While rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, our boat captain and expedition leader, Al, takes a moment to carefully review the next approaching rapid, which I believe was Shinumo Rapids. Some of these side canyons flood more often than others and can often make subtle changes to how the water flows through the rapids. To be cautious, Al approaches the rapid and then spins the boat around to hold position with his motor, just above the treacherous cascade, so he can carefully study the torrent. In addition, Al considers how he is going to hold the raft on the bottom of rapids after we move through, so that his photographers have their next opportunity of rafting action shots from our sister raft behind.

After careful consideration, Al spins the raft back around on course and expertly runs the rapids with ease. Immediately after passing through, Al spun the raft and held position again for the next set of photographs.