| Author |
Topic |
|
 Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2011 : 9:12 PM
|
Larryl from CT recently visited me in Southern Utah. He was introduced to GRITS and
he likes em!! So, anyone know where Larry can get some good southern home cooking in
Vancouver that would include GRITS? hehe
I really had a wonderful time. Being just released from the doctor to hike again without much elevation gain due to a herneated disc, I was so happy to have Larry come down and
stay with me at our house and hike around, a bit.
   
We headed over to Valley of Fire and hiked back into an area that I had only had a glimpse of before. It was amazing!!
   
It was a beautiful day! We were in the lands that butt up against the Little Band O' Paiute
Reservation. We ended up hiking through the flat bajada and into a hidden canyon. The treat was around the corner where we ran into a huge mess of redrock fins. Great stuff!!
The colorful rock formations were like islands on the way in and back out from the redrock
jumble.
Cactus Hugger? hehe
   
After a couple days of hiking some day trips, Larry took off across the Great Basin Desert for California to ski at Mammoth and visit Yosemite Falls. He got to drive across via the
"Extra Terrestrial Highway! No aliens spotted by Larry. Speed limit was 70 mph but as soon as you got going, Cattle stood on the roadway. Open range cattle.
       
Once Larry finished his adventure driving back and forth across the desert, I was at work for those days, we then headed into Kanarriville Falls which was pretty much flooded.
Also, we wanted to go into the mtns at 6800 ft ele and got some sleet, hail, and snow on us
    
We visited some other scrambling places and Larry scrambled up into a redrock cliff by bare hand using his scrambling abilities. this didn't go unnoticed. Two teenage boys were watching. Hey, is that your son? one of them asked. hehe my son...... Larry was climbing like a kid on a jungle gym. the one kid followed him up his route.
Larry mentored these kids as they were trying to climb with old sneakers and no technical training. He showed them lots of things and suggestions. Mostly, to get some training and learn how to climb and when to use ropes and such. The kids were very respectful.
"We spent yesterday pushing a huge dead tree into the river!" It took us two hours but we finally wrestled it in..... had to laugh. I remember how I spent my enegry as a kid doing something so useless and how much energy I expended. Too funny. The kids went back to their campsite and waved to us as we headed homeward.
I think the kids appreciated someone taking some time in what they were interested in and actually listening to them. Larry is a very smart person who is also a great listener.
  
It was hard to say goodbye at the airport on Memorial Day in Vegas. Come back soon, Larry.
Promise you some GRITS for breakfast, again.....hehe
Anja was here a couple weeks before. With her visit and Larry's, I am really lucky to be able to enjoy their company. Lots of fun. Still going to concentrate on losing more weight.
Actually gained 5 pounds during Larry's visit. Too much good food.
Hope you like the pictures.
cheers!
jerry |
|
|
canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6793 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2011 : 9:16 PM
|
| Man, that was a good read and chuckle RM, thanks for sure! |
|
|
Vancouver, BC
Canada
103 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2011 : 9:20 PM
|
| I am SO jealous! :) |
|
|
Surrey, BC
Canada
160 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2011 : 9:32 PM
|
I'm so Jealous too!
That's a beautiful place Jerry. Glad to hear your back is better.
What are GRITS??? |
Edited by - myanovo on 06/02/2011 9:33 PM |
|
|
 chinese hot-pot gourmand, costco pirate, 103 hikes completin', picture postin', commander of our newest canadian trekkers
Vancouver, BC
Canada
1740 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2011 : 9:35 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Soleil la Liberte
I am SO jealous! :)
I am jealous too, can my group visit you and hike with you in your back country in the future? in return, we can at least cook real delicious chinese meals for you during our times there |
|
|
|
canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6793 Posts |
|
|
Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5372 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2011 : 9:54 PM
|
Good to see a report from you Jerry! aka themost visited member of CT. Sorry to hear about your back, I hope you're back to your regular self soon. |
|
|
Popkum, BC
Canada
5887 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2011 : 09:07 AM
|
| I love that area! It looks dry and sunny there. Have a great recovery Jerry! |
|
|
|
Simpson quoting tree hunter and canyon rapping rockhound who longs for the return of his trapped Toyota
Salt Lake City, UT
USA
2268 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2011 : 6:06 PM
|
| Good to see you out and about, RM. How long until you're ready for Ashdown/Rattlesnake? |
|
|
|
Satirical photoshop junkie who frolics in the mountains of the Chilliwack River Valley
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
6908 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2011 : 8:17 PM
|
| You're one fine host Jerry (well we wont bring up that little out of gas incident). Did you manage to get Larry to the Chuck-O-Rama too? |
|
|
Delta, BC
Canada
172 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2011 : 10:49 PM
|
Great report, Jerry! (I loved your little 5 pound line at the end - oh, how I can relate to that!)
I need to come down there again for a visit/hike with you! I always seem to be rushing through St. George on my way here & there. Need to slow down a little to spend more time just enjoying the good things - fine people and pleasant surroundings - rather than hurrying off to another technical challenge. (But oh, how I love those, too!)
I don't comment much, but I read all your reports & look at your pics. Glad your back is healing up!
Kev |
|
|
The desert, B.C.
Canada
435 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2011 : 12:09 AM
|
: )
Thanks Jerry, fun read. |
|
|
974 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2011 : 09:16 AM
|
| Thnak for sharing mule!! after the canadian rockies, utah/nevada/arizona is my favourite place. cant wait to go back!! |
|
|
|
Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2011 : 1:53 PM
|
Thanks, Everyone!!
You bet, MazeGirl! A great hike for a group would be to hike along the Virgin River Rim Trail. At 9,000 ft hiking along the rim amongst stands of quakies and banded pink and white sand hoodoos with the 7 fingers of Zion at our feet would be a-MAZE-ing. Welcome!
I like my GRITS with butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, and a splash of milk around the edge.
mmmmm.....hehe
You bet, TMC! I was thinking about any time after the 4th of July? Right now, they are calling the little stream the WONKA river. It is a mad, torrent with quicksand and dark like some kind of chocolate slurry. How does July sound? The streams whould be calmed down and running clean and clear, then. Also, at that altitude, it should be a nice treat in temperature compared to how hot we'll be down low in July in St. George and the AZ Strip area. Any Openings in July? I am off every Sat, Sun, and Mon.
OMG! Too funny, BG! I remember... I am such a drift bag, hehe I have driven hundreds of miles and forgotten water, forgotten to bring hiking shoes and "tried" to hike in crocs,
bought a fishing license and forgot the pole. I forget to bring a hat all the time. I now take the 10 essentials list very seriously.
uh oh.....could be a rethtread rehash coming.....10 essentials based on your geographic area/time of year? hmmmm...
I look at your stuff on Bogley all the time, Kev. Also, Anja thinks very highly of you and your help and advice in her adventures in Canyoneering and climbing. Come back down, anytime. It would be great to get out again. I have been exploring the Virgin River Gorge, a lot. Maybe we could head up into the gorge and spend the day hiking with the bighorns.
My doctor says I am really on the mend. May notice that I am wearing a lift belt on this hike and am still a little crooked due to some spasms. But, I am coming along really well.
The smiles are genuine. I feel great! Larry is a lot of fun to hike with.
I will lose another 30 pounds to relieve even more pressure on my physique and allow me to be more effortless in my pursuit of HIKING!! I love it! thanks. |
|
|
High River, (just south of Calgary eh!), Alberta
Canada
1705 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2011 : 1:15 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Rented Mule
The smiles are genuine. I feel great!
That is good news! Speedy recovery Jerry. |
|
|
North Vancouver, BC
Canada
271 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2011 : 4:59 PM
|
Hi Jerry !
Glad to see you enjoying more hikes ! You know you are on a tight schedule for recovery right.. I mean..it'll only be a few short months before we come knocking at your door again !!!
Too bad I couldn't meet up with you that sunday you were in vegas.... we had hiked down to the Arizona Hot Springs and for me to see Hoover Dam... quite a nice hike down to the hot springs...not so nice to see the warning about that nasty amoeba that can live in warm waters.....now I want to kayak the grand canyon...I left on Monday for the long drive home via death valley... which thankfully wasn't as hot as it should have been.
Say.. did you take Larry to Red Cliffs ??? That really was a fun little canyon... one I wouldn't mind exploring a bit further. My little rocks I collected and the nice piece of wood you gave me are sitting right on top of my rock collection... reminding me of the fun and sun when it's pouring up here.
|
|
|
|
Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5372 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2011 : 6:12 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Sodbuster
quote:
Originally posted by Rented Mule
The smiles are genuine. I feel great!
That is good news! Speedy recovery Jerry.
|
|
|
Powell River, bc
Canada
2541 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2011 : 8:34 PM
|
| See,I told you you'd soon forget it even happened!!! YAY!!!! Great to see you smilling, back in the desert,hugging your prickly friends :) |
|
|
Surrey, BC
Canada
1036 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2011 : 12:05 AM
|
Wow, Jerry, What a title!!! I thought what happen in Utah, stay in Utah. Or do I get the place wrong.
Thanks very much, Jerry, and please say thanks to the wifey and son for me.
I would also say thanks to the rangers at Mammoth who were willing to spend several hours with me going through their maps and routes thoroughly to show if it was feasible to do the ski traverse from Mammoth area to Yosemite. May consider doing one of the routes in the future.
Valley of Fire
The plants in the desert were all in bloom. We went there at the right time.
          
More pictures of the Valley and hiking trail:
 
Highway 375 Nevada. It was an experience to drive through this highway. The area has an atmosphere to it which makes you feel that an UFO may come out anywhere at any time. The video that I shot shows the scene better. More cattle than vehicles though. The post speed limit is 70 mph, but the cattle would not let you drive at that speed. Those cattle have long horns and they can really do some harm to the car,if you get them annoyed. I looked at the cattle and they looked at me. We looked at each other and we didn't know what to do. (Somehow that sounds like some lyrics from a song)
I might consider climbing up one of those flat top mountains along the road, and camp overnight and watch the clear sky at night. However, I suspect that the only visitor to the tent may be a bull or cow sticking its head into the tent to inspect you at night.
 
Mammoth Lakes: Skied Mammoth by skinning up one run, and I was told by one of the managers that I did not have to pay so long as I did not use the lift. Then I skinned up the next day at a mountain next to the Lakes and skied down. Up and down 5 hours. Snow was good up at the top but down near the road, not so good.
Monitor Pass (Highway 89) and Highway 88 to Yosemite. Highway 120 was still close, so I had to take Monitor Pass and across the Sierra on 88. It was a total blizzard and ended up camping at a campsite high up in the Sierra overnight. Almost ended up at Tahoe.
 
More Yosemite. Spent one afternoon and one morning at Yosemite, checking out the climbing routes and hiking trails for future trips there. Yes, will be back to Yosemite definitely.
 
Lake at Stanslaw NF outside Yosemite
Back to Utah:
Wading across raging water into Kanarriville Falls
Jerry before a lake outside Whipple Trail where it started to snow, sleet and hail and it was cold:
Red Cliff Canyon: One of the two kids that Jerry made referred to saw me free solo up a 5.3/5.4 gulley next to the stream in the picture that Jerry showed in his post, and followed me. I heard all kinds of thrashing sound up the gulley and I was wondering what the heck, and then I saw him climbing up. I showed him how to find route to go down instead of down climbing a cliff band. He was very eager to ask me how to climb one route. He showed me the route which is a layback 5.9 climb. It was not safe to free solo that route. We ended up with a general discussion on climbing. The kids are alright. (There is another good song title somewhere)
    
Finally, I lost 5 lbs. Aha!
Again, thanks very much, Jerry. Can't wait to get back to Utah and beyond, just like what Anja says in her post above.
All photos and videos were shot with the iPhone.
|
Edited by - larryl on 06/15/2011 12:40 AM |
|
|
Surrey, BC
Canada
1036 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2011 : 08:41 AM
|
PS
When I met Jerry, I told him that I came down to look for forest and did not think that I would find a forest in Utah/Nevada. I was wrong. There is Dixie NF, where the Whipple Trail that we went to is located. I actually took some pictures and video of the forest.
The village where the Extraterrestrial sign is posted is called Rachel in Nevada. So, Rachelo, if you are reading this post, hustle down to Rachel, Nevada, and claim your village.
|
|
|
Surrey, BC
Canada
1036 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2011 : 10:55 PM
|
Some one has asked me how the iPhone was used during the trip, i.e. protecting it, battery, GPS etc.
1. GPS: I use MotionX GPS for outside (not the Drive one that MotionX also sells). We were at the Valley of Fire and there was no cellular coverage. It picked up the signals without any problem. With the software, I can take a picture of the location to match the waypoint taken. Jerry saw the whole process involved. I believe that for importing pre-existing waypoints, you can send the waypoints to MotionX and they convert it and you can loaded them into your iPhone. I have not tried this feature, so I am not sure.
2. Otterbox to house and to protect the iPhone
3. Battery. I used the Airplane mode to save the battery in the iPhone. I turned if off when I took waypoints. I also bought a little cheap solar battery recharger (Jerry also saw this little toy) and purchased six additional rechargeable batteries for this trip. At the Valley of Fire where there was plenty of sun, the charging of the batteries inside the recharger was doing quite well. For the nights that I was camping, I charged the iPhone overnight while I was sleeping. For the whole trip, I only used two of the 6 additional batteries plus the original batteries that came with the solar charger. I estimated that all the batteries that I had brought along with me on this trip would last me about 10 days without resorting to the solar charging part of the recharger.
Hope this helps.
|
Edited by - larryl on 06/17/2011 7:24 PM |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Larry Likes GRITS!!
