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Bacon. Fatty, cured, made out of pig, mmmmm bacon. I don’t eat much bacon but I just ordered about 40 pounds of that tasty skillet fodder. Why? Why would a usually health conscience member of society associate with bacon? What possible explanation could there be for a civilian to purchase that much bacon at once? If you’re thinking there might be some sort of conspiracy you may be right. The Universe (or God or whatever) has conspired to push one of my favorite seasonal sports, paddling, well into the winter. All that pork is fuel for the little metabolic furnaces that will need to be in overdrive by December 18, our put in date for the Grand Canyon.

The powder whore in me wants to know why I would even consider giving up a month of prime snow to wear funny outfits and get wet. The paddler in there knows that chances to get in the Ditch at all are few, let alone to be part of planning a private trip.

The current permitting system, a lottery, has made it increasingly difficult to get private boaters on the water in prime months with the majority of downriver travelers being guests of the concessionaires. The cold weather and nonexistent sunlight of wintertime in the Canyon makes them hard trips to sell leaving those ‘less desirable’ times for the eager private boaters who want their own personal chance in the Ditch with their friends, with their meals, on their terms. ‘Less desirable’ is really from commercial clients’ perspective. With the Canyon walls being so tall there are places where the sun doesn’t rise until noon and sets at one. There can be snow on the ground for the first week or even longer. Diehard river rats adapt to the cold temperatures and lack of light. Drysuits, down jackets, knit hats will all be the every day attire as opposed to the shorts, cotton shirts and visors of the summer trips. In the end, the payoff will be fewer people on the river and more parties.

More parties? We all know that river kids need no excuse party. Traditionally running (or getting worked by) the largest rapids on the Colorado demands revelry. Now take those festivities and speckle things in there like the Solstice, Christmas, New Years, and the birthdays of any Capricorns who happen to be present, and now you have nearly back to back celebration with good friends on a nearly deserted river. Needless to say bacon will play a key roll in the recovery of those little pieces of over exerted liver.

Focusing on planning the itinerary and meals has been made possible by the delay of winter here in Alaska, refusing to allow the mental shift to the ski season. The final details are due long before the trip itself which is good because there will be plenty of shushing to be had here in Alaska before the New Year and the Grand adventure that starts just before.