boatman’s quarterly review the journal of the Grand Canyon River Guide’s, Inc. • voulme 29 number 1 spring 2016 the journal of Grand Canyon River Guide’s, Richard Q Quartaroli Prez Blurb • Whale Foundation • Better Angels • Workman Retires Book Review • LTEMP • Arch Site Preservation • Viruses • GTS 2016 Howland Brothers • Letter to a Young Swamper • Beverage Cooling Rate boatman’s quarterly review Prez Blurb …is published more or less quarterly by and for Grand Canyon River Guides. O IGNORE THE ELEPHANT in the room is not only Grand Canyon River Guides a disservice to those whose voices need to be is a nonprofit organization dedicated to Theard, but it is also not in my nature. I tend to tackle things pretty head on. My sister would say it is Protecting Grand Canyon a trait of a Northeasterner; we have been called bold, Setting the highest standards for the river profession blunt, direct, and a whole host of other names. I chose Celebrating the unique spirit of the river community to think I just speak my mind and tell it like I see it. Providing the best possible river experience What has been revealed by the report of the investigation into abuses at Grand Canyon National General Meetings are held each Spring and Fall. Our Park is shocking. Yet, I am not all that surprised. I Board of Directors Meetings are generally held the first am saddened and I can’t imagine the layers of pain, Wednesday of each month. All innocent bystanders humiliation, and hurt that the victims of this report are urged to attend. Call for details. have experienced in their years interacting with some Staff employees of the River District unit at the park. Executive Director Lynn Hamilton Why am I not surprised? Because as one river guide Board of Directors reported to Men’s Journal last week, “Harassment takes President Laura Fallon on different forms across different industries, but it’s Vice President Ben Reeder the same problem at the core.” What is that problem Treasurer Fred Thevenin at its most basic and deep place…the desire to have Directors Mikenna Clokey power over someone? To make them feel small? I Amity Collins suppose psychologists would say that those who Chelsea DeWeese knowingly try to overpower someone are trying to Stephen Kenney compensate for their own insecurities. It is hard to say Cliff Ghiglieri what would compel someone to knowingly assert their Kiki Wykstra power over another person to the point of humiliating Gcrg’s amwg them, taking away their ability to do their job, or Representative Sam Jansen ultimately having them removed from their workplace Gcrg’s twg because they weren’t willing to give sexual favors or Representative Ben Reeder tolerate sexual harassment, whatever form it took. Bqr Editors Katherine Spillman Several of the articles that have been written since Mary Williams the release of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report, the actual culture of the river has been Our editorial policy, such as it is: provide an open scrutinized. This is one of the many areas where I forum. We need articles, poetry, stories, drawings, have difficulty. The Grand Canyon river community photos, opinions, suggestions, gripes, comics, etc. is something that is so sacred to me that I feel I want Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Grand Canyon River Guides, Inc. Written submissions should be less than 15oo words and, if possible, be sent on a cd or emailed to gcrg. Microsoft Word files are best but we can trans- Carl Rice photo captions: late most programs. Include postpaid return envelope if you want your disk or submission returned. Page 11 Carl 1 Page 18 Kristen & Neysa Deadlines for submissions are the st of February, Page 19 Down climb Audrey Gehlhausen May, August and November. Thanks! Page 29 Ode to Alice Grey Our office location: 515 West Birch, Flagstaff, az 86001 Page 46 Sam Office Hours: 12:00–6:00, Monday through Friday Page 48 2 up Hermit – M. Dahle Phone 928/773-1075 Fax 928/773-8523 Cover Photo: Q, first year at the motor, WWRE E-mail [email protected] June 1979. Website www.gcrg.org page 2 grand canyon river guides to respond, to shout out… “not everyone in the river tear each other down? Can we recognize injustice is a hedonist and a raging alcoholic waiting to take and speak about it openly and honestly? Can we have advantage of the fact they are thousands of feet below systems in place so that when something occurs that the rim and many hours from civilization.” I believe doesn’t feel right, there is someone to go to who will there is a profound freedom that all people who do listen and take appropriate action? One of the details a river trip in Grand Canyon feel when they turn the that struck me in the report was that depending on corner, out of sight from Lees Ferry, and are swept who was accusing and who was being accused, the downstream with friends and others who they have whole process from the initial reaction all the way to yet to know. I believe the choice to take that freedom the repercussions, was different and inequitable. How for yourself and take it away from others is at the very was that allowed? least selfish. Whether someone decides to dance to The river community is not perfect. No one the sounds of music in the moonlight…just because; is claiming that we are immune from these same whether someone finds a moment to bathe or swim injustices. I am not perfect, that is for sure, but I try naked in a side stream; whether someone drinks my best to take care of every person that I am with on a little too much and laughs till their cheeks stick the river and I hope they do the same. The optimist in in a permagrin, we as a river culture support these me would like to believe that we all operate from this moments of self-discovery, joy, and exploration in a place of mutual respect, but the reality is sometimes wilderness environment. people need to be called out; sometimes you need The people accused in the OIG report took away not to have difficult conversations, and I am certain of only their coworkers’ ability to do their jobs in some one thing…the need for change. Change comes from cases, but also their ability to feel safe, supported, learning from mistakes. I am hopeful that we all can and respected. In the letter (in this issue of the BQR) hear the cries of the victims and help them heal by entitled, “The Better Angels of our Nature,” written by always speaking up, standing up for one another, and Grand Canyon River Guides (GCRG) in response to the making changes in the way we all treat each other for release of the report, this idea of supporting each other the better. in life, in all areas of life, to ‘achieve our best selves’ is beautifully spoken of. One of the core objectives of Laura Fallon GCRG is to help protect the Grand Canyon. But, before we even talk about picking up micro-trash and leaving the place better than we found it, don’t we need to take care of each other? To me, the release of this report brings up a much broader question and maybe even a call-to-arms, Correction to see if we as a community, specifically the river community of the Grand Canyon, can hold each other IN REFERENCE TO THE ARTICLE Guide Profile— and ourselves to the highest standards of how we treat Siobhan McCann, IN BQR VOLUME 28, NUMBER each other. The broader umbrella here is, can we be 4, WINTER 2015-2016 the vibrant, highly independent people we are and allow each and every person on our trips the mutual E APOLOGIZE for printing a mistake respect they deserve? Yes, the report is about Grand in Siobhan’s Guide Profile last Canyon National Park employees, but this idea applies Wissue. Her dad did not take her to everyone. on a dory trip when she was fourteen. In What I love about being a guide is seeing people her own words Siobhan says, “My first trip unfold and release and become who they truly want I was a passenger on a motor trip, with to be; I spoke of that in my last “Prez Blurb.” It would Wilderness. That was my first experience on be such a shame that this report did the opposite of a river. I fell in love with the canyon more what it could. I am an eternal optimist, that is true, than the boat. I was hooked, but my buddy but I believe it is possible that out of this terrible, who took me was laughing when I told him unthinkable, shameful action and its aftermath can I would work down there. I was very much come some good. a city girl. I’m a lifer now.” Sorry for the Can we help each other, whether on the river or mix-up. anywhere in life, by supporting kindness towards one another? Can we lift each other up rather than boatman’s quarterly review page 3 Back of the Boat— The Whale Foundation News Bulletin TIM WHITNEY WELLNESS INITIATIVE—HEALTH INSURANCE an application and more information. The next ASSISTANCE PROGRAM application deadline is June 1, 2016. In 2012 the Whale Foundation was given several substantial donations in memory of Tim Whitney If you are interested in volunteering for the Board with the intention to promote physical wellness in or in other capacities, or are looking for info or to the boating community.