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Subject: Re: Grand canyon raftin


Author:
Dmitri
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Date Posted: 12:50:00 08/26/10 Thu
In reply to: Bill Knor 's message, "Grand canyon raftin" on 02:43:12 08/26/10 Thu

Bill:

I've done the Grand Canyon raft run 4 times, though the last trip was 8 years ago now, so I'm a bit out of date. I'm also a bit different in that I went on "private" trips, not through a commercial outfitter.

Friends who have done commercial trips really like AZRA (Arizona Raft Adventures) at:
http://www.azraft.com/
What you'll discover is that it probably doesn't matter much which one you use. You find one that has a trip that meets your budget and time schedule. Services (including the food that Wes raves about) are about the same. The specific leader and guides you get are what makes the trip. Some are better than others, though I'm sure most if not all are good, or they wouldn't be doing what they're doing.

If you (or anyone) have specific questions, feel free to contact me privately. Click on my name in the forum and do the captcha thing and get my e-mail address. Put Grand Canyon in the subject heading to help sort it from the spam (which I don't get much of). Have a good trip and tell us what it's like when you get back.

Dmitri

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Replies:
[> [> Subject: Re: Grand canyon raftin


Author:
Bill Knor
[ Edit | View ]

Date Posted: 04:28:00 08/27/10 Fri

>Bill:
>
>I've done the Grand Canyon raft run 4 times, though
>the last trip was 8 years ago now, so I'm a bit out of
>date. I'm also a bit different in that I went on
>"private" trips, not through a commercial outfitter.
>
>Friends who have done commercial trips really like
>AZRA (Arizona Raft Adventures) at:
> >href="http://www.azraft.com/">http://www.azraft.com/ >>
>What you'll discover is that it probably doesn't
>matter much which one you use. You find one that has
>a trip that meets your budget and time schedule.
>Services (including the food that Wes raves about) are
>about the same. The specific leader and guides you
>get are what makes the trip. Some are better than
>others, though I'm sure most if not all are good, or
>they wouldn't be doing what they're doing.
>
>If you (or anyone) have specific questions, feel free
>to contact me privately. Click on my name in the
>forum and do the captcha thing and get my e-mail
>address. Put Grand Canyon in the subject heading to
>help sort it from the spam (which I don't get much
>of). Have a good trip and tell us what it's like when
>you get back.
>
>Dmitri
Thanks for the info they were one of the companies I've contacted for a schedule of dates and availability.
[> [> [> Subject: Re: Grand canyon raftin


Author:
Dmitri
[ Edit | View ]

Date Posted: 09:33:44 08/27/10 Fri


>Thanks for the info they were one of the companies
>I've contacted for a schedule of dates and
>availability.

Bill,

I'd agree with Wes on timing. All of my trips were summer, hot weather, and I mean up to 118F in the shade and sometimes there wasn't any shade to be found. It can be cool and rainy during the summer, too, but it's not common (was for 4 or 5 days on one of our trips). In order to get cooler weather for hiking, you'd need to probably go in the mid March to mid to later April slot, or in October. I don't know how many commercial outfitters go during those time slots or if they'd have spaces available then. That's some of what I meant by finding an outfitter who has space and just go with them, not worrying about who they are. We had fun and did a lot of hiking on our hot summer trips, though. It is an experience in itself. There are ways to help stay cool then.

Good luck in your search for a space and then on the river when you get there.

Dmitri
[> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Grand canyon raftin


Author:
Bill
[ Edit | View ]

Date Posted: 23:28:46 08/27/10 Fri

>
>>Thanks for the info they were one of the companies
>>I've contacted for a schedule of dates and
>>availability.
>
>Bill,
>
>I'd agree with Wes on timing. All of my trips were
>summer, hot weather, and I mean up to 118F in the
>shade and sometimes there wasn't any shade to be
>found. It can be cool and rainy during the summer,
>too, but it's not common (was for 4 or 5 days on one
>of our trips). In order to get cooler weather for
>hiking, you'd need to probably go in the mid March to
>mid to later April slot, or in October. I don't know
>how many commercial outfitters go during those time
>slots or if they'd have spaces available then. That's
>some of what I meant by finding an outfitter who has
>space and just go with them, not worrying about who
>they are. We had fun and did a lot of hiking on our
>hot summer trips, though. It is an experience in
>itself. There are ways to help stay cool then.
>
>Good luck in your search for a space and then on the
>river when you get there.
>
>Dmitri
Well because of your imput I booked today My daughter and I get on the river may 14.We both are so looking forward to this and I'm hoping to get to know my daughter better for we don't see each other that often.Thanks again for your advice
[> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Grand canyon raftin


Author:
Mike
[ Edit | View ]

Date Posted: 04:03:49 08/28/10 Sat

An acquaintance of mine has dome two trips, and he says to book the second or third trip in the spring. He commented that its a lot cooler and more pleasant, and a second reason is that by the second or third trip they have worked out the new season's bugs... one of the boatmen told him that they lost two outboards to mechanical problms on the first trip of the season (i.e. the primary in two different rafts).

Another recommendation: if you are going to take a camera take three times as much film (or memory cards) as you think you will need. And make it a camera you can afford to lose. He bought two used cameras from camera repair stores - both 5 megapixel Canons, and one went overboard mid-trip.
Try and standardize on the batteries - he picked the particular model of Canon because it used two AA cells (some use a rechargeable pack), and his three LED flashlights (why three? one to use, one as a spare, and one to loan) also used AAs. BTW Harbor Freight occasionally has good but inexpensive waterproof LED flashlights as a promo item - under $4 each, usually about $12 each.
And take some side-by-side photos and use AutoPano to stitch them together.
Look at this: http://www.wa8lmf.net/pans/index.htm

Please post us a trip report after you get back.

Mike
(who has both an motor trip and a oar trip on his bucket list...)

PS - if you can find a copy of the 1950s book "There's Adventure in Geology" it has a mule trip down and up Bright Angel Trail in it.


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