The Grand Canyon is really, really, really big.
by Chris Calef · 04/30/2007 (11:02 am) · 15 comments
I know everybody knows that already, but just to make sure you know, it's not a myth! The grand canyon is indeed VERY BIG. In fact, it's hard to even describe how insanely ridiculously ENORMOUS it is.
As you may have gathered, I just got back from there. Had the most _amazing_ two weeks of my life, as part of a private flotilla of six oar boats riding some of the biggest rapids in North America. And, due to the admirable skill of our captains, we actually got through the entire trip with no boats flipped and no (involuntary) swimmers! Just lots of oohs and aahs (and screams), and moderate quantities of ingested sand and river water.
Take it from me, if you EVER get an invite to go on a private Grand Canyon trip... SAY YES! I know it's expensive and a big time commitment. Borrow money if you have to. You Will Not Regret It!
Now, the pictures. They don't even come close to capturing it, but here's some of them anyway:
As you may have gathered, I just got back from there. Had the most _amazing_ two weeks of my life, as part of a private flotilla of six oar boats riding some of the biggest rapids in North America. And, due to the admirable skill of our captains, we actually got through the entire trip with no boats flipped and no (involuntary) swimmers! Just lots of oohs and aahs (and screams), and moderate quantities of ingested sand and river water.
Take it from me, if you EVER get an invite to go on a private Grand Canyon trip... SAY YES! I know it's expensive and a big time commitment. Borrow money if you have to. You Will Not Regret It!
Now, the pictures. They don't even come close to capturing it, but here's some of them anyway:
#2
04/30/2007 (11:19 am)
Thanks, Todd! The last picture pretty much sums up the really amazing part for me... that's Thunder River, which is a fully-formed thirty-foot-wide river which comes gushing right out two cracks in the cliff face HIGH above the Colorado, and forms waterfalls and pools all the way down. The contrast with the rest of the desert is just stunning, you have to see it to believe it. 
#3
04/30/2007 (11:36 am)
Dang Chris! I am so jealous you got to go on this trip. Looks like you had a great time. 
#4
04/30/2007 (11:41 am)
Amazing pics Chris. 
#5
Oh, and... Nice pics!
04/30/2007 (12:34 pm)
Yeah. There's lotsa nice big holes in Az. Most of the plants and animals have pointy things that can kill you, too! But we (the locals) love it.Oh, and... Nice pics!
#6
04/30/2007 (3:09 pm)
I was there back in 1973....dang that sounded old....LOL. Loved hiking there. I hope I get a chance to take my daughters there one day. Great pictures, makes me miss living in AZ. 
#7
Anyway, enough of my guess work here's the facts...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon
04/30/2007 (3:49 pm)
Nice Chris. I saw this time doco that said when you start at the top and walk down a path in the canyon, every 100 meters you are standing on ground that was formed 600 years in the past, then 1200 years next 100 meters and so on. The Colorado river gouged out the canyons over something like 2 billion years.Anyway, enough of my guess work here's the facts...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon
#8
04/30/2007 (3:56 pm)
What a slacker! How I admire thee! Great time of year to go too.
#9
04/30/2007 (6:25 pm)
Thanks for sharing Chris ... looks like an amazing trip, I've got to go sometime! 
#10
(To be honest, before I scrolled down I thought for a moment that the top pic was another sweet Atlas render...)
04/30/2007 (9:58 pm)
Awesome pictures!(To be honest, before I scrolled down I thought for a moment that the top pic was another sweet Atlas render...)
#11
05/01/2007 (7:20 am)
Great pics Chris, the place looks amazing
#12
05/01/2007 (12:19 pm)
Wowsers, that looks like fun....
#14
I do want to see it in Atlas, though! =-)
05/03/2007 (11:35 am)
Thanks for the compliments! Really, though, the photos are just what you get when you point your camera at something down there and click the button. Everything is dramatic, whatever way you look!I do want to see it in Atlas, though! =-)
#15
I've yet to see the Canyon, but I've seen it's younger cousin, The Ausable Chasm of Keesville, NY...in fact, I used to live there!! I know what you mean by the photos not doing it justice, you truely do have to see it to believe it, but now you guys know where to see the second largest canyon in the world, too! yw :)
- Ronixus
06/08/2007 (12:40 am)
Hey Chris,I've yet to see the Canyon, but I've seen it's younger cousin, The Ausable Chasm of Keesville, NY...in fact, I used to live there!! I know what you mean by the photos not doing it justice, you truely do have to see it to believe it, but now you guys know where to see the second largest canyon in the world, too! yw :)
- Ronixus
Torque 3D Owner Todd Pickens