President Harding Rapid Stories, Grand Canyon

We had made our way down a canyon, then down the river a ways, the day before. Today's plan was to boat a couple of miles downriver to President Harding Rapid, then climb out of the Big Ditch at Eminence Break. Our friend Sonny Lawrence from Redlands, California has visited many sports in his outdoor career. He spent the 90's boating, using various (larger) craft than we brought with us. So we were somewhat surprised when he decided to run President Harding Rapid, though, well, not TOO surprised. What WAS surprising was that he made it without tipping!

President Harding rapid from up on the trail.

Sonny and Ram enjoying a GC Breakfast (no pancakes)

I (Tom Jones) have wiped out in this rapid twice. Once in May 1996 in a 16' Avon raft, my first-ever flip - very exciting. And once a week prior, when I struggled to get out of the downstream eddy, and got tossed out by a micro-hole, in a 4-1/2 foot Sevylor, Sonny's pooltoy of choice for his run.