Kenton Grua: Grand Canyon Legend | STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW
In an engaging episode of "Stuff You Should Know," hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant delve into the extraordinary life of Kenton Grua, a river guide whose name is synonymous with the Grand Canyon's epic tales. Grua is celebrated for not just his unparalleled navigational skills but also for embodying the spirit of adventure that defines the wild heart of America's grandest canyon. His insistence on authenticity and his drive to challenge the bounds of human endurance solidified his status as a veritable legend of the Colorado River.
Embark on a journey through the cascading rapids and awe-inspiring wilderness as "Stuff You Should Know" shares the thrilling stories of Grua's record-setting runs, particularly in the dory boat named the Emerald Mile—symbolic of his tenacity and love for these treacherous waters. Learn about Grua's larger-than-life personality, his legacy in river conservation, and how his life's work continues to resonate with river guides and nature enthusiasts alike. Josh and Chuck bring a powerful tribute to a man who lived with the current and forged a path not just through the canyon's waters, but also into the annals of outdoor legends.
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Kenton Grua's Passion for the Grand Canyon and Colorado River
Kenton Grua was a legendary river guide and adventurer celebrated for his deep connection with the Grand Canyon and Colorado River. His passion for the river and its surrounding wilderness is legendary, and his accomplishments have solidified his status as an iconic figure in the history of river running.
Grua's Adventurous "Larger Than Life" Personality
Known for his exceptional fitness and intimate relationship with the Grand Canyon, Kenton Grua's life was marked by epic challenges and adventures. He disproved an existing claim by hiking the entire length of the Grand Canyon in 36 days, a testament to his adventurous spirit and his quest for authenticity and accuracy in the accomplishments attributed to the Grand Canyon expeditions.
As a river guide, Grua's impact was immense; his rafting career began at a young age and was characterized by his extensive knowledge, engaging storytelling abilities, and his respectful yet commanding presence on expeditions. Despite sometimes contentious opinions on expedition strategies, his interactions with tourists remained characterized by kindness and a gentle spirit.
The Emerald Mile Dory Boat and Grua's Record-Setting River Runs
Grua's reputation is intimately tied to his record-setting river runs, particularly in the dory boat known as the Emerald Mile. These runs were made possible in part by the Glen Canyon Dam, which altered the Colorado River's conditions and, as Grua believed, made dories the ideal vessel for speed due to their agility.
His groundbreaking speed run in 1980 smashed a 29-year-old record as he navigated the river in just under 47 hours. This feat was just a precursor to the legendary 1983 speed run during which Grua, along with Rudy Petchek and Steve "Ren" Reynolds, made an electrifying and dangerous journey during a time of extreme flooding. Despite a near-fatal mishap and a grueling test of their physical and mental endurance, the crew completed the run in 36 hours and 38 minutes, setting a new, though unsanctioned, record.
The perils of the 1983 run were immense. Launching under the cover of darkness to avoid detection, the crew tackled perilous rapids with names like the Roaring Twenties and the feared Crystal Rapid. The journey saw their boat flipped, injuries sustained, and risks that tested their limits. Nevertheless, Grua and his team displayed remarkable perseverance, rowing furiously and navigating by sensation to overcome the odds and establish a new record.
Kenton Grua's life story surpasses his record-setting exploits. His contributions to river conservation through organizations like the Grand Canyon River Guides and his continued influence with Grand Canyon Dories are part of his enduring legacy. Humble about his achievements and fueled by a genuine passion for nature and conservation, Grua epitomized the essence of the dedicated outdoorsman, leaving an indelible mark on the natural world he loved so fiercely up until his untimely death at 52.
1-Page Summary
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- Kenton Grua's significance in the history of river running stems from his record-setting speed runs on the Colorado River, particularly in the dory boat called the Emerald Mile. His expeditions, including the groundbreaking 1983 run, showcased his skill, daring, and determination in navigating treacherous rapids and setting new records. Grua's achievements not only highlighted his prowess as a river runner but also contributed to the lore and legacy of river exploration in the Grand Canyon. His impact on river conservation and his enduring influence on organizations dedicated to preserving natural waterways further solidify his place as a legendary figure in the realm of river running.
- The Glen Canyon Dam, completed in 1963, altered the natural flow of the Colorado River by regulating its water release. This regulation impacted the river's ecosystem, water temperature, sediment flow, and overall hydrology. The dam's presence influenced the conditions for river runners and rafters, affecting navigation, water levels, and the speed of the current. Kenton Grua believed that the dam's effects made dories, a type of boat, particularly well-suited for navigating the altered river conditions.
- Dory boats are characterized by their flat bottoms and high sides, making them agile and responsive in turbulent waters like those of the Colorado River. This design allows dories to maneuver swiftly through rapids and tight spaces, enhancing their speed and control. Kenton Grua believed that the Glen Canyon Dam's altered river conditions favored dories due to their agility and ability to navigate challenging sections with precision. The combination of the dory's design and Grua's skill as a river runner contributed to their reputation as ideal vessels for speed runs on the Colorado River.
- Kenton Grua and his team faced perilous rapids like the Roaring Twenties and Crystal Rapid during the 1983 speed run. The crew encountered challenges such as their boat flipping, sustaining injuries, and navigating in extreme flood conditions. Despite these dangers, they showed remarkable perseverance by rowing vigorously and relying on their instincts to set a new record. The journey tested their physical and mental limits, showcasing their determination and skill in overcoming adversity.
- The Grand Canyon River Guides is an organization made up of current and former guides dedicated to preserving the Grand Canyon's natural and cultural resources through education and advocacy. Grand Canyon Dories is a company that specializes in crafting and using traditional wooden dory boats for river expeditions, promoting sustainable and low-impact river travel practices. Both organizations play a crucial role in raising awareness about conservation issues, supporting responsible tourism, and maintaining the integrity of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River ecosystem.
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Kenton Grua's Passion for the Grand Canyon and Colorado River
Kenton Grua was a legendary figure known for his exceptional river guiding and record-setting achievements on the Colorado River and in the Grand Canyon.
Grua's Adventurous "Larger Than Life" Personality
Grua's Epic Hikes of the Grand Canyon
Kenton Grua spent a significant part of his life in the Grand Canyon, often hiking in and out for everyday activities. He was extraordinarily fit, at one with the canyon, and known for executing significant and challenging hikes. He famously completed a hike of the entire length of the Grand Canyon from Lees Ferry to Grand Wash Cliffs in 36 days, an adventure motivated by a desire to prove that an earlier claim to have hiked the entire length was not accurate.
Grua's Central Role Guiding Rafting Expeditions
Starting his rafting career with Hatch River Expeditions and later working for Grand Canyon Expeditions, Grua was known for his expert knowledge of navigating the river. His larger-than-life personality, passion for river rafting sparked at age 12, and talent for thrilling storytelling of his experiences resulted in him being widely respected among river guides. Although he was known to have opinions that led to disputes on how to run expeditions, his kindness and gentle demeanor with tourists remained clear.
The Emerald Mile Dory Boat and Grua's Record-Setting River Runs
Kenton Grua gained fame for his record-setting speed runs on the Colorado River, particularly in a dory boat called the Emerald Mile. Kevin Fedarko's book "The Emerald Mile" recounts one such extraordinary record-breaking attempt during extreme flooding conditions.
How Glen Canyon Dam Tamed the Wild Colorado River
The dam significantly changed the river's nature, but Grua appreciated the speed capabilities of dories over regular rafts for their agility, which allowed him to pursue speed running on the river.
Grua's First Speed Run in 1980
Grua set a record in 1980 with a time of 46 hours and 56 minutes, beating a record from 1951 by Jim and Bob Riggs.
Extreme 1983 Flooding Creates Ideal Conditions
In 1983, Grua, alongside Rudy Petchek and Steve "Ren" Reynolds, faced the dangerous task of attempting to break the record during extreme flooding. Despite various challenges, including a near-fatal accident just hours before they hit Crystal Rapid, they completed the unsanctioned and technically illegal run in 36 hours and 38 minutes.
Grua and Crew's Dangerous 1983 Record Attempt
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Kenton Grua's Passion for the Grand Canyon and Colorado River
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Kenton Grua gained fame for his record-setting speed runs on the Colorado River, particularly in a dory boat called the Emerald Mile. He set a record in 1980 with a time of 46 hours and 56 minutes, beating a previous record from 1951. In 1983, during extreme flooding conditions, Grua and his crew completed an unsanctioned and technically illegal run in 36 hours and 38 minutes, facing dangerous rapids and challenges along the way.
- A dory boat is a type of watercraft known for its agility and speed on rivers. Speed running in river rafting involves attempting to navigate a river course as quickly as possible. Rapids are sections of a river where the water flows swiftly over rocks, creating turbulent and challenging conditions for rafters.
- During Kenton Grua's record-setting river runs on the Colorado River, he and his crew faced challenges such as navigating treacherous rapids like the Roaring Twenties and Crystal Rapid. These rapids were known for their difficulty and danger, requiring precise navigation skills to maneuver through safely. Despite facing overturned boats, injuries, and exhaustion, Grua and his team persevered, showcasing their determination and skill in navigating these hazardous sections of the river.
- The Glen Canyon Dam, completed in 1966, altered the flow and temperature of the Colorado River, impacting its ecosystem. The dam's construction created Lake Powell, a large reservoir that serves various purposes, including water storage and hydroelectric power generation. It led to changes in sediment flow downstream, affecting the river's natural proce ...
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