We Swam the Grand Canyon: The True Story of a Cheap Vacation that Got a Little Out of Hand

By Bill Beer

Book Overview

The true story of a cheap vacation that got a little out of hand. In 1955 Bill Beer and John Daggett, at the time both recently out of the military, and in their mid 20s, footloose, and more or less... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0963405594
• ISBN13: 9780963405593
• Release Date: July 2008
• Publisher: 15 Minute Press
• Length: 171 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.7" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

High Adventure

This is the first person account of the only swimming trip that went the length of the Grand Canyon. In 1955 two young men , Bill Beers and John Daggett, enbarked on this one of a kind adventure. These guys to do not come across as thrill seekers but a couple of young men seeking high adventure. It is a fast, exciting read. It brings the Canyon and all it's glory to life.

Fun Read Fun Trip Dangerous YES

This was a fun quick read that anybody who has been down the Grand Canyon or has an interest in must read for themselves. I hope to see additional photos and the TV production of this trip.

Amazing

From the three books on explorations of the unknown I've read in the past few months I enjoyed this the most. (The others where Ryback, The High Adventure from Canada to Mexico, and Cousteau, The Silent World). I admit that I enjoy backpacking, so far mostly in the Sierra Nevada and in the Grand Canyon. I also skin dive and hopefully will get a SCUBA licence this spring. So each of these three books displayed a piece of history about one of my hobbies. Nevertheless Bill's book left me in awe: it is such a fantastic, modern adventure, nearly unbelievable without the detailed descriptions and photographs. I've hiked along the Colorado in the GCNP and (maybe because of the warnings of the rangers or maybe because the river 'diagonals' down rapidly the thight canyons) would have never considered swimming in it. The book is really well written and the pictures give you a feeling of being close to what happened 50 years ago. (My only wish would be to get rid of some of the scratches using digital retouching. But then again the scratches give them an authentic feeling.) Bill, I really have to thank you for republishing this book!

Great adventure story

One of the best modern American adventure stories. A relatively easy read. These guys swam more than 100 rapids on the frigid Colorado River wearing nothing but rubber shirts and wool longjohns - carrying thier sleeping bags, food and camera equipment in rubber boxes. Absolutely amazing - and their story had me with butterflys in my stomach just reading about what they did.