Chapter 12 Down the River Summary and Analysis

Abbey and his companion, Ralph Newcomb, take a raft trip through Glen Canyon on the Colorado River while the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam proceeds, which will create the Lake Powell reservoir. With food, tarps, canteens, pipes and tobacco, they start their journey of about 150 miles in two inflatable rafts not much larger than inner tubes. They lash the rafts together to gain better control.

The river runs lower than normal due to a dry winter, and at the outset of their journey, the current pulls them along nicely. Somebody waves to them from shore, causing Abbey to reflect on people and what they put up with in civilization. He does not like people very much and the civilizations that they build even less.

Their first challenge comes quickly in the form of rapids...