December 10, 1998
The Register-Guard, Sports Section

First the preparation, then the expedition

By Melinda Allan

Last time, this column talked about how almost anyone can come up with a dream expedition that fits their abilities. Now we're going to look a the nitty-gritty details of making the dream happen--the logistics.

I'll be frank with you. This can be the least --fun part of planning an expedition. And there are only three ways to avoid this chore that I know of.

One is to let another member of your expedition handle all the boring details of making arrangements. Not a fair choice, perhaps, but certainly more fun.

Another is going on a commercially guided trip, where your group pays top dollar for someone else to do all the hard work for you.

The best alternative, unfortunately, is not available for just any expedition

This is to utilize the services of a company whose sole purpose in life is arranging all the logistics for your trip. For a modest fee, the company will arrange your entire trip--something like a wilderness travel agent.

Unfortunately, you won't find such outfits operating their logistics magic in places where it's greatly needed, like climbing expeditions on Mt. Everest or Amazon River float trips. Someday, the growing popularity of wilderness expedition tripping may cause this type of business to flourish--but not yet.

In fact, the only place I've found such a wonderful service operating is on the Colorado River, where there are two competing logistics-support companies.

One of them is called Canyon R.E.O. for "Canyon River Equipment Outfitters." (Bear in mind that, to insiders, the word "Canyon," starting with a capital letter, usually means "The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River.")

For $500 to $800 per person (for an average 14-day trip), Canyon R.E.O. will plan your entire menu, buy the groceries for you, pack all the food in dry boxes or ice chests, then meet you at the river launch with all your expedition stuff, including rafts and frames if you need them. They'll provide two complete sets of menus, plus instructions on how to make everything you've ordered (from pancakes or cereal to pineapple upsidedown cake).

No utensils? No problem. Just ask for Dutch ovens and fry pans for your group.

You can show up with as little as your own personal camping gear (sleeping bag, tent, flashlight, personal items), and everything else is done for you, at a very affordable price for an expedition.

If only everything was that easy.

But there are still logistics to cover. For instance, inspecting the life jackets, going over the float permit that took seven to 14 years to get, a slide show on low-impact camping, learning how to attract the attention of rescue vehicles should you have an accident, and so forth.

Now, if you chose to go with a commercial river outfitter, they would do all the hard stuff for you, but you would have to pay more like $2,000 per person. (But you also wouldn't have to cook, or row the rafts, or get up at 5:20 a.m. to make the coffee, unless you wanted to).

Don't think that guides or outfitters get rich doing this. Most do it just because they love the Canyon. They do all the work so they can live the endless expedition.

Practical matters to consider when planning an expedition start with health concerns. The most serious conditions are things like asthma, heart problems, bee sting or food allergies, diabetes and the like. Be blunt and serious when talking to your group about these matters. A person with asthma can die if dunked overboard in icy waters; so can a person with a bad heart.

Those people with allergies muyst carry an aphylactic shock kit, know how to use it properly, and show everyone else how to use it. No excuses! If you're heading to a Third World expedition setting, what shots do you need? Even in the United States, people should have had a tetanus shot.

Does your physician know that certain hormonal birth control medications can cause problems at moderately high altitudes? Other medical conditions can cause problems in the mountains too--ask that doctor again, and ask your pharmacist about any drugs you're taking. They can also give you the low-down on medications that you might need in remote areas: Immodium or Cholrestyramine for severe diarrhea (which can kill you in a wilderness setting), antibiotics and antihistamines (which can save your life).

Lastly, what about even more practical matters like money, time off from work, whether your spouse will go along, transportation to the expedition site--yes, the practical things.

Don't forget that trade materials can come in handy. (On my Canyon trips, the most valuable thing to have along were things like Coca-Cola, film and cigarettes; Third World countries have other needs, such as metal coins or watches. More questions? Consult the Internet, or knowledgeable experts. Don't be afraid of expeditions. Just be cautious.