TRIP REPORT - James and Edd go to BiBe

[xseption]

Here is an outline of our trip from March 15 to March 22. James got started on the 15th while edd was traveling to BiBe. James left on the 21st and edd left on the 22nd.

We are collaborating on the trip report and we did 40+ miles together, so this will take a little bit of time. It was supposed to be easy day, hard day, followed by easy day, but most days we did some serious hiking. Basically, it turns out that the hard days were in the mountains and the easy days were in the desert.

TRIP REPORT - Saturday, March 15 to Saturday, March 22

With (X) indicating Edd Only, (JB) for James only, else we were both there.

SAT -
   Indian Head (JB)

SUN -
   Santa Elena Canyon
   Dorgan House
   Mile Marker 21 (RMSD) pull off by Castolon (investigating the white mounds with red rocks)
   Tuff Canyon
   Burro Mesa Pouroff (Top)
   Burro Springs Loop

MON -
   Rio Grande Village Overlook
   Ernst Tinaja via De Leon Campsite
   Canyon off Glen Springs Rd
   Ruins near Black Gap Road
   Dorgan House evening (X)

TUE -
   South Rim via Laguna Meadows, the Pinnacles, and Boot Canyon to Juniper Flats
   (Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!)

WED -
   Tornillo Flats
   Cattail Falls
   Indian Head
   Red Buffalo

THU -
   Casa Grande
   Met Badknees and Little Goodknees at Basin Restaurant
   Petrified Log
   Tornillo Flats (X)

FRI -
   Chimneys West
   Terlingua Cemetery (noon)
   Mesa de Anguila (X)
   Contrabando Movie Set (X)
   Terlingua Cemetery evening (X)

SAT -
   Dorgan House (X)
   Arch we saw from the Road (X)
   Chimneys East (X)
   FM 170 to Presidio (X)
   Prada Store (X)
   Marfa (X)

[sleepy]

my goodness, boys, that's quite a bit of seeing.   did you get to drink it all in?

where are the pics?

[xseption]

   my goodness, boys, that's quite a bit of seeing.   did you get to drink it all in?

   where are the pics?

I am still soaking in the memories and boy do the photos help! The photos will come with each day's report. We still have some photo processing and report writing to do. I just thought to whet some appetites.

~ edd

[jamesb]

That about sums up the trip, but there are a few details Edd left out.

On Thursday when we summited Casa Grande, we signed the "log book" in the jar, then on the way down I was going so fast I missed a turn and we had to back track and took us about 45 minutes longer than if I would have been paying attention to that new fangled GSP gizmo I got just for this trip.
We did have a nice visit with Badknees and little goodknees, if you ever order dessert in the basin, better make sure badknees is not around... he will try to steal it... I almost lost my blackberry cobbler to him I also learned the definition of Casa Grande Butt.

On Tuff Canyon, I went further back than I ever have. that was a nice treat to see more of the small canyon than in previous trips.

Snow on the South rim in March????? man that was crazy , but well worth it. Im kinda sad that I did not get to see the splendid views from the rim do to the snow. Oh well looks like I have to do the south rim again.....

We failed to complete the Ernst Tinaja from the North entrance. It was that one pour off with the boulder in it that I tried to get around but felt I was pushing my limits trying to get around and Edd said he could not carry me out so we decided to back out.

All in all I had a great time and did some things I never would have done on my own. I learned how far I can push my self, and bes tof all NO BLISTERS!!! however my legs, knees (the badknees knee pain), ankles and feet hurt for 4 days after.


I will try to get my photos posted tonight. I ave them all ready to go, but have been feeling rotten the last few days. I know lame excuse......

James

[jeffblaylock]

That about sums up the trip, but there are a few details Edd left out.

No, there are a lot of details Edd left out .... 

... but it looks like you guys took advantage of every opportunity. We look forward to the magnum opus.

[jamesb]

ok guys and gals, here are my photos, there are several days listed on the left hand side of hte page, so make sure you see them all....

http://www.james-benton.com/gallery/adventures/bigbend08/


I fixed the link


James

[bdann]

Superb photos James.    (don't see the days listed on the left, i just edited the URL accordingly for day 2, 3, 4, etc)

[jamesb]

I just fixed the link.... all is good now

Superb photos James.    (don't see the days listed on the left, i just edited the URL accordingly for day 2, 3, 4, etc)

[chisos_muse]

WOW James! Worth the wait.

Day 2, shot #2 is a definite calendar nominee and my favorite. The clarity is unbelievable....

You did a great job!

[jeffblaylock]

Love the shots of the Sierra Ponce reflected in the Rio Grande and the snowy lechugilla.

[lighter fluid]

Great photos jamesb !
You definitely are skilled with a camera.

[jamesb]

Thanks all...  I have to give a lot of Credit to Edd for showing me a few things on composition. Even though he may not have told me every thing to do, I watched what he did and I did the same.... so it was a monkey see monkey do kinda thing

James

[chisos_muse]

so it was a monkey see monkey do kinda thing

James

well........ that can be dangerous!

[Al]

Beautiful photos and an even better trip!   Thanks.

Al

P.S.  I was about to complain I couldn't access the gallery then I finally gave up trying to access the photos using Firefox, it just wouldn't work.  Went to IE and BOOM there it was.  FYI

[RichardM]

Great photos!  If I wasn't so tired I'd go back and pick out a few to nominate for the calendar.  Probably not the green bus, though.

P.S.  I was about to complain I couldn't access the gallery then I finally gave up trying to access the photos using Firefox, it just wouldn't work.  Went to IE and BOOM there it was.  FYI

Firefox worked for me, for whatever that's worth...