Figuring out the right amount of beverages for shorter multi-day river trips is straightforward. However, once you start contemplating a week, maybe two weeks, then it gets harder. And at three weeks, without any option to resupply, you’re going to want to nail the calculation. This is beverage math, Grand Canyon style.
And it’s not just your personal consumption you need to consider; it’s a collective effort. This post will share some ideas so you hopefully finish the trip with the perfect amount – not driving out of Diamond Creek with cases of beer, and not running out four days before Lava Falls.
The formula itself is simple. Some people complicate it by height, weight, and age…don’t do that. Take the average daily consumption of the group and then add a little extra. Now multiply that total by the number of days of the trip. That’s it. If you’re worried, bring more; you will have the space.
Perhaps more importantly than the formula are these essential tips:
- Overshoot strategically. It’s better to have a surplus than to run short. This not only eliminates the stress of rationing but also gives you something to trade with other groups.
- Shared resources are the way to go. While individual beverage budgeting is an option, it can lead to uncomfortable situations. The scenario of someone running out early and watching others enjoy their drinks for the remainder of the trip is a recipe for resentment. I’ll never forget a winter Grand Canyon trip where the group ran out except for four people, and we saltily watched them enjoy their final bottles of wine.
- Hard liquor goes a long way. On my recent Grand Canyon trips, we would designate each person to provide and make a cocktail for the group on one night of the trip. This significantly cut down on beer and seltzer drinking.
First time here? We’re GoRafting.com and write whitewater guides for the river and hiking app, FarOut. Our Grand Canyon guide is used by boaters everyday where they get live, offline location tracking so they know exactly where they are, camp information, rapid details, tons of photos and more. Even better, boaters can leave comments on waypoints allowing everyone to get updates on rapids and camps.
It’s hard to write this post without acknowledging how somewhat ridiculous the whole beverage calculation is. The Grand Canyon is an incredible space even without alcohol. A guide friend of mine preaches the benefits of a dry trip – you simply see and experience vastly more of the canyon. You hike, you explore, your brain is sharp, and you feel good every single day of the trip. On moderate to heavy drinking trips, you pull into camp, and you consume. And that’s often it. While sharing drinks with the best of friends can be great, there is so much more to this place, and rivers in general, than getting blitzed with your canyon pals. The elephant in the room is that there’s a significant, darker side in the river community where alcohol has caused more harm than good. So, while you’re figuring out your beverage math, remember that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with running out, bringing less, or even none at all. The canyon itself is the main event.