Grand Canyon

By: Tyler Bradt. Photos: Pete McBride

By KAVU

November 5^th, 2024

For over 280 miles, the Colorado River twists through one of the most remarkable geological formations on Earth: The Grand Canyon. Like contemplating the depths of space, the scale of the formations within this canyon, and the time it has taken to shape such a magnificent wonder of the world is unfathomable, resting just beyond the limits of comprehension. It’s a geologists dream, layers of rocks rising many thousands of feet to frame the sky, exposing rocks as old as 1.8 billion years.

Time itself seems to melt away in the canyon as the days stretched on. It’s a place where one of the most difficult questions to answer is: do you know what day of the week it is? The canyon sets its own pace, and helps one arrive back into the natural rhythm of the planet; falling asleep and waking up with the sun, and moving only as quickly as the speed of the river. Being almost entirely disconnected from technology and life above the rim seems to restore our deepest, purest nature.

In this environment, the very soul seems to flourish. All seems to create what I can only describe as magic; a place where synchronicity occurs many times a day and where all inhibitions are lost. People are their truest selves; their stories and egos left behind at the boat ramp.

I’ve been fortunate to paddle this river nine times during my life; twice last summer working as a guide in inflatable kayaks, or ‘duckies’ as we like to call them. We were given the name ‘Duck Daddys’ which seemed to stick and ring quite true to our experience of shepherding our new baby duck friends down the river. Sharing the art and pure joy of multi-day river travel made for memorable KAVU days.

Seeing people get into a kayak and paddle whitewater for the first time is an incredibly special experience, and vicariously makes for some of the most fun paddling imaginable. Seeing the river through their eyes, brings the awe and excitement of paddling straight back to the surface. The absolute bliss of finishing a rapid, the adrenaline and excitement of big whitewater, the moments of floating peacefully, staring up into one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. The experience of holding onto these moments, knowing that pure, unadulterated life is being lived with every breath is something I deeply cherish.

Having spent most of my life traveling rivers and living life from one adventure to the next, there’s something that feels incredibly special in helping others arrive at these same peak experiences. It was a reminder that these experiences are not normal for the vast majority of people and how powerful they actually are. Journeys like this help shape our perspective, outlook, physical and mental health.

Whether people arrive looking for it or not, adventure therapy and healing powers of deep nature seem to be exactly what the doctor (should have) ordered.

Experiences like this wouldn’t be possible without a crew of exceptionally talented guides. Like any expedition, you live and die by your partners and the people you’re with. I have the most heartfelt gratitude to everyone I got to share this trip with, and for this river team I am honored to be a part of. Without them, these trips would not have been possible.

Through the course of these trips I’ve decided to start a small business with my good friend and expedition partner, Rush Sturges. Our goal is to help others have meaningful, adventurous journeys on rivers around the world, and to get to live authentic peak experiences. If stringing together a series of KAVU days on the river is something you might be interested in, check out www.riverrootsexpeditions.com for more information.

I would also like to give a huge thanks to legendary National Geographic photographer, Pete McBride for letting me use his photos for this story. Give him a follow on Instagram to see more of his truly remarkable art.