Wednesday, March 26, 2014

It must be spring break, because all I seem to do on the trail is erase graffiti.  And I mean erase names on the way down and then again on the way back out two hours later.  Christians writing "jesus" and scratching in crosses.  People writing love notes.  A lady proclaiming herself "queen of the canyon".  Kids writing "keeping going" to their friends, who apparently are not good enough friends that they actually decided to wait for them.  Just writing encouraging notes on the rocks.

Hearts, names, initials: I'm getting just a little sick of this.  In and out Skeleton Point Saturday and Sunday, down to Mile and a Half on Tuesday, and I used up a bottle full of water each day.

John Steinbeck opined that people may not quite believe they exist, and so they leave marks on the rocks to convince themselves.

I think that writing on the rocks shows that people are ignorant.  They are inexperienced.  They are self centered.  They are selfish.  These people would throw a fit if I tried to scratch my name into their car door.  But a 270 thousand year old rock?  Fair game.  I'm starting to have fantasies of hiding near a popular graffitt spot such as Ooh Aah with a huge super soaker.  Then when someone starts to write, I blast them, and then exclaim, "Oh! Sorry.  I was just trying to get that ugly writing behind you."

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Have tried for three years to get into Clear Creek again and this year it worked.  Haven't carried a 30 pound pack in a while, though.  Lots of peeps at Bright Angel Campground, this being the first weekend of spring break.  As we descended into Clear Creek a group was coming out.  No one camped there that night.  The second night a small group arrived after dark and vanished into the gloom.  So we essentially had the place to ourselves.

We both remembered the ruin as having a lot more artifacts, and referring to old pictures we were right.  I guess the more persons who visit a site, the more likely one or two will have sticky fingers.

I filled my graffiti bottle before coming out since it had been the start of spring break, and sure enough, the kiddos were busy at the rocks.  One IS-2014 was very nicely carved, as though he thought he would return in ten years and still find it.  Sorry, bud, it lasted perhaps three days.  One little book Christian (so called because they think all it means to be Christian is to carry a Bible around) wrote Jesus and put crosses all over.  WWJD?  Probably not write his name on the rocks.

I had wanted to hike down Bright Angel to see the Redbud, but binoculars indicated that they were not in full bloom.  But we did find some up Clear Creek.

Some of this was a shakedown for our ten day hike in the Sierras this summer.  Equipment worked fine.  Brad probably needs a new 80 liter pack.  I was a bit cold, but I can add a few items when we are camping at 10,000 feet.
The first cactus flower of spring

redbuds

trilobite butt print (we hid it and left it there)


Sunday, March 9, 2014

So the report from Indian Garden was that the redbud were just starting to come out last weekend.  Brad and I ran down this morning, and there were just a few buds on the tops of the trees which are in the sun most of the day.  Try again next weekend.
this year's reduds, so far

According to my records, last year they peaked on March 24, so I suppose we were too forward.  Lots of people on the trail. I really don't want to do a Maverick and ram into people on my way out (apparently he would actually crash into people head-on when he was in  a hurry) but I get tired of runners coming right down the middle of the trail expecting me to move so they don't lose two seconds off their time.  Today I also met a huge group, probably a school, in the Fault Switchbacks who were not only in the middle of the trail, but hopping from side to side to avoid rocks.  I'm afraid I repeated, "Excuse me, excuse me!" several times, and each time was a bit more strident.  They also did not have any food or water, so they will not be happy campers coming out.

I should be pleased that so many people wish to experience the trails, but, really, no supplies whatsoever?

Also ran into two dogs who were "service dogs".  Sure.  That's why you had no water for them and no bags to pick up after them.  Liars go to hell, you know.

When we got back there was a big dent in the backyard fence and hoof prints all over the ground.  An elk had crashed over our little fence to reach our piddly little tufts of native grass.  He/she ate most of them and uprooted more.  One would think we are in the worst drought in recorded history or something.
I see how the elk got in, but I am not sure how it got back out.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Wow, Phantom Ranch two weeks in a row.  One week working (which means I got paid to take a batch of great ladies in and out) and one with old buddies.  First trip down we were sitting at the six thirty dinner (stew), and the server asked one of us to move and make room for another chair.  Then a woman starting running around, and finally brought in her friend who was so tired her knuckles were dragging.  They had not made it for the five o'clock steak dinner, and then had gone to take a shower!

When signing up for Phantom, we are told firmly that late for meals means no meals.  Period.  Usually if it is possible the kids at Phantom will try to accommodate late seaters, but they don't have to.  Hint: they are doing a big, huge favor, so it behooves the favoree to act a little grateful.  This gal muttered at her cold steak and said, "I'd just as soon have stew".  Then, "I am used to to eating at eight".  Sweet Anne tried to chat her up, and she finally said, "I prefer to just be quiet".  Well, we would prefer you keep quiet too, so that works.  The standard response for the rest of the weekend was "I am used to eating at eight".  

Anyhow, the next weekend we were back with old friends.  The weather was supposed to be lousy, but it turned out fine.  Hubbie had to be in Prescott, and I was expecting two inches of rain (promises, promises) so I went down by myself first thing in the morning.  I never get to hike alone and it was nice.  Though the mule riders worried about me.  I didn't tell them that one is never really alone on the Corridor Trails, I just said my husband was behind me. Several hours behind, but still.

Got into the Ranch and decided to hike to the Bright Angel and surprise those coming down.  At Pipe Creek Beach the Park Service copter came whooshing overhead.  Found out that night that it was another friend who works at the Ranch.  She fell on the Utah Flats Route and was being heli-evacted.  I told her later I would have waved had I know it was she.

Hung around and took pictures and got bored and walked back and, surprise!  They had decided to come down the SK because the weather was going to be lousy.  Oh, well.

I have new high-cut boots to break in.  I wore them to Skeleton twice, and then to Plateau Point, so I took them on this trip, and they gave me bruises on the ankles.  Ingrates.
almost there

out
The weatherpersons said two inches of rain, then two inches of snow, so I took the ice grippers and it rained maybe a quarter inch total.  WE NEED RAIN, y'all.  The weather was so nice coming out that Daine abandoned her partner in crime to walk back with us.  She said she was joining "the zen group".  I like that.  I think I'll use it the next time I have some people take their time coming out.