This has been a common question that has come up on almost every river trip I have ever run. On all Grand Canyon Expeditions rafting trips you will, in addition to your guide, have a “SWAMPER” on board. The swampers are the go to people when you are on the raft, on the trail or in your camp. They are the catchall workers while on the river, the gophers, the grunts, the swamp and very possibly a relative of your guide; that one family member that your guide finally gets to tell them what to do because on the river the guide is the boss.
In addition, your swamp will help to load and unload the rafts, set up and clean up your kitchen and the toilet, fetch your favorite beverage of choice while you’re on the water and yes, I have seen many a swamp be so kind as to apply sunscreen to guests on those hot afternoons. All guides at one point in time were a swamper. Swampers are like being the freshman in a group of seniors, that batboy on the baseball team or always the bridesmaid and never the bride; they are the Rodney Dangerfields of the river industry. However, when it is all said and done, they are the future here at Grand Canyon Expeditions and a number of swamps have aspiring dreams of being a Grand Canyon River Guide and they very well could be.
When starting from the swamper position, there is a total appreciation gained for every aspect of the river trip, from start/pack out to finish/ clean up. The swampers will go with a number of different guides as they proceed in their training. These training trips will address everything from the Grand Canyon’s geology and human history to how to make a chocolate cake in a Dutch oven.
So, when you come out this summer and board your raft heading downstream on your expedition through the Grand Canyon, you will know what the swampers responsibilities are. You will then know to cut them some slack and remember your swamp could be somebody’s mother!
