Episode
119: Swimming the Colorado River. Grand Canyon National Park.
1:05:10
Published: Mon Dec 26 2022
Description
Join us this week as we follow two friends down the Colorado River. When they have limited funds to kayak or raft the river like most - Bill Beer and John Daggett decide to swim it instead. The guys are having the adventure of their lives - all while the Park Service has issued a massive rescue mission to find them. In their words, this is a cheap vacation that got a little out of hand. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon to gain access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more. Follow our socials Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. To share a Trail Tale, suggest a story, access merch, and browse our book recommendations - head over to our website. Thank you so much to our partners, check them out! Apostrophe: Use our link and code NPAD to get for first visit for only $5. Resources: Advantage Grand Cayon, NPS Book: We Swam the Grand Canyon by Bill Beer
Chapters
Money is not everything when it comes to travel.
00:00 - 01:56 (01:56)
Summary
Money is not everything when it comes to travel. In fact, some of the best adventures can be had with little financial means, leading to unforgettable experiences and encounters with new people and places.
Episode119: Swimming the Colorado River. Grand Canyon National Park.
PodcastNational Park After Dark
The speaker shares their experiences of traveling and sleeping in cheap and questionable locations.
01:55 - 07:39 (05:43)
Summary
The speaker shares their experiences of traveling and sleeping in cheap and questionable locations.
Episode119: Swimming the Colorado River. Grand Canyon National Park.
PodcastNational Park After Dark
Apostrophe offers access to clinically proven oral and topical acne medications, while Grand Canyon National Park has an extraordinary view of the Colorado River, which is surrounded by rafting companies that provide opportunities for exciting adventures.
07:39 - 13:17 (05:37)
Summary
Apostrophe offers access to clinically proven oral and topical acne medications, while Grand Canyon National Park has an extraordinary view of the Colorado River, which is surrounded by rafting companies that provide opportunities for exciting adventures.
Episode119: Swimming the Colorado River. Grand Canyon National Park.
PodcastNational Park After Dark
In 1955, two men decided to swim all 278 miles of the Grand Canyon instead of taking a boat through it, and this is their story.
13:17 - 17:36 (04:18)
Summary
In 1955, two men decided to swim all 278 miles of the Grand Canyon instead of taking a boat through it, and this is their story.
Episode119: Swimming the Colorado River. Grand Canyon National Park.
PodcastNational Park After Dark
A couple in the 1920s wrote a letter to the government asking for information about water temperatures and levels in a river, in preparation for their cold weather swimming adventure.
17:36 - 26:17 (08:40)
Summary
A couple in the 1920s wrote a letter to the government asking for information about water temperatures and levels in a river, in preparation for their cold weather swimming adventure.
Episode119: Swimming the Colorado River. Grand Canyon National Park.
PodcastNational Park After Dark
The dangerous winds in the Grand Canyon filled the tiny beach with sand and debris, leaving the hikers to question whether they could survive the next 250 plus miles of their journey.
26:17 - 30:30 (04:13)
Summary
The dangerous winds in the Grand Canyon filled the tiny beach with sand and debris, leaving the hikers to question whether they could survive the next 250 plus miles of their journey.
Episode119: Swimming the Colorado River. Grand Canyon National Park.
PodcastNational Park After Dark
The journey started off with difficulty as the wind coated their dishes with dirt and silt.
30:30 - 37:58 (07:27)
Summary
The journey started off with difficulty as the wind coated their dishes with dirt and silt. After experiencing challenging rapids, they finally found a spot to set up camp for the night.
Episode119: Swimming the Colorado River. Grand Canyon National Park.
PodcastNational Park After Dark
Bill and John needed to set up camp but couldn't find a good spot.
37:58 - 44:04 (06:05)
Summary
Bill and John needed to set up camp but couldn't find a good spot. While retrieving their supply boxes, John gets caught in rocks and injures himself.
Episode119: Swimming the Colorado River. Grand Canyon National Park.
PodcastNational Park After Dark
Two lost hikers' story went viral after news articles were published about their trek, leading park rangers to initiate a rescue team to search for them.
44:04 - 49:17 (05:13)
Summary
Two lost hikers' story went viral after news articles were published about their trek, leading park rangers to initiate a rescue team to search for them. The lodge manager where they stayed relayed their story and how they got lost in the first place.
Episode119: Swimming the Colorado River. Grand Canyon National Park.
PodcastNational Park After Dark
In this episode, the hosts discuss a strange incident where a man called a park ranger from a payphone in Yosemite National Park, claiming to have been in a plane crash.
49:17 - 56:05 (06:47)
Summary
In this episode, the hosts discuss a strange incident where a man called a park ranger from a payphone in Yosemite National Park, claiming to have been in a plane crash. The man later admitted to fabricating the story but caused a frenzy of media attention and wasted search efforts.
Episode119: Swimming the Colorado River. Grand Canyon National Park.
PodcastNational Park After Dark
The story of a man's swimming adventure in the Grand Canyon showcases the heart of what adventure truly is, which is to be passed on for generations, not just for people visiting the Grand Canyon.
56:05 - 1:01:41 (05:36)
Summary
The story of a man's swimming adventure in the Grand Canyon showcases the heart of what adventure truly is, which is to be passed on for generations, not just for people visiting the Grand Canyon. The story also shows a different and enjoyable side of the park service.
Episode119: Swimming the Colorado River. Grand Canyon National Park.
PodcastNational Park After Dark
The Grand Canyon has become an increasingly popular location attracting massive amounts of visitors which has made it more challenging for the Park Service to keep people safe and preserve the land.
1:01:41 - 1:04:57 (03:16)
Summary
The Grand Canyon has become an increasingly popular location attracting massive amounts of visitors which has made it more challenging for the Park Service to keep people safe and preserve the land.