Wednesday
May12, 2010 (11:30am)
Camp
11: Gila Wilderness in a large wide open meadow
We
are sitting on a large boulder overlooking the Middlefork, soaking up the
sun. We stopped for an early lunch to
warm up our frozen feet. We've had 25
river crossings (give or take) so far this morning, some of them up to my hips. Our feet are purple and frozen stiff. They ache when the feeling starts coming back
and I can actually move my toes again. Makes for a chilly start to the day when
the sun hasn't made it over the canyon walls yet. In some portions we cross the river and
immediately walk through a plant called horsetail that slaps against my numb
legs, stinging like crazy. We have many
more crossings ahead.
8pm
We
are exhausted after a grand total of 72 river crossings, today! I fell on
crossing #68 as the rocks under the current were green with moss and
slippery. Eric managed to grab me before
I went completely under and I was only partially soaked. Not a fun way to end the day as the sun
disappeared behind the walls and the air temperature began dropping. We saw a huge bear today near the stream who
saw us immediately and barreled up the steep cliff behind him. The canyon is unique with rugged, steep
formations and spires on both sides.
Steep, sheer, breathtaking.
 |
| no more crossings please |
72 river crossings is about 72 too many for me! You look beautiful in the pics and the scenery is often breathtaking! <3 "keeping up" with ya~
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