Grand Canyon Adventure 2026

Goals

Insanely great trip as measured by

Trip Overview

Fig 1: February 2022 GC Trip: We had beautiful weather and a great group → Can't wait for 2026 and more of the same ...
Fig 1: February 2022 GC Trip: We had beautiful weather and a great group → Can’t wait for 2026 and more of the same …

Action Items (2026-01-29)

  1. Update Your Travel Plans (due 1-Feb): Please check/upate this form so that your travel plans are accurate.

  2. Arrival Date (due 1-Feb): Make sure your arrival date to Lees Ferry is Sunday Morning (3/29) for rig day and Orientation with the NPS rangers. This is required

  3. Payment 3 (due 1-Feb): Please pay the 3nd deposit $500 by 1-Feb (see Cost Info).

  4. Snacks (due 1-Feb): Since Stu is joining on day 9 of the trip, we need a new plan for snacks for those who are flying or who want a group approach. If you bringing your own snacks, you can ignore this action item. Otherwise, here are some options.

    1. Option 1. Have Ceiba do snacks for those who want; let me know ASAP if you’d like this option; I’ll coordinate with Ceiba. Text 208-310-1043 or email to don.elger@gmail.com.
    2. Option 2: If someone would like to volunteer, they can figure out snacks and bring them for those who want snacks handled for them. If you’d like to volunteer, let the group know.
    3. Option 3: If you are good with bringing your own snacks, there is no need to reply.
    4. See Snack Ideas for Ceiba’s typical snacks plus other ideas.

  5. Medical Emergency Form (pack this): Fill out this form and put it in a sealed envelope ConfidentialEmergency-ContactForm.pdf. This will only be opened if you have a medical emergency. This is optional.

  6. Required Orientation Videos (prior to rig day): There are videos that the Park Service requires you to watch before you leave home.  Watch them! Link to Playlist

  7. Cook Crews and Boat Assignments: Please review the tentative Boat and Cook Crew Assignments and let me know if you’d like any changes. Text 208-310-1043 or email to don.elger@gmail.com.

Announcements (2026-01-29)

  1. Participant Changes: Eric Wolfe status changed from tentative to definite. Stu Tussler will be joining the trip at Phantom Ranch. Head Count = 15 launching at Lees Ferry. (+1/-3) at Phantom Ranch. Thus, 13 after Phantom. One more person may still join trip.

  2. Trip Tie-Dye Shirts: To order a shirt from Stu, fill out this form by Feb 13th.

  3. Personal Gear Packing: See Gear to Pack for several gear lists and

  4. Food (Ceiba): Ceiba's Food Plan is done.

  5. Gear Transport from Portland: Joe is driving from Portland and has some room to haul gear. Contact Joe directly to make arrangements.

Boat and Cook Crew Assignments

  1. Tentative Boat Assignments (Where Gear Lives; Passengers may move between boats during trip)
    1. Joe: Ben
    2. Tyler: Mike, Don
    3. Brant: Rob, Jill
    4. Jerry: Stu
    5. Ron: Linda
    6. Jon: Virginia, Eric, Lisa
  2. Tentative Cook Teams
    1. Ron: Tyler, Joe, Ben
    2. Brant: Rob, Jill, Mike
    3. Jerry: Stu, Virginia, Jon
    4. Linda: Don, Eric, Lisa

Older Announcements

  1. Lodging on rig day versus camping @ Lees. If you want to stay in motel on rig day, this may be possible. Let Jerry or Don know and we will see if this can be coordinated. Best guess is that most of the group will camp at Lees.
  2. We will dine out on Rig day.
  3. Ceiba will resupply us @ Diamond Creek and will bring motor.

Group Gear CheckList

Colorado River Flow Rate (Discharge)

Misc Info

Caption: Gotta love these colors, eh?
Caption: Gotta love these colors, eh?

Logistics

Participants

Gear to Pack

  1. Gear List-From Joe Anderson.
  2. Ceiba Gear List
  3. Pee Bottle. It is essential to bring a pee bottle (wide mouth for ladies) to urinate into at night because it can be dangerous to approach the river in the dark; folks have slipped in and drowned. Label it clearly.
  4. Dry Suits: Consider bringing a dry suit. I checked with three sources. Joe stated that a dry suit would be nice to have on 10-12 days. Jerry said 5-12 days. ChatGPT said 7-10 days.
  5. Photo ID. This is required on rig day. Make sure your data on the GC form is correct as compared to your photo ID.
  6. Senior Pass: Bring if you have one (folks older than 62)
  7. Medical Emergency Form (pack this): Fill out this form and put it in a sealed envelope ConfidentialEmergency-ContactForm.pdf. This will only be opened if you have a medical emergency. This is optional.

Schedule

Resources

  1. Tips for Rowing the Big Rapids in the Grand Canyon (Colorado River Whitewater Rafting) - YouTube

  2. Noncommercial River Trip Regulations (NPS).

  3. Lots of useful info from Ceiba

  4. Grand Canyon Wisdom by Joe Anderson: Information that helps a group work together effectively based on 30+ GC trips.

  5. Food Information from Ceiba (pdf)

Books About the GC

Caption: Gotta love these colors, eh?
Caption: Gotta love these colors, eh?

Gear Spreadsheet

Gear Spreadsheet from 2019 Trip

Grand Canyon Wisdom by Joe Anderson

Note: This section was written by Joe Anderson based on his 30ish GC trips.

This is meant more for Canyon virgins but I like to include everyone.  

There are official regulations and they are long and detailed.  With an exception or two those are not included here.  

There are few written rules for participating on this trip (federal), however, there are significant expectations from the group.   I am attempting an overview.  This is not meant to be all inclusive;  just a means to help you adjust to life on the river.  You will pick up a lot more after we get on the river.  The group will establish a routine and individuals will quickly pick up on that routine and insert themselves into it.  

There are videos that the Park Service requires you to watch before you leave home.  Watch them! Link to Playlist

I always caution people to think of a private Canyon trip as a working vacation.  We all pitch in to get things done.  It is very noticeable when somebody repeatedly does not help out.   You don’t need to be in the dishwasher line every meal but if you are never helping out it is noticed.   Some days you might need to just relax.   A relaxing day is fine.   Just not every day.   

Everyone cooks and cleans.  Everyone hauls gear and sets up the kitchen.   We all do dishes.  We all need to do Groover Duty!

Before we begin the journey every person will be assigned to a boat.  That will be your boat for the duration of the journey.   You don’t have to ride on the same boat every day but your gear must be on the same boat.  I actually encourage people to ride on different boats:  you get to know each other better than by staying on the same boat every day.  

In the morning we load the boats.   The boat captain is responsible for how the boat is loaded and how the gear is secured.   If you are a “passenger” you should assist with loading your boat and helping to get it secured.  Your personal gear will go on the same boat every day.    Your day bag goes on whichever boat you go on that day.   

When we get to camp in the afternoon we unload and set up the kitchen first thing.   That day’s cook crew arranges the kitchen to their liking.  We also set up hand washing and groover.  

The kitchen is set up first, then individuals choose a campsite.  Please help unload and set the kitchen first.   

Groover must be set up within half an hour of arrival.   (Park rules).  If you are unaware, all solid human waste must be carried out and removed from the Canyon.  This means that we must deal with our poop on a daily basis.   (Groover is the most common name for the 🚽 ).     Unpleasant as it may be we gotta do it.   

Speaking of pooping:  the groover is not available while we are on the river; only in camp.  We are required by law to have a day use system but it is a pain to use.   It is best if you can get in the habit of pooping either in the morning or evening and save the day toilet for emergency use.   

Pee:  all of it must go into the river.  Get used to peeing with people around.  

Religion and politics are subjects that are best avoided.   It is a long trip and we are all together for the duration.   Best to avoid any hot topics.   These are the hottest topics.  

For people who are on the Colorado River for the first time the river is the biggest attraction.   There is much more than just the water.   There is a great deal of hiking to be found and by the nature of our participants l will focus more on activities like hiking rather than on which camps we get.   I will sacrifice a good camp for a good hike any day.   If getting a certain camp sets us up for good hiking and activities we will go for that camp.   For many of us this is a one and only opportunity to get on the river.   We will maximize the opportunities for hiking and seeing the sights.   

While I encourage everyone to hike as much as they want, keep in mind that if you are on cook duty you might not be able to go on as long of a hike as you will need to be around to cook.  

This is NOT the time for making big life changes.   I know people who decided that their Canyon trip was the time to quit smoking or drinking alcohol.  Bad idea.   Nobody wants to be a part of a withdrawal process.   

Weed:  at the time I write this marajuana is still a federal offense.   If you choose to use cannabis please be discreet.  Edibles might be the preferred option as there is no smoke 💨 to be detected.    As a group we are mostly older and not much of a party crowd but I would say don’t be obnoxious if you do consume anything.   

It is possible for the rangers to issue fines.   If the group receives a fine the fee will be paid by the group.   If an individual receives a fine the individual will be responsible for the fee.   This may sound trivial but it can become a serious issue and can be a source of concern and resentment.   I know of instances and it wasn’t pleasant.  

Layover days (aka zero days for hikers):   I hope to have a number of days where individuals are free to do whatever they want (usually hiking).   Layovers are earned.   We don’t get layovers if we leave camp at 10 am each day.  I don’t have a set time to launch every day but early is better.   We will settle into a routine.  

Every day Someone has to be the last person ready.   Try not to be the last person ready every day.  Once in a while is okay.  Just don’t be last every day.  

If you don’t know something ask.  

This is not meant to be comprehensive or absolute and you will figure out lots more very quickly.  This will hopefully help you meld into the journey sooner and more comfortably.   Things and processes will be second nature after a few days;  I hope this speeds up the process.

Roles

Gear Guru

Banker

Food Guru

Early Food Planning

Information

Breakfasts

  1. Jerry Malloy will make coffee (thanks Jerry!)
  2. Hot water will be available.
    1. participant are expected to bring own drinks (tea, coco, tang, etc.) if they want something other than coffee
  3. Approximately 18 days will be no-cook and no-dishes
    1. menu examples: cold cereal, instant oatmeal, bagels, yogurt, fruit, pre-cooked bacon.
  4. Approximate 6 days will be cook-breakfast; we’ll align these with layover days.
    1. menus examples: eggwiches, pancakes, hot cereal, breakfast burritos

Lunches

  1. Approximate 12 lunches with be lower prep
    1. See this page for options.
  2. Approximate 12 will be higher prep

Dinners

  1. Approximate 7 BBQs
  2. Approximately 9 Boil Bags
  3. Approximately 7 Traditional
  4. See this page for ideas in each category.

Snacks and Hors d’oeuvres and Booze

  1. Have Ceiba do hors
  2. Individuals bring own snack
  3. Individuals bring own beer, wine, and booze (can purchase from Ceiba)

Cost Info