GB_Willys_2014
Well-known member
Fantastic! Looking forward to it.
You have a talent with photography, so expecting lots of pictures.
Grand Canyoneering
- Thread starter TripLeader
- Start date
You have a talent with photography, so expecting lots of pictures.
TripLeader
Explorer
2008
Part 1 [Intro]
We made plans and returned to the canyon in the Fall. This trip would be "Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim." We'd be a crew of four again, but this time with one new person, and the rest of us being experienced desert hikers.
We arrived after the all-night drive. We hit some of the overlooks on the South Rim.
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Is that precipitation in the forecast? We would find out the next day...
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Part 1 [Intro]
We made plans and returned to the canyon in the Fall. This trip would be "Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim." We'd be a crew of four again, but this time with one new person, and the rest of us being experienced desert hikers.
We arrived after the all-night drive. We hit some of the overlooks on the South Rim.
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Is that precipitation in the forecast? We would find out the next day...
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TripLeader
Explorer
2008
Part 2 [All Along the Watchtower]
The continuation of taking in the sights to see on our first day. We drove out to Desert View Watchtower, the tiny point in the distance.
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It's one of numerous Grand Canyon structures designed by Mary Colter, and was built in the 1930s.
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The view from there.
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Looking up and down inside the tower.
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And we hit our motel room after all that, finally calling it a day after driving all night. The next morning we awoke to this scene and prepared for our hike with nervous apprehension.
Part 2 [All Along the Watchtower]
The continuation of taking in the sights to see on our first day. We drove out to Desert View Watchtower, the tiny point in the distance.
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It's one of numerous Grand Canyon structures designed by Mary Colter, and was built in the 1930s.
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The view from there.
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Looking up and down inside the tower.
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And we hit our motel room after all that, finally calling it a day after driving all night. The next morning we awoke to this scene and prepared for our hike with nervous apprehension.
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TripLeader
Explorer
2008
Part 3 [The Snowy Descent]
We went to the rim.
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We followed the trail down.
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Part 3 [The Snowy Descent]
We went to the rim.
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We followed the trail down.
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TripLeader
Explorer
2008
Part 4 [The Snowy Descent, Continued]
The snow made for some memorable views.
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We had all packed micro-spikes or other traction aids because of caution for the snow. We did not end up needing them. The temperature rose as we lowered into the canyon.
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Part 4 [The Snowy Descent, Continued]
The snow made for some memorable views.
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We had all packed micro-spikes or other traction aids because of caution for the snow. We did not end up needing them. The temperature rose as we lowered into the canyon.
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TripLeader
Explorer
2008
Part 5 [Continuing Down the South Kaibab]
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Part 5 [Continuing Down the South Kaibab]
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TripLeader
Explorer
2008
Part 6 [#33]
One of my friends pointed out a bird circling overhead. It looked like a vulture on first glance. But it was bigger and not the same. He knew of California Condors to be in the canyon, and correctly identified it as one.
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We were able to red the tag number on our photos: 33. We looked into it later. It was a female who had been born in a zoo and released into the wild.
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Curiosity got to me and I just looked up 33.
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She was born in 1996 and released at the Grand Canyon that same year. It looks like she had become a first time mother in Sept. 2008, just two months before we saw her. From a 2008 article I found on the internet:
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A 2012 article reported she and a partner built a nest below Grandeur Point in Spring 2012:
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A later 2012 article reported she had a baby that year:
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Unfortunately, I found 33's death was reported in Spring 2013:
Part 6 [#33]
One of my friends pointed out a bird circling overhead. It looked like a vulture on first glance. But it was bigger and not the same. He knew of California Condors to be in the canyon, and correctly identified it as one.
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We were able to red the tag number on our photos: 33. We looked into it later. It was a female who had been born in a zoo and released into the wild.
-----
Curiosity got to me and I just looked up 33.
----
She was born in 1996 and released at the Grand Canyon that same year. It looks like she had become a first time mother in Sept. 2008, just two months before we saw her. From a 2008 article I found on the internet:
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A 2012 article reported she and a partner built a nest below Grandeur Point in Spring 2012:
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A later 2012 article reported she had a baby that year:
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Unfortunately, I found 33's death was reported in Spring 2013:
TripLeader
Explorer
2008
Part 7 [Farther Down the South Kaibab]
It sure looked like a two-story outhouse.
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Bright Angel Campground, our destination for the night.
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Rafters taking a break at the Black Bridge.
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Part 7 [Farther Down the South Kaibab]
It sure looked like a two-story outhouse.
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Bright Angel Campground, our destination for the night.
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Rafters taking a break at the Black Bridge.
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TripLeader
Explorer
Fantastic! Looking forward to it.
You have a talent with photography, so expecting lots of pictures.
Thanks, guys.
TripLeader
Explorer
2008
Part 8 [The Black Bridge]
It was nearly time to cross the Colorado River.
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The history of the bridge: This site was initially serviced by a ferry. A cable car with a one-mule capacity was installed in 1907. The bridge was constructed in 1928. The builders worked at night to avoid daytime heat. The builders had to carry all 8 of the main 550 foot long cables down on their own backs, not by mule.
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Part 8 [The Black Bridge]
It was nearly time to cross the Colorado River.
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The history of the bridge: This site was initially serviced by a ferry. A cable car with a one-mule capacity was installed in 1907. The bridge was constructed in 1928. The builders worked at night to avoid daytime heat. The builders had to carry all 8 of the main 550 foot long cables down on their own backs, not by mule.
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TripLeader
Explorer
2008
Part 9 [Bright Angel]
We were at Bright Angel Campground soon after crossing the bridge. We made our camp and explored around the area.
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We visited the grave of Rees B. Griffiths.
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The first day of our backpacking trip was over. We watched the moon rise over the canyon before going to sleep.
Part 9 [Bright Angel]
We were at Bright Angel Campground soon after crossing the bridge. We made our camp and explored around the area.
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We visited the grave of Rees B. Griffiths.
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The first day of our backpacking trip was over. We watched the moon rise over the canyon before going to sleep.
shade
Well-known member
They are, especially considering he wasn't using a hi-zoot DSLR with a super telephoto lens. Very steady hands were needed to get those shots.
I was just talking about the Texas Toast. I hope that makes the cut.
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TripLeader
Explorer
2008
Part 10 [Upward on the North Kaibab]
We headed out on the North Kaibab Trail the next morning.
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That stretch of the trail took us through Box Canyon.
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Our destination was Cottonwood Campground, with a side trip to Ribbon Falls.
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We caught a glimpse of it, but we still weren't there yet.
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Part 10 [Upward on the North Kaibab]
We headed out on the North Kaibab Trail the next morning.
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That stretch of the trail took us through Box Canyon.
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Our destination was Cottonwood Campground, with a side trip to Ribbon Falls.
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We caught a glimpse of it, but we still weren't there yet.
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TripLeader
Explorer
2008
Part 11 [Ribbon Falls]
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Part 11 [Ribbon Falls]
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