Rock Hounds and River Rats: The 1937 Carnegie-Caltech Grand Canyon Expedition

In the fall of 1937, four geologists and three boatmen set out on one of the most ambitious geologic expeditions in the history of the Grand Canyon. Working from three small wooden boats, the party would conduct the first comprehensive study of the ancient rock formations along the length of the canyon's deep Inner Gorge. Facing the challenges of fierce rapids, high cliffs and each other's personalities, the expedition was only the 12th group to successfully run the canyon since Powell's first trip in 1869. Based on original research from diaries, newspaper accounts, and scientific reports, the presentation will use the expedition members' own words, as well as rarely-seen photographs and movie footage, to describe the sometimes dangerous and often humorous events of one of the canyon's most overlooked early voyages.  Lastly, the presentation will reveal a little-known link between the expedition and today's Mars rover program.  An award-winning writer and historian, Erik Berg grew up in Flagstaff, is an avid Grand Canyon hiker, and past president of the Grand Canyon Historical Society.  An earlier version of this presentation won the Don Bufkin Award at the 2006 Arizona History Convention.  Free.  928-779-4395