Grand Canyon Adventure 2026

Info

• Permit Holder: Linda Elger
• Launch Date: March 30, 2026

Announcements (2025-08-11)

• We have reserved 4 Boats (18 foot rafts) from Ceiba. -3-30-26 GC Elger.xlsx.pdf
• If you contact Ceiba, use this trip name: “3-30-26 GC Elger.
  
• Here is the link to Lots of useful info from Ceiba.
• Trip Insurance Info from Ceiba - If any participants are interested in acquiring trip insurance, they can go to https://www.travelexinsurance.com/index.aspx?location=03-0185&go=bp or contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9297 and reference location number 03-0185. A travel protection plan is a small expense to bring peace of mind for all the money and time people have put in to their adventure of a lifetime. Protection plans can include coverage for Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay and more.

Goals

• Everyone stays safe
• Everyone stays healthy (no norovirus etc.)
• Great teamwork and relationships
• Lots of hiking
• Lots of layover days
• Early starts
• Excellent food, but low hassle and fast prep. Here are some options we’ll discuss.
  • Breakfast: Perhaps have participants bring own breakfasts?
  • Lunch: Perhaps have participants bring own lunches?
  • Dinner Possibilities?
    • Lots of boil bags
    • Maximize number of BBQs (steak, chicken, salmon, … )
    • Some really simple meals to minimize extensive food prep efforts

Plans

These items may change, but they represent our current thinking.

• Trip Description

  • Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek (21 days)
  • Lees to Phantom Ranch (7 days?)
  • Diamond Creek to Pearce Ferry (3 days ?)
  • Motor through the slackwater before Pearce

• Ceiba Outfitters will manage food and gear

  • Ceiba accommodates diets (vegan etc), food allergies, food preferences, and such

• Lead Rowers can bring their own boats or rent from Ceiba

• Planning for 12 participants; may go over but 12 is ideal.

Participants

• Head Count
  • 11 Definite (5 lead rowers; 6 passengers) + 3 Possible (1 lead rower, 2 passengers who will hike out at Phantom)
  • Waiting to hear from
    • Lead Rowers: Jerry (Mid-July)
    • Lee’s Ferry to Phantom & Hike Out : Ben Elger and Michael Elger
  • Target is about 12 +/-
• Lead Rowers
  • Joe Anderson (30 GC trips, MD, bring own 15.5 ft boat, trip leader)
  • Brant Williams (definite, 3 GC trips, rent 18’?)
  • Jon Bowers (definite, lots of rafting experience, rent 18’?, new to GC)
  • Ron Davis (definite, 12 GC trips, Guide Experience, own 16’ Sotar)
  • Tyler Davis (Ron Davis’ Son; paramedic, rent 18’?, new to GC) —-
  • Jerry Malloy (definite maybe; decision in mid-July, 12+ GC Trips) —-
  • Joe & Rhonda (possible; friends of Jennifer; available if needed)
  • Tom & Molly (possible; friends of Rob; will be contacted if needed)
  • Brant has some other possible lead rowers if needed
• Backup Rowers
  • Don Elger (definite, 2 GC trips)
  • Rob Burchfield (definite)
• Team Members
  • Linda Elger (definite, permit holder, 2 GC trips)
  • Jennifer Bloch (definite, 1 GC trip)
  • Virginia Bowers (definite, new to GC)
  • Melinda Davis (definite, several GC trips)
  • Ben Elger; Michael Elger (possible, hike out at Phantom, both new to GC)

Resources

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

2. Noncommercial River Trip Regulations (NPS).

Schedule

• March 11: Trip Deposit Due ✅
• Dec 15: Initiate Food/Menu Discussions with Rachael
• Dec 30: Full River Permit Fee Due
• Jan 29: Ceiba 50% balance due
• Feb 28: Ceiba 100% balance due
• March 29 (Sunday): Rig Day
• March 30 (Monday): Launch Day
• April 19: Float past Diamond Creek
• April 22: Take Out @ Pearce

Books About the GC

• Guide to the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon: Lees Ferry to South Cove by Martin and Whitis. Great guide book.

• Over The Edge: Death in Grand Canyon. Superb story telling about the Canyon. Not macabre as the title suggests. 4.7⭐ on Amazon.

• The Emerald Mile. The story of a GC guide who set out to row through the GC during an epic flood and set the speed record. 4.7⭐ on Amazon.

• A Walk in the Park. Superb story of an 800 mile hike through the GC. By the author of the Emerald Mile. 4.6⭐ on Amazon.

Gear SpreadSheet

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