Grand Canyon Oar Trips 2012 -
With Historic Nevills Cataract Boat Sandra
Canyoneers, the oldest of all Grand Canyon river outfitters, is unique in that our oar trips have the only remaining authentic Nevills cataract boat that is not in a museum or a private collection, the Sandra.
Norman Nevills was the first commercial river runner in Grand Canyon (in 1938, as Nevills Expedition), and invented a new design of wooden rowboat he called a cataract boat.
The Sandra is the last one he ever built, in 1947, and was named for his younger daughter Sandy. Now fully restored and owned by Sandy's son Greg Reiff, (Norman Nevills' grandson), the Sandra is a trip back to Grand Canyon's river running yesteryear. Accompanied by 18-foot inflated rafts, the Sandra offers river passengers an unparalleled experience as they take turns riding on her, even through the biggest rapids Grand Canyon has to offer.
Choose from our CanyonOars oar trips in June, July, or August 2012. Full-canyon All the Grand trips are 14 days in June and August, and 13 days in July (which concludes at Diamond Creek rather than upper Lake Mead).
Canyoneers Oar Trips: 18 Foot Rafts, and the Historic Nevills Cataract Boat Sandra
Canyoneers' first oar trip in Grand Canyon this year will launch from Lees Ferry on June 20, 2012. You can either join us for the entire Grand Canyon (All the Grand, 14 days; 13 days in July), the Upper Grand (6 days) or the Best of the Grand (9 days; 8 days in July). Scroll down to see summaries of all three trips.
All the Grand:
14 days, June 20-July 3
13 days, July19-July 31
14 days, August 30-September 12
The All the Grand trip begins and ends in Flagstaff, Arizona, and does not require a major hike out of or into Grand Canyon, as partial-Canyon trips do. All you have to do is be in Flagstaff the day before the trip for a 6 PM orientation meeting at the Flagstaff Holiday Inn Express on Interstate 40. At 6 AM the following morning, you are treated to a full breakfast buffet, then transported by shuttle bus to historic Lees Ferry, where all boats doing Grand Canyon are put into the Colorado River.
You would then float down the river through Grand Canyon for 14 days (13 days on the July trip) in 18 foot Avon inflated rafts (and passengers can even take turns riding on the Sandra), running its world class rapids, exploring side canyons, waterfalls, archeological sites, and of course the Canyon's mindblowing geology, which changes so dramatically the further down the river you travel.
Watch video from the July 2010 Oar trip - Never Too Late: An Historic Grand Canyon Honeymoon Trip
You will camp on sandy beaches at the river's edge, enjoying great food prepared by the river guides. All food, snacks, and beverages (water, juice, milk, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, sports drink) are provided except for pop and alcohol, which you are welcome to bring along if you wish. All camping gear (tent, sleeping pad, ground sheet) is provided except for sleeping bags, giving you the option to bring yours or rent ours.
The June and Aug./Sept trips exit the river at Pearce Ferry Landing at upper Lake Mead, near Meadview, AZ, after having done all 277 river miles of Grand Canyon.
The July trip exits at Diamond Creek on the Hualapai Indian Reservation near Peach Springs, Arizona, after 225 miles on the Colorado River. We then return you to Flagstaff by early evening.
Telephone us at 928-526-0924 or 800-525-0924
Trip Summary: CanyonOars All the Grand River Trip
14 days on the June and August/September trips; 13 days on the July trip
$3,350 per person
Transportation to Lees Ferry and back to Flagstaff included
Does not require a major hike into or out of the Canyon
All camping gear provided except sleeping bag (bring your own, or rent ours
All food, snacks, and beverages except pop/alcohol provided (bring your own)
Great meals, all prepared by the river guides
The only remaining authentic Nevills cataract boat still working in Grand Canyon, the Sandra
August/September Oar Trip: the Geology Special with Bruce Nelson and Veronique Robigou
Our final oar trip of 2012 (August/September) will have along a couple of special guests from Seattle, Washington: geologist Bruce Nelson and natural science illustrator and artist Veronique Robigou.
Bruce is a professor in the Department of Earth and Space Sciences at the University of Washington and has been exploring the Grand Canyon since he was a kid when his father was a summer park ranger. He has provided geological commentary as the boats travel down river on previous Canyoneers trips and led hikes into tributary canyons to see special geological features. While his research specialty is volcanology and early earth history (we will find amazing examples of both in the Canyon), he teaches undergraduate and graduate students, and adapts his comments to all levels of interest. He has designed and led exploration seminars in Hawaii, Oman, the Canary Islands, and Australia. In his view, being in the field makes for the greatest geological classroom and exploring the Grand Canyon is one of the best places on earth to answer questions about our planet's history.
Véronique is a marine geologist and a natural science illustrator. During her research career in Oceanography at the University of Washington she participated in many deep-sea research expeditions and submersible dives to map the seafloor. She has explored the interaction between underwater volcanoes and hydrothermal ecosystems deprived of sunlight.
Passionate about science education for all, she has created and directed programs for K-12 teachers, undergraduate, and graduate students to help them communicate science to lay audiences.
She has contributed to the Hall of Planet Earth exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History in New York and collaborated with the Seattle Aquarium. She was featured in the PBS, NOVA show "Volcanoes of the Deep Sea" and has hosted HDTV broadcasts from the seafloor at the University of Washington.
Véronique currently tells science stories by blending arts and sciences. At Ocean et Terra Studio she combines natural science illustrations, fine art, and writing to bring the thrill of scientific research and exploration to the general public.
In the Grand Canyon, she will team up with Bruce to explore the natural environment along the river, and encourages participants to bring their sketchbooks.
Canyoneers river guide Greg Reiff (grandson of legendary Grand Canyon river runner Norman Nevills) relates the fascinating history of his restored Nevills cataract boat the Sandra while on the Colorado River, July 2011.(Video length: 3 min. 20 sec.)
the boats travel down river on previous Canyoneers trips and led hikes into tributary canyons to see special geological features. While his research specialty is volcanology and early earth history (we will find amazing examples of both in the Canyon), he teaches undergraduate and graduate students, and adapts his comments to all levels of interest. He has designed and led exploration seminars in Hawaii, Oman, the Canary Islands, and Australia. In his view, being in the field makes for the greatest geological classroom and exploring the Grand Canyon is one of the best places on earth to answer questions about our planet's history. 
Véronique is a marine geologist and a natural science illustrator. During her research career in Oceanography at the University of Washington she participated in many deep-sea research expeditions and submersible dives to map the seafloor. She has explored the interaction between underwater volcanoes and hydrothermal ecosystems deprived of sunlight. 