Meet Ben Ritz
Photo above by David Zickl
We’re happy to introduce you to Ben Ritz, a guide for AzRA for four years now! He is newer to our team, but has a commitment to learning all that he can here at AzRA. He started just on the oars, and now has learned how to drive motor boats too. You’ll be able to see him on any of our trip types here at AzRA. He loves hanging out with other river guides here in Flagstaff, and loves being a part of the river community. Read more about Ben below!
Where were you born?
I was originally born in Alaska, but did a lot of moving around as a kid, from rural villages in Alaska to the Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, then eventually down to the Hopi reservation in Arizona. Then bounced around a few places in Arizona when I finally found myself settling in Flagstaff, Arizona. It reminded me a lot of Alaska, just with warmer weather and more sunshine.
What’s your history with AzRA?
My first trip with AzRA was in 2017, I just so happened to find myself at the right backyard BBQ, where there was a guide whose planned assistant wasn’t able to make it. So he offered it up to me, I immediately accepted, giving no thought as to what I would tell my boss (I was driving trucks for a private river company at the time), but I figured that they would understand. The next year, I was able to finagle my way onto another trip with AzRA then was invited on the training trip later that fall and was offered a guide spot for the following season. The rest is history, I am currently lucky enough to now work full time for an awesome company like AzRA!
When did you start guiding?
My first year guiding was in 2017 for Fort Tuthill, an air force base recreation area in Flagstaff. We did a little bit of everything from mountain bike trips on the north rim of Grand Canyon to backpacking trips to Havasupai. But the thing that really got me was the river trips. We were only doing 3-4 day “Diamond down” trips. I was hooked and couldn’t get enough. So it was naturally the next step to get on with a company that was doing the whole thing.
What types of trips do you guide?
I have mostly been doing Oar/Paddle trips for the last few years with a few motor trips mixed in. I have lately set sights on motor trips, looking forward to a new challenge, and am able to have the opportunity to have my own boat this season.
What are your favorite rapids and why?
Classic answer: I can’t decide there are too many! But if I have to pick, I’d say the first one that comes to mind is Horn Creek. It’s simple, the most amount of vertical drop in the shortest distance for a rapid in Grand Canyon. Another one is Dubendorf Rapid. It’s a rocky son of a gun, but that’s why it’s one of my favorites. It feels good to nail your line through there. Can’t forget about Hermit; hard to beat the sheer size of the waves and the roller coaster ride they give ya!
What are your favorite hikes and why?
One hike that comes to mind right away is the loop hike from Carbon Canyon up and over into Lava-Chuar Canyon. The geology is super cool through there, and it’s really awesome being able to walk through a fault line, and the logistics of the hike is really fun too. Another one is Tapeats Creek to Thunder river. Tons of clear cold water with shade along the way before arriving at a massive gushing waterfall, usually just in time to eat lunch at.
Are there any interesting facts about yourself you’d like to share?
I love long walks in the woods with my dogs Pepper and Karl.
What do you do when you’re not guiding at AzRA?
During the off season from guiding, I work at a small local ski shop as a bootfitter in Flagstaff, AZ.
Do you have any hobbies?
In my free time I like to ride mountain bikes, ski, and go camping.
What do you love about the Canyon and guiding?
I love that I get to share one of my favorite places in the world with people daily! Being able to see people adapt to the pace of river life and leave technology behind is awesome.
Do you have a favorite story you would like to share?
This one is a bit of a story and lesson. It was my second private trip down the grand, and it was Havasu day, a day that almost everyone is excited for. So we pull in around 9am with pack lunches in hand and set off up the canyon, some looking to stretch their legs and go far. Some, well, just looking for a good napping spot. Fast forward, we arrive back to the boats around 2pm or so looking to make about 10 miles downriver to find a camping spot for the night and layover day the next day when I hear my buddy shout “where’s my boat ?! this isn’t funny you guys!” It takes us all a second to count the rafts to realize that we’re one boat short. So we all peel out of the mouth of the canyon rowing our guts out like our lives depend on it. After a few hours of stress rowing, we come around the corner just above Tuckup Canyon to find our missing raft calmly floating in an eddy with the coffee cup still standing upright on the cooler….always double check your knots!
Do you have any advice for someone coming on a rafting trip?
Embrace the sand! It gets everywhere! Also highly recommend a sarong and extras of hats and sunnies! Make sure you pack your sprit of adventure.
5 Comments. Leave new
Recently finished a trip with Ben as one of our guides. Couldn’t ask for better!!!! Thanks lots!
We’re so glad to hear Jo Ellen! Thanks for sharing!
Ben was our trip Leader on June 21st. 14 day classic. Couldn’t ask for a more calm, knowledgeable, level headed guide. Zero ego and lead with a quiet, cheerful, confidant presence. Love making Ben smile. He’s genuine and has a beautiful spirit. We had 2 medical situations on our trip which could not have been handled better. Come to find out, all of our guides but 2 had never met before! They worked like a well oiled machine. We all thought they had been rowing together for years!!! These guides are some of the hardest working people I have ever known. I am forever indebted to them for rowing me down this beautiful river. They should be millionaires working as hard as they do. But they aren’t and they deserve BIG tips and every single penny they earned with blood sweat and tears. Because they LOVE what they do and it shows. They are a part of that river. It’s in their mind, body and SOUL. You will see it and feel it the minute you meet them. They are all one of a kind! Can’t thank you enough Ben. See you on a river sometime!!!
Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt comment, Heather! Our guides work their tails off for sure, and they do it because they love it, and they love sharing Grand Canyon with others. We’re so glad you had such a wonderful time with Ben and the rest of the crew.
Ben was awesome on our group trip in April! Thanks for the laughs.