There were over 140 rapids in my 187 mile trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. The water is 48 degrees F on a hot day. But what does riding rapids really look like? Where are the wettest seats? When you are cold, where are the driest seats?
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| Watching rapids on the Colorado River |
A. (above) Raft B members waiting for Raft A...
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| Raft on the Colorado River |
B. (above) Raft A occupants dry...
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| Running Rapids on the Colorado River |
C. (above) Port pontoon is splashed...
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| Running Rapids on the Colorado River |
D. (above) Port pontoon is doused...
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| Closeup of people running rapids |
E. This is a closeup of (D): the Bathtub is hanging on...
(for terms like "bathtub" defined see this post)
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| Closeup of people running rapids |
F. This is a detail of (D):
Person 2 is in the bathtub, Person 3 is in the shower seat,
Person 4 and 6 and and an unlabeled person (or 2?) are on the inner seats,
Person 5 and 7 on on the pontoons. Remember, this water is COLD, 48 degrees F.
Guides 8 and 9 are in the back - the driest place on the raft.
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| People running rapids on the Colorado River |
G. (above) Another hit on the port side...
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| People running rapids on the Colorado River |
H. (above) The bathtub is being filled... (remember, there are 2 people on the pontoon...)
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| People running rapids on the Colorado River |
J. (above) More water...
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| People running rapids on the Colorado River |
K. The back end lifts up and the bathtub is under... again...
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| People running rapids on the Colorado River |
L. (above) Pretty much the entire raft is emerging from this - Note the water draining from the seat area between the pontoon and raft body...
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| Hanging on while running rapids on the Colorado River |
M. (above) (Detail of L). The front pontoon rider hangs on with his hands, the water has pushed his foot way into the air...
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| Rafting on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon |
N. Catch your breath, dry out and enjoy the scenery. There is serenity even, until the next rapids...
Some background: I took these photos when I went on my rafting trip with Wilderness River Adventures - I was in raft B. The raft B people "parked" raft
B upstream, walked downstream to photograph raft A going by, then went
back upstream and rode raft B down. It was exhilarating. And wet.
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Oh wow, stunning pictures.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures--I'm afraid that's as close as I'll ever get. I'd be the one on the bank--chicken!
ReplyDeleteOh My Gosh!
ReplyDeleteI live in Phoenix, and now I know why we have never went rafting. I would be so terrified. That looks scary and especially the leg flying in the air. Oh my. Great pics tho. I could be the photographer, just sit and watch everyone come down. No rafting for me. No I don't think so. Did you go? If so I see you lived to tell the story, but you would be braver than me. Thanks so much for sharing. Country Hugs, Sherry
Such fun! Nice post.
ReplyDeleteHappy outdoor.
I am so envious! What a great trip and wonderful pictures for memory. I hope you've had a great day.
ReplyDeleteThis looks so awesome! Great pics! I so would love to do this.
ReplyDeleteHello! Yes, I went on the rafting trip - the raft B people "parked" the raft upstream, walked downstream to photograph raft A going by, then went back upstream and rode raft B down. http://jeanneselep.blogspot.com/2009/06/rafting-day-1-part-2.html describes the raft seating a bit more clearly. I don't know, maybe I will update this blog post with some of that information.
ReplyDeleteGReAT shots~~~!!
ReplyDeleteOhhh my gosh I recalled a trip we took down the Snake River one year... probably one of the most frightened i ever was YET one of the most exhillerating and fun memories.
TTFN~~Claudia ♥
Rafting is so much fun! The Colorado is great for that. Of course here in Phoenix we don't have too many rapids LOL. It is fun to tube down the Salt River though. A great way to cool off. Nice photos......thanks for the tour!
ReplyDeleteThank you for leading me here from my Grand Canyon pics! Wow! My son did this some years ago and really had a grand time! I am curious who took these pictures? Love it!
ReplyDeleteHello Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteI took the photos posted here. There were 2 rafts in our party. Raft A parked upstream, we walked on the edge downstream to photo the Raft B going down. Then we walked back upstream and rode down the rapid. Very wet. :)