Ciao Susan

nyone lucky enough to do a private river trip through Grand Canyon in the past 13 years probably worked with a woman in the N.P.S. River Permits Office named Susan Cherry. Those of us in the commercial sector know Susan through a variety of contacts, which included, among other things, ranger ride-along evaluations, operating requirements, and a few years ago, the implementation of the then-new entrance fees at Lees Ferry—(not an altogether popular assignment among guides). Throughout most of these various duties, Susan's obvious love for the Canyon seemed to be the main reason she stuck around all these years. That love didn't compromise her ability to “toe the line” when compliance with N.P.S. regulations came into play, whether on the water or in the permits office. Her unofficious manner, in light of the ever-growing list of regulations for both private and commercial river trips, left one with a sense of fair and even-handed treatment. These qualities, along with the desire to “stay put” inside a system designed to move people around from place to place, generated respect.
Susan once said it would take some dynamite to uproot her from the Grand Canyon—her connection was that strong. Now, I suspect, it seems the system of which she was a part has stretched the limits of her concepts of fairness and rightfulness. New fee policies recently enacted affecting backcountry users at Grand Canyon National Park are such that Susan cannot, in good conscience, continue to do the job she has believed in for these many years. In March, Susan left Grand Canyon and moved to Organ Pipe National Monument in southern Arizona.
I, for one, am sorry to see her go. The Canyon surely needs as many public servants with her honesty and integrity as possible —Grand Canyon now has one fewer such employee on its staff. Stop in and say howdy if you're down Ajo way.

Dirk Pratley

vs.
BRUCE BABBITT,
in his official capacity as Secretary of Interior;
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR;
ROGER KENNEDY,
in his official capacity as Director of the National Park Service;
and NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, Defendants

Guides Defending Constitutional Rights, a non-profit organization, has filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court.
The case challenges mandated drug testing of Grand Canyon river guides as being in violation of constitutional protections, as it is being required without probable cause or reasonable suspicion. First court hearing will be April 4th to plan information exchange. We expect the first hearing on merits of the case to follow within 3-4 weeks.
Expenses are mounting quickly for this important legal action; please consider sending a contribution to:
Guides Defending Constitutional Rights
Box 1123, Flastaff, Arizona 86002

Canyon De Chelly Exchange

aybe a few of you all heard about this exciting project, but if you didn't go you missed out! Tom Workman, Chief Ranger at Canyon De Chelly, ex-Lees Ferry Ranger, and all around great guy, organized ten GCRG members and ten Navajo guides from Canyon De Chelly to exchange and share with each other's training program.
Canyon De Chelly National Monument organizes a training program for guides each year. This year they spent three days in class, followed by an overnight trip into the canyon. The Park Service would like to see the Canyon De Chelly guides get more organized, motivated, and professional. Sound familiar? Most of the talks were about building self esteem, Navajo tradition, and ways to be a better guide. Other talks covered geology, archeology, Hopi involvement, and low impact camping. Also Brad Dimock gave a quick talk on some of the pros and cons for setting up a guides organization.
The weather service had predicted a foot of snow during the overnight trip. We went as diehards anyhow, but as the snow fell some of us became less enthusiastic and got to go 4-wheeling out of the canyon. Yippee!!!.
We hope to have several Navajo guides join us for our spring land and river seminars in April, to allow further opportunity for camaraderie with these fellow guides. They are very knowledgeable about their canyon; they like to play, joke, and have fun. Many depend solely on guiding as their livelihood. We have many similarities, and I hope we can keep a connection going with our fellow Navajo brothers and sisters.

Jon Hirsh

Ed and Ray

As we move into a new river season, we will see a new face at Lees Ferry. Blu Picard has moved to a cooler climate on the North Rim, and Ed Cummins has taken the position after 8-1/2 years at Tuweep. The Glen Canyon Lee's Ferry ranger, Ray Hall, will now be checking out river trips as well.
Be sure to have your first aid, CPR, and current guide licenses in your possession when you show up for a trip. A new Commercial Operating Requirement states that a trip will not be allowed to launch without the necessary credentials. (Photocopies are acceptable). Call Ed at (520) 355-2232 to arrange to take your test. You may take the test at the South Rim if you arrange an appointment in advance by calling (520) 538-7841.

Swimming in the Colorado River

Just an idea to think about. What if you told passengers that when they fell in the river, that they should swim head first through the big waves and swirly waters? It sounds crazy, but I believe it is a safer way to be in the river. Swimming forward will build momentum and help the swimmer go through some of these big waves and eddy lines. Swimmers can get to the boat and/or shore quicker than just floating. Also, when swimming rapids, people can get sucked under by whirlpools; although not particularly dangerous, this can be terrifying. Swimming forward and being flat can keep feet from being sucked down by whirlpools. For the few rocky rapids, a swimmer can quickly switch to the feet first position to fend off rocks. I swam head first through Hermit last year and barely got my head wet. Try it out and see what you think!
Jon Hirsh