Hi Michael, commercial river travel is down since the last few years, and every one of the 14 businesses operating the 16 river concessions in Grand Canyon National Park has openings this summer. This in the face of overwhelming public demand for do-it-yourself trips with 130,000 paddlers waiting patiently for their chance to paddle through the Canyon in a forecasted 24 year wait for access to the river. That said, I would encourage you to consider traveling with your family on a muscle powered trip. You'll be able to hear the river, wildlife, and you^Rre river guide. Oar rafts are actually safer (see Myers et al; Fateful Journey, Myers et al; Over The Edge) and are certainly wilderness compatible. You may be interested to know there was a study done that had a large motorized tour boat catch an oar trip 1/2 way through the canyon. Everyone changed places (oar folks got on motor rigs and visa versa). This was done twice, and everyone was polled as to their preference. 9 out of 10, having had the experience of both types of craft, choose.....drum roll please...oar boats. The river concessions say 3 out of 4 concessions passengers choose to go by motor boat, without saying that 3 out of 4 of the seats available, by 10 year concessions contracts, are motorized. This is not a choice. Hope this helps, cheers, Tom Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Jun 07 2004 - 07:26:19 PDT
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