GTS River Trip

   Once again, the Guides Training Trip was an incredible learning and growing experience for all involved. We launched on a miserably cold morning with ten rowing rafts, two dories and a slew of guides old and new, trainees, interpreters and Park Service staff. Speakers included Larry Stevens, (Omnologist), Randy Scott, (Botanist), Matt Kaplinski (Geologist), Roger Henderson (Navajo Ethnology), Kim Crumbo (Resources), Terry Samples (Archaeologist), Kenton Grua (Geology and History), Dennis Silva (Plants and Blues Improvisation), Wesley Smith (Native American stuff), Brad Dimock (Enthusiastic arm-waving), and more. And there were guest appearances by Bill Masslich, Tim Hoffnagle, and Mike Yard, all speaking on native fish.

   Park personnel included Steve Bone, Chief Ranger; Ellis Richard, Chief of Interpretation and Dave Haskell, Chief of Resource Management; as well as David Desrosiers, River Patrol and a special guest appearance by Mark Law, River District Ranger.

   Food and cook crews were expertly arranged by Mack Rivers and the entire conflagration was masterminded by the effervescent Martha Clark.

   There were quite a few walks, talks, demonstrations and discussions, each lending something undefinable yet essential to the whole. But there was also more than a week of living, eating, boating and camping together in the world’s coolest trench, which broadens and deepens the communication between Guides and the nps, between old and young guides, between guides from all companies and most importantly, between the Canyon and all of us.

   To know is to love, and to learn how to work in concert, to learn and convey knowledge of this place, is one of the most important things we can be doing. If you haven’t been on a gts trip yet, get on one. But until then, pay attention to those on your crew who have been, and make sure the knowledge continues to spread. See you next year, eh?