Les Voyageurs Sans Trace were a group of three French adventurers who kayaked from Green River, Wyoming to Lees Ferry, Arizona in the fall of 1938. They referred to themselves as les voyageurs sans trace because the only trace of their journey were the wakes of their kayaks. Known as the French Trio, the group included newlyweds Genevieve and Bernard DeColmont, and their friend Antoine DeSeyne. The trio’s leader, Bernard, was on assignment from the Paris Museum of Natural History to film and photograph a descent of the Colorado River. Bernard
was driven to prove that such an expedition could be completed using fold boats; lightweight kayaks with collapsable wooden frames and canvas coverings. The Trio’s fold boats were revolutionary. They were light and nimble compared with heavy, cumbersome, wooden craft used by contemporary American river runners.

The expedition became public knowledge when the trio shared their story with a reporter from the Salt Lake Tribune as they prepared to launch their kayaks loaded with camping gear, cameras, food, and beer. Beginning their journey on September 13, their plan was to run all the way through the Grand Canyon. Along the way they encountered other river legends of the time including Bus Hatch and Norm Nevills.