Grand Canyon Adventure 2026

Launch Info

Goals

Announcements (2025-11-19)

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Food Plan (Tentative)

Information

Breakfasts

  1. Jerry Malloy will make coffee (thanks Jerry!)
  2. Hot water will be available.
    1. participant are expected to bring own drinks (tea, coco, tang, etc.) if they want something other than coffee
  3. Approximately 18 days will be no-cook and no-dishes
    1. menu examples: cold cereal, instant oatmeal, bagels, yogurt, fruit, pre-cooked bacon.
  4. Approximate 6 days will be cook-breakfast; we’ll align these with layover days.
    1. menus examples: eggwiches, pancakes, hot cereal, breakfast burritos

Lunches

  1. Approximate 12 lunches with be lower prep
    1. See this page for options.
  2. Approximate 12 will be higher prep

Dinners

  1. Approximate 7 BBQs
  2. Approximately 9 Boil Bags
  3. Approximately 7 Traditional
  4. See this page for ideas in each category.

Snacks and Hors d’oeuvres and Booze

  1. Have Ceiba do hors
  2. Individuals bring own snack
  3. Individuals bring own booze (can purchase from Ceiba)

Cost Info

Roles

Gear Guru

Banker

Food Guru

Logistics

Info from Ceiba (2025-08-11)

Plans

Participants

Schedule

Resources

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

  2. Noncommercial River Trip Regulations (NPS).

  3. Lots of useful info from Ceiba

  4. Grand Canyon Wisdom by Joe Anderson: Information that helps a group work together effectively based on 30+ GC trips. (See the end of this doc)

Books About the GC

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Gear Spreadsheet

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Grand Canyon Wisdom by Joe Anderson

Note: This section was written by Joe Anderson based on his 30ish GC trips.

This is meant more for Canyon virgins but I like to include everyone.  

There are official regulations and they are long and detailed.  With an exception or two those are not included here.  

There are few written rules for participating on this trip (federal), however, there are significant expectations from the group.   I am attempting an overview.  This is not meant to be all inclusive;  just a means to help you adjust to life on the river.  You will pick up a lot more after we get on the river.  The group will establish a routine and individuals will quickly pick up on that routine and insert themselves into it.  

There are videos that the Park Service requires you to watch before you leave home.  Watch them! Link to Playlist

I always caution people to think of a private Canyon trip as a working vacation.  We all pitch in to get things done.  It is very noticeable when somebody repeatedly does not help out.   You don’t need to be in the dishwasher line every meal but if you are never helping out it is noticed.   Some days you might need to just relax.   A relaxing day is fine.   Just not every day.   

Everyone cooks and cleans.  Everyone hauls gear and sets up the kitchen.   We all do dishes.  We all need to do Groover Duty!

Before we begin the journey every person will be assigned to a boat.  That will be your boat for the duration of the journey.   You don’t have to ride on the same boat every day but your gear must be on the same boat.  I actually encourage people to ride on different boats:  you get to know each other better than by staying on the same boat every day.  

In the morning we load the boats.   The boat captain is responsible for how the boat is loaded and how the gear is secured.   If you are a “passenger” you should assist with loading your boat and helping to get it secured.  Your personal gear will go on the same boat every day.    Your day bag goes on whichever boat you go on that day.   

When we get to camp in the afternoon we unload and set up the kitchen first thing.   That day’s cook crew arranges the kitchen to their liking.  We also set up hand washing and groover.  

The kitchen is set up first, then individuals choose a campsite.  Please help unload and set the kitchen first.   

Groover must be set up within half an hour of arrival.   (Park rules).  If you are unaware, all solid human waste must be carried out and removed from the Canyon.  This means that we must deal with our poop on a daily basis.   (Groover is the most common name for the 🚽 ).     Unpleasant as it may be we gotta do it.   

Speaking of pooping:  the groover is not available while we are on the river; only in camp.  We are required by law to have a day use system but it is a pain to use.   It is best if you can get in the habit of pooping either in the morning or evening and save the day toilet for emergency use.   

Pee:  all of it must go into the river.  Get used to peeing with people around.  

Religion and politics are subjects that are best avoided.   It is a long trip and we are all together for the duration.   Best to avoid any hot topics.   These are the hottest topics.  

For people who are on the Colorado River for the first time the river is the biggest attraction.   There is much more than just the water.   There is a great deal of hiking to be found and by the nature of our participants l will focus more on activities like hiking rather than on which camps we get.   I will sacrifice a good camp for a good hike any day.   If getting a certain camp sets us up for good hiking and activities we will go for that camp.   For many of us this is a one and only opportunity to get on the river.   We will maximize the opportunities for hiking and seeing the sights.   

While I encourage everyone to hike as much as they want, keep in mind that if you are on cook duty you might not be able to go on as long of a hike as you will need to be around to cook.  

This is NOT the time for making big life changes.   I know people who decided that their Canyon trip was the time to quit smoking or drinking alcohol.  Bad idea.   Nobody wants to be a part of a withdrawal process.   

Weed:  at the time I write this marajuana is still a federal offense.   If you choose to use cannabis please be discreet.  Edibles might be the preferred option as there is no smoke 💨 to be detected.    As a group we are mostly older and not much of a party crowd but I would say don’t be obnoxious if you do consume anything.   

It is possible for the rangers to issue fines.   If the group receives a fine the fee will be paid by the group.   If an individual receives a fine the individual will be responsible for the fee.   This may sound trivial but it can become a serious issue and can be a source of concern and resentment.   I know of instances and it wasn’t pleasant.  

Layover days (aka zero days for hikers):   I hope to have a number of days where individuals are free to do whatever they want (usually hiking).   Layovers are earned.   We don’t get layovers if we leave camp at 10 am each day.  I don’t have a set time to launch every day but early is better.   We will settle into a routine.  

Every day Someone has to be the last person ready.   Try not to be the last person ready every day.  Once in a while is okay.  Just don’t be last every day.  

If you don’t know something ask.  

This is not meant to be comprehensive or absolute and you will figure out lots more very quickly.  This will hopefully help you meld into the journey sooner and more comfortably.   Things and processes will be second nature after a few days;  I hope this speeds up the process.