Kayaking the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River

Our kayak expedition down the Colorado was an amazing adventure of sixteen days duration. The scenery was incredible, with huge multi-coloured cliffs and strange, varied flora and fauna including crazy cacti, rattlesnakes and lizards galore. The Canyon became more impressive as we progressed downstream. The rapids consisted of huge waves and 'holes', but were technically not difficult to run. Some of these waves were brilliant to surf on. The major rapids such as Hance, Horn Creek, Hermit, Crystal and Lava were intimidating due just to the sheer size of the hydraulics, but of these, only Hance and Lava required any real route taking prowess. Several of our members capsized and swum in major rapids and had to be rescued. Two rafts flipped, and despite all gear being in drybags, much gear became soaked. Flipping the rafts back upright took a lot of rope, time and effort.

We made several hikes up spectacular side-canyons. Some required rather exposed moves high up cliff-faces, and some involved clambering up waterfalls, swimming across or diving into pools.

Several of us were stung and bitten by ferocious red ants. These stings remained painful then itchy for days. One member of our team, Steve Ward, was bitten twice by the same scorpion. He failed to shake out his pants before putting them on and paid the price. After he threw the scorpion out his tent door, he stepped outside in bare feet and was stung again. Three hours later, his face began to tingle with numbness, but luckily, that was the end of his symptoms. Usually, people become sick for a few days.

The river flow at the start of the trip varied between 12,000 to 16,000cfs and flash flooding on the first day or two upped this to 22,000cfs - a high flow for the river. After this, the weather was characteristically fine until the second to last day when a major thunderstorm and deluge struck. This was a concern, as the Diamond Creek exit road is very vulnerable to flash floods. When we arrived at the takeout the next morning, the road was indeed totally washed out by the largest flash flood in twelve years. The five of us with the tightest flight itineraries walked up the devastated stream bed for a couple of miles to find workmen rebuilding the road. We negotiated an escape with them to Flagstaff in a big four wheel drive for US$300. The road was rebuilt by the following afternoon and the rest of our party arrived safely in Flagstaff and we had a final meal together before going separate ways.

I now have a great supply of wonderful canyon scenery photographs which I will use as reference for my art. Showspace Gallery in Flagstaff, next to the Canyon, is interested in any Canyon art I produce.

Our outfitter from Seattle, Chris, did a great job of managing the technical side of our trip. She provided all the specialised equipment and systems and provided all the food.