Hear about rafting the Grand Canyon for seven days as the Amateur Traveler talks about this bucket list trip sponsored by Western River Expeditions.
In this solo (but not really solo) episode of Amateur Traveler, host Chris Christensen recounts a seven-day rafting adventure down the Grand Canyon with Western River Expeditions — a journey filled with whitewater rapids, red rock cliffs, side canyon hikes, waterfalls, fossils, ancient ruins, and meaningful encounters with fellow travelers.
Highlights of the Trip:
- Motorized J-rig rafts cover 188 miles of the Colorado River in 7 days
- Overnights at iconic river camps: Ledges, Dinosaur, Carbon, Hotauta, Football Field, and Lower 185 Mile
- Major rapids including Hermit, Crystal, Granite, Sockdolager, Lava Falls, and more
- Cultural stops: Nankoweap granaries, ancestral Puebloan ruins, sacred Hopi salt mines
- Geology & scenery: Marble Canyon, Vishnu schist, Zoroaster granite, lava flows, and Redwall Cavern
- Side hikes to Havasu Canyon, Elves Chasm, Stone Creek Falls, and Deer Creek
- Memorable stargazing, Dutch oven desserts, and even a toga night
Guest Voices:
Hear reflections and favorite moments from Chris’s fellow rafters — teenagers and retirees, families and solo travelers — as they describe a trip of unplugged adventure, awe-inspiring nature, and deep connection.
Topics Covered:
- What to pack (and why you’ll pee in the river)
- How a J-rig raft is structured and how passengers rotate positions
- The logistics behind running a commercial Grand Canyon trip
- Why this trip is one of the best ways to disconnect from digital life
Historical & Geologic Stories:
- John Wesley Powell’s 1869 expedition and the naming of Marble Canyon
- The 1889 Frank Brown railroad expedition and its fatal encounter at Soap Creek
- Grand Canyon’s ten geologic layers and what they reveal about Earth’s history
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Show Notes
Grand Canyon Vacation Itinerary – Western River Expeditions
White Water Rafting the Grand Canyon with Western River Expeditions
The Ultimate Grand Canyon Vacation | 6 or 7 Day Grand Canyon Rafting – Western River Expeditions
Packing for a Grand Canyon Rafting Trip
Belknap’s Waterproof Grand Canyon River Guide
Tinkle Belle The Female Portable Urinal
Rafting the Grand Canyon – Amateur Traveler Episode 766
Rafting Down the Grand Canyon (Podcast) – Amateur Traveler Episode 223
Kerry Oman Photography
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This was a sponsored trip (paid for by Western River Expeditions). All views are my own.
