This is day 3 of our awesome road trip through Wyoming and Utah. I am trying something new with video updates, instead of a long blog post. Let me know what you think.
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Some sites are even smaller than the one I stayed at but larger sites are available, however. This campground is nice but it may not be suitable for large groups. You will want to consider a group campsite or renting more than one site. My favorite sites were H7, H15, H16, H17, H20, H35, H36, H10, and H11. I would avoid H1, H2, and H5. The sites I tend to prefer have a good mix of privacy and shade. My favorite sites were in the Kruger campground near the meadow. All of these sites seemed really nice. Hermit's Hollow is one of the campgrounds in the Hermit Park recreation area. I stayed in H17. The site was nice but a tad small and not enough shade. My site was perfect for holding a couple people but would be cramped if more than 3 people tried to share it, even though each site is said to accommodate 8 people. I suppose this is feasible if you take 1-2 vehicles and have a 8 person tent. The great thing about Hermit Park is that it is really quiet and relaxing. The views are gorgeous and the park is only 3 miles from Estes Park, which offers many activities. The best part of my trip was my girlfriend visiting me on the second night. She had to work late and ended up showing up after 11pm but it was totally worth it and made my camping experience better as I was not camping by myself. While in Estes Park, I visited the Midsummer Scandinavian Festival and the Dancing Pines Distillery, where I sampled several different liqueurs. The brulee and black walnut liqueurs were my favorites. The town of Estes Park is awesome and has many small shops and restaurants to explore. I enjoyed a green mint tea at the Dragon Leaf Tea company and had a delicious French dip sandwich at Moon Kats. There is even a short hike in town where you can hike up to the ruins of a cabin. Camping:
http://www.larimer.org/naturalresources/hermitpark.cfm Food and Drink: Moon Kats http://www.moonkats.com/ Dragon Leaf Tea Company http://www.dragonleafteacompany.com/ Dancing Pines Distillery http://dancingpinesdistillery.com Check out more photos on our Facebook page. My girlfriend and I just got back from doing an amazing road trip around Colorado. In 4 days we were able to visit several areas of Colorado: Durango, Ouray, Ridgeway, Telluride, and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, on our mini-vacation. On our first day, we arrived in Durango late afternoon. We first checked into the Homewood Suites, then explored the town. Our first stop was at Ska Brewing, conveniently located right next to our hotel. My girlfriend adored the Steel Toe Stout, which is brewed with milk sugar and has won numerous awards. I was a fan of the Mexican Logger, which is (of course) a lager and has also won several awards. Then we walked around downtown and had dinner and drinks in the famous Strater Hotel, which is historic, visually stunning and definitely worth checking out. Our second day began with a train ride. The city of the Durango is known for the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNG). Seeing that I love trains, and I am working on visiting and riding every train in Colorado, this was a special trip for me (I was a little kid the last time I rode the D&SNG). During the summer the train goes from Durango up to Silverton, a tiny but beautiful former mining town. But since it is currently winter/spring, the train only goes about halfway, through the San Juan National Forest to Cascade Canyon, a scenic wooded canyon through which the Animas River flows due to avalanche danger beyond Cascade Canyon. That didn’t matter -- the awesome views of the mountains are worth the trip. After the train returned to Durango, we hopped in the car and started the drive toward Ouray. Along the way, we stopped to visit Honeyville, a store that specializes in (what else?) honey products, located about ten miles north of Durango. We sampled honey whiskey, various wines, and also some delicious wildflower honey. The road from Durango to Ouray is stunning, but can be somewhat scary. We drove through several mountain passes but the most intimidating part was from Silverton to Ouray (known as the Million Dollar Highway). As you head north and get closer to Ouray, the road becomes narrow and guard rails are virtually nonexistent. The scenery is breathtaking, as is the fact that you’re driving next to steep mountains and sheer cliffs. Driving northbound isn’t as scary as driving southbound, but it can still induce some anxiety. Once we arrived safely in Ouray, we instantly fell in love with the town, which is sometimes known as the “Switzerland of America.” It is nestled right up into the mountains and has gorgeous scenery. One thing I was not aware of, however, is that Ouray is actually very slow in spring and many businesses are closed. Most campgrounds do not open until May so your only options for lodging are hotels. But we enjoyed touring the town in the off season – we could beat the crowds and explore the area at our leisure. Ouray is well known for its hot springs pool which is located in the northern part of town. The pool is separated into several different sections where the temperatures range from 89 to 106 degrees. Other activities within Ouray include the short hike to Cascade Falls, Box Canyon Falls, walking around town and exploring the shops. We also enjoyed sipping a beer at the Ouray Brewing Company, or enjoying a steak at The Outlaw while being serenaded by the very talented piano player (and also where you can see one of John Wayne's hats). Speaking of John Wayne, just down the road a few miles north is the town of Ridgeway is where parts of the movie True Grit were filmed. Ouray is also a great starting point for various Jeep trails and Jeep tours. Some of these like Engineer Pass and Ophir Pass are well known. If you are brave you can try Black Bear pass. This might be the scariest Jeep Trail in the whole state. The next thing we did is make a road trip up to Telluride. Telluride also has a slow season in the spring where many businesses are closed. This may be an inconvenience for most but it was nice for us. We got to avoid the crowds and explore the town, read various plaques and catch up on the history of Telluride, including the old red light district, and Telluride Depot. We ate lunch at Baked in Telluride -- a great bakery and pizza place. Later we had a beer at the Smugglers Brewery. Unfortunately most of the town is closed in the spring, including most restaurants and the gondola up to Mountain Village. Telluride is very busy in the winter and busy during the summer time (after May). This is when most businesses re-open. We also got to see Bridal Veil Falls which is just a short drive outside of town and actually can be seen from certain locations within town if you look up into the mountains. From this vantage point you can also see the very scary pass known as Black Bear pass which is a treacherous jeep trail for those that are brave enough to try it. You can only go one way, and it's all downhill. After leaving Telluride we explored Ridgeway where we had lunch at the True Grit Cafe and learned more about True Grit the movie and some local filming locations. Besides the True Grit Cafe it is a must to have a few tacos at Taco Del Gnar (located a short walk from the cafe). The short rib taco was our favorite. Once back in Ouray we spent some time in the hot springs. We were staying at The Beaumont Hotel (we were considering camping but most campgrounds do not open till May) which is awesome and historic. Built in 1886 and restored in 2003. Even if you camp it is suggested that you see this amazing hotel. The next day we woke up we were able to check out the Box Canyon Falls just a short hike from town. You can drive closer to the falls or make the hike from town. In the winter at Box Canyon Falls you can even try ice climbing, which is free or you can hire a guide. Ouray is also known as the Switzerland of America and I can definitely see why this name fits. On our last day we attempted to drive up to Owl Creek Pass to visit two film locations from True Grit. Unfortunately when we got to the summit of Owl Creek Pass we saw some very deep snow and weren’t prepared (or comfortable) to continue on the road. We will have to visit these occasions another time. As we headed home, we were surprised that we were ahead of schedule because we didn’t get to see the True Grit locations. This gave us time to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park which is a stunning and even a little scary when you walk close to the giant cliffs. After leaving Gunnison National Park we then made her way home headed east and passed the Curecanti National Recreation Area. Within the recreation area you will find the Blue Mesa Reservoir that is 26 miles across with over 96 miles of shoreline and it is the largest body of water in Colorado.
There are many places to camp, fish, and enjoy other outdoor activities along this large reservoir in the area of Cimarron. There was even an old train trestle but the train was not on it as it is currently being restored. As we continued on our journey home, we went through Monarch Pass which is another treacherous pass. We saw the remnants of a fire that was being put out in Kenosha Pass then continued on our way to Bailey then Morrison and finally back into Denver. This was an awesome road trip. It was amazing how much we are able to fit into just four days. I didn't want to go home, or back to work, but I’ll always have the memories. Durango: http://www.durangotrain.com/ http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g33397-Activities-Durango_Colorado.html http://www.durango.org/discover-durango/ http://strater.com/ http://skabrewing.com/ Ouray: http://www.ouraycolorado.com/ouray-activities/Guided-Tours.php http://www.ouraycolorado.com/ouray-activities/ http://www.ouraycolorado.com/ouray-activities/Box-Canon-Falls-Park.php http://www.ouraycolorado.com/discover-ouray/hot-springs-pool.php http://ourayicepark.com/ http://www.ouraycolorado.com/listing/cascade http://ouraybrewery.com/ http://outlawrestaurant.com/ http://www.beaumonthotel.com/ Telluride: http://www.telluride.com/things-do/summer-activities http://www.visittelluride.com/festivals-events http://www.visittelluride.com/things-to-do Ridgeway: http://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/ridgway http://www.coloradovibes.com/2010/02/true-grit-then-and-now/ http://gnarlytacos.com/ http://www.truegritcafe.com/ Black Canyon of the Gunnison: http://www.nps.gov/blca/index.htm Curecanti National Recreation Area: http://www.nps.gov/cure/index.htm http://www.colorado.com/blue-mesa-reservoir-largest-body-water-colorado Off Road Trails of Colorado: http://coloradoguy.com/black-bear-pass/colorado.htm http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f36/black-bear-pass-85065/ http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=300 http://www.everytrail.com/guide/off-road-trail-maps-ophir-pass-colorado http://www.colorado.com/articles/7-popular-colorado-atv-jeep-trails http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=80 http://www.coloradovibes.com/offroad-trails/ Other Activities: http://soajeep.com/ http://imogenerun.com/ http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php (not all trails in Colorado) http://www.filmincolorado.com/filmography5.html Enjoy additional photos on our Facebook page. In April my girlfriend and I will be road tripping to a few destinations in Colorado. I decided to do some road trip research for our upcoming trip and this is what I discovered.
The towns of Ouray, Telluride, and Durango are steeped in history and there is arguably no better scenery in the country. Spring is a great time of year to watch the flora and fauna come to life again after a long winter, making April a great month to road trip through the area. For those looking to camp, though, you may find many of the campgrounds in the area do not open until May 2nd, but there are two campgrounds close to Ouray that are open year round. One is Weber RV Park and Campground. This campground accepts short term visitors, but it caters to the longer term set and even has monthly rates for camping and RVing. Ridgway State Park is the other option near Ouray. This park is open year round and has so much to do right in the park. Visitors can take part in fishing, boating, windsurfing, waterskiing, biking, hiking, or enjoy the swim beach while staying in the park. It’s a great option for those looking to spend some beautiful starry nights outdoors. You will find plenty of affordable lodging along your route in the area of these three great towns, however, so there is no need to worry. In Ouray, also known as the Switzerland of America, because it is at the base of the San Juan Mountains, you can treat yourself to a stay at the Timber Ridge Lodge which is touted as the “Best budget lodging option in Ouray”. It is only 3 block from the hot springs pool, which is a great place to relax after a long day of sight seeing. In Telluride, you can get a room at the Mountainside Inn for less than $100 per night. The Cimarron Lodge and Ghostriders are also popular budget options. You will find Ghostriders is only a short walk from the free gondola that will bring you to Mountain Village Town Park and you are sure to enjoy the amazing scenery on the way. Durango has budget hotel options as well, with several chains such as the Hampton Inn and Super 8. However, for about the same money, visitors would be remiss to not spend at least one night in the Strater Hotel. This hotel will transport you directly back into the “old west” with its décor and ambiance. Even the servers in the pub are in period-correct dress. The views from the higher floors can be quite amazing, too. There is no shortage of attractions and sites to see with the San Juan Mountains all around you. Hiking opportunities abound and you wills surely enjoy the scenery, no matter what you do. In Ouray, you could treat yourself to an historic mine tour, or view one of the several falls in the area. Telluride offers daily hot air balloon rides when the weather permits, or you can soar through the sky with Glider Bob who give daily glider rides in the area. In Durango you will find stables such as the Rapp Corral, where even the most novice horse rider can enjoy a tour through the mountains. Or, take the Durango to Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to the old mining town of Silverton. This is a day-long trip with a stop for lunch, but it’s a great way to relax and enjoy the beauty of the San Juan Mountains. You will also find no shortage of great pubs and eateries on your trip through the area. Telluride even has two different food tours for visitors. These tours are a great way to experience the history and culture of the area while hearing great stories from local chefs ad artisans. It’s a great way to spend a few hours and learn a lot about what is available in the area in the way of culinary goodies as well as to learn about the historic mining town itself. You will find all sorts of food in all kinds of cafes, pubs, and restaurants. In Ouray, O’Brien’s Pub serves Guinness on tap as well as a wide variety of Irish American foods. Or you can spend an evening in the Outlaw Restaurant to get the feel of being in the old west. Cavallo’s offers New Orleans jazz as well as authentic Creole food, and the Colorado Boy Pub and Brewery has artisan pizza as well as hand-crafted ales and wines. If it’s hand-crafted beers you’re looking for, Durango is a must-stop. There are many different pubs to choose from, all of which craft their own libations. From the Durango Brewing Co., on of the oldest breweries in Durango to Ska Brewing Company, a newer option, you are sure to find palate pleasing creations as well as some great food. This is a great time of year for a little road trip, so why not get out and enjoy Ouray, Telluride, and Durango Colorado while spring is in the air. The area’s history and scenic beauty are sure to have you coming back again and again. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal is an amazing Wildlife Sanctuary where visitors can view many different species of animals, birds, and even amphibians. But it didn’t start out it’s life as a wildlife sanctuary. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal was land originally purchased by the U.S. government in 1942 to create chemical weapons to help with the effort in World War II. The 19,915 acres cot over $62 million dollars back then, and the compound created chemical weapons such as napalm, mustard gas, white phosphorous, and Sarin gas until 1969. It also made and housed rocket fuel for use by the United States Air Force.
After being used by the military, they leased the property to several private companies who manufactured fertilizers and other chemical compounds there. Eventually, it was abandoned and considered a hazardous waste site. However, it has since been cleaned up through a long and arduous process through cooperation of the government as well as private companies who used to property in the later years. Once the clean-up was complete, 15,000 acres was turned over to the Fish and Wildlife Service and is now a National Wildlife Refuge. 330 species of animals now inhabit the property. It was first discovered that, in the absence of people there, Bald Eagles has made the place their home, setting in motion the move to create a wildlife sanctuary at The Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Bison were reintroduced to the land in 2007, and other animals and plants flourish there now as well. The site, just northeast of Denver, Colorado is home to 280 different species of birds with several different species of migrating birds coming through each spring on their trek north. The park is open from sunrise to sunset year round, and the Visitor’s Center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is recommended, if this is your first visit to RMA, to come during a time when the visitor’s center is open so that you can learn the rules and regulations and make sure you stay safe and have the best viewing opportunities during your visit. There are even guided tours for those who don’t want to go it alone or are looking for something a little more structured. There are programs in Waterfowl Identification, Animal Track Identification, Birding, and even plenty of tours and activities that are great for kids of all ages. There is a wildlife drive through the park that will take between half an hour and an hour to complete. This is a great option for people with kids or those who may have difficulty walking the many trails at the park, while still offering ample wildlife viewing opportunities. The drive is 9 miles long and the maximum speed you may travel is 30 mph. If you would like to stop to view the animals, it is requested that you pull to the side of the road, but do not exit your vehicle. This is especially true in the case of Bison viewing. They are amazing and beautiful animals, but you must remember that they are just that – wild animals. You should stay at least 50 – 100 yards away. If they should be crossing the road, it is best to stop at a distance away and wait patiently for them to pass. Do not yell at them or honk the horn. There are many trails throughout the sanctuary as well. You can experience grassland habitat with the Gateway, Legacy, and Discovery Trails, just to name a few. The Wetlands Habitat Trails include the Lake Mary Loop Trail, The Rod & Gun Club Wildlife Blind and the Lake Landora Loop Trail. You can also experience woodlands habitat on the Rod & Gun Club Trail as well as the Woodland Trail. The soil here ranges from clay-like to sandy and creates great growing conditions for the many different types of plants that you encounter on your journey through the park. It is important to remember to stay on marked trails while hiking or walking through RMA and to abide by the signs that are posted. You should “leave only footprints and take only pictures”, as is simply good etiquette in any national park. At The Rocky Mountain Arsenal, in fact, it is prohibited to search for or remove any items or objects from the property. Dogs, other than service dogs, are not allowed here, and neither is bicycling except from the entrance to the visitor’s center, so you will want to keep those things in mind when you visit. Rocky Mountain Arsenal may have started it’s life in quite a different fashion that you will find it today, but the abundance of wildlife and plant species you will find there would never give away that secret. This is an amazing animal viewing opportunity for young and old and perfect for the entire family. It is also a great way to learn more about different animals and their habitats. You can plan your trip to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal right from their website. It’s a trip your whole family will love! Chris Guillebeau's Holiday Sale Is Here! Details below from his website: "For the rest of the week, you can save 15% on everything we produce in the Unconventional Guides store. Fifteen percent! Everything!* Use discount code pumpkin to receive 15% off anything you’d like to purchase. For only the third time in history, this discount applies to combo packs as well:
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We all have dreams. For many of us, this means travel, business, thriving as an artist, and more. For Camping Fantastic, this means everything we can do to follow our motto, “Eat, Drink, Camp, and Explore.” In this post I will share how Chris Guillebeau and Stephanie Zito can help you to achieve your lifelong dreams of worldwide travel and business. First, let's introduce Upgrade Unlocked. In this new guide written by Stephanie Zito, she describes how people can travel the world without going broke. Stephanie is a humanitarian and communications consultant who has visited more than 115 countries. She further introduces the idea of world travel and provides tips and advice on how to make your travel dreams a reality, so that you can start your adventures in as little as a month to become a travel rock star. 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I read the entire guide, all 120 pages of it. I discovered the best benefits of the guide are the tips it suggests on how to fly first class and enjoy all the amenities that first class and above have to offer. Some techniques are simple and geared towards the novice travel hacker, while other techniques are considered more advanced and will take more effort. I wanted to test one of the suggestions in the guide and I learned that I could earn up to 15,000 miles for US Airways by simply getting a few quotes for different products online (a personal loan and an auto insurance quote). I did not switch my auto insurance or receive the loan but I did earn miles just by spending less than 10 minutes online getting a quote. Furthermore, if I do decide to switch my auto insurance then I will receive an additional 2000 miles. I was able to do all of this for less than 10 minutes of work. Upgrade Unlocked opened my eyes to the possibility of luxury world travel. I am already thinking about my next trip. Hopefully I can use the techniques in this guide to surprise my girlfriend with two round trip tickets to anywhere in the world (don't tell her though, it is a surprise). No matter what your travel style I recommend checking out this guide. The complete guide is 120 pages and is being sold at a discount right now of only $97 for a limited time before the price rises to $147. The most basic guide is only $39 (the different prices are based upon on your travel hacking style and level of interest). Now, meet The Unconventional Guides. Upgrade Unlocked is part of The Unconventional Guides series, founded by bestselling author Chris Guillebeau. I follow his adventures, read his blog, and admire all that he has to offer. Guillebeau has been to every country in the world, over the course of ten years. I have personally used his products to improve my life, business, and travel opportunities. If he suggests a product you know it will be great. 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I do recommend a few awesome affiliate products that I receive a commission on but I recommend these products because I believe they will help you out and make your life easier. I also have used these products and I know that they are awesome***** Any season is a great time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. However, if you visit between September and October you will be lucky to see fall colors and hundreds of elk. During the months of September and October you can hear the elk bugling. The bull elk make this sound during mating season. Usually it happens at night (video below is of the elk bugling, you can even here them moving around). Brian Swanson is an experienced outdoor adventure seeker. Today he shares his story about how an exciting canyoneering adventure turned into a daring search and rescue operation. In this post he shares his story, and some helpful tips to avoid a search and rescue situation, and what to do if you must be rescued. I am honored to share his story.
Accident on Lower Jump As an outdoors enthusiast with a “worst-‐case-‐scenario” mentality, I have been absorbing wilderness safety education for about a decade. I’ve taken formal classes on wilderness preparedness, advanced canyoneering, wild plants, starting a fire with whatever you have on you, and a litany of other subjects. I am also exceptionally cautious, sometimes to the point where I annoy others. Despite all this, I had to be rescued from a canyon this summer. July 27, 2014 -‐ I was canyoneering (basically, rappelling in waterfalls) in the Sierras about 2 hours east of Fresno in a ravine called Lower Jump Canyon. A beautiful granite gorge cut to the bedrock by snowmelt and rainfall, the canyon (officially the North Fork of the Kings River) gets its nickname from countless deep pools into which you can jump as you travel downstream. It’s a gorgeous, fun, and dangerous canyon known for injuries because of slippery, algae covered granite. Also, though the water is typically clear, there are obstacles hidden underneath that people unknowingly jump onto. It was a perfect day, just the right temperature and the views were stunning. One great aspect of canyoneering is the places we go are so hard to get to that we see parts of the world most people never will. I paused to give thanks for that gift as we entered the beautiful canyon that morning. I also realized that the built in privacy would make this a great place to take a girl skinny-dipping. I would have to contemplate that further sometime in the future. I was travelling with two friends, Daniel and Bronic. Though they didn’t meet the female requirement of my above mentioned thought, they were excellent canyoneers. We had the minimum group size of three people, we were all highly trained, very experienced, and well prepared for the trip. Knowing the inherent dangers of this route, we treaded carefully. At every jump, one of us would rappel down to check the depth of the water so the other two could jump it. At 9:30am we were about 2 hours into the canyon, making good time despite our caution. We all hoped to beat the 12 hour trip time clocked by our friends the day before. At this point we found an optional granite water slide that looked fun. We sent a backpack down first to see how the water would carry us. We devised a plan and Daniel went first. He hit a ledge in the granite with his butt that bounced him into the air but he landed safely in the pool below. In the video of this event you hear me say “Is this a bad idea?” He reported to us that it was, in fact, quite fun. Since Daniel made it through I went ahead. I sat down, pushed off, and quickly picked up speed. As I rapidly approached the ledge I was concerned about breaking my tailbone on it, so I put out my feet to act as a shock absorber. Suddenly, this all seemed like a worse idea. My right foot caught the ledge and held firm as the rest of me kept going. I felt a couple snaps and a sharp pain as my ankle built and released pressure so fast it all felt like a single event. Though I’d never experienced this before, the sensation was unmistakable. This was no sprain. I hit the water and held up my leg with my hands, cursing every four-‐letter word I could think of and making up more when the ones I knew didn’t cut it. My yelling was not from the pain. Surprisingly, it didn’t hurt that bad. It was anger that produced my screams. With only one sixth of this very challenging canyon completed, I knew I had royally screwed the entire group. Then I kept thinking of the upcoming trips that would now be void. Whitney was definitely out. Probably Kilimanjaro, too. Shit. I informed my companions of what happened. “Are you sure it’s broken?” asked one of them. As I swam to the shore, my foot flopped around independently of my leg’s bone structure. “Yep, pretty sure.” They helped me climb out of the pool onto a sloped granite ledge where I immediately elevated my foot and started digging through my bag. Daniel and Bronic considered our options. “Do we have anything to splint it?” “Do we know how to splint it?” “Are we going to have to carry him out?” “Nope,” I stated. Over the course of my 34 years I had grown quite used to seeing my foot in a certain position. Currently, it contrasted that familiar sight by about 70 degrees. We probably could have splinted it but none of us knew how to reset the bone(s). Traveling the rest of the way would have subjected myself and my comrades to an unnecessary risk. I found what I had been digging for in my bag, pulled it out, and turned it on. It was an ACR ResQLink Personal Locator Beacon. It sends a distress signal with your location to search and rescue (SAR). It was an expensive item I had picked up a couple years prior when I started hiking alone. A peculiar purchase, you buy it hoping to never use it. In this particular moment I thanked God I had spent the money. Unfortunately, the device tells you it’s transmitting but gives no confirmation that the signal was received, so you have no idea if assistance is coming. So what do we do now? Somebody wisely suggested that I take some Advil and we discussed our next course of action. Since we didn’t know if the beacon was working, someone would have to exit the canyon as a backup. This canyon is no joke, so the prospect of one person doing it alone seemed like a bad idea at first. However, the reason that three is the minimum canyon group size is so someone can stay with the victim while another person goes for help. I decided in the future I’d make four the minimum. We gave Bronic two of our three ropes. It would be a heavy load for one person but it was the minimum he would need to exit the canyon. We developed a contingency plan to ascertain Bronic had made it out in the event that Daniel and I were rescued first. With no cell service we had to be very explicit with what everyone was to do. Full of a hero’s adrenaline, Bronic pressed onward. Time was of the essence but it was far more important for him to be cautious. We didn’t want another injury or worse. “Well, Daniel. Do you have a deck of cards?” I asked. I figured we would be waiting a long time, so we started finding ways to pass the time. Keeping Daniel with me proved to be the right decision as my mobility was greatly compromised. It got quite hot after a while and he was able to refill my water bottle and dunk my shirt in the water to keep me cool. He also used our remaining rope to spell SOS on the rocks. Perhaps most important of all, he kept me company. I was in good spirits. The pain was mostly managed as long as I didn’t move too much and I knew our rescue plan was solid, but it was a relief to have a friend nearby. Despite the high spirits, Daniel and I were both playing games with our expectations. If you don’t get your hopes up, then you’ll still keep it together when nobody shows. Even still, the sound of the running water would play tricks with our ears, filling us with a false excitement that we had heard a plane or a helicopter. I guessed it would be at least five hours before we’d even know if a rescue was in progress, but I kept hoping that it would be one or two or three. The reality was if the beacon didn’t work, the earliest that SAR would even know we needed assistance was if/when Bronic made it out 10 hours after he left us. If that was the case, Daniel and I would surely have to spend the night. We were prepared for this contingency with extra clothing and food, but it would have been miserable. What if the beacon didn’t work AND Bronic got stuck or hurt? Daniel and I decided that if nobody came for us by 10am the next day then he would leave me and go for help, himself. We didn’t have enough rope for him to descend the canyon, but after reviewing the topo map we thought he could climb up the steeply sloping wall of the canyon back to the road, 860 feet above us. It was a bad option but it was a choice between that and waiting another day for my parents to report us missing. My parents! I had a horrible realization. They, along with my friend, Phill, were listed as emergency contacts on the beacon. If it actually did work, they would have been notified of its activation hours ago. They would also have no indication why the beacon had been triggered. Did I break my back? Did I die? Was it even me who was hurt? I could only imagine what kind of hell they were going through. At 1pm, Daniel and I were half asleep in the hot afternoon sun. Suddenly, my ears perked up. I heard a sound far more distinct than the tricky water. At first I was hesitant to react. Then it all became quite clear. I bolted upright and shouted, “Daniel!” He sat up and we yelled in unison, “Helicopter!” The image I saw next was not a particularly striking image. It would not have made the cover of any self-respecting photographic magazine or even gotten more than a few “Likes” on Facebook. However, it was the greatest sight I had ever seen. Swooping into view from beyond the cliffs and passing overhead was a Sheriff’s helicopter. Daniel and I cheered ecstatically and gave each other one of those bro high-‐fives. You know, the kind where you hold onto each other’s hands for an extra second or two and shake each other around because it’s more manly that way. A loud speaker squawked from the helicopter, “Do you need medical assistance?” Instantly our hands shot up in the air forming a “Y” shape, which is the signal for “Yes.” Incidentally, waiving your arms around means, “Don’t land here,” so we were careful to make the distinction clear. They passed us a third time and asked us the same question. Concerned, we yelled, “Yes!” and held our arms up again. They kept passing us and asking questions but it was impossible to understand them over the sound of the running water and the beating rotors. We did everything we could think of to show them we needed help. We blew our whistles, flashed them with the mirror in my compass, and pointed at the large SOS spelled out on the rock. Looking at the helicopter more closely, it was clear that this one would not be pulling us out of the canyon. It was pretty small and had no obvious cable system. At least we were fairly certain they knew we needed help. Instantly my mind went to Bronic and I second-guessed whether sending him ahead alone was the right choice. What if he got hurt? The beacon obviously worked so he was unnecessarily at risk. Nothing could be done about it now, though. It was still the right decision given the information we had at the time. The chopper circled for 45 minutes before leaving us, and the waiting continued. About 30-‐60 minutes later, a forest ranger casually came walking up. He had no rappelling gear and no wetsuit. How the hell did he get down here? John, the ranger, informed us he had started hiking down the side of the canyon about 45 minutes before the helicopter arrived. It was a dangerous trek and he said he almost didn’t make it a couple of times. I felt regret for putting him into that danger; though, his presence proved vital to the rescue. Using his radio, he was able to communicate with the rest of the crew that I had a broken ankle, I was stable, and that we had another friend down canyon of our position. He could also relay the message to my parents that I was okay, which was a huge relief to me. John stayed with us until the hoist ship (a slightly larger helicopter than the first one, outfitted with a winch) arrived to lift me out. John warned us to pack anything that could get blown away when the helicopter approached. The wind was so strong we had to protect our faces from all the flying debris. Daniel yelled at me to grab my 20lb. backpack which was blowing away. I glanced up and saw the helicopter constantly making corrections to avoid hitting the canyon walls. A CHP officer rode down the winch, unhooked, and the helicopter flew away. Tony, the CHP officer, suited me up into what they called a “screamer suit,” basically a big harness. The chopper came back, Tony hooked me in, and they wound me up. With narrow canyon walls, elevation, and constantly changing winds, it proved to be a difficult rescue for them and I am forever in their debt. There wasn’t much room inside the helicopter, so I had to sit with my legs dangling off the side. Consequently, during our five-minute flight to the ambulance the wind tossed my loose foot around like a ball on a string. It hurt. After transferring me to the ambulance, an EMT cut off my nice new wetsuit (the only way to get it off, sadly) and I got my first look at the ankle since the break. The swelling was so bad it looked like I had a large orange stuck in my leg. The incredibly professional and proficient crew then drove me two hours to an emergency room in Fresno. As it turned out, Bronic finished the canyon on his own an hour faster than the group from the day before. When he exited, the sheriffs were waiting for him to make sure he was okay. Daniel and the forest ranger hiked backup the dangerous canyon wall, using our one remaining rope as a hand line. I was shocked to discover how big an ordeal a broken ankle is. I needed surgery, after which my recovery was estimated to take 4-‐6 months. Even after that they say my ankle will never be as good as it was before. For the first three weeks I had to lay on my back and keep the ankle elevated constantly to avoid swelling and pain. As I write this it’s been about 6 weeks since the accident and I have another two left until I can walk or drive (since it was my right ankle). During this recovery I have been a burden on my friends and family, and I am in debt to them, as well. Many discussions have taken place in the aftermath of this event, dissecting it in every way possible. “It was a freak accident,” is a phrase I have heard more than once. It is a kind statement that I believe is meant to defend me and my reputation as a reliable canyoneer. Though I appreciate the defense, I must say that this accident was the result of my poor decision. I knew the slide looked bad and I went for it anyway. “Daniel made it down just fine, so you’ll be okay.” “I’ve been really cautious this whole weekend, it’s okay for me to have fun once.” “Be as tough and adventurous as everyone else.” These were my thoughts that persuaded me to dismiss my better judgment. Maybe nine times out of ten those thoughts would be fine. This time they were not. Even if you are well-trained and cautious, it just takes one brief lapse of common sense to create a serious problem. It’s easier to fall into that lapse than I thought. The important lessons to take from this are many. The critical ones that I have come away with are below: 1. Plan for the worst so you’re ready if it happens. Even when everything is going well on an easy trip, your situation can change in an instant. 2. Get an emergency beacon and know how to use it. Without it, our rescue would have taken a full 24 hours. Under worse conditions this delay could have had dire consequences. There is a beacon made by DeLorme that allows for two-‐way text communication. The benefits of that are substantial and most of the canyoneers I know have purchased that model in the wake of my accident. That said, I strongly suggest you do your own research as there are several brands and models, each with its own pros and cons. 3. Always leave your trip itinerary with reliable emergency contacts. This should contain routes, parking and car info, contact information of everyone on the trip, what time you'll return, and what time your contacts should call search and rescue if you don't return. The SAR teams were in communication with my parents who were able to give them that information (except the car info, which I had not provided). It was valuable to SAR which means it is valuable to you. 4. Take a wilderness first aid class. At a bare minimum you should take a course that lasts an entire weekend. If you will be in remote areas like me, I strongly recommend a wilderness first responder course. They are generally 5-8 days long and cost anywhere from $500-$900. It's a big commitment but consider this: If I had to exit that canyon under my own power we would have been in big trouble. None of us knew how to reset the bone and apply a splint, which is one of the many things you learn as a wilderness first responder. 5. Have fun but be careful! A couple weeks ago, my girlfriend and I went camping at the Moraine Park campground in Rocky Mountain National Park. It was an awesome trip! For those of you who are new to camping or have limited experience, you might ask what we brought with us. Well, if you search online you will find several websites that offer lists of items you should bring for a weekend camping trip. The ten essentials are a must for any outdoor journey. After you have those, however, you will probably also ask:
What else should I bring? Obviously, you can bring many more items for car camping than for a backpacking trip. I will admit, I am guilty of over packing (especially while car camping). However, I believe in being prepared, being comfortable, and eating the best possible meals within my budget. I have provided the list I used for our most recent car camping experience. I still felt like I over packed but I actually did cut down on the items I brought for this trip, and at no time did I feel that I left something out. The first thing I like to do is make a list separated into a few categories: Bring (things I already have but I must bring), Pack (things to pack into my overnight bag), Food (food items to bring based on whatever Camp Menu you’ve created for your trip), and Need to Buy (self-explanatory). Certain items should always be already packed well ahead to speed up this process. For example, notice that the camping kit and bug out bag have already been packed and remain packed at all times. I also have a 72 hour emergency kit in my vehicle but I have not included this on my list. Below is the list for our recent trip to Moraine Park (Saturday August 23, 2014 - Monday August 25, 2014). Bring: Cast-iron pan Allergy medication Camping chairs Camping kit in a large action packer box- contains utensils, pots, pans, cups, plastic wine glasses, shot glasses, water bottle, camp towels, baby wipes, cleaning supplies (camp soap, dish soap, hand soap, hand sanitizer, dish towel), survival food, water filter, can opener, wine opener, and glow sticks. I occasionally add items as I see fit after each camping trip. Stove- I have used a propane stove in the past but I now use a butane stove and it works well. Tent- I have used various types of tents and owned 4. I recommend a 3 or 4 season tent with aluminum poles. Avoid fiberglass poles! Pop up canopy- EZ Up or Z shade. Sleeping bags Sleeping pads Bug out bag- I am still adding to this but at this time it contains a camp shovel, Leatherman, food (multi vitamin mineral complex, ramen noodles, nuts, energy bars, instant mashed potatoes, instant oatmeal, dehydrated camp food), fishing kit, mosquito netting, waterproof poncho, paracord, Bivvy Emergency Bag, swimming goggles, 3 in 1 survival kit, wind-proof lighter, water filter, first aid kit, compact toothbrush, anti-bacterial hand gel, baby wipes, flashlight, sewing kit, rescue tape, emergency blanket, mini tea candles, fire starter, waterproof matches, and lighter. Extra day pack backpack Wool blankets Cooler with ice Lanterns- I have several but usually just use a small one and a large one together. I use these: Coleman Quad_Lantern and Coleman 4-in-1 Mini-Lantern Foil Wine Opener Pack: Socks Beanie hat Convertible pants/shorts- better than jeans as they dry faster. · Boxers/underwear Jacket/parka T-shirts Wool compression shirt Under Armour shirt/pants Flashlight- I usually bring two lanterns, two flashlights, a headlamp, and glow sticks. Food: Wine Chiles Swiss chard Spice blend- pepper, garlic, crushed red peppers, shallots, basil, rosemary, and Italian seasoning all mixed together in a small zip lock baggie or spice container. Ice Tea/soda Bratwurst Spicy Mustard Buy: Small canola oil- will be added to camping kit. Butane- 8 oz. for stove. Water- 1 gallon per person per day for hygiene and drinking usage is the minimum amount recommended. How much water you bring can also depend on the amenities of your camp site, as some places provide potable water. Firewood Lighter- you should always have extras, as this is the easiest way to start a fire. Tarp- this is usually part of my camping kit but I needed a new one. Extra tent stakes (an army surplus store is the best place to find these) Napkins or paper towels Toilet paper Camp Menu: Lunch (Saturday and Sunday) Deli Meat and Bread Dinner (Saturday) Salad Carne Asada Spicy Seafood (Shrimp, Calamari, Scallops) Dessert (Saturday and Sunday) Banana Boats (Chocolate Chips, Bananas, Marshmallows, Peaches, Berries) or Banana Boats Breakfast (Sunday) Sausage Fruit What do you bring when you camp? |
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Text and photography copyright 2011 by Brian S White, all rights reserved. |