Journeying along that river has provided the adventure of a lifetime for many folks. Great canyon experiences abound. But, while the experience is good for some, it may not always be satisfying for others. Overcrowding has become an issue. Conflicting and competing interests among the varied user groups challenge park management to figure out solutions.
River running is one piece of the puzzle.
Outfitters, the outfitted, and the self-guided all agree that the park should change the river permit process and how the river is managed. However, until Virginia Tech's Troy Hall came on the scene, there was no data available concerning the attitudes and opinions of river runners, how many people a trip leader was planning to take along, how many days the trip might be, what time of year a person would prefer to go, or what is a reasonable wait. Running the river is a unique experience. There is no other land form in the world quite like the Grand Canyon. Outdoor recreation researchers have long held that quality recreation management requires an understanding of the patterns of use of a resource as well as the way use levels, encounters, and other factors enhance or detract from experience quality.