DC AdvenChair Into the Canyon
Into the Big Ditch…Again
Oregon-based all-terrain wheelchair ready for its second venturen into the Grand Canyon
When John Wesley Powell led the first crew of explorers down the Colorado River into what is now known as the Grand Canyon in 1869, he had no idea what kind of destructive forces lay ahead. Shortly after beginning the journey, one of their wooden boats hit a rock-filled cataract, overturned and almost instantly split apart into kindling, destroying a full third of the group’s provisions in the process. It only got worse from there.
Similarly, when Geoff Babb, took a team of adventurers down the Bright Angel Trail in 2016, attempting to reach the Colorado River in a modified human-powered wheelchair, he had no idea what destructive forces lay ahead either. In his case, it was the virtually endless assortment of water bars – large logs or rocks that stick up across the trail to divert rain and snow melt. After going up and over several dozen of them within the first mile-and-a-half, the axle gave way and Babb’s journey was effectively over.
However, just like Powell a century-and-a-half before, Babb and his team were not to be deterred. And, having learned from the first experience, they vowed to return with equipment much better prepared for the challenge.
Less than six years later, Babb, whose mobility remains severely limited following two brain stem strokes, is heading back to “the Big Ditch” this month with a totally new chair: AdvenChair 2.0.
“Breaking down in the Grand Canyon in 2016 is the best thing that could’ve happened to the first AdvenChair,” said Babb. “It made us take a step back start and look at strengthening every aspect of the chair from the ground up.”
Babb brought in design engineer Jack Arnold, who became instrumental in developing an all-terrain wheelchair using mostly mountain bike parts for durability, versatility and easy maintenance. He also added multiple contact points for the crew to pull, brake and lift.
With shock-absorbing mountain bike tires, adjustable handlebars and hand brakes, an adjustable seat and harness, a team of one to six people can navigate AdvenChair over all types of rugged terrain, mud, sand and snow, allowing people with mobility challenges to experience the serenity and grandeur of wild places with family and friends.
The all-new AdvenChair 2.0, with its dazzling orange powder-coat finish, debuted in December of 2019 and went through extensive testing and a few modifications in 2020. Despite the inevitable complications due to the COVID 19 pandemic, Babb began taking orders and received his first shipment of chairs in June of 2021. Already, the upgraded AdvenChair 3.0 has found its way to some pretty incredible places, including an outdoor school near Eugene, the ancient city of Machu Picchu in Peru, and the televisions of countless Oregonians on Oregon Field Guide.
In training for the Grand Canyon over the past three months, the team has also made first ascents of Burma Road at Smith Rock State Park and Grey Butte, which provides a climb of more than 2,600 feet.
“The new AdvenChair has performed beyond expectations for its durability and versatility,” says Babb. “The seat can adjust to handle young children as well as large adults, and since it easily converts into a normal-size wheelchair, it can go indoors and be transported on planes, trains and busses.”
A team of more than dozen men and women, (affectionately known as “mules”) will take turns pushing, pulling, lifting and braking Babb down and back up the 10-mile Bright Angel Trail over the course of four days. Another 14 will be providing support at a campground on the canyon rim.
“We are extremely grateful for the additional support of local companies like Food for the Sole, Picky Bars, Laird Superfood, Smith Rock Coffee Roasters and Hydaway to help us all stay nourished and hydrated,” said Babb.
As a lifelong hiker, mountain biker and backpacker, Babb sees AdvenChair as the culmination of lifelong passion to be active outside. He also envisions it fulfilling his firm belief that people with limited mobility should be able to experience the grandeur and uplifting serenity of wild places beyond where the pavement ends.
“After my first stroke, I began therapy riding horses at Healing Reins and the thought of going to the bottom of the Grand Canyon on the back of a mule crossed my mind,” he said.
“That was never an option, of course, but exploring the Grand Canyon remained a dream to pursue. And completing this trip will validate that we have created a chair that can take dreamers like me almost anywhere.”
The entire trip will be photographed and captured on video, as well as shared on social media. What’s more, yours truly will be joining the mules and traveling to the bottom of the Canyon to document the story in next month’s issue of Desert Current.
To learn more about AdvenChair and follow the journey on social media, visit advenchair.com.
Contributions to help fund the journey may be made via check payable to: The Onward Project LLC, 20841 SE Westview Dr. Bend, OR 97702;
