RumiDude
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Marmota olympus
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Post by RumiDude on Apr 5, 2019 20:43:25 GMT -8
I always reflect on my experiences like this and like to write these reflections down. Here are my initial reflections on this trip which I posted on FB. Of course as i gains distance in time, many of my reflections will change slightly and I usually lengthen the list. But here goes ...
This eight day trip ended up being the most satisfying outdoor experience I've had in a long time.
Reflections on Grand Canyon Backpacking: #1 The desert is a tonic for the soul. Throughout recorded history, and most likely before that, there have always been individuals who have sought out a place of solitude. In solitude they were able both to look inside and transcend their inner self as well. The desert offers up a stark environment that aids in achieving those twin goals of looking inward and beyond. Light/dark, yin/yan, a delicate balance. Take advantage of this feature of the Grand Canyon. #2 They say the mountain doesn't care and the same is true of the Grand Canyon. Caveat emptor ... #3 There are no bailout points in the Grand Canyon, or at least any easy ones. Once you drop over the rim, the way out is almost always going to be a steep slog back up difficult trail. #4 When you read descriptions that say "the way will be obvious", it likely is not obvious. In the inner Canyon, trail is more like a "suggested way". #5 Exposure can be both sense heightening and thrilling, but usually not at the same time. The thrilling part usually comes after the sense heightening. And sometimes there is some sphincter clenching involved. #6 Proper preparation means working on not just ascending but also descending. #7 Even when the temperatures are relatively comfortable, the sun is still powerful. Cover up with clothes, preferably light colored and durable. #8 Embrace the dust, silt, sand, sharp rock, impossibly steep trail, thorns, carrying 3+ liters of water, scrapes/scratches, et al; it ain't going away. #9 Wear a smile MFers, you're ALIVE!
Rumi
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Apr 5, 2019 21:34:38 GMT -8
I mean, what would have us helpless girls done without the boys?? You did tolerate us pretty well and even saved my life twice in one day. You led the way across when it mattered most. Aside from group health concerns, it was a fantastic trip for me. Many thanks to jazzmom for organizing and letting me tag along. I'll write more later when my mental activity resumes.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Apr 6, 2019 2:15:57 GMT -8
I lost 5 pounds over the trip. Typical of my experiences. I agree with most everything BigLoad said. jazzmom and Ms T were 2 of the strongest hikers in the group. Thanks for inviting me along.
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Hungry Jack
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Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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Post by Hungry Jack on Apr 6, 2019 2:43:04 GMT -8
Wow. Quite a story. Great pics. Beautiful country.
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mk
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North Texas
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Post by mk on Apr 6, 2019 10:30:22 GMT -8
Beautiful pictures zeke. Seeing them made me tear up -- I love the Canyon, although I've never attempted the challenges you have. Hope you soon have good news on your eye, and glad it wasn't heart or stroke-related.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Apr 6, 2019 15:02:54 GMT -8
These women did the hike at almost the exact same time we did, and fewer nights. Scenes will give a nice view of what we encountered, including the short clip of her water bag at the river. link
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Apr 7, 2019 14:11:58 GMT -8
Some of the best time of year to hike the Canyon also corresponds to my down time, Winter into Spring. This makes the difficult hiking conditions even more taxing on the old body. If I was doing most of this stuff in Oct, then my season long trekking would have me ready for the Canyon. I need to find a way to tune up for these hikes. Treadmills and stairmasters are OK for the uphill parts, but no good for the downhill strenuous hiking. I really need a way to work on my stamina over the Winter so Spring hikes are easier.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Apr 8, 2019 3:27:13 GMT -8
At the Tanner trailhead (Rumi, BigLoad, Jazzmom, Zeke) Rumi and BigLoad on Tanner The Confluence of the Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers. The muddy LCR meets the emerald green of the Colorado above the Confluence. The Papago slide Waiting for the chopper (BigLoad, Zeke, Rumi, Jazzmom) Hiking out Grandview Trail Grandview trailhead (Rumi, Jazzmom, BigLoad) upload pic
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Apr 8, 2019 3:47:26 GMT -8
as well as some interesting tidbits from a post-hike visit to the Backcountry Office Oh, I hope you can share these tidbits. When we hiked out, there was a msg on my phone from the ranger who was organizing the search for the missing hiker on the Escalante route, so when Tea and I stopped by the BCO to donate leftover fuel, we asked about it. Ranger told us that two brothers and a friend had hiked the route from New Hance, off-permit (their permit request had gotten turned down.) One of the brothers apparently really struggled and the group had gotten into a fight over it. The other two ultimately left him on the trail, finished the hike and flew home. Led to a big search, but he was found and is OK; wife flew out to take him home. We also mentioned the highway crowds on Tanner when we were hiking down. Ranger told us there are only 4 legal permits per night issued for Tanner use area, so we should have only met three other groups that day...
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Apr 8, 2019 6:37:57 GMT -8
Very nice shots, jazzmom , both scenery and personnel. None of y'all look like your avatars.
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Post by autumnmist on Apr 8, 2019 7:57:57 GMT -8
jazzmom , thanks for sharing the photos; they're a nice blend of magnificent, breath-taking scenery people who over the years I feel I've gotten to know, if only through the Internet. Nice blend, nice contrast. The river confluence is dramatic and stately, literally beyond description. And the color contrasts highlight the quiet drama which is a prominent element in all the photos. Thanks for sharing. I'll be checking back frequently to look at the photos repeatedly. The tale of the missing brother is more than sad; it's disgusting and sad that someone could leave his own brother abandoned.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Apr 10, 2019 12:19:40 GMT -8
Nice photos! Thanks for sharing; as we move into fall down here, we are mostly wet, so looking at the dry desert is kind of nice Zeke, glad to hear (via FB) that your eye will recover. Did RumiDude find it ironic that you didn’t want to hike just because you couldn’t see well? :D
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Apr 10, 2019 12:38:29 GMT -8
rebeccad I posted in TR a thread titles Dr's report. Same info. Rumi mentioned nothing to me about his own vision problems, or that I should just tough it out. He was seeing better than I was by that 7th day. Every medical person's first thought was Stroke, and they treated it as such until the time they ruled it unlikely. Took the helicopter medic about 5 minutes. Took ER 7 hours, but they ran all of the big tests to cover their bases/ ass.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Apr 10, 2019 23:50:49 GMT -8
rebeccad I posted in TR a thread titles Dr's report. Same info. Rumi mentioned nothing to me about his own vision problems, or that I should just tough it out. He was seeing better than I was by that 7th day. Every medical person's first thought was Stroke, and they treated it as such until the time they ruled it unlikely. Took the helicopter medic about 5 minutes. Took ER 7 hours, but they ran all of the big tests to cover their bases/ ass. I wouldn’t expect him to mention it, actually. He’s got too much class for that when your condition was unknown. Of course, now that you’re definitely okay, no holds barred. That he was seeing better than you on day 7 was a good indication that it was time to bail!
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Post by bluefish on Apr 12, 2019 5:06:52 GMT -8
In our advancing years my wife and I will not be going where you guys went! We looked down Grandview last week, but my wife refuses. Corridor for us, Hermit, too. maybe Boucher. Just a rim bushwhack for us this trip, down in next year. Thanks for the wonderful pics and report and glad everyone ended safe and up top. Insolence and arrogance are perhaps getting a little out of hand. I feel sorry for the rangers that will have to chase down those who think they know better than them or could care less.
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