The last 2 summers I've been working for Hatch River Expeditions as a swamper working towards being a guide and ultimately getting to drive my own motor boat through the grand canyon. Not something that happens fast at Hatch. After a great trip with my good friend Scott making me drive mostly everything we got back to the warehouse to hear some of our fellow guides were going to bungee jump off of the Navajo bridge at marble canyon. Well our friend Sean went first of the group and when the cord came tight he broke his tibial plateau. He was to launch on a trip the following morning and couldn't bear any weight on his leg. Needing to come up with a guide in just a few hours Scott made a decision that would work if the boss went for it. Scott would take Sean's boat and I would take Scotts boat the following day. My first boat! It was really the only alternative and Scott and the boss had faith in me. I would be lying if I told anyone I wasn't scared stupid above certain rapids but I was second boat to my friend JP who would be the trip leader and following him helped my nerves immensely. We work well together and he has taught me probable more than any other Hatch guide and has talked me through the tricky ones every time we have run together. Thanks to Scott for believing in me! JP for his patient teachings and Steve Hatch for the opportunity to drive what I feel are the best motor boats in the canyon. Blessed with high water and JP helping me through the tuff spots I had great runs and brought both motors back home without hitting anything! After that trip Steve sent me out again on a trip that booked more people and he needed another boatman. So uh ya, looks like I'm a river guide now. I'm looking forward to my next trip which is with Steve and the Hatch family.
A stop and hike at Bedrock
Rain caused waterfall near the granite narrows
A couple big guys
