66 SATURDAY, 8 OCT, 2022 We arrive at the confluence. I had been dreading this, remembering all my encounters with the Colorado as a wild and lethal force, but it turned out to be placid and quiet, though the two rivers together had strong and swift currents. Couldn’t find the first campsite and the confluence didn’t offer any subject for a painting. Eventually at a signboard warning us of the dangers of proceeding further to Cataract Canyon, we stop at a high bank. At 3:00 I go upriver to paint a beautiful cloud over a rather dull landscape. SUNDAY, 9 OCT, 2022 Up early to get some work done before the jet boat arrives. They were very brisk, hauled up the canoes and tied them on the roof, swept the deck clean of dust and mud, and shot off downriver to pick up 8 others. To Tapatio for Sherpa’s Supper, speeches and toasts. I said they had all been unfailingly strong, resourceful, uncomplaining, kind and thoughtful and I would travel with them anywhere. An excellent conclusion to a pretty testing trip. THURSDAY, 6 OCT, 2022 Up at 6:00 cold and the tent covered in dew. Breakfast and a good wash and find clean shirt and pants so started fresh. Looking upriver I sat and drew but began to realize how awkward the painting will be with a long blond and brown wall cutting across the whole thing. Persisted until 11:30 with only one of the buttes painted, but the drawing ok. The sun only just struck our sand bar, so I had been shivering since 6:00. Lunch and then loaded canoes. Canoed 10 miles. FRIDAY, 7 OCT, 2022 David and Robin leave today and will be missed. Despite having a 21 mile paddle they lollygag around, taking photos, chatting, desultory packing. Meanwhile I have started a drawing, so just get on and work while the fuss continues, until, photos taken, fond words spoken, they take off. I shall miss Robin—he has been a tower of strength—always cheerful and positive and prepared to do anything to keep us going—wading through waist deep mud to unload the boats. TUESDAY, 4 OCT, 2022 Ready to leave by 7:30 but discovered that the river had gone down about 2 feet, leaving our boats stranded in gooey mud. We began the tortuous work of carrying very heavy boxes, dry bags, coolers across slippery mud to the first boat, pushed the second one into the water and so on for all four boats. This took 1 ½ hours before we stepped into the boats absolutely covered in mud—all semblance of trying to keep anything clean was gone. Carried on after finding a muddy lunch spot, not managing to find a campsite anywhere—nothing but solid Tamarisk all along the banks. Everybody getting very tired. Eventually found an almost concealed muddy entrance to a site. Robin stood in the water up to his crotch in order to unload the boats one by one. Delicious supper. I made rum and lime. Everybody happy. They all just want me to succeed; it’s very humbling really. WEDNESDAY, 5 OCT, 2022 Up at 6:30. Get ready to paint and wander around the higher level ground, but I already know what I want— the pyramid that is the prominent feature of the camp. A good drawing done in an hour so I made tea and then paint until 12:30. The pyramid and sky done—the rest still to do but I have my notes and my experience. Down at the waterside the boats are stranded again, the water having dropped even further; so it becomes a test of ingenuity and fortitude as we load boats and pull/ push/heave them free of the mud and into the river. Tony Foster walking back to camp, Willow Flat, Canyonlands National Park, Utah, 2022
