Keel-Haulers Canoe Club

yakman · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 12:16 pm Post subject: Grand Canyon Run

I just got an invite to run the Grand Canyon in May 2011. I was wondering if anyone out there has done it and has any info that will convince me to accept. I will have to take almost 3 weeks off.

I see it as a great opportunity.

Thanks

Dan (yakman)
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"An optimist is simply a pessimist with no job experience." - Dilbert

CliffordTBRD · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 1:28 pm Post subject:

It will be the time of your life!
Don't pass it up.

Cliff

waterdog · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 1:42 pm Post subject:

I agree

DON"T PASS IT UP!!!!!!!

david hill · Heavy User Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 163

You will be better off stying in Ohio so I volunteer to take your place! Go for it and have fun.

yakman · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 3:45 pm Post subject:

Definitely the response I was expecting. The 200+ mile paddle will most certainly take me beyond my yearly average in paddling miles.
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"An optimist is simply a pessimist with no job experience." - Dilbert

keelhauler · Site Admin Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 406

Is this a private or commercial trip?

Commercials are expensive but they do everything for you. But you have no choice of trip companions.

Some of our club member have run the canyon ten times on private trips.

If private, make sure the group is compatible. Very important since 18 days in a hot place where lots of thinks can go wrong make some people irratible.

Read the trip reports and view the pictures of some of our old trips.
http://www.keelhauler.org/khnews/index.htm#2

It's a great experience, will you be kayaking?
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John Kobak
Keel-Hauler Webmaster

yakman · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 4:06 pm Post subject:

Yes, I will be kayaking the upper and meeting up with my wife/group at the lower.

http://canyonx.com/index.php

It would be a 16 day trip at around 280 miles or such.

Yes, again I would kayak the whole thing. I guess I am looking at mostly big Class 4 for the most part. The bigger stuff in the second half.
I am a little uninformed so I will be doing some reading.

Thanks John.
_________________
"An optimist is simply a pessimist with no job experience." - Dilbert

hikemike · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 5:28 pm Post subject:

Don't waste your time, lot of flatwater.
Hot and dry, not much for views.
You would be really behind at work after 3 weeks.
You defineatly don't want to go in May because the Slippery Rock is usually running and why go all the way out there when you got the Slip right here.

Beg someone to take this burden off your hands.
Call 216 952-9525 Ask for Mr. Larkin, he will help you with this.

keelhauler · Site Admin Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 406

Rapids are not that hard and you jus need to get used to big water.
I say anyone thatcan run Lower Yough can run it with the exception of Lava Falls.
Here is some maps and info to study after you read the reports.
http://keelhauler.org/images/GC_MAP.jpg
http://keelhauler.org/images/GC_rapids.pdf
http://keelhauler.org/images/GC_River_Gear_List.pdf
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John Kobak
Keel-Hauler Webmaster

whitewatershawn · Occasional Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 24 Location: canton

as long as its a Private trip ,,,,, GO
rapids are not bad,,,just big water
scenery is second to none

ckiehl · Chatty Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 28

I've seen the GC from the south rim and Slippery Rock from the hiking trail, so I'm also voting for Slippery Rock. Anyways there is a IMAX film of the GC you can watch instead and save all that time. Better yet we need an IMAX film of the slip. That would be awsome on my Ipod..

yakman · Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 2:55 pm Post subject:

Ok. Ok......

I get it. The only real thing holding me up right now is getting time off from work. You guys are killing me with this Slip Stuff.

Tough crowd.
_________________
"An optimist is simply a pessimist with no job experience." - Dilbert

lifeisgood · Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 4:14 pm Post subject:

I guess I will have to follow Andy G. on the slip until you get back Very Happy

.
Chuck
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Hard work pays off in time, Lazyness pays now

douggrosjean · Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 12:51 am Post subject:

Dan,

Does your group need anybody else to fill up space?

I'm looking for a Grand Canyon kayak trip in 2011 as well.

New guy here, out of Toledo. Specifically looking for a private Grand Canyon trip. Haven't paddled it yet, but am comfy on stuff like the Upper Gauley and Big Sandy Creek, as well as the New at 30k CFS, and Cheat at 8.5' on Abright gauge.

Been wanting to do the Grand for 30 years, and am now making plans to actually go, as a gift to myself for finishing college. Kayaking sorta took me from the fast track for college, to "Get your 2-year degree in just a short 20 years."

But the rivers have been a blast.