flotilla    a line of boats

glacier    a large body of ice on land

gorge    a narrow passage through land, such as a part of a canyon

gyroscoping    spinning rapidly

hole    a feature created by water flowing over an obstacle on or near the river surface

hydraulic    of or related to water

lateral    of or related to the side

maelstrom    a powerful, often violent commotion

mesa    a flat-topped natural elevation

neoprene skirt    waterproof material that fits over the cockpit of a kayak

paraplegic    someone who is paralyzed below the waist

petroglyph    a carving on a rock

pictograph    an ancient drawing on a rock wall

portage    to carry a boat and other goods from one part of a body of water to another

prosthetics    artificial body parts

quadriplegic    someone who is either completely or partially paralyzed in both the arms and legs

raft    a flat structure used for transportation on the water

riffle    rough water

schist    parallel layers of flaky rock

scree    loose stones and rocks on or at the base of a hill

sediment    matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid

silt    grainy material deposits in a river

strainer    an obstacle in a river that only limited amounts of water can pass through

switchback    a zigzag road or trail

tempest    a violent storm

terrain    a piece of land

tributary    a stream feeding a larger body of water

trough    low part of a wave

turbulence    agitation

velocity    speed

wave train    a series of waves

whirlpool    water moving in a circle and drawing in floating objects

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Erik: I just returned from a climb of Crestone Needle, an eighteen-hour summit day with a treacherous descent. For hours upon hours, I faced the rock, down-climbing with vast space behind me. My friends took turns, just below me, spotting me and giving me constant directions, saying where to grab and where to place my feet. When I reflect on their patience and dedication, it gives me chills to realize how fortunate I am to have such extraordinary teams in my life. Without these people, the course of my life would have been dramatically different. So I’d like to honor my great teams over the years, those allies who have rallied around the dreams of a blind man.

First, thanks to my Mount Everest team who defied the naysayers to help me make history in 2001, and especially our team leader, Pasquale. You challenged me not to make Everest the “greatest thing I ever do.”

To Uncle Rob, aka “Papa Duck,” I’m deeply grateful. You started me on my Grand Canyon journey and taught me so much about kayaking and friendship. Rob was also instrumental during the entire writing process. His archived photography, excellent memory, and acute attention to detail were indispensable throughout.