GTS River Trip

   This is an open letter to all Grand Canyon river guides and outfitters regarding the GTS river Seminar. Come on down!!! I want to encourage you to take advantage of this extraordinary experience. For guides it is an opportunity to spend time with and get to know other members of the river community while hearing in-depth information about the Canyon from men and women who know far more about the Canyon’s geology, archaeology, human history, biology, botany, water and desert ecology than we will ever know. For outfitters its a very small investment in your guides that guarantees more professionalism and higher quality trips for clients with resulting positive PR.

   During the ’94 trip which began on March 29th, we got to spend time with “the experts”: Larry Stevens (renaissance man and walking/talking/floating resource library), Stan Beus (NAU geologist), Jan Balsam (GCNP archeologist), Bill Liebfried (biologist-fish, eagles), Roy Murray (herpetologist), and Roger Henderson (archaeology-Navajo). We added to and expanded our knowledge of Grand Canyon geology, GCEIS, hydrology, beach studies, fish studies, eagles, native history, habitation and stoneware, flora, fauna, snakes, lizards, biogeography, ecozones, water flow, riparian habitat, and much more. I feel fortunate to have spent nine days with people whose knowledge of the Canyon is so extensive. Their willingness to spend time with us sharing that knowledge is truly a gift.

   Beyond improving our interpretative skills to provide a higher quality river experience for our passengers, the GTS River Seminar provides a chance to strengthen our community, to develop greater appreciation for the diversity of skills and backgrounds river guides bring to the Canyon, to develop new friendships, to teach and learn from each other, and to offer a forum for support for issues we all face.

   Boats? You name them, we had them. A 33' “S-rig”, two 22' snouts (one oar, one motor), two Domars, one paddle boat and one dory. We had old guides and young guides. Guides with one or two years experience, and guides with over twenty years experience. We took hikes that were for educational purposes, and hikes for fun... Did the Nankoweap - Kwagunt loop, went up to the top of Nankoweap Butte and then ran down the steep slope to Kwagunt. Hiked up Lava and over to Basalt. Along the way Jeff Plye discovered an old axe head— perhaps basalt, 15" long and in perfect shape—lying in the soil. What a thrill! We did a sweat on the last night. Talked around the campfire about issues of concern such as taking care of ourselves on and off the river (physically and emotionally), dealing with unexpected changes, like being fired, and ways to support each other more effectively.

   I was at first a little uncomfortable about being a passenger. I couldn’t take what I’m used to and felt confused about where I would put things each day and what it would be like on the different boats: Welcome to the world of the passenger! I now have more empathy for passengers. One of the greatest benefits was to spend time with people like Roger Henderson, Martha Clark, Art Thevenin, Dave Derosiers, Elena Kirschner, Stacy Woodard and John Hirsch, all of whom volunteered their time to row and motor us downstream. It was great fun rowing Martha’s dory and a privilege to observe Roger demonstrating effortless energy on a flawless Hance run. We couldn’t have done any of it without Tom Vail, a superb trip leader.

   So I learned, I developed more appreciation for my fellow guides, enjoyed time in the Canyon, went places I’ve never been before, met people I hope to see again, and stimulated my desire to continue to work there. I had lots of fun to boot. One more time, let me urge outfitters to support your crew, your company, your passengers and GCRG by encouraging your guides to attend future GTS events. And let me urge river guides to participate in the land and river seminars. We all win.

Charly Heavenrich