From: Bob Edwards; Mountain View, CA.
My father and mother, Tejas and Irene Edwards, had taken a river trip through the Grand Canyon with Georgie White. No where in the collection is any reference to date. However, the trip through the Grand Canyon occured shortly after a mid-air collision between two airliners over the Grand Canyon. The rangers had given Georgie body bags and oter equipment to take along in case any human remains were found. Georgie and the group found only aircraft parts along the river. These show up in the enclosed photos.
From: Barbara Fincham; Moab, Utah.
I found information about a midair collision over the Grand Canyon which happened in June 1956. The Civil Aeronautics Board report came out the next year.
Called: Grand Canyon Collision, The greatest commercial air tragedy of its day! The address is: http://www.doney.net/aroundaz/grandcanyoncrash.htm.
These photos were taken by Tejas Edwards on a 3-week raft trip through the Grand
Canyon led by Georgie White. Tejas intended them to be a slide show; his commentary
was witty and entertaining. It was never the same each time he gave it. Unfortunately,
no recordings were taken, no notes were made. The slides were stored in what was at
that time standard trays containing 30 slides each. There are nine trays containing 270
slides. They have been in storage since Tejas' death in 1960 and are in fairly good
condition. Tejas identified the first 92 slides with sequential numbers. The remaining
slides are in the order in which I found them. I have gone through the slides and labeled each slide according to which tray it is in, and which slot in the tray it is. Thus 01-01, 01-02-----01-30, then 02-01---etc. For this index, this is the first identifier for each slide. I have used this number as the name for each JPEG file, which keeps them in order on the computer. After this, in parentheses, I have given the film type and the film processor's ordering numeral which gives a clue to the sequence of the slides. Unfortunately, most of the slides lack this numeral. Next, in quotation marks, I have given Tejas's handwritten ordering numeral (1-92). After this, I have given my own interpretation of the picture. I have identified Tejas and Irene as well as Georgie White. The rest of the people are unknown to me. The slides have been scanned on an Artiscan 2400FS scanner connected to my Windows 98 computer. I have done no electronic processing of the images other than rotating some so they would all be right side up. 01-01: (Ektachrome embossed 6). "1". "Across Arizona on a Raft" 01-02: (Ektachrome 1). "2". Map of journey. 01-03: (Kodachrome red 30): "3". View of the Grand Canyon from the South rim. 01-04: (Kodachrome red 25): "4" 01-05: (Kodachrome red 1): "5" Georgie White to the right. 01-06: (Ektachrome): "7" Boarding the bus to get to the river. 01-07: (Ektachrome): "8" Marble Canyon Lodge. Unloading the truck containing all the supplies and rafts. 01-08: (Kodachrome red 36): "10" The highway bridge across the Colorado. Soon the party will pass under this bridge. 01-09: (Kodachrome red 37): "11" The river upstream of the bridge. 01-10: (Ektachrome): "12" Checking out life jackets and getting them on. 01-11: (Ektachrome): "13" These are the waterproof bags that contain each person's personal equipment. Each person gets only one bag. 01-12: (Ektachrome): "14" Tejas and Irene are ready to start the grand adventure. 01-13: (Ektachrome): "15" The smaller rafts as seen from the large raft. 01-14: (Ektachrome): "16" The highway bridge as seen from the river. 01-15: (Ektachrome): "17" Getting closer to the highway bridge. 01-16: (Ektachrome): "18" ---closer--- 01-17: (Ektachrome 19): ---going under the bridge. Some curious people are on the bridge leaning over to watch us pass under. 01-18: (Kodachrome red 7): "20" The small rafts passing through a riffle. 01-19: (Ektachrome): "21" A little taste of slightly rough water for the small rafts. 01-20: (Ektachrome): "22" Small rafts on a large river. 01-21: (Kodachrome red 1): "23" First night's stop. Getting the camp ready. 01-22: (Ektachrome): "24" Georgie's famous vegetable stew. Notice the child's wading pool in the background. All the other foodstuffs, condiments etc. are inside this wading pool where they are safe from sand being kicked into them. 01-23: (Ektachrome): "25" Irene Edwards blows up her air mattress (might as well travel in comfort) as the company prepares to sleep under the stars. 01-24: (Kodachrome red 5): "26" Contemplating the waves before running the rapid. A considerable time was spent studying the currents of each major rapid before running it. 01-25 (Kodachrome red 6): "27" Here comes one of the small rafts through the rapid. 01-26: (Kodachrome red 8): "28" Still water at the end of the rapid. 01-27: (Kodachrome red 3): "29" Notice that this slide, which bears the film processor's sequence number (3), must have been taken before the rapid (slides 5 and 6). I have no idea why Tejas changed the sequence in the slide show. 01-28: (Kodachrome red 9): "30" Georgie at the helm. 01-29: (Kodachrome red 10): "31" Deep canyon and still water. 01-30: (Kodachrome red 11): "32" Rough water ahead? 02-01: (Kodachrome red 12): "33" Watching a raft come through the rapids. 02-02: (Kodachrome red 13): "34" The raft is a little further along. 02-03: (Kodachrome red 15): "35" Georgie at the helm of the big raft. 02-04: (Kodachrome red 18): "36" Calm water and towering cliffs. 02-05: (Ektachrome): "37" Cliffs and pinnacles. 02-06: (Ektachrome): "38" Deep canyon. 02-07: (Ektachrome): "39" A deep side-canyon. 02-08: (Ektachrome): "40" A lunch stop on a sand bar. 02-09: (Ektachrome): "41" Some climbed up to a large cave overlooking the river. 02-10: (Ektachrome): "42" Irene Edwards poses with a human skeleton bleaching in the sun. 02-11: (Ektachrome): "43" The boats pull in to a sand bar. 02-12: (Ektachrome): "44" Looking down at the river from above. Note the cairn at the lower left of the picture. 02-13: (Ektachrome): "45" Tejas and Irene having fun cooling off in the river. 02-14: (Ektachrome): "46" The rafts pull in under an overhanging cliff. 02-15: (Ektachrome): "47" They explore a large open cave. 02-16: (Ektachrome): "48" (NB: edge of slide covered with masking tape) Georgie sets up the kitchen in order to prepare the evening meal. 02-17: (Ektachrome): "49" A nice sheltered spot to camp. 02-18: (Ektachrome): "50" Everyone relaxes after a full day. Irene Edwards is the one with the yellow cup at her waist. 02-19: (Ektachrome): "51" Someone is getting a lot of assistance with his morning bath which he was approaching with some reluctance. 02-20: (Ektachrome): "52" The calm between rapids. 02-21: (Ektachrome): "53" The morning sun lights up an impressive tower. 02-22: (Ektachrome): "54" Check out this rapid. 02-23: (Ektachrome): "55" The small rafts negotiating the rapid. 02-24: (Ektachrome): "56" This looks like a grave marker. 02-25: (Ektachrome): "57" Another grave marker. 02-26: (Ektachrome): "58" A large canyon enters the Grand Canyon. 02-27: (Ektachrome): "59" An impressive cliff. Is it worth the climb to explore the small caves above? 02-28: (Ektachrome): "60" Georgie in the center. Cliff dwellings. 02-29: (Ektachrome): "61" View from the cliff dwellings. 02-30: (Ektachrome): "62" Climbing back down from the cliffs. 03-01: (Ektachrome): "63" Irene Edwards sitting down in the river and drinking it. Nobody worried about the silt in the water, they just didn't grind their teeth while drinking! 03-02: (Ektachrome): "64" Irene looked like she needed to cool off, so someone obliged her. 03-03: (Ektachrome): "65" This quickly degenerated into an overall free-for-all. 03-04: (Ektachrome): "66" No one was spared, not even Georgie! 03-05: (Ektachrome): "67" With everyone cooled off, the rafts sailed on down the smooth river. 03-06: (Ektachrome): "68" This may have been Loper's wrecked boat, a reminder that this is a dangerous river. 03-07: (Ektachrome): "69" A plaque in memory of Bert Loper. 03-08: (Ektachrome): "70" The junction of a side stream into the Colorado. 03-09: (Ektachrome): "71" Irene at right. 03-10: (Ektachrome): "72" A little swim for all. Georgie is standing on a rock, Irene and Tejas are in the water below her. 03-11: (Ektachrome): "73" Evidence of a tragedy: two commercial airliners had a mid-air collision over the Grand Canyon. This had happened shortly before Georgie began this trip. The officials had given Georgie body bags and other equipment in case we came across bodies or other wreckage. In this picture, we see a piece of one of the aircraft. 03-12: (Ektachrome): "74" Irene examines another piece of an airplane. 03-13: (Ektachrome): "75" Yet more wreckage. 03-14: (Ektachrome): "76" Finding no human remains, Georgie cached the body bags as the rangers had instructed her to do. 03-15: (Ektachrome): "77" The message on the cache to the ranger. 03-16: (Ektachrome): "78" Other equipment placed in the cache. 03-17: (Ektachrome): "79" If you look closely, high on the cliffs, you can see the main wreckage of one of the aircraft 03-18: (Ektachrome): "80" The previous rapid had damaged the large raft. It had to be inverted in order to make the repair. It took all hands. 03-19: (Ektachrome): "81" Here is the damaged portion of the bottom. 03-20: (Ektachrome): "82" The slanting rays of the sun light up the high cliffs. 03-21: (Ektachrome): "83" Georgie is making repairs to another kind of bottom, not that of the boat! 03-22: (Ektachrome): "84" What's left of an old settlement 03-23: (Ektachrome): "85" Irene standing. A hidden pool or spring. 03-24: (Ektachrome): "86" Irene collecting minerals. 03-25: (Ektachrome): "87" A curious formation. 03-26: (Ektachrome): "88 A poisonous-looking spring. Notice that there is no life in or around it. 03-27: (Ektachrome): "89" Curiously sculptured strata. 03-28: (Ektachrome): "90" Colorful rocks. 03-29: (Ektachrome): "91" Long view from a sand bar. A good place to camp. 03-30: (Ektachrome): "92" A campfire made from driftwood. 04-01: (Ektachrome): The river winds on. 04-02: (Ektachrome): And on. 04-03: (Ektachrome): Fractured strata. 04-04: (Ektachrome): Broad vista. 04-05: (Ektachrome): Hundreds of logs left high and dry. 04-06: (Ektachrome): The river winds on and on-- 04-07: (Ektachrome): --endlessly. 04-08: (Ektachrome): The rafts round a large bend. 04-09: (Ektachrome): A couple of the men take an opportunity to shave in the river. 04-10: (Ektachrome): The rafts swing around a turbulent curve. 04-11: (Ektachrome): First glimpse of the suspension bridge at Phantom Ranch. 04-12: (Ektachrome): Large sign identifying the Kaibab Suspension Bridge. 04-13: (Ektachrome): Irene standing by stone wall at Phantom Ranch. 04-14: (Ektachrome): The suspension bridge from the shore. 04-15: (Ektachrome): Large sign identifying the River Measurement Station. 04-16: (Ektachrome): View of the rafts and camp from the suspension bridge. 04-17: (Ektachrome): A large green lizard. 04-18: (Ektachrome): Wranglers packing (or unpacking) a mule. 04-19: (Ektachrome): Some of the party were leaving the trip and phantom ranch, and
taking the mule-back trip to the rim. 04-20: (Ektachrome): 04-21: (Ektachrome): The next rapid to be faced. 04-22: (Ektachrome): Approaching the rapid. 04-23: (Ektachrome): One of the rafts is capsized and is negatiating the rapid upside
down. 04-24: (Ektachrome): The three small rafts are lashed together, side by side. One has been folded up over the other two like a clamshell closing up. Once reaching a calm eddy, those inside can push the errant raft back into place. 04-25: (Ektachrome): The three small rafts coming through a pretty steep rapid. 04-26: (Ektachrome): The big raft coming through the rapid. 04-27: (Ektachrome): The big raft continues. 04-28: (Ektachrome): The big raft emerges intact. 04-29: (Ektachrome): A little raft at the moment of truth. 04-30: (Ektachrome): The photographers record the action. 05-01: (Ektachrome): Irene checks wreckage left by some unfortunate boater. 05-02: (Ektachrome): A stream coming in from a side canyon. 05-03: (Ektachrome): A slender waterfall. 05-04: (Ektachrome): Irene and Tejas enjoy waterfall. 05-05: (Ektachrome): The small rafts coming through a rapid. 05-06: (Ektachrome): The remains of an unsuccessful boat trip. 05-07: (Ektachrome): The canyon opens up. 05-08: (Ektachrome): Purple vista. 05-09: (Ektachrome): Evening campfire. Irene at right. 05-10: (Ektachrome): Drying out clothes and equipment in the morning sun. 05-11: (Ektachrome): Comic relief: Heading towards the river to wash the breakfast cup and plate. 05-12: (Ektachrome): Encountering some difficulty getting through the soft mud to the water's edge. 05-13: (Ektachrome): The river bottom is too slippery to stand up on. 05-14: (Ektachrome): In fact, it's rather hard to get up again. 05-15: (Ektachrome): It makes sense to wash the dishes while down this close to the water. 05-16: (Ektachrome): Success at last. Now that the cup is clean, might as well get a drink of the nice muddy Colorado River water! 05-17: (Ektachrome): The big raft littered with gear. 05-18: (Ektachrome): Relaxing in the shade. Irene (in the red costume) lying in the foreground. 05-19: (Ektachrome): A little horseplay in the water near the big raft. 05-20: (Ektachrome): One of the many lovely vistas seen from calm water. 05-21: (Ektachrome): Spectacular rocks and cliffs. 05-22: (Ektachrome): Curious rock formations. 05-23: (Ektachrome): More strange rock shapes. 05-24: (Ektachrome): More of the same. 05:25: (Ektachrome): Interesting water ahead. 05-26: (Ektachrome): One of the large bladders appears deflated. 05-27: (Ektachrome): In fact, it is quite deflated. 05-28: (Ektachrome): Now you can see the river where the bladder was. 05-29: (Ektachrome): Evening camp on a sandbar. 05-30: (Ektachrome): Hoisting Georgie up so she can explore a side canyon. 06-01: (Ektachrome): The canyon curves around and out of sight. 06-02: (Ektachrome): There could be a rapid ahead. 06-03: (Ektachrome): Georgie and Drew making repairs to a raft. 06-04: (Ektachrome): Strange erosion patterns. Rafts in background. 06-05: (Ektachrome): Climbing into a shadowy opening. 06-06: (Ektachrome): Coming back down after a climb up the cliff. 06-07: (Ektachrome): One of many rapids. 06-08: (Ektachrome): Raft approaching the rapid. 06-09: (Ektachrome): The raft gets through the first part of the rapid, now maneuvers to reach the calm water at the bottom. 06-10: (Ektachrome): A couple has climbed up to a high cave. 06-11: (Ektachrome): Looking back at the river from the cave. 06-12: (Ektachrome): Barrel cacti growing on a rocky promentory. 06-13: (Ektachrome): Irene looks up at a tiny waterfall coming from a box canyon high above. 06-14: (Ektachrome): High cliffs. 06-15: (Ektachrome): Moving past another side-canyon. 06-16: (Ektachrome): Colorful outcroppings. 06-17: (Ektachrome): The letter "E" appeared in this rock. 06-18: (Ektachrome): A curious boulder with a small catch-basin for water. 06-19: (Ektachrome): Water caught in a rock formation. 06-20: (Ektachrome): Desert vegetation. 06-21: (Ektachrome): A large locust or grasshopper. 06-22: (Ektachrome): Locusts warming themselves on a sunny rock. 06-23: (Ektachrome): Climbers, with Georgie waiting for them above. 06-24: (Ektachrome): Irene admiring an intricate waterfall. 06-25: (Ektachrome): Irene and Georgie part way up the waterfall. 06-26: (Ektachrome): Georgie (in red shirt) surrounded by the company. 06-27: (Ektachrome): Some old graffitti. 06-28: (Ektachrome): Irene sitting in some makeshift shade. 06-29: (Ektachrome): Getting ready for departure. 06-30: (Ektachrome): Everyone enjoying a clear cold stream running into the warm, muddy Colorado. 07-01: (Ektachrome): Irene enjoying the clear water. 07-02: (Ektachrome): Irene relaxing on a form-fitting rock in the middle of the stream. 07-03: (Ektachrome): Where the clear and the muddy water mix. 07-04: (Ektachrome): Bathers at the base of a very tall, slender waterfall. 07-05: (Ektachrome): Irene in her camp in a cave at the base of the waterfall. 07-06: (Ektachrome): Looking down at the river from high up. 07-07: (Ektachrome): A narrow, labyrinthine side canyon. 07-08: (Ektachrome): Looking straight down into this canyon. 07-09: (Ektachrome): Strange formation, almost looks like fosselized worms. 07-10: (Ektachrome): More of the labyrinthine canyon. 07-11: (Ektachrome): A more open side canyon. 07-12: (Ektachrome): Large flowering desert flower. 07-13: (Ektachrome): Prickly pear cacti with their fruit. 07-14: (Ektachrome): High view of the Colorado. 07-15: (Ektachrome): Looking down at the rafts anchored below. 07-16: (Ektachrome): Proceeding down the river again. 07-17: (Ektachrome): More vistas of the river. 07-18: (Ektachrome): And more. 07-19: (Ektachrome): Really high canyon walls. 07-20: (Ektachrome): More river. 07-21: (Ektachrome): A rockslide of stone columns into the river. 07-22: (Ektachrome): A nice rapid. 07-23: (Ektachrome): The boats will have fun coming through this. 07-24: (Ektachrome): Where to steer the rafts? 07-25: (Ektachrome): Desert vegetation. 07-26: (Ektachrome): Raft coming through, cameras at the ready. 07-27: (Ektachrome): The raft is almost to the still water. 07-28: (Ektachrome): Colorful river bank. 07-29: (Ektachrome): Georgie connecting fuel tank to the outboard engine. 07-30: (Ektachrome): A kind of stone waterfall. Mineral-laden side stream has made this deposit. 08-01: (Ektachrome): Another view of the same stone waterfall. 08-02: (Ektachrome): A side view of the small waterfall to the right of the photos above. 08-03: (Ektachrome): A wide waterfall dripping down from above. 08-04: (Ektachrome): A characteristic vista. Initiation into the Royal River Rats 08-05: (Ektachrome): Irene demonstrating that she knows how to cook eggs for breakfast. 08-06: (Ektachrome): Blindfolded and standing in the side stream, Irene is ready for the initiation to begin. 08-07: (Ektachrome): Irene demonstrates that she can pack her waterproof bag while blindfolded. 08-08: (Ektachrome): Irene has to do this while Georgie is splashing her with buckets of water. 08-09: (Ektachrome): Irene has to roll up her equipment even though it is all tangled and she can't see what she is doing. 08-10: (Ektachrome): And of course she has to do this while being showered with water by Georgie. 08-11: (Ektachrome): Irene finally gets the bag packed and closed in spite of Georgie's constant barrage of water. 08-12: (Ektachrome): Georgie sternly observes Irene's proficiency in putting on her life preserver while blindfolded. 08-13: (Ektachrome): Now, Irene has finally put on her life preserver while still being splashed with water. 08-14: (Ektachrome): Now, Irene has to demostrate her proficiency with the oars. 08-15: (Ektachrome): She has to demonstrate her ability to bail water out of the boat. 08-16: (Ektachrome): Irene has to assume the position (still being splashed) while Georgie prepares to apply the paddle to the appropriate place. 08-17: (Ektachrome): Whack! The paddle connects. 08-18: (Ektachrome): The paddle connects again. Georgie is smiling approvingly. 08-19: (Ektachrome): One last time and it's over. 08-20: (Ektachrome): Irene is now a Royal River Rat. End of Initiation 08-21: (Ektachrome): Another rapid. 08-22: (Ektachrome): Boats hidden by waves. 08-23: (Ektachrome): Interesting far shore. 08-24: (Ektachrome): What's left of a rock slide. 08-25: (Ektachrome): Another rock slide. 08-26: (Ektachrome): Smooth water, valley opening up. 08-27: (Ektachrome): The river broadens. 08-28: (Ektachrome): Signs of civilization. 08-29: (Ektachrome): Exploring an old shack. 08-30: (Ektachrome): Majestic towers. 09-01: (Ektachrome): A valley coming into the river. 09-02: (Ektachrome): A bronze cenotaph marking the spot where two members of Powell's party left and were later killed by Indians. 09-03: (Ektachrome): A good view of the river and canyon. 09-04: (Ektachrome): Georgie at the helm. 09-05: (Ektachrome): Looks like a lunch stop. 09-06: (Ektachrome): Storm on the water. 09-07: (Ektachrome): Rafts all lashed together and under tow. 09-08: (Ektachrome): Last closeup of the high canyon walls. 09-09: (Ektachrome): On Lake Meade now, the water is no longer muddy. 09-10: (Ektachrome): Piles of logs washed downstream, and caked mud. 09-11: (Ektachrome): The mud dries in patterns. 09-12: (Ektachrome): The river is very broad here. 09-13: (Ektachrome): Sunset. 09-14: (Ektachrome): Stormy sky with lightning. 09-15: (Ektachrome): The tow boat is bringing us in. 09-16: (Ektachrome): Unloading everything at the dock. 09-17: (Ektachrome): Deflating the rafts. 09-18: (Ektachrome): Giving Georgie the traditional heave-ho into the lake. 09-19: (Ektachrome): Boarding the bus for civilization. For Tejas and Irene this was the end of their last great adventure together. Three years later, Tejas was gone. His heart stopped while he and Irene were hiking over Vogelsang Pass in the High Sierra. Tejas placed the following slides at the end as a reprise of the trip. Perhaps they were photos he was proud of, perhaps they acted as a summary of the slide show when he presented it to friends and guests. 09-20: (Ektachrome): 09-21: (Ektachrome): 09-22: (Ektachrome): 09-23: (Ektachrome): 09-24: (Ektachrome): 09-25: (Ektachrome): 09-26: (Ektachrome): 09-27: (Ektachrome): 09-28: (Ektachrome): 09-29: (Ektachrome): 09-30: (Ektachrome): End of file.
Index
GRAND CANYON RAFT TRIP
"Across Arizona on a Raft"
1956
Tray #1
Tray #2
Tray #3
Tray #4
Tray #5
Tray #6
Tray #7
Tray #8
Tray #9
Web page © 2005, Frank Anderson