Thank you to everyone who has paid their first deposit. If you haven’t paid your $100 deposit yet, it’s due MAY 1, 2010. See the deposit deadline page link for details to the right. I really don’t want to ask anyone for money, so please put these dates on your calendar.
What the GC Private Boaters Assoc is chatting about this week: Conversation mostly centered on what kind of satellite phone is the most reliable in the Canyon. Riveting topic. :-) The good news is, they say phone we will have (IRIDIUM, left) has the most satellites and is likely to have the best reception. However, you need to keep this in perspective, reception is iffy at best, and depends on if a satellite is overhead, and if we have a Southern exposure.
Mileage this week: River miles 14-17. We will probably be looking to make our first nights camp in this general area.
Usually we will decide on how many miles we need to run by how many side canyons there are to hike on a particular day and what camps have shade in the afternoon. That being said, we have to keep in mind that we have to be at Phantom at River mile 88 on July 4th or 5th (not decided yet). At river mile 14.5 we have Sheer Wall Rapid, class 2-3, At river mile 16.7 is Hot Na Na camp. 
GC History: One of the prime individuals responsible for preserving the GC was Theodore Roosevelt. He first visited the park area in 1903 and made the following speech on May 6, 1903.
"In the Grand Canyon, Arizona has a natural wonder which, so far as I know, is in kind absolutely unparalleled throughout the rest of the world. I want to ask you to do one thing in connection with it in your own interest and in the interest of the country - to keep this great wonder of nature as it now is."
"Leave it as it is. You cannot improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it. What you can do is to keep it for your children, your children's children, and for all who come after you, as one of the great sights which every American if he can travel at all should see."
Equipment Check: Here are a few GC books I recommend, although many of them are difficult to find, but well worth the price. I will have several books (the first five listed) along on the trip in a day accessible ammo can on Bill’s oar rig.
Great Grand Canyon Books
• Grand Canyon River Guide by Bill Belknap. If you are only getting one, get this one. Trust me; you’ll want your own copy. The guide is a waterproof map containing info on history, geology, flora and fauna, and a lot of photos.
• Guide to the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon Lees Ferry to South Cove by Tom Martin and Duwain Whitis. Waterproof map.
• Colorado River Briefs by Linda Lou Lindermann
• The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons by John Wesley Powell. I read this book my last canyon trip, dry but wonderful history from Powell’s first trip.
• Day hikes from the River, Tom Martin
• Field Notes on the Grand Canyon by Ann Zwinger
• Beyond the Great Unknown by Edward Dolnick
Next Deadline: $100 deposit per person due on May 1, 2010. Also tell me if you are doing a full or half trip and if half, which half, Lee’s Ferry to Phantom Ranch (Phantom arrival July 4th or 5th, 2011) or Phantom Ranch to Pearce Ferry (take out July 16, 2011).
Comments, questions, concerns? Email me or use the comment link and I’ll post you back.
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