Eva Hatch and Doris Calder: The First Women on the Yampa and Green Rivers

While much emphasis is often placed on historic “firsts”—such as the first to reach space or the first to run the Colorado River—there’s another first that holds significant importance both for river running and women’s history: the first women to raft the Yampa and Green Rivers.

In 1935, Eva Hatch and Doris Calder became the first women to raft a 125-mile section of the Yampa River, which connects to the Green River. They were accompanied by their husbands, Bus Hatch and Dr. Wallace Calder. The journey, completed in just three days with a single boat, was a significant achievement.

Upon their return, local newspapers in Vernal, Utah, chronicled their adventure, celebrating their groundbreaking accomplishment. Below is an article recounting their historic trip:

Two Women Become First Of Sex to Navigate Waters of Yampa and Green Rivers

Mrs. Doris Calder, Mrs. Eva Hatch with Husbands. Successfully Complete 125-Mile Trip: Thrills Encountered

By: Frank P. Wellman

 

VERNAL- The first women ever to navigate the treacherous waters of the Yampa river and Green River through the canyons are Mrs. Doris Calder and Mrs. Eva Hatch, who with their husbands, Dr. Wallace Calder and Bus Hatch, successfully completed a three-day trip last Sunday of 125 miles. 

Bus Hatch an experienced river explorer, who last year navigated the Grand Canyon of then Colorado together with a number of others in the Dr. Frazier company. Dr. Calder is also well versed in river lore, but this was his first experience on a long river trip. 

 

Experience Thrills

Thrills were plenty from the very first minutes after entering the water at Lilly Park, Colorado and as they drifted down the Yampa river 55 miles into the Green river at steamboat Rock through the Whirlpool canyon, Split Mountain canyon, thence to Black canyon or Green River gorge, 125 miles to their destination 12 miles below the mouth of the Green River gorge.

After all were equipped with life preservers and every compartment of the boat tightly sealed, take-off was made at 8:20 a.m. a few miles above the first of the many rapids encountered on the trip. 

Water was the highest it has been for several years, a raging, muddy torrent lashing against the perpendicular, rocky cliffs, pouring over the huge boulders, dipping between the rocks of the steep rapids, lashed to a creamy white foam from the churning given as it swirled over the rocks, to form whirlpools as the bends in the cliffs forced the foaming torrent in a different direction.

 

On Crest of Wave

First the boat would be on the crest of a high wave, and the next moment into a deep trough, perhaps to be forced through the wave just ahead, not being able to ride over the top; one moment against the side of a cliff, the next shot almost sideways past a high rock, midstream, into a whirlpool below. 

All of this was soon to be learned by the brave young women, both of them mothers, as they were getting their first experience in rough navigation, their nerves becoming steadied for the first dip across the [fo]aming rapids. 

Mrs. Calder had a field [glasses] the case and strap around her neck. She also had a .22 caliber [single] shot rifle which she was carrying in her right hand. Mr. Hatch was in the front of the boat, the women seated in the center, with Dr. Calder to the rear. 

Fastened on each side of the inside of the boat were long, loose handles, something similar to those on the outside of a casket, to be grasped in case side turning of the boat, or to help steady on in passing over the rough places. 

 

Cliff Higher

As the boat neared Teepee Draw, perhaps 20 miles below the take-off, the perpendicular cliffs became higher and the stream narrower. Mr. Hatch cautioned his charge to exercise the utmost care for the boat would be forced against the cliff on the right and tipped to the left as they shot over the mad waters of the rapids. 

The inexperienced navigators had found their poise, for they had been traveling exactly two hours. Obeying orders, Mrs. Hatch grasped the handle on the right side of the boat. All were ready to guard, protect and help each if need be. 

Shooting over the first part of the rapid to where the boat would dip sideways and immediately take a sharp turn to the left, but still against the cliff, to make the remainder of the rapid, the fastener on the left loosened on one end. The force threw Mrs. Calder’s arm downward and body forward. Thinking the tensely-grasped rifle in her right hand was a safety guard, Mrs. Calder was flung from the boat; completely over, like a trapeze performer circling a bar, her left hand still grasping the loose end of the safety handle. 

 

Flung into the Torrent

The rifle was flung 25 or 30 feet far into the torrent. Completely submerged in the icy cold water, the life preserver caused her to “bob straight up” from the torrent. The strain on the left arm almost tore it from the socket. She later declared. The shift of Mrs. Hatch and Dr. Calder forced the boat farther on left into the water, with the danger of all tumbling into the mad water ready to dash them against the rocky cliff. 

Mr. Hatch rowed as never before in all his experience, maneuvering the boat to the best advantage to do his part in the struggle and still carry them to safety a few yards away. Mrs. Hatch grasped the strap holding the field glasses, Dr. Calder reached over and caught his wife by the seat of the trousers she was wearing and rolled her into the boat. In doing so she was thrown in the way of Mr. Hatch, hampering the rowing. Another split second, however, and the rapid was successfully navigated. This was the only accident of consequence on the voyage. All had received the thrill of their lives and all were safe. 

Pulling up to the first landing place a fire was built and the clothing dried. It was then Mrs. Calder learned her hand had been badly bruised. 

 

Fire Built

The inexperienced had become experienced. None had screamed, the only perceived voices heard during the seeming eternity were speaking definite orders. All realized they owed their lives to the skill and cool-headedness of Mr. Hatch, who had been in just such a tight place before. 

At Big Joe Draw, the boat hit a boulder and all were drenched. The drop here is about 50 feet within a short distance. The highest perpendicular cliff in the world is in this section. The fastest traveling was six miles in 20 minutes. 

A box in which they had stored belongings was emptied, data placed in same and let go on the water. On Sunday as they were in Green River Gorge the box was found floating in an eddy and taken as a souvenir. It had traveled about 75 miles.

While the boat lunged down the current, three deer swam the river just ahead of their boat at the Charles Mantle ranch. Many herds of deer were seen and about a thousand wild geese, wild ducks, beaver, mink, one wild horse, a large grey stallion, and mountain sheep. 

 

Whirlpool Rapids

The next big thrill was the ride over Whirlpool rapids as the boatmen emerged for the Yampa River into Green river. There is no way to pass the Whirlpool rapids except to boat over them. 

The trip through the Yampa canyon was made in six hours, a record trip.

The rest at Jones’ Hole, where good fishing was enjoyed, was highly appreciated, especially by the women. 

At 8:30 Sunday morning, the start was made through the Split Mountain canyon and Green river gorge. Below the mouth of the gorge at 3:30 p.m. they were greeted by many friends. 

Congratulations have been received from young and old. Some scolded to later praise. One elderly pioneer lady, who has taken every chance from riding bucking horses to an attempted auto trip, across the nation in the early days of the automobile, stated it was the most foolhardy adventure, but praised the daring of the girls. Only her age would prevent her now from attempting the same trip. 

If you want to read a newspaper about Bus’s first trip through Grand Canyon check out this blog!