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Grand Canyon solo

Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:07 pm
by cadster
Maybe a canoeing milestone?

Doug Green launched at 1:30pm on Wednesday (10/17/2012). What a profound experience to witness him finally living his dream--he's wanted this for 40 years, waited forever for the permit, endured the spider bite setback and three shoulder surgeries--I am so proud, inspired and so very happy for him! I stood on Navajo bridge and watched him pass under 500 feet below. We called out to each other and then his final signal was to slap the water with his paddle! Thanks to all of you for supporting his spirit and his dream! Please continue to send good thoughts over the next 24 days to him and the river gods.
Loaded boat for 24 days - All food, groover (toilet), camping gear, solor panels, air bags, meds and spare paddle
Loaded boat for 24 days - All food, groover (toilet), camping gear, solor panels, air bags, meds and spare paddle

Re: Grand Canyon solo

Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:36 pm
by Cheeks
Badass! After canoeing it myself this summer, I will admit I've entertained the idea of soloing it, but man, I would not want to paddle some of the flat sections in a short solo boat. Can't wait to hear more

Re: Grand Canyon solo

Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 7:29 pm
by milkman
Flat sections wouldn't be too bad as long as the wind doesn't blow. But over 24 days, it will. And likely in your face. I think what would be hard is doing it self support like that. A loaded boat will make it really hard to accelerate away from the nasty stuff. Running it loaded like that is definitely badass.

Re: Grand Canyon solo

Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 8:39 pm
by PAC
May it be everything planned for and more! Looking forward for updates!

Re: Grand Canyon solo

Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 12:39 am
by KNeal
Will updates come to the cboats forum or is there a link to share to a dedicated site? If we get the link or updates here, we can sticky that post and keep it up at top for other cboaters to see and read.

Re: Grand Canyon solo

Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 1:18 pm
by cadster
I don’t know Doug well, but my impression is that he won’t be sharing much about his trip. It’s his partner who announced the start and took the photos. I’ll pass along what I find out, but regardless it’ll likely be in a month after he finishes.

Here’s another passion of his:
http://www.spiritofthegrain.com/

Re: Grand Canyon solo

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 5:22 pm
by Paddle Power
It would be great to hear more.

Looks like a waterproof solar panel system.

Re: Grand Canyon solo

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 5:38 pm
by cadster
From second hand info, Doug's solar panels are for recharging camera and pump batteries.

I'm most impressed with the length of time Doug plans to be in the canyon. Kayak self-support trips seem to go ten days long. I'm wondering if Doug's getting resupplied at Phantom or if he's going to be losing weight.

Re: Grand Canyon solo

Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 2:44 am
by disqo
I will be going to the Grand Canyon in February and an very interested in his solar set up if anyone knows more. I would really like to be able to use the pumps in my boat for the whole trip.
Thanks!

Shane

Re: Grand Canyon solo

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2012 2:47 pm
by cadster
Latest news is that Doug is past Phantom Ranch and should be off the river next week.

Re: Grand Canyon solo

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 3:00 am
by truckeeboater
Wow! Amazing and inspirational!

Re: Grand Canyon solo

Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:05 pm
by riverratNE
Wow, that's impressive and very inspiring. I hope to see more, and congrats to him on reaching his lifelong dream!

-Alexis :-)

Re: Grand Canyon solo

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 7:02 pm
by cadster
Doug finished his trip.

Here's his run of Lava Falls:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGjBtk2uZog


Here's what Doug says about his line:

"Yeah, the V-Wave filled me up. it shows better from the front, but it's when I disappear at the start of the run. From then on I'm full, and fighting to be upright and move a little left to hit the left part of the wave - the right part throws you into Cheese Grater, the big rock below right, not good. So I'm trying to stay upright and do a bit of backferry to move me left a little, and hoping to catch the break in the wave right, which luckily happened just AFTER I crossed the crest. The spin on top of the wave left me to run backwards past the pillow over Cheese Grater and enter the eddy below right to recover."

Re: Grand Canyon solo

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 9:07 pm
by milkman
Man, that's sweet how he goes up on top of the wave just before it reverts back to breaking mode. Talk about being at the right place at the right time.

Re: Grand Canyon solo

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 6:09 am
by Smurfwarrior
Thats awesome!