rangewalker
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Agitate, organize and educate.
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Post by rangewalker on May 17, 2019 12:08:13 GMT -8
The last photo of the rain pocket so strongly says Southwest to me! What a great journey with your daughter. My Gods she just exudes no nonsense competence in those photos. I also enjoy your route description; just past it next to the maps, and follow along.
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Hungry Jack
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Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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AZT 2019
May 17, 2019 18:27:08 GMT -8
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Post by Hungry Jack on May 17, 2019 18:27:08 GMT -8
Is that Crystal Rapid about halfway thru that last batch of pics?
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Westy
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Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
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AZT 2019
May 18, 2019 18:25:26 GMT -8
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Post by Westy on May 18, 2019 18:25:26 GMT -8
Yes! Apparently created in 1966 by major mud, water, rock slide. We arrived using head torches after a 13.5 hour day and departed area at 6:00 AM next morning thus never saw river runners on the rapids.
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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 May 19, 2019 9:23:07 GMT -8
Crystal Rapid is a famous constriction rapid that is well respected by the GC river rats who guide on the Colorado. The Emerald Mile, an incredible tale of Kenton Grua’s amazing run of 36 hours through 280 miles of canyon in a wooden dory like Powell used, tells of how Crystal Rapid caught and completely destroyed a 40 foot steel framed raft during the 1980 flood. Grua and his two compatriots on their epic run also flipped in a Crystal haystack, but recovered to finish the trip.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on May 24, 2019 7:12:55 GMT -8
Taking a time out. Weather went way bad. Forecast for rain, snow, high winds and low temperatures over extended period dismal and unpleasant. My last night, May 18th, on the North Rim hit a low of 22°. Desire to end the hike while listening to my playlist, playing air guitar and being wowed by scenery. Normally, I’d wait it out, but have hard date VA appointments next week. Adjusting to a daily shower, not wearing the same clothes everyday. The world in general is disconcerting. Will drive to Kanab on the 31st, stash vehicle and contracted driver will take me to the North Rim hiker/ biker CG. The joy of retirement is flexibility to really enjoy the trail and not be constrained by dates and time lines. Steve the driver. Trans-Canyon collected me at the North Rim and dropped me off at Jacob Lake. This is the shuttle for Rim-to-Rim hikers. He was way knowledgeable and provided terrific insight into seasonal employment lifestyle. Meet Stan Small Canyon. Picked me up hitch hiking and dropped me off in Kanab. Gave remarkable insight to the world from a Navajo perspective. One interesting story was of the San Francisco Mountains near Flagstaff. This is one of the four Navajo sacred mountains. The Arizona Snow Bowl is located on San Francisco Mountain and uses recycled effluent from the Flagstaff sewerage for snow making. Very disrespectful.  Kanab - A ritual at every trail town was to enjoy a beer or two. My new favorite Stella Artois. First swig and I knew I was in Utah. It tasted way different and I remembered Utah is a 3.2 state. The Comfort Suits was terrific and will permit me to stash my vehicle for 8-10 days upon my return to the AZT. My son arrived and drove me to Salt Lake. Renewed my Driver's License, switched out snow tires, got an oil change, paid off credit card balance, washed my tent, replaced trekking pole carbide tips and pole baskets and submitted application for GCNP backcountry permit in October. The minute my VA appointments end, I'm outta here! 
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Post by absarokanaut on May 28, 2019 13:01:45 GMT -8
Thanks for sharing your adventure man.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on May 29, 2019 8:03:23 GMT -8
That weather system was nothing to mess with. Good call.
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Westy
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Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
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Post by Westy on May 29, 2019 9:40:46 GMT -8
That weather system was nothing to mess with. Good call. Thanks. Several of the thru hikers slogged on to the finish line in a hurry up fashion. Fun factor a 1 out of 10. I'll be back at the North Rim Hiker/Biker CG on Saturday morning. Forecast is sunny, with highs 75° and lows 35° for the following 5 days. I'll be a happy hiker and dancing my way to the finish! |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on May 29, 2019 15:07:31 GMT -8
Forecast is sunny, with highs 75° and lows 35° for the following 5 days. I'll be a happy hiker and dancing my way to the finish! Sounds way better than what we drove through! |
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Westy
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Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
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Post by Westy on Jun 7, 2019 16:31:39 GMT -8
It's a wrap. Finished on June 6th. Feel out of place back in the world. Special thanks to Desert Dweller and RD for their help along the way. Below our too many pictures simply because I did not want it to end! Went for lunch at the Grand Canyon Lodge, North Rim. This gentleman, Mr. Dick Hingson, was just ahead of me, so I suggested I join him for a table for two. Mr. Hingson worked here for five summers back in the 50's and acts as a volunteer Noise/Aviation Specialist for the Sierra Club. We traded stories and I learned all about the flight zones and his efforts to prevent flights over the Grand Canyon. I did not tell him that during my stay in Tusayan several weeks prior, that I enjoyed a few beers with helicopter pilots at the Grand Hotel bar. The point being that most of the hikers, simply do the hike. They do not see the Americana the trail offers. So many points of interest, perspectives and local color to be had. People travel all over the world seeking to understand cultures and paying big money to do so, when it can be done right here in the USA. North Rim Fire Tower built in1928, moved to it's location by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933. Edward Abbey lived in the ramshackle cabin and manned the tower in the early 70's. The Kaibab Plateau quickly goes above 9,000 feet with bits of snow and open meadows. Had a very heavy frost my first night back on the trail. Looking at North Canyon area near the East Rim. Dog Lake near East Rim. Burn area from prescribed fire that got out of control.
A look back with threatening clouds on the horizon.
Umbrella Tank - No spring, no well, strictly collects snow and rain water.
Disbursement feature of Umbrella Tank
As altitude drops, environment changes.
Absolutely,marvelous hiking
Gambrel Oak beginning to appear
This water resource is from buried tanks fed by run-off from an acre size, hillside sheet held down by tires.
Dropping down below 5,000 feet and juniper abounds
My home
I really did not want this to end.
Wash near the border.
AZT Northern Terminus and Monument.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jun 8, 2019 8:39:16 GMT -8
It's a wrap. Finished on June 6th. Feel out of place back in the world. Congratulations on finishing! And welcome back to the world. Thanks for sharing all your adventures. |
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jun 8, 2019 10:37:36 GMT -8
It's a little sad to see it end. I hope you're looking forward to the next adventure.
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desert dweller
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Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
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Post by desert dweller on Jun 10, 2019 20:19:11 GMT -8
Congratulations on the finish, Westy!
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Post by trinity on Jun 11, 2019 6:14:26 GMT -8
Congratulations, Westy, and thanks for taking us along.
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toejam
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Hiking to raise awareness
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Post by toejam on Jun 12, 2019 11:23:32 GMT -8
Such a great story. Thanks for posting!
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