I’ve been blessed to find myself with invites to row the Grand Canyon 3 years in a row. This year the invite came from Michael Picker and Nini Redway, and I was eager to accept. It was just Margot and I this year, but we joined a crew of 14 others and had a fantastic time.

16 days of true wilderness travel, rafting big rapids, setting up and breaking down camp everyday, paddling miles, sometimes with wind. Cooking meals. Dealing with sand everywhere. Pooping in a can. Do we need to pump water? Unrelenting mind melting heat. It can take a lot out of a person and it takes a special kind of crew to get through it with good humour. Old friendships cemented and new friendships made.

I’ve been lucky enough to go down the canyon several times, including 3 times in the last 3 years. I’m still in awe. It’s such a cool place, with great camps, amazing scenery, and wonderful side hikes. I’ve spent something like 70 days down there, and i’d go again tomorrow if I could

Grand Canyon 2025 Favorites · Jun 16, 2013 – Jul 28, 2025 📸