Getting truly off the grid

We were about 15 minutes into our 6-day rafting adventure when several folks commented that they’d lost cell phone service.

“No matter who your mobile carrier is, you’ll be without cell service until the end of the trip,” said one of the guides with Western River Expeditions.

And he was right. Through 5 nights of riverside camping and 6 days of floating down the Colorado River, we were truly off grid, and it was heavenly.

This is probably the most off-the-grid adventure I’ve ever been on. From just a few hours into the trip until the last day, we were in extremely remote areas, with no roads, no artificial lights, no anything at all other than nature and what we brought with us.

During our trip, the water levels were very low, so what would have been the makings of some killer rapids were now rock outcroppings that stood high above the surface. We simply paddled past those with no trouble.

But even with the water levels so low, we’d still run into some rapids from time to time. We even had some back-to-back-to-back Level 3 and 4 rapids, and then we’d have hours until the next set of rapids.

Riverside camping

Our group was made up of several rafts and one guide boat that carried cots, tents, sleeping bags, our supply of food, water and lemonade. A guide was in each raft every time we encountered rapids, and in between, we tied all the rafts together.

Sometimes, we’d all move about the different rafts, visiting with others, eating snacks, enjoying the views. Other times, we’d jump in the water and just float for miles.

Every evening, we’d find a riverside sandbar and make camp. Most of us slept on cots in the open air, as the summertime temperatures were perfect for sleeping that way. The stars in the sky, with no artificial light pollution, were absolutely stunning. Words can’t even describe. I’ve never seen anything like it before or since.

Open fires were prohibited, thanks to a long drought. That put a damper on what could have been some awesome nights aroung the campfire, but it didn’t hurt the cooking.

Our guides had propane-powered grills, and the food was outstanding. We ate lobster one night, premium steaks more than once, pork chops, chicken, salmon. I don’t remember the side dishes because I’m more of a meat eater anyway. I do remember eating some killer lasgna one night too. And thanks to dry ice, we even had ice cream sandwiches and Popsicles.

At one point, we came to a huge bend in the river. The guides explained that it was too shallow for us all to float through, so two guides went with all the rafts strapped together. The rest of us hiked over a pretty sizable crest. I was in relatively good shape, and it wasn’t especially easy for me. A few others in our group were, let’s just say, not in relatively good shape.

That prompted the question “what if someone were to fall and break their leg?” to which one of the guides replied “When that happens, we break out the satellite phone and call for rescue.”

Along the trek, we saw numerous Native American petroglyphs on the red rock walls. And in time, we had all climbed the crest, then back down on the other side, and we were climbing back in our rafts, thankful to be on the water once again.

Going into the trip, I thought the rapids would be the best part. And don’t get me wrong, those were plenty fun. But what I enjoyed most was being truly immersed in nature, truly off the grid for so many days and nights.

I also enjoyed getting to know the people. Strangers at first, but fast friends by the end of the trip. I was a solo traveler, which made my experience seem even more off grid. While everyone else there was traveling either as a pair or as a small group, I showed up alone, but I fit right in as soon as we got on the water and made introductions while waiting for the first set of rapids.

Even though it didn’t involve any hunting or fishing, I’d say it was the most enjoyable off-the-grid experience I’ve ever had.