zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
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Post by zeke on Sept 28, 2020 15:16:55 GMT -8
I had a permit for 4 nights below the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Friday was Night 1. Saturday morning, the 3 of us hiked back to our cars and had to cancel the remainder of the trip. Jazzmom, Rebeccad, and I set out to hike to Thunder River and Deer Creek. We met up on Wednesday, goofed off on Thursday, and set alarms for 5 am on Friday. 1500 ft down the first of 3 descents, and 5 miles along the trail, Jazzmom starts throwing up her water, and can't keep any down. Meanwhile, I was nursing a severe cramp, or something like it, in my right calf. When Jazzmom called for a stop at 9 am, and said she was not going any further but would head back the next morning, I had to admit to my own problems with the leg. Otherwise, I might have toughed it out until I was so far down the Ditch that I could do nothing but hike on. So, we set up camp in the shade and had lunch. Rebeccad and I set off at 1 PM for an exploration stroll, with just water and a little trail mix. 4 hours later, we returned, not reaching our goal of the top of the Red Wall. What that little no load hike proved to me was that the calf wanted no part of any more downhill. We made dinner, watched the sunset, and crashed. Saturday morning about 6 AM, we got up, ate, and headed out of camp by 7. By 9 we were at the bottom of the switchbacks. By 10 we were at the top of those and only had a long traverse back to the car. I got back there by 11, and both women were out in front of me by 15 minutes or so. We had lunch in the shade, and drove out to pavement. At the little store, we said our goodbyes and I headed home. Somewhat disappointed, but if this is the last time i get below either Rim, I can handle that. I had a very good night looking up at the stars, and watching both a sunset and a sunrise.
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mk
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North Texas
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Post by mk on Sept 28, 2020 16:25:44 GMT -8
So sorry to hear that, zeke . It's so disappointing to have to turn and go home, but always better to be safe. Glad you were able to still enjoy your below-the-rim time. Hope that jazzmom and your leg are ok. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pics.
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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 Sept 28, 2020 16:35:05 GMT -8
It takes wisdom to know your limits and bravery to own up to them and let others know. Looks like a beautiful area and perfect weather. I hope everyone recovered.
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leafwalker
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peace on earth and good will toward all - om shanti
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Post by leafwalker on Sept 29, 2020 11:40:33 GMT -8
Glad you made the right decision. Hard to admit a limiting. Nice pictures
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cweston
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Post by cweston on Sept 29, 2020 11:59:47 GMT -8
Sorry you all had to abort. We've probably all been there.
The only time I had to abort due to sickness (altitude sickness), I was solo, so I guess that might make it a little easier.
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toejam
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Hiking to raise awareness
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Post by toejam on Sept 29, 2020 12:31:49 GMT -8
Heartbreaking.
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
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Post by zeke on Sept 29, 2020 12:41:36 GMT -8
Actually, I am good with the end result. I will carry that serene evening and the next morning in my memories forever.
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balzaccom
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Waiting for spring...
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Post by balzaccom on Sept 29, 2020 14:12:12 GMT -8
As a dear rock-climbing friend used to say: "summits are only in the mind." If you had fun, and felt happy, then it was a good trip. Sounds like this was a good trip.
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Post by absarokanaut on Sept 29, 2020 15:47:28 GMT -8
Sorry you had to cut it short. Hope you and Jazzmom are doing better
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BigLoad
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Pancakes!
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Post by BigLoad on Sept 29, 2020 17:20:26 GMT -8
I wasn't expecting to see a trip report so soon. I'm sorry for you all that it turned out as it did and I hope you and Jazzmom feel better soon.
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rebeccad
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Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 29, 2020 19:52:14 GMT -8
Actually, I am good with the end result. I will carry that serene evening and the next morning in my memories forever. This. It was magical. ETA: Of course I was neither sick to my stomach nor suffering from any pulled or torn body parts 😜
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Post by autumnmist on Sept 30, 2020 10:44:32 GMT -8
Sorry you had to cut it short, but I'm glad you all were able to return safely and apparently w/o further complications.
The photos are beautiful; the autumn photos are stunning, the distance photos are very dramatic.
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
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Post by zeke on Sept 30, 2020 10:54:45 GMT -8
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Post by autumnmist on Sept 30, 2020 16:21:58 GMT -8
zeke, that's breathtaking, with such a beautiful array and balance of colors. Thanks!
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Post by bobcat on Sept 30, 2020 19:00:00 GMT -8
I have found a few places where you can have the Canyon and the solitude, but not the brutal downhills and uphills. And there are many more of them to experience before my camping and hiking days are done. They are on the rim, and mostly on the North Rim. And not drive-able, so there is hiking involved. My last adventure, I arrived a day earlier than my front country campground reservation so I got a bc permit for one of the rim zones, overloaded my daypack with bare minimum for quick sleep-out at one of these overlooks, and hiked out there. For about two hours it was stunning, then I almost got hit by lightning as a storm flared up.
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