“It’s a river rock, and I want you to keep it in your pocket at all times,” Steven said. “It’ll be a reminder of your pledge. When you’re feeling weak and about to break, grab it and hold it. Squeeze it tight, and it will help summon up your inner strength, your inner resolve.”

“Cool,” I said, “like the challenge coins they give out in the military.”

“Yeah,” Steven said, “your Grand Canyon challenge rock.”

“Thanks, Steven. That’s thoughtful,” Rob said, sliding it into his pocket. “I’ll start it at lunch.” Then he reached for the bacon on his plate, but before Rob’s hand landed on a piece, Steven snatched the entire pile off the plate and stuffed it into his mouth. Then he squeezed Rob’s shoulder firmly and, between the smacking and chewing, managed to say, “Rob, you stay strong now.”

I didn’t laugh long, because Harlan sat down next to me and said, “It’s a big day ahead, E. We’ve got Horn Creek, Granite, and Hermit, all rated 9s and all within a five-mile stretch.” As I listened, I was barely managing to choke down my breakfast, leaving the bacon on my plate half-eaten. “We’re just gonna take them one at a time. Horn Creek is up first, just a couple of miles downriver. It’s got the steepest drop in the Grand Canyon. At this water level, these two big rocks jut out side by side. Some people say they look like horns, but, with the water pouring over them, I think they look more like big glassy domes or camels’ humps; they are some of the most beautiful water features in the river. We’ll shoot the gauntlet between them and take a few sizable hits. We want to avoid what’s below, if possible: a maze of big waves, rocks, and holes. So we’re going to be making a hard cut to the left; I’ll call it out, guiding us away from those powerful, tricky hydraulics. But if we can’t make the left move, we’ll pivot and then just take those big crashers head-on.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I said, unable to take another bite. My eggs rumbled in my belly and were about to turn into a vomit omelet.