Tuesday, May 30, 2017

The Groover



Between guides you will hear debates on how and where to run a rapid, which boats are better Aire vs Marivia, which oars are better wood oars vs. composite, and from time to time a side may relent and agree. But never in my 20 years on the river have I heard two sides agree on the right Groover spot.
What is the Groover you ask? Why its the honey pot, the poop bucket, dookie droop off, where you take the kids to the pool, the loo, the shitter, and it goes by many other names. Years ago when people first started running rivers they would just dig a hole and bury it. Now flash forward 50 years and there would not be a safe place on any sandy beach to stick an umbrella in the ground. Now outfitters and private boaters alike practice a pack it in pack it out policy, including human waste, this allows others to enjoy nature as it should be. An obvious benefit of going with a commercial outfitter would be the fact the the guides have to deal with the Groover and not the paying guests.
The Groover debate is not what type of Groover, ammo can, 5 gallon bucket, River bank toilet, Johnny partner. But where to place to Groover.
You see the first few things that happen when we stop to set up camp after an amazing day of running rapids on the Main Salmon, is to set up the kitchen and the Groover. Now kitchen set up is easy, keep it close to the boats and protected from the wind. Because the stuff is heavy and no one likes sand on their steak. The Groover set up on the other hand is special. That guide has only one job, (he cant touch food after touching the Groover), where that guides sets up the Groover the have to consider many things, like how is the view is there privacy, is it too far away, is it too close, will the wind blow the smell into camp, and many others.
Now personally i believe in learning from my mistakes and other peoples also. I have made the Groover set up mistakes before and I have a few personal rules that I try to abide by.
1. The View, it does not always need to be a view of the river, as not all people take off the river at the same time. Nothing like pooping as a 30 person family reunion floats by taking pictures of you.
2. Stable ground. Do not place the Groover on rocky uneven ground. Not everyone likes pooping outdoors and worrying about falling over should not be a problem.
3. Distance. Keep in mind that usually we take turns setting up the Groover and just because you found an awesome spot 200 yards away doesn't mean you should use it. 20 people could use it from the time its set up and taken down. That is a lot of added weight that has to be carried back to the boat.
Using these simple guide lines will help with set up I have found. But experience is the best teacher by far.
As we travel down the river I will find better spots I am sure. And whether or not you are and early morning or late evening Groover fan may your views be amazing and the wind blow away from camp for you.