Back to the river....
- btastorm
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
As I write this, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is burning. The historic lodge, as well as most of the buildings that make up the North Rim National Park 'village' have been destroyed. The North Rim will be closed for the remainder of this year, if not longer. The vast majority of visitors to the Grand Canyon actually go to the South Rim, as it is more easily accessible and closer to cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix. A smaller number visit the cooler, quieter and more remote North Rim area. And- fewer still make it to the 'heart' of the Grand Canyon: the Colorado River.
Next April I'll be starting a 14-day photography raft trip down the Colorado River, through the Grand Canyon. This will actually be my third trip down the Colorado with my friend and photography guide Adam Schallau! About 25 years ago I took a raft trip through the canyon with a university geology class, in order to accompany my father, who was helping out (he's a chemist). I brought good camera gear, but was so frustrated by the experience that I vowed to go back on a trip specifically designed for photography.
If you are a serious photographer and are considering a boat trip down the river, do yourself a favor and sign up with one of the dedicated photography groups. Adam, for example, has been leading expeditions down the river for decades. He knows where to go, and more importantly, when to be there. On this upcoming trip, we'll have mainly experienced photographers that have done this before and understand the challenges. We won't need a babysitter, just someone who knows the river, the canyon and its seasons, and can get us to the right spots at the right time with the right gear. With a longer trip and a more relaxed pace, we're hoping to reach the more remote and rarely photographed side canyons, slot canyons and waterfalls.
Each time I do this, I find that I am better at shooting in this unique and difficult environment. The Grand Canyon can be hot, cold, wet, dry, and windy. There is hiking, sweating, wading and even a little swimming. Within the steep walls of the canyon the light is harsh and can change within minutes. And of course there are the significant logistical problems, which I approach as an interesting challenge. First is keeping photo gear clean and dry through two weeks of intense water, sand and wind. Next is keeping camera batteries charged with no access to electricity (think power banks and USB chargers). Not to mention no motels, showers, laundry facilities or indoor plumbing.
Why am I going back? There are still a few amazing locations that we were unable to access on my previous trips. Or perhaps I'm just hooked like my photographer friend Adam Schallau. The canyon is an inspiring photographic wonderland; worth every twisted ankle and skinned knee. I'll be back on the water next April. Who says you can't an item off your bucket list more than once?
