House Rock Rapid

 House Rock Rapid

When it comes to scouting this rapid I much prefer the sensational river left scout. I am hoping to be able to shoot people running the rapid from that angle. The rapid itself has a variety of different runs. The left run is the most challenging as there is a pillow rock which tries to push you against the cliffs then tips you boat sideways. If this one doesn't flip your boat there is a big wave below that crunches bones.  As evidenced by the picture of the yellow 18ftr. that group flipped 2 boats right before we came through. We righted  their  boats both of which had flipped on the pillow rock.

The Doctor is in the house. Me on the left Dr. Michael Barnes and his wife Marni and daughter next to him.

Personal Items for River Trip

List of Personal Items		I have put the Items which I felt were generic and useful for  newbie rafters on this list.. I put them in red and a picture that relates (kinda) to item to make it more fun Mikp
Driver's License (Required at put in, Do not leave in truck if it is being shuttled. I had to pay to have someone retrieve it from Page. LOL .... only a Mikep event.) Evacuation insurance (not required by NPS)		The photo at the left is at Lees Ferry. Just so you know there is a store about 3 minutes drive from the put in. It is small but has limited rafting gear but does not have things such as oars, rope, waterproof boxes but does have things like solar showers, snacks, hats, shirts etc. A little further up the road is a small convenience store for items like milk, cookies, cheese, ice etc
I am using this area to make suggestions that most people leave out.	#1) Make sure your underwear is a quick dry type not cotton (though in camp cotton is wonderful on the river nothing worse than having a wet butt the whole day. Same thing with t-shirts. Great for in camp but will make you colder on the river. #2. There are great river bags and there are good river bags. I put my absolutely imperative gear in my Watershed bag. In my other bags I put my stuff that can be dried out in my bag that is water proof but cannot withstand the time it takes to float a flipped raft to a spot where it can be turned upright. I take a heavy duty black plastic bag for my sleeping bag so that it is protected inside the drybag. You cannot go to bed in a wet sleeping bag.
Personal Ammo Box map and river guide of the Grand Canyon, a GPS system, spare key to truck, notebook and pen		The photo to the left is of Lava Falls. Rated a 10, I believe, on a 10 point scale. What a gorgeous rapid!!! It is almost imperative to have a gps system in my humble opinion. I do not have one but maybe some day.
2 pair of boating     shorts (nylon)                     silk or wick away or     poly shirts (for fast dry)        River shoes River sandals		Me again. Another beautiful hike on the canyon. Picture by Jessica Dumke.
digital camera charger spare batteries 35 mm camera black and white film		The ocatillos in full bloom.
2 pair of sunglasses        2 Chap stick (SPF15 or better)                   2Sunscreen (Spf 30)
Hoodie		Bouche Ball
Sleeping Cot tent sleeping bag camp pillow thermal rest
		1 dry bag for clothes
Solar Shower Propane shower toiletry bag wash cloth towel		At Mat Kat Hotel I believe.
Big hat (w/alligator clips)		1 day bag
head lamp (plus a spare) Spare AAA batteries 2 Flashlights Spare AA Batteries		5 pair wool socks
2 water bottles		long sleeve quick dry
Cribbage board Spare deck of cards Games to play in the Eves washer game		In the photo by Jessica Dumpke I am playing cards with Rick Cutler. The cribbage board is made out of a piece of driftwood from the Green River. We forgot our board so I drilled one out by hand at the put in.
rowing gloves & warm gloves 2 pfd's (life jackets) Paddle Jackets paddle pants rain jacket		It is me Mikep
Mug(with cover) for hot chocolate/0r coffee lexan water bottle Drinks (water, Gatorade provided, hot chocolate, and coffee provoided) river snacks		My kitchen. We provide plates, bowls, eating utensils you bring the appetite
2 long pants (water compatible)		wash cloth / towel/soap
3 long sleeve micro fabric shirts		Helmet
2 pfd's (life jackets)
Camp folding chair (In bag. Please not lounging chairs or lawn chairs)  Mug(with cover) for hot chocolate/0r coffee Camp shoes/hiking shoes (dry at night )
swimsuit headlamp
wetsuit (if weather dictates)

Special Places on the Grand

Elves Chasm. This is one of the most mystical and enchanting place I have visited. I believe there are 7 'balconies'.

Levi at one of the balconies is Elves

Red Cavern. Everyone stops here but I would not list it in my top 10 places to stop. It is quite unique but offers little in the way of exploration and hiking.

Deer Creek about 3 mile past Poncho's Patio, I believe.

Gary Ladd at Deer Falls. This is up on top of the falls at Ponchos Patio. Gary is a well known contributor to Arizina Highways. Here he is with his box camera and glass plates he brought  on the trip. He lives in Page, Az

Unkar rapid overlook. With Sidney and a young boater who ran the meat when at the helm.
Sidney is a very intelligent man and an astronomer.

Mike P's River Kitchen

This is an overview of my river kitchen setup. The box on the legs at the right is my kitchen box. I have two tables that are at work height (just above waist high and the table is just in front of Holly , the lady in the picture).One of the blue tables is mine. It is which is a roll up table which stands about thigh high. Pictured next to the lady is a set of four burner stoves which are not mine. I have two stoves, one is a camp Chef 2 burner stove which runs off the 5gallon (20lbs I believe) tank and the other is a Coleman 2 burner which runs on the green bottles of propane.

This is my fire pan which is also a charcoal grill. I do not have a fire blanket and is something I am looking into but as of yet have not found inexpensively. I have two cast iron dutch ovens (the ones pictured are aluminum I believe and are not mine). You can see the kitchen box in the back left and my tables in the background right.

MY KITCHEN BOX (kitchen box size is 42" long X 19' wide X 16" deep) STANDS: 36 " TALL WITH LEGS ON Open front attached to act as work space
25 Bowls	1 lrg plastic spoon (Cook utensil Box)
25 Plates	2 serving forks (Cook utensil Box)
plate & bowl holder/container (keeps them from bouncing in kitchen box)	2 Can openers (Cook utensil Box)
25 plastic Knives	veggie peeler
25 plastic spoons	veggie grater/slicer
25 plastic forks	1 large metal spoon (Cook utensil Box)
1 eating utensils bag (for plastic forks etc.)	set of measuring cups
6 qt pan with steamer	1 cooking utensil plastic box
8 qt stock pan	5 cutting knives various sizes
12 qt stock pan	1 knives' tube (protects knives & everything else)
16 qt stock pan	scrubbers
20 qt stock pan	Dish Detergent
1 med skillet (Teflon type) replace with cast iron	Bleach (do not store in Kitchen box @ end of trip)
1 12" Leg skillet (nonstick)	1 dish cleaning supplies plastic box
3 lrg metal bowls & 1 sm metal bowl	1 roll of aluminum foil
2 small cutting boards	2 rolls of paper towels
2 lrg cutting board (fits into back of box)	2-long lighters
Large colander	Trash bags(kitchen size)
knife sharpener	Trash bags (large size)
1 spice box (well stocked)	1 container for bags & lighter (includes zip-locks)
1 condiments box (restock each trip)	2 dish cloths
1 lrg plastic ladle (Cook utensil Box)	3 dish towels
2 plastic spatula (Cook utensil Box)	1 dish towel container (keeps sand and grime off)
1 metal whisk (Cook utensil Box)	propane stove
1 plastic pasta spoon (Cook utensil Box)	hanging drying dish rack/bag
1 potato masher (Cook utensil Box)	double burner griddle (not Teflon)
1 lrg metal ladle (Cook utensil Box)	wash tubs (4 of them)
1 set of tongs (Cook utensil Box)	strainer for kitchen water
1 lrg plastic spoon (Cook utensil Box)
2 serving forks (Cook utensil Box)

A Menu for the Grand Canyon

DATE	DAY	BREAKFAST	LUNCH	DINNER
Jan 25th	1	YOGURT W/NUTS, CRAISINS, GRANOLA	WRAPS	BOBOLI PIZZA (EASY TO MAKE IN THE DUTCH OVENS..NICE FIRST DAY MEAL)
Jan26th	2	OMELETS /BUILD YOUR OWN	COLD CUTS SANDWICHES	SHRIMP ENCHILADAS
Jan 27th	3	OATMEAL WITH RAISINS, NUTS, FRUIT BAGELS	PITA POCKET	FETTUCCINI W/ CHICKEN BREAST
	4	JUEVOS RANCHEROS	WHEAT BREAD & COLD CUTS	STUFFED MANICOTTI
	5	OATMEAL WITH RAISINS, NUTS,	LETTUCE WRAPS	FISH SOFT TACOS
	6	FRENCH TOAST WITH VEGGIE SAUSAGE, HASH BROWNS	FISH SALAD PETA	PESTO BOW TIE /W CHICKEN BREAST
	7	SKILLET SCRAMBLES, BACON	WRAPS	STEAK FAJITAS
	8	HATCH CHILI PANCAKES, LINK SAUSAGE & VEGGIE SAUSAGE	COLD STEAK HOGIE SANDWICHES	GRILLED CHICKEN OR MUSHROOMS ROOM PANINI W/3 CHEESE POTATOES
	9	EGG MIKE MUFFINS W/ SOY SAUSAGE, HASH BROWN CAKES	HAM SANDWICHES	JAMBALAYA WITH SHRIMP OR SAUSAGE
	10	Fruit & yogurt & cereal	PITA POCKETS	MEXICAN (TOSTADAS, TACOS or BURRITOS )
	11	COLD CEREAL	COLD CUT WRAPS	BEEF STEW & VEGETABLE STEW
	12	BLUEBERRY PANCAKES	TUNA FISH SANDWICHES	LASAGNA CHICKEN ROLLUPS W BROCCOLI RICE SIDE
	13	BREAKFAST BURRITOS, WITH AND VEGGIE	ROAST BEEF SANDWICHES	STEAK OR PORTABELLA MUSHROOMS WITH
	14	COLD CEREAL	PITA POCKETS	RAVIOLI (one veg one meat) salad ( Rav prepared in sealed bags put in hot water done)
	15	FRENCH TOAST WITH BACON, HASH BROWNS BROWNS	hoagie sandwiches	TAI DINNER
	16	BAGELS AND FRUIT	sandwich multi grain with chicken turkey	CHICKEN/VEGGIE POT PIES
	17	PANCAKES, FROZEN HASH BROWNS W/VEGGIE SAUSAGE	sandwich multi grain with ham	STIR FRY
	18	HOT CEREAL WITH DRIED FRUIT	WRAPS	PENNE PASTA
	19	PANCAKES		INDIAN RICE DISH (Vegetables and Chicken Korma) Chicken/vegetables in can
	20	WHATEVER IS LEFT		KUNG POW CHICKEN in can
	21	COLD CEREAL OR OATMEAL	WRAPS

My raft in the Grand '08

This is my 16ft Hyside self-bailer with a removable floor. This model was the last year they made the lace in floor. Now all floors are permanent. The concept of the lace in floor was if you happen to have a rip in the bottom which required you to send it in for repair you could send the floor only back and not the entire raft. I think it was just too expensive to do it this way and now they glue them all in. I think the glue in floors have less drag also.

I have a cargo floor in the rear compartment which is attached to the five smaller D-rings which I added inside the back compartment. I also added one more set of large D-rings to hold my frame and five large D-rings in the front of the boat (sometimes it is nice to have the ability to put more dunnage (bags of passengers) up front or just switch the two compartments where the passengers can ride in the back. I also added five large D-rings to the back of the boat which allows me to strap the dunnage with either a cover or straps.

The frame has 3 compartments. The compartment under my seat is where I put my kitchen but I could put my dry box there as the bars are adjustable. I believe my kitchen box (you can see the kitchen box (and a picture of the kitchen one one of our trips) in the river kitchen post. The kitchen box comes up to camp every evening/afternoon.

That is my $230 rowing chair on which I am sitting.

In the compartment right in front of me I have a cooler which is accessible during the day with minimal effort. It is covered by a cooler cover which I wet for evaporation cooling on long hot trips. The cooler stays on the boat the entire trip. I also have a cooler cover inside to help with ice retention and it has pockets for things like snacks/chocolates. The capacity of this cooler is 160 quarts.

The front compartment containes my dry box which I store some personal gear along with my stoves and dry good such as bread, canned vegetables, chips etc.

I have three water jugs strapped on the frame and two rocket boxes. I have a wooden floor out of has marine plywood and finished in marine paint which I strap 6 ammo boxes (these are the small boxes about 8" deep and 6" wide and about 12' long). I have an ammo box for a first aid kit, one for my repair kit and one for things like maps, notebook, etc.. The other two are for my personal gear such as sunglasses, sunscreen, etc. and one has snacks etc. The last one is for a day groover which we are to take on all hikes. I allow each passenger one ammo box for their daily personal gear and two dry bags (one large one medium) and a small day bag for warm clothes etc which we strap on last so that it is accessible during the day.

I have the required two spare oars which you can see are strapped to the side of the boat with quick release buckles. I have a throw cushion on my seat (I personally think it is one of the dumbest requirements of the NPS... but who am I). and I have a throw rope on the frame next to my seat. Ihave a bow line and a stern line which are both very long both almost 100 ft. You also can see two camp tables with legs which extend to working height. I also have a rollup table which comes out for lunch. I don't like the concept of eating on the boats unless you prepare the lunch (things like wraps and sandwiches) in advance and even then it is nice to have something to set the goodies on.

In the picture (taken by Holly) I am at the helm and Jason Kayne is sitting on the dry box. My boat hold myself and two passengers comfortable but I have had up to three passengers.

So that is my boat and I hope you enjoy reading such posts.

Mikep

Hermit Rapid...Grand Canyon

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I put the above picture first so you could get an idea of the size of the boil at the top of hermit rapid. That is an OARS commercial trip and a 18 foot raft. Because of the size of this hydrolic and the size of the waves in hermit they rate this rapid at a 7-8 on a scale of 10. Most rivers use 1-5 class rating with Warm Springs rapid on the Yampa being the only true 5 I have run although Big Drop on the Colorado in Cataract canyon may also be that big at 17k

This was in '04 I believe with the river at 18k-22k. I have always entered Hermit in the same place as this guide did in picture number two (that is the end of the boat the rest is underneath water) to assure the ride right down the middle of the wave train. Enter it a little left or right and you get kicked off the roller coaster. This year there was two extra waves and the last one was flipping boats. We all made it through with no mishaps.

Now the third picture is the bottom a boat piloted by a lady guide with OARS who hit the top a little off to the right and her boat was spun and she was thrown from her boat. The passenger went to get her back in the boat and the next wave knocked her out also. The boat ran the wave train just fine so I guess we are just not as important as we Captains like to think of ourselves. The ladies were just fine after the swim. By the way two duckies came down next and to no ones surprise they both bit it on the top boil pictured here. Valiant effort but ...

Welcome to Crystal Rapid Grand Canyon

Mike Peterson (that is me, a few years ago folks. Under the yellow helmet is Jason Kayne) going through the hole in Crystal Rapid, considered by many to be the second most difficult rapid on the Grand behind Lava. I can tell you that this wave made my spare oar stand up and take notice.

This was the third time I had been in the middle of the fray. The first time I watched everyone else take the extreme right run and it seemed like the fun was still a little ways out and I could still stay out of the meat. I was too far out on the tongue at the top and the water just pulled my boat, as I upstream ferried trying to escape, right into the current. I was just trying to get to the edge of the big stuff for a look see... but the best laid plans of mice and men. I had two passengers in this boat both of them in the front and as I realized there was no getting away from the pull of the river I Yelled with all the confidence I could muster "Hold on Boys we are going for it!" As I took huge powerful long strokes to push up the wall of water at the top of Crystal (not pictured here as this is about half way down Crystal and there is only one hole below this which is quite a bit smaller than this hole) my confidence turned to humility as my boat was on the side of the towering wall of water and we were still climbing at pretty close to a 45 degree angle. I pushed on the oars with all my might to get those last needed four or five feet. What I remember to this day was how quiet it was was on the side of that wall of water that was taller than my 16 foot hyside. There was no roar of the river, the noise either being blocked out by the wave or absorbed by it, yet you could feel the power a million years in that wave. The water was still clear as there had yet to be a monsoon storm and the release was at the highest I have to this date run the Canyon. At 18,000 to 22,000 cfs that wall of water was as smooth as a baby's butt (and just as full of surprises as I was to find out). I believe it that was the calmest place I have ever been. I was a peace with the world and my soul and all the memories I have of life being in harmony with the world, that was it for those 6 to 10 seconds. They will always be etched in my memory.

As we crested the top of the wave, though there was a sense of relief in topping the mammoth standing wave, I could hear all hell break loose. The crashing laterals, the hole pictured here descending to the rocky bottom of the river, frothing and splashing then the wave curling back on itself and the rumble of the rocks underneath us transported us into a hyperbole of audio and physical churning, chugging, whipping, dipping, splashing water that is as historic and well know among rafters as is the Redwood Forest of Northern California to car traveling tourists or the half dome of Yosemite to hikers. We sped like a runaway train smashing through the hole and for the first time in my rafting career I was totally immersed in the wave that crashed back upon the hole and I wondered for a split second if I had flipped. As I emerged from darkness, still upright, the raft exploded into cheers and hoorays as I rowed on down the river. What a life changing experience!!

The next time I took the hole I was in a 18 ft'r and it seemed almost anticlimactic.

But the time pictured here (picture taken by the Barnes family) was again as memorable as the first only I came in to the current below the wall of water and as you see the rest is history. The other two times down the canyon I have kept very right doing the backwards pull in around the rock on the top right then staying away from the turmoil and the rock on the right bank.