worked with Neff [at Grand Canyon Youth Expeditions] for about three years, full seasons?I had these two guys: one of OEem was a good friend of McCallum, Jim David; and then Neff comes in. And Neff was from a different angle. Wrestling coach out of Salt Lake City, but Don had a tremendous history in Grand Canyon? He¹s got an incredible history? And of all the guys, I mean, Neff and Jim David took me under their wing and just completely buffed me out in what would normally be confusing shit for kids. They just nailed it down with me. And Neff was a very caring, loving guy as far as friendships and stuff. But?I think he was completely hating it when he was put into the position of having me on the rear oar of a one-boat, triple-rig trip, OEcause the first time I ran with him, it was in 1972. I¹m on the back end of this triple-rig trip, right? Back then, it was like he told me what his sign language was, and I just lived through that little puff-bellied body of his. He said, "Don¹t ever look at anything but me." Which was right. I was on it, man. I did not want to fail. And so we got to a big rapid, I remember....We got to the first rapid, and he looks back and he goes, "Oh, Jesus!" And I don¹t know what¹s upsetting him about me, but when he looked at me, he was upset

Brian Dierker

eff was wonderful with the people. He was wonderful on the river. Because he had the history to back him up, and he would just get amped for water. He taught me, "The river has big ears, don't ever take anything for granted down here." Basically, don't think you can just smoke everything 'cause it's your tenth trip of the year, and everything has gone great, you've got it wired and you know that water… because it will come up and slap your ass. But, before a rapid he was great to watch. He would check everything and he'd make sure everybody.... You know, he'd get all the people in. Not scared, there's a difference between getting people in and getting people scared… You know, you need to check out some stuff, make sure the damn jackets are on, tell 'em to help you out, tell 'em to look around the boat.
Neff was wonderful at that. He was great with people in general. He'd kid with them, but yet, he'd kind of talk. Looking at Neff and looking back on it, he taught you the fine line of guiding, and you learned how, as a younger person—Neff showed you that, "Yeah, you are there, under their employ. These people are paying me to take them down." But yet, you also are in charge and calling the final shots and stuff. There is a fine line between the two, you know.

Dan Dierker