Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon Paperback – 14 May 2024

This book should be read by anyone who loves the Grand Canyon; or who likes scientific exploration, especially botany; or who is/has been/wants to be a river runner; or who is interested in the struggle for equality for women in this country—or who simply likes an exciting story full of adventure. Elzada Clover was a Professor of Botany at the University of Michigan in the 1930s, when women were not truly accepted in the world of science. She had to fight for everything she achieved in this male-dominated society. Loving cacti and the plants of the Southwestern deserts, Clover became fascinated by the Grand Canyon of the Colorado and was struck with the idea of making a plant collecting trip through the Canyon. Clover invited a student named Lois Jotter to join her. The only way to do this in 1938 was via riverboat, so in Mexican Hat, Utah, they contacted Norman Nevills, owner of the first Grand Canyon commercial expedition, who agreed to take them through the Canyon on a collecting and mapping trip. But this was only the start of their troubles. “The river,” said most everyone—friends, family, government officials, university personnel—even other river runners—“is no place for a woman.” Women, they felt, were too fragile, too soft, too feminine to handle the conditions faced by the rough, tough men who succeeded as boatmen. “No woman has ever run the river through the Grand Canyon and come out alive,” they said, adding that it was highly unlikely that it ever would happen. There is plenty of botanical identification included in these pages, but even more fascinating are the accounts of what these women (and the men) went through—the terror of facing the river rapids and other obstacles such as rattlesnakes, quicksand, wet food and bedrolls. Also included—thanks to the author’s perusal of their journals and other communications—are descriptions of how six very different people managed to get along with each other in such confined conditions for 43 days. Angers, jealousies, and resentments played a part in their interactions, but it is the joy and thrill of what they were doing and seeing that shines through via the author’s gifted prose. Fifty six years later, an “old-timers trip” was arranged by scientists to determine how much the river—and the Canyon itself—had changed over the intervening years. Elzada Clover had died at age 89 in 1980, but Lois Jotter Cutter, age 80, was alive and strong enough to join this trip. The explorations documented how much the river had changed in the days since Glen Canyon Dam had been built. Included on this trip were Joan Nevills Stavely and Sandra Nevills Reiff, the two daughters of Norman Nevills, who could describe their father’s experience as a commercial river runner. (Many of us in Flagstaff have known Sandy Reiff as a licensed counselor and for her volunteer work with local charities). We highly recommend this beautifully written book of history, culture, science, and adventure.

Really enjoyable telling of the story of two women botanists who travelled down the Colorado river in the summer of 1938 - at a time when river running was not something women were seen to be able to do.The book combines science, history and adventure in an engaging way.Would highly recommend to anyone who is interested in the American West, women's contributions to science or ecology.

I took this book with me as we hiked the Grand Canyon -south room to Phantom Ranch, and back to South rim. I started reading it the month before and attended a Garden Club of America book club review of the book. It’s a fascinating story of two women who raft down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in 1938. As University of Michigan botanists, their goal was to catalog the plants along the Colorado river. What fun it was to read this book as I sat at the bottom of the Grand Canyon and Phantom Ranch after just crossing the Colorado river. A great story.

Who would have thought a book about plant collecting would be so dramatic? Loved it! And, I found the last chapter especially poignant as it reveals just how important their research was.

'Brave the Wild River' recounts the incredible journey of two trailblazing women scientists as they embarked on a daring early Colorado River expedition, venturing through the breathtaking canyonlands of the Southwestern U.S., including the Grand Canyon itself. Being the first women to take on this daring adventure, their mission was to collect botanical specimens, and they did so remarkably well. However, what sets this book apart is how the author weaves an enthralling adventure tale that seamlessly blends nature writing, natural history science, human history, and the current water politics of the river.The narrative takes you on thrilling escapades one moment and envelops you in serene beauty while describing the deep canyons the next. Having spent countless years exploring these canyons myself, I can attest that the story of these two botanists has become legendary among river lore. Discovering the intricate details of their remarkable journey was truly captivating.I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone considering a Colorado River trip, those who have already experienced it, and anyone with an interest in adventure chronicles, nature writing, or the captivating allure of the Southwest.This is definitely a must-read!