Doryakstravaganza

By the luck of the draw Cricket and Brad both drew Grand Canyon permits for 2025–a pair of 8-person permits just a few days apart. Figuring we might never get another chance, we corralled as many Fretwater boats as we could, and launched the eight eldest boaters with Brad, 57 to 74 years old. Cricket gave chase with the younger crowd, 18 – 58 years old. Boats ranged in size from Emily Popke’s 6’7″ decked Tardigrade (now the record-holder for smallest boat to row Grand Canyon), up to Dan Dierker’s 16’10” Briggs-style dory–the first dory built by Fretwater fifteen years ago. The rest of the boats ranged in between–nine 9′ Doryaks, one 10’6″ Tandori, two 12′ Fatties, and one 13’6″ Chub. Each one was birthed in our boatshop and all ran beautifully.

An ant lion mountain village at lunchtime.

So fun to see so many of our boats on the water at once!

A side hike up Kwagunt Canyon to see if we could find evidence of the Dragon Bravo fire. Nothing visible but the remains of a recent gray slurry flood.

Then Cricket’s gang caught up.

Sockdolager Rapid. Cricket spent a few moments going upstream here on the face of the wave, but found another way through.

Lunch above Grapevine.

Grapevine Rapid.

Yee haw!!

Oopsies!

Floating lunch

Packing the Blacktail harbor.

At Owl Eyes we went for a walk and Brad told the story of his infamous encounter with a bighorn sheep. As he finished with a “Baaaah!” we looked up. Oh oh.

Cool rocks.

Nap time.

Moonlight madness

The requisite Deer Creek Falls shot.

Stormy weather.

Upset!

Datura world.

Little boat in big water: Emily Popke in Lava in her wee Tardigrade.

The best place in the world: Tequila Beach, at the foot of Lava Falls.

Morning moonrise at Tequila Beach

Just when you think you’ve made it, there’s 232.

Final score: 4 or 5 Tardigrade flips (depending on what you call a flip), 9 Doryak flips, and a handful of swims. But no significant damage to boats or bodies.

Proud boat parents: a very happy Fretwater crew: