File:GRCA 7604Grand Canyon Historical Boat Collection Escalante Kayak (7420802506).jpg

Catalog # GRCA 7604 . Object: KAYAK. Description: . Folbot kayak named ’Escalante’ made of rubberized fabric over a collapsible wooden frame. . Length: 17 feet; width: 2.5 feet; 60 lbs.. This boat was piloted by Alexander E. "Zee" Grant, Jr. of Dedham, MA, through Grand Canyon, from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek, July 15-31, 1941. The kayak accompanied Norman Nevills’ two cataract boats, the ’WEN’ and ’Mexican Hat II’ with boatmen Norm Nevills and Dell Reed. Passengers on the trip were Agnes Albert, William J. Schukraft, and Weldon Heald. The interior of the folbot was filled with inner tubes and beach balls for bouyancy. This was the first time a kayak had run the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, although Grant portaged around some of the rapids. This trip is referenced in an article titled "Riding the Rapids of the Grand Canyon" by Weldon F. Heald. The Sierra Club Bulletin of August 1942 has an article titled "The Colorado is Still Wild" which discusses this river trip. Also see image photos #5009, 5010, 5011, 5012 for photos of this boat.. -The ’Escalante’ was acquired when NPS maintenance employee Gerald Terry reclaimed it from the dump. The boat was on display by the Utah Parks Company in the North Rim Lodge for a while.. -The boat was then stored in the old warehouse attic, on the South Rim for many years, until 12/2003 when it was moved, with assistance from WACC conservator Brynn Bender, to the park’s Resource Management warehouse for conservation, as part of the ’Save Our Boats’ historic boat conservation project. . .