an attempt that didn't happen in 2013.  Last year, our launch date was the October 2nd.  With the "government shutdown" and temporary closing of the National Parks, we were the first such river trip to be denied access and turned away at the gate.  Please follow these links if you wish to read that most amazing story in full which was itself published in American Whitewater and locally in Colorado Central.

Now, a year later, that chapter of my life is coming to a close.  This exhibit is a lot like a photo essay.  It is less a recounting of the journey and event, but more (I hope) a series of illuminations into the connection to the rock and water that one cannot help but experience in the Grand Canyon. 

As you scroll down the page you will find the images in chronological order, but what is more important is Canyon order: upstream to downstream.  Please enjoy.

Please see the "Purchasing & Contact" page if you have any questions.

Navajo Bridges from a kayak.  The last vestige of civilization until Phantom Ranch, 8 days downriver.  Mile 4.5

Great Blue Heron at Upper North Cnayon Camp.  Mile 20.7

Red Wall Pano.  A 4 frame panorama from the depths of Red Wall Cavern in the Grand Canyon.  Mile 33.3

Footprints at Tatahatso Camp.  Mile 37.9

View downstream from Tatahatso Camp.

Rafts parked upstream of the confluence with the Little Colorado River.  Mile 62

Palisades Camp.  Mile 66.  Looking downstream.

Looking downstream from above Upper Rattlesnake Camp.  A late afternoon thunder storm has just come and gone.  Mile 74.6

Reflections up Hermit Creek.  Mile 95.5

Elisha & Thomas in Hermit Rapid. Mile 95.5

Michelle & Brocket  in Hermit Rapid. Mile 95.5

Hailey & Paul  in Hermit Rapid. Mile 95.5

The first of 2 nearly identical flips in the same infamous hole.  Crystal Falls.  Mile 98.8
These were the only flips on our trip.  No one was injured beyond some minor bruising and the swallowing of some very muddy water.  A missing case of PBR was the only important gear lost to the river.  Emotions ran high before and after this rapid, but I believe we are all stronger for the experience.  Please excuse the quality of this image as it is the only one that is significantly cropped.

Rorschach Chair.  This is backrest of my camp chair which had been folded on a raft that did not flip.  This is how muddy the water was this day.  At lest 60% suspended silt material to water and smelled like clay.  I know what I see... what do you see?

A large lizard sunning on a rock at Shinumo Creek.  Mile 109.2

In the kitchen at night at Big Dune Camp. Mile 119.4

Blacktail Canyon.  Mile 120.7

Looking upstream from the hike at Deer Creek.  Mile 136.9

Matkatamiba Light.  Gravel near the mouth of Matkatamiba.  Mile 148.4

Werner Reflections

Havasu Canyon.  Mile 157.3

Oar Curtain.  An oar and evening light.

Styling Lava.  The end of a very stylish run through Lava Falls.  Mile 197.7

Curling mud detail at Parashant Canyon.  Mile 198.9

Raft lines left in the mud at 222 Mile Camp.  This is where a raft slept, for the last night.  Mile 222

I hope you have enjoyed this collection of slices from the Canyon.  No images, movies, or words can ever recreate the experience of traveling though the Grand Canyon for 21 days.  Maybe an image might connect you with your own unique memory.  I hope, however, that this exhibit might stand on its own, distinct and disconnected from the journey itself.