How much does it cost?
The 2008 Grand Canyon Raft Trip costs $2710. This includes a small surcharge to cover NCSE expenses so that we
are able to break even. To reserve your place,
send us a deposit of $500. The remaining $2210 is due by April 30, 2008.
What if I need to cancel?
If you have to cancel
before April 30, 2008, you will forfeit $500.00 deposit. If we
can replace you, we will return your $500.00 deposit. In the past, we have been
able to replace people from the waiting list, but we cannot promise to be able
to do so.
If you have to cancel after April 30, 2008, you
will forfeit $1,000.00 deposit. As before, if we can replace you, we will refund
your deposit.
Who is the outfitter?
We contract with Moki Mac River
Expeditions Inc. Moki Mac, founded in 1969 by the children of the first person
ever to run a commercial river trip in 1947, is one of the oldest and most
highly respected outfitters running the river. They are also one of the
smallest, offering a personalized level of service unmatched by other
outfitters. We have taken all of our excursions with them and find them
to be an exceptional company. With Moki Mac, we can all but guarantee a safe and
enjoyable experience for all. The pilots are skillful and knowledgeable, and the
food is wonderful. Hard to beat.
How long does the trip last?
The trip lasts a total
of 9 days, from the evening of July 29 to around noon on August 6.
When and where do we meet?
We meet in the Las Vegas airport (McCarran
International) at 2:00 PM on July 29 (the day before we hit the river) at the
baggage claim information counter on Level 1. We will be taken by bus to the
Boulder City Airport, and flown in small planes to the
small town of Marble Canyon, AZ.
(A word on packing for the flight to Marble Canyon. You are limited to 25 pounds
of weight, which includes your carry-on baggage; any additional weight will be charged
at a rate of $1/pound.)
The first night, July 29, is spent at the Marble Canyon Lodge. We will have an orientation
meeting that evening to discuss the trip, gear, safety, etc. You need to be in Marble Canyon
that evening in order to participate in the trip. We get a good night's sleep, and then meet
again at 7:00 AM the next day for breakfast and departure to the river. From July 30 to August 6,
we will enjoy the beauty and natural history of the Grand Canyon, and one another's company.
On the morning of August 6, we will be picked up by a high speed boat and taken to South Cove,
the take-out point, and from there we will be bussed to the Las Vegas
airport, arriving between 2:00 and 3:00 PM. If you are flying home from Las Vegas, Moki Mac suggests
that you not book your flight until 4:00 or later. In the past, that has given us plenty of time. We are advised
that if you are driving to the Las Vegas airport, you should park in the airport parking lot, unless you have a
hotel that is willing to let you park for a week. For those of you with a little extra time before your return flight, McCarran Airport has a 24-hour Fitness Center, with showers and lockers that anyone can use for a small fee.
What if I want to drive to Marble Canyon rather than meet in
Vegas?
Some participants choose to meet us in the town of Marble
Canyon, rather than meeting at the Las Vegas airport, especially those who live
in adjacent states. If you drive to Marble Canyon on the twenty-ninth, you need to arrange to have
your car ferried to South Cove, the take-out point, before August 6.
This can be arranged through the outfitter, and detailed information
will be provided to participants upon request. If you drive to Marble Canyon,
you will not need the flight from Las Vegas to Marble Canyon, and you may deduct the cost of airfare to Marble Canyon, and the fee for the bus from South Cove to Las Vegas, from the trip cost.
What about the boats? How large are they? Do we need to row? Are the
boats powered, and if so, how noisy are they? 
The boats are 34 feet long and hold 12 passengers
plus 2 crew. They basically look like giant Zodiacs. You can sit up front if you
want to get wet, or sit in the back if you want to stay (relatively) dry. There
is plenty of room overall and it is quite comfortable.
The pontoon rafts
are extremely stable and very unlikely to flip in rapids. This is about as safe
as you can get and still run the river.
The boats are powered and thus you do not need to help row. The motors are not particularly
noisy and you find that you barely notice them during the trip. The pilots also frequently
shut down the motors during long calm stretches and just float on the current. The motor
exists primarily for steering, especially in rapids.
How safe is it? What about medical attention?
Your safety is the outfitter's first concern. Moki Mac's pilots are well trained and highly qualified. Generally
the trip is extremely safe with minor cuts and bruises or a twisted ankle the only injuries - when injuries occur
at all. The pilots carry a good first aid kit with bandages and similar items; bringing your own supplies also
never hurts. In addition to providing water and lemonade at all times, pilots also carry ion balancing drink mixes
to help with dehydration (don't make them have to use it!) In the case of more serious medical emergencies, the
pilots are trained EMTs. They also carry a satellite phone for
emergency evacuations. (This is only used in extreme emergencies, given the difficulties of getting a helicopter
into the canyon to get someone out.) Be safe and be careful is the best advice.
We also need to know any special medical needs you may have in order to let Moki Mac prepare for them. Let us know
if you are diabetic, have a heart condition, have any mobility problems, require any special medications that you
need to take regularly, or have any other special needs that we need to take into account in order for you to enjoy
your trip. This is for the safety of everyone else on the trip as well as yours.
What about insurance?
Moki Mac recommends that you
contact your insurance company about "trip cancellation" policies as well as
travel insurance. You should also contact your health services provider to ask
about coverage while traveling. NCSE cannot provide insurance for participants;
whether or not to obtain extra insurance is an individual decision.
What is a typical day on the river like? 
A typical day will consist of arising at around 7:00 AM or so, eating a leisurely
breakfast, breaking camp, motoring down river for a couple of hours, and stopping for a mid-morning hike up a side
canyon. We might see a natural formation, hike to a waterfall, take a dip in a stream, examine petroglyphs - there
are lots of things to see in the Canyon. The side canyons have a different ecology than the river proper, so there
are always interesting things to see. Then we'll reboard the boats, motor for a few more hours, and stop for lunch.
After lunch, more motoring downstream, and likely another stop for a side canyon hike or other feature. In late afternoon,
we make camp. Along the way, we will encounter rapids and probably get wet, which is pretty nice when it is hot.
Dinners are ample, well balanced, well prepared, and delicious. Provisions are made for vegetarians or others with
special dietary needs.
How much physical activity should I expect?
A fair amount of hiking is generally part of the trip. The vast majority of the excursions on foot are relatively
easy hikes. Some hikes are more strenuous. The guides know the Canyon well, and can advise us on the amount of
exertion likely on a given hike. You don't have to take the Death March down Coal Canyon if you don't want to!
But opportunity exists for some real exercise if you want it.
All participants who are able are expected to help to
load and unload the raft each day.
I am not that physically able; can I still participate?
Yes! We have had people with many different degrees of mobility come on this trip in the past, and the
outfitter has been very accommodating. People who are not able to participate in some or all of the hikes wait on
the boat or in the shade and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the river if they can't negotiate a particular hike.
And, even people in wheelchairs have been accommodated by Moki Mac.
How hot will it get?
Expect temperatures to climb into the 90s
and possibly over 100 during the days, with cooling in the evening. You get used
to it surprisingly quickly. The river is always cool and refreshing, if usually a bit
muddy, and you get splashed a lot during the trip. It's a dry heat, so
dehydration is always an issue, and the pilots make sure to keep you well
hydrated.
What does the outfitter provide?
The excursion is
all-inclusive from Las Vegas, with travel to the Canyon provided by the
outfitter. Travel from Las Vegas to Marble Canyon, the night spent in Marble
Canyon Lodge, the raft trip itself (including food and utensils), and bus
service back to Las Vegas is included in the fee. It is possible to skip the
small airplane ride from Las Vegas to Marble Canyon and the bus ride from South Cove to Las Vegas, as described above; staying
at Marble Canyon Lodge, is, however, required for the important pre-trip
orientation and also so we can start on time in the morning. Moki
Mac also has tents and sleeping bags for an extra charge, if rafters wish to
rent them.
Food
The meals for the trip are included; the outfitter provides breakfast, lunch, dinner, and some snacks.
Vegetarians are accommodated, but Moki Mac needs to know if anyone has dietary restrictions.
Drinks
The outfitter provides you with water and lemonade. Any other beverages (including
alcoholic ones) you must provide yourself. The outfitter has limited space to pack beer, wine, and soda for participants.
If you are interested in BYOB, you can purchase it at the general
store in Marble Canyon (not as cheap as at Costco, mind you). If you fly from Las Vegas to Marble Canyon on the airplanes,
you cannot transport alcohol, so you will therefore contribute to the economy of Marble Canyon!
How about bathrooms?
For sanitation, the outfitters bring portapottys for solid waste. (Here is a photo of a Porta-potty site; these have to be the most beautiful views of any toilet facility one can imagine.) Urine goes right into the river. (Additional
warning to the women - avoid tight shorts/pants....) If you decide to go on this trip, we will have a number of useful hints to pass on
to improve your comfort on the river.
What do I need to bring?
You need to bring or rent a tent,
sleeping bag and sleeping pad. You will also need water bottles and clothes. You do not need cups, utensils, cooking equipment, etc.
A detailed list of suggested gear will be sent to all participants. We provide a trip t-shirt and a waterproof guidebook (Belknap's Grand Canyon River Guide).
The clothes should be lightweight, light-colored,
and quick drying. Jeans are not practical: they are hot, and if they get wet, they take a long time to dry.
Boots are not necessary (unless you have bad ankles or some other reason to go for heavy gear); a good pair of
sneakers is probably all you need for the hikes. A pair of waterproof Teva-like sandals will be the best on the boat.
Of particular importance is rain gear for occasional downpours and more
importantly for rapids. The river water is cold and you get absolutely soaked in
some of the larger rapids, making rain gear a must. It is difficult to believe, but you can suffer hypothermia - even in 90 degree heat!
If you wear glasses, be sure to have a lanyard for them so you don't lose them in the river.
The sun is bright and brutal; make sure you have a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and (above all) rub-proof, sweat-proof, waterproof sun block.
What if I don't own a tent or a sleeping bag?
If you
do not own a tent or sleeping bag, these can be rented from the outfitter for a
modest fee. The Moki Mac tents, bags, and sleeping pads are of decent quality and
relatively easy to set up. Information regarding this will be distributed to
participants.
How much should I pack?
Space is limited, and conditions are primitive;
travel light. You'll be surprised at how few clothes you need. The outfitter will provide you with two river bags (about 3 cubic
feet of space each) in which you will pack your clothes and sleeping bag. These
will be stowed during the day and you will not have access to them. In general,
your sleeping bag and some clothes go in one and most of your clothes go in the
other. You will be also be given a smaller waterproof day bag that goes on the
boat with you; in it, you will generally put your camera, rain gear, and
anything else you want to stay dry and accessible to you during the day.
Do I need to sign a release?
Yes. A release will be
sent to you in May 2008. You will need to sign it and return it to us prior to
going on the trip. No release, no participation, no refund.
What about tipping?
It is customary to tip the crew 5% - 10% of the cost of the trip,
depending on your satisfaction with the trip. At the end of the trip, Genie collects the anonymous donations in
an envelope which then is given to the senior boatman, who divides it among the crew. Cash is preferred, as it
is easier to divide up, but checks written to each crewperson can be written. There are four crew. Some people have brought four blank checks and filled them out with names and amounts at the end of the trip.