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SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 1, 2006
$1199
Rick French, Leader
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 Here
is your chance to hike and explore the Grand Canyon, the great abyss
touted as one of the wonders of the world. The constantly changing
sunlight reflecting from the sculpted, pastel canyon walls creates
different images from the blaze of early sunrise, to high noon, to the
gentle light of evening. Join this small (10 participants) group for a
week of backpacking and camping under the stars. Light pollution
near our metropolitan areas makes us forget what starry skies look
like. You will be amazed at how brilliant they are. September is
a perfect time to visit the southwest. The coolness of autumn
relieves the intense desert heat. While still busy, the park will see a
lessening of the tourist throngs of summer.We will take several days to access a remote area of the canyon using trails not visited by most hikers. Once settled, we will day hike, following the tracks of coyote as we explore the side canyons and washes and attempt to understand this immense place. Finally, reluctantly, we will hike back out to civilization. The trip begins with the greatest downhill hike in the world. Far below is the Colorado River, looking so quiet and tame from this height. As we descend, passing layers of different colored rock, we go back in time until finally we stand beside the roaring Colorado. Its power inspires awe for the exploits of John Wesley Powell, the first man to traverse the canyon by boat. But what goes down must come up, and after a few days exploring we will return to the canyon rim. It is difficult to imagine that any place could measure up to the publicity the canyon receives, but it does. Come and see for yourself. (Tentative Itinerary) Temperature in the Grand Canyon depends on elevation. On the rim, we could get a frost at night and shorts weather in the day. At river level, it will be cool at night and as high as the 80's during the day. Expect dry, sunny weather. You will need basic backpacking equipment. We can supply what you don't have for a small rental fee. You won't need much, expect to carry about 40 lbs. An equipment list will be sent when you register. Back country permits are required to access the regions we will visit in Grand Canyon National Park. Your leader will obtain the group permits when they become available. Until then, we will not know the exact route. A tentative itinerary follows. Price of $1199 ($300 nonrefundable) includes: Transportation from Phoenix, 2 nights hotel lodging (double occupancy) in Phoenix, all meals on the trail, permits. Not included: Airfare to Phoenix, basic backpacking equipment. $300 nonrefundable deposit needed to register. For more information and to sign up, contact the leader, Rick French, PO Box 82, South Lima, NY 14558, telephone 585-346-5597, E-mail info@PackPaddleSki.com. |