Category: Uncategorized
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Miracles on the North Rim
I had no idea how long it would take me to make the climb from Cottonwood campground to the north rim. I knew it was steeper than what I had done the day before, but that it also was less steep than the descent into the canyon had been. I decided to get an early…
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Learning to ask for what I need
I agonized over whether to write this blog or not. Given the fact that I am trying to get better at valuing myself, I’ve decided to put it out there. I spend at least eight hours a week if not more writing and posting the blogs. I carry a mini iPad with me to be…
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Into Ribbon Falls
After crossing the creek, it wasn’t always clear which path to take to get to ribbon falls. There are multiple herd paths with multiple water crossings of a non scary nature. I did not want to stop at every crossing to remove my socks and insoles so I just started walking through the water. It…
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Bright Angel to Ribbon Falls
I was unusually lucky in being able to obtain a permit for two nights in the Canyon. Another hiker had obtained the group site at Cottonwood campground, which was only 7 miles from Bright Angel. She invited me to join her and the Backcountry office took pity on this old lady, allowing me the second…
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Dropping into the canyon
I spent one day on the south rim sightseeing. I had to laugh when I was getting on the free shuttle bus, and the driver told the people to clear the front seats, which are reserved for old or handicap people. When the driver saw how stiffly I was walking, which always happens when I’ve…
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The biggest trail magic of all
I’ve had a really wonderful experience on the trail. It began with some very unpleasant interactions. My first night out of Pine when I finally reached my tent area they were already two tents set up there. The slanted ground was littered with rocks and pinecones and camp spots were few and far between. It…
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My Two Pie Day
That first night out of Flagstaff I was camped over 8700 feet in elevation. Besides being cold, it was incredibly windy! My entire tent was shaking. Because there are already small tears in the fabric, I didn’t know how it would hold up to those strong winds. So once again, I lowered my poles and…
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Leaving Flagstaff
I stayed in Flagstaff for one zero day. I was really glad to be in town that day because the wind was intense. They were saying 60 mile an hour gusts. When I went outside the wind pushed me around. On top of that, at one point there was heavy hail. The whole time I…
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Getting into Flagstaff
I surprised myself by hiking three twenty or more mile days which allowed me to reach Flagstaff in time to spend the night with Chaps. Needless to say I was pretty pooped by the time I got there, especially because the trail app seemed to have some mistakes in this section. It told me that…
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Hiking
Hiking is different in differing places, but there are some common themes that exist on many trails. In environments like Arizona, hiking is about walking to water. Water or the lack there of determines how many miles I will walk in a day, where I’ll stop for lunch and where I’ll camp in the evening.…
The Mary Badass 