We Swam the Grand Canyon: The True Story of a Cheap Vacation that Got a Little Out of Hand

by Bill Beer, Phtos by Bill Beer and John Daggett (Illustrator)

The true story of a cheap vacation that got a little out of hand. In 1955 Bill Beer and John Daggett, at the time both recently out of the military, and in their mid 20s, footloose, and more or less unemployed conceived the idea of swimming the Colorado River through the 279 miles of the Grand Canyon-principally because they couldn't afford a boat. This simple idea escalated into a national news story and has been one of the legends of the Grand Canyon ever since. Never equalled nor duplicated, their illegal venture and many of its dangers, comic episodes, innovations, side effects and long term ramifications are the story of this book.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Adventure, Memoir, Humor, Biography

Paperback

First published December 12, 1988

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the firsthand account of two men who decided to swim the Colorado River all the way through the Grand Canyon. No boats. All the rapids. It had never been done before and it has never been done since. I found it fascinating. It is relatively short but it keeps you on edge, even through the monotony of rapid after rapid after rapid. Glad I read it!

[Meghan Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy adventure story told in an honest and funny way.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think about it. SWIMMING the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. It was 1955 when Bill Beer and John Daggett decided to attempt this feat. After all, both were good swimmers. In pools. In the surf at the ocean. In calm lakes. The Colorado is famous for thrashing and boiling rapids that swallow boats, enormous eddies, churning whirlpools, and violent waves that curl upon themselves, leaving people and water craft feeling as if they are inside a giant cement mixer. More than a dozen people die in it every year. And they are in boats! This book is both hilarious and mesmerizing. Bill Beer's detailed descriptions of the beauty of canyons, fossils, and rock formations sent me to my computer frequently to Google the names of the astonishing sights: Royal Arches, Deer Falls, Mooney Falls, Havasu Falls. If you love adventure books, this is for you!

[Marjorie Elwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1955, two twenty-something men (both surfers, and so accustomed to rough water) decided to swim the Grand Canyon. The sense of time/place is accentuated by their trip being bookended by atomic blasts not far from where they were.

There’s lots of humor, much of it due to their lack of finances and, therefore, the thrift store bent of their supplies and gear. Halfway through, they hiked the Kaibab Trail up to the South Rim and surprised a large group of people who had given them up for dead. After being feted and fed, they had to wiggle their way out of the clutches of Park Rangers who wouldn’t allow them to continue their swim (it’s illegal in the Grand Canyon).

Written 30 years later, after his two kids persuaded him to take them on a commercial raft trip through the Canyon, he laments the changes due to the Glen Canyon Dam. Beer and Daggett spent a year after their trip lecturing with their film and condemning the proposed dams on the Grand Canyon. Contains both black and white and color photographs.

[River James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the nearly 50 books I've read directly related to the Grand Canyon, this is one that impressed me with the adventure and its out of the box thinking, and that's what the rating reflects.
I especially liked the descriptions of the canyon that are indicative of how much has changed and been listed since the concrete plug damned the river: massive beaches that the wind whipped into a sandblasting effect that forced them to swim some rapids facing upstream! Fish! Water Temps! Fire wood piles the size of multiple foot ball fields. And the crowning achievement for both the boys and the park service: talking their way and being allowed to continue the adventure. Now that I think about it, this book inadvertently shines a light on so many things we've lost with the endless pursuit of material culture.

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Recommended to me by a coworker. This is a crazy story of two guys who, in the 50s - as the title states - decided to swim the length of the Grand Canyon on a whim. The story is told in a completely matter-of-fact way. It’s not especially well-written, but the story certainly carries you along as they swim through the river’s wildest rapids and don’t die. There’s a sense while reading that the author still doesn’t understand what all the hubbub over their trip is about. A super quick read, and worth it for a crazy piece of Grand Canyon… wilderness… Western… American… dumbass male… history.

[Richard Crater · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1955 Bill Beer and his buddy John Daggett decided to do something no one had ever done: swim 280 miles through the Grand Canyon from Lees Ferry to Pierce Ferry. They wanted to do it secretly because they didn't think they would get permission, so they tried to "swim under the radar" so to speak. Little did they know when they went to resupply at the halfway point they had become folk heroes...and wanted by the Park Rangers. How they convinced the Rangers to let them get back in to finish their trip after the Rangers told them it was absolutely over was a stroke of genius.
It wasn't a particularly well written book, but the adventure aspect of it alone was great.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

We swam the Grand Canyon by Beer_ Bill
Two crazy guys in the 1950's decide to swim down the Colorado River which is part of the grand canyon. Describes in detail how they prepared for it and the things they took.
Very adventurous and I'm not really sure they are sane to do the things they did. Loved hearing of the floatable rubber suitcases and clothes.
Whirlpools, dangerous and exciting. So much pain and struggles along the way but also awesome scenes they describe.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[Zack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book about an incredible trip! The suspense really had me hooked. I really appreciated this look into the Lost World of the Grand Canyon before Glen Canyon Dam. These guys were there right at the cusp of it changing forever. Right before commercial use took off, but also getting to see the proposed dam sites in the canyon itself. Amazing.

Content warning: They are just about out of food towards the end and they kill a wild burro in a fashion that is not as humane as I would prefer.

[Dan Shonka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well written and as such gives the reader a detailed account of the Grand Canyon before the Glen Canyon Dam and all the guided trips down the Colorado. It is very entertaining and amazing. The guys had a few scary times, lots of crazy times (hunting invasive burros), and then fame they somehow never considered. The fame they received was well deserved. These guys were legendary. I highly recommend this book.

[William Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid true story of two men too young to understand how dangerous it was to swim the entire Grand Canyon with two boxes of supplies each and cheap rubber dive suits. So they did it. The writing is fairly straightforward but the tale itself gives the reader a real sense of these men going into a situation where information did not yet exist and doing their best to have a good time and not get killed.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A remarkable adventure told in a mildly boring way. At a certain point it’s just repetitive descriptions of rapids and canyon scenery. It doesn’t quite come to life or leap of the page - it’s clear that Beer is an adventurer first and author second.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. They were crazy and didn't know it. Telling the ranger he should let them continue or every yahoo on the planet would be attempting it the following year, many requiring rescue.

[Laura Housley]

On our 8 day trip rafting through the GC, our veteran river guide, Cliff, told us this was his favorite book on the Grand Canyon.

[Lael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book! Really short for a book, really long for an adventure essay. I still can't believe the guys did it!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book, well written. I enjoyed the story telling

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story. Wish there were more, or a movie. Would love to see some of the actual footage.

[Virginia Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

These guys are legends! I'm still in awe of their gumption and perseverance. Bill did a great job documenting their journey and describing how they felt along the way.

[Willie Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

So funny and fun! Love adventure tales

[Emily Schauble · Rating 4 out of 5]

They swam the Grand Canyon and so did I! Well, at least 3 rapids of it. Book is worth a read if you’ll be spending any time along the Colorado or are wanting to be baffled by the risk management decisions that men make.

[Ava Faust:) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not usually give 5 star ratings...like ever. but this book was PHENOMENAL!! the pure genius that went into this story...the bravery, the courage, the wit, and most importantly, the pure stupidity all for an adrenaline rush. these guys are my kind of people! it's a thrilling read that kept me on edge the whole entire time!! totally would recommend:)

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is dangerous for a person who craves adventure and is always looking for the next crazy trip. This true story of the first (and probably only) two guys to ever swim the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is a lot of fun. It's filled with humor, action and information about the Canyon. They did the swim in the mid-1950s before the Glen Canyon Dam so much of what is described in the book is no longer there or has been changed dramatically; however, with the recent projects of flooding the river to increase the silt going down the river, I'm hoping some of what they described is coming back. For anyone who loves adventure this book is a must read.

[Renata Kreider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of two men who SWAM the entire Grand Canyon on the Colorado River, back when you could get away with that. ;) Daring and interesting, this reads as if you're hanging out with your grandpa and he's recounting the story to you. I told my school-age nephews the story, and they were captivated. I read this based on my reading of The Walk in the Park, and it did not disappoint! I cannot imagine them doing what they did!! Find out if they made it alive.....

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was written in the 1980's about an adventure two men took in 1955. The writing is okay. Speed reading skills come into good use with this book. But, I am now on a mission to head to the Grand Canyon to float the smooth waters of the Colorado. The book made me really want to get down into the bottom of the canyon and see the beauty up close rather than from the ledges atop.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another really great Grand Canyon river history. These guys were certifiable --- but wow. So interesting to read about the river before Glen Canyon Dam, before it was so regulated or visited (1955) - makes any other version of "minimalist camping" pale in comparison. So glad I discovered this book's existence and was able to find a copy!!

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting. These men were hard core! Can't believe they had the courage and ability to persevere through such conditions. Not super well written but you definitely get the feel for their adventure.

[gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is just freakin' nuts. I loved it.

[Kelley Green]

Interesting experience and pretty well documented with his thoughts and feelings. Of course I can't understand why anyone would do it but I thought it was interesting to read.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

re-read again, Sept 2010..
Note: John Daggett must died a month ago!

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

crazy, can't wait to raft the grand this summer.