Oh boy was this trip an adventure. In my 27 years of life I had never seen the Grand Canyon with my own eyes. To call it grand is an understatement. It is truly one of the most awe inspiring examples of the power of water, and the mind boggling age of our planet. And I got to see what felt like the entirety of it. My friends and I departed at 7am from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and in a single day, walked over 24 miles- with a 4,380 foot descent to the Colorado River and ended with a 5,760 foot ascent to the North Rim. That day was filled with 90 degree weather, and freezing rain and snow (and some of the most beautiful landscape I have ever seen). I have done some physically challenging things in my life, but this excursion takes the cake. I was plagued with blisters halfway through the hike, and I had literally no appetite. I look back at the last 4-5 miles that were hiked uphill in the depths of night, and in the rain and snow, and I am still surprised I was able to push through. There were some dark moments for sure. Our plan was to camp at the North Rim, but the weather had other ideas for us. We made it to the Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim around 11pm, hoping they’d have an open room but along with there being no power and no running water in the lodge, there was also no vacancy. Thankfully, the concierge, whom was sitting in the pitch dark, let us crash in the lobby. I have never slept on a more comfy couch in my life. This hike taught me several things. It showed me how much physical strain I can put on my body while still functioning. It taught me to get an earlier start. It taught me to not think of my bad knees as a hindrance, because they are capable of much more than I think. It showed me that those long through hikes I dream about embarking on are more of a reality. And it taught me that I am without a doubt, a type II fun kind of person, through and through.
Trail Stories
Cape Lookout State Park. Oregon. February 2017.
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Some memories you avoid revisiting because of heartbreak. Because of unanswered questions. This is the first time since starting this project that I’m almost lost for words… so many mixed feelings stirring around in my head. I look at this photo that I captured and I see a beautiful scene in front of me, but also within the forested frame, I see the chaos and change that’s a constant reality on the rugged Oregon coast. Wind, rain, and sea throwing a never ending barrage of force at land’s edge. Nothing is constant so you damn well better enjoy the moment before it’s gone. This is something I’ve learned since then. It kinda feels like we are all living this lesson as a collective societal unit. It’s nice to not feel alone.
Welcome!
Well, I’m starting this blog in the middle of a pandemic. I honestly never thought I would type these words.
In order to stay sane, and feel productive while the California shelter in place order is in effect, I created a pretty comprehensive to-do list that will most likely keep me occupied for at least a month.
One of the items on my to-do list while the shelter in place order is in effect, is to organize the photos I’ve shot on my trips throughout the years. At work, I am super on top of digital asset management but unfortunately that doesn’t translate to my personal photography. I usually get too excited after a trip and I end up memory card vomiting all of my files onto the desktop-and then leaving it forever. So. I’ve also decided to post one photo a day of some of my adventures and write about it. I’ll call it some retrospective journaling. I hope to come across some photos and memories that I’m excited to share, and revisit some rad adventures to pass the time until I can get back outside again.
