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Author Topic: The South Rim on a Whim  (Read 3539 times)
jeffblaylock
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I'd rather be on the South Rim


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« on: April 21, 2008, 08:23:40 pm »
Sometimes the best trips are the ones that aren't planned.

My companions and I will fill in more details later, but suffice it to say, Ranger Eric wanted to hike the South Rim on his days off and thought some company would be fun. SHANEA and I agreed. Shane spent Thursday night here in Austin, and we were off to the Bend early Friday morning.

We visited Indian Head and spent a couple of hours wandering the boulders, visiting (and removing the trash from) the spring, and exploring the surrounding desert. That evening, we dined at the lodge with a friend (Thanks again for dinner!) and repacked our gear at the lodge.

We met Eric the next morning at the Basin trailhead, loaded with lots of water as the mountains are dry. I carried 3 gallons, and I used every ounce of it. We headed up to the rim via Pinnacles Pass, pausing for a conquest of Emory Peak. It was a first for both me and Eric, as I finally overcame my fear of the final pitch and stood on its crowded summit. There were a gaggle of people trying to climb the peak that day. Then it was off to the South Rim. We camped at SW4 and enjoyed the sunset from two perches along the rim. It was Shane's first South Rim sunset. It rained a little late that night, forcing those of us sleeping under the stars to seek shelter.

The next day was much easier, hiking-wise. We trekked around to LM1, the only campsite truly within Laguna Meadow. After napping, we explored the meadow and likely discovered the faint remains of the old ranching cabin. An old fenceline eluded us. After more napping, we watched the sunset from the pass, and Eric and I climbed the little peak beside the pass. It is very steep and the views on top are restricted by pinyon pines. Shane served as the deer whisperer, convincing a doe to hang around our campsite for about half an hour. We intended to watch the moon rise over the escarpment but opted for our sleeping bags instead. It was a rather chilly evening but rain free. A variety of critters passed by my tarptent. I think I kicked one at one point.

This morning we booked it down the Laguna Meadow trail, passing whole herds of birders, and parted ways soon after. Thanks, Eric, for getting us to the South Rim on a whim.

A teaser pic ...



More to come ....
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Jeff Blaylock
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"We’ll be back, someday soon. We will return, someday, and when we do the gritty
splendor and the complicated grandeur of Big Bend will still be here. Waiting for us."--Ed Abbey
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« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2008, 08:53:34 pm »
Hey, Jeff!

Good going.  Looking forward to the rest of the pictures and trip report.


BBH
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chisos_muse
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« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2008, 08:58:53 pm »
You guys SUCK! eusa_snooty

And you know I luv you .... rolling

I'm so jealous... icon_wink
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« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2008, 10:16:20 pm »
Nice!  eusa_clap
Looking forward to the rest of the pics and report.  icon_smile
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jeffblaylock
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I'd rather be on the South Rim


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« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2008, 10:29:20 pm »
Quote from: chisos_muse on April 21, 2008, 08:58:53 pm
You guys SUCK! eusa_snooty

And you know I luv you .... rolling

I'm so jealous... icon_wink


I know.

I luv you too.

I KNOW.

Okay, one more teaser pic, of Shane's first-ever South Rim sunset:



BTW, I LOVE my new backpacking camera.
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Jeff Blaylock
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"We’ll be back, someday soon. We will return, someday, and when we do the gritty
splendor and the complicated grandeur of Big Bend will still be here. Waiting for us."--Ed Abbey
RichardM
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« Reply #5 on: April 21, 2008, 10:41:37 pm »
I'm jealous, too!  Wish I could just pick up and head out on a whim.

Quote from: jeffblaylock on April 21, 2008, 08:23:40 pm


Next time at least let Shane stand on the pile of rocks so he'll look taller!  evil
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homerboy2u2
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« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2008, 11:01:33 pm »
Man, i'm more beat,right now from work, than a dog eating my sidewalk tacos at night. But you have no idea how therapeutic it is to see these pictures of you three fellas. Way to go friends !!!...you conquer,once again !!! eusa_clap

 No wonder that middle dude in the picture was flashing an "away" message in Skype at night, in the middle of the day, in the morning...every time!. Way to go chaparrito !!.

 Now i see why he is always sitting when we video talk over SKYPE...who would have thought? eusa_think

 And another thing: What is it with that leg thing on Laurence of Arabia ?...he looks like he needs to get married, yesterday !!!
« Last Edit: April 22, 2008, 08:46:34 am by homerboy2u2 » Logged
randell
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« Reply #7 on: April 21, 2008, 11:03:45 pm »
Man, that really makes me jealous.  Wish I could have gone.  Keep those pictures coming!
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RichardM
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« Reply #8 on: April 21, 2008, 11:05:29 pm »
Quote from: homerboy2u2 on April 21, 2008, 11:01:33 pm
Now i see why he is always sitting when we video talk over SKYPE...who would have thought? eusa_think
You just think he's sitting down...  rolling
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« Reply #9 on: April 21, 2008, 11:06:27 pm »
DANG!  I'm with Muse.  I am so jealous.  I hope you all had a great time and I look forward to more pictures SOON!  I am so glad Eric got a chance to take this hike with you.  I hope you made lots of memories. 
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jeffblaylock
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I'd rather be on the South Rim


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« Reply #10 on: April 21, 2008, 11:07:48 pm »
Quote from: randell on April 21, 2008, 11:03:45 pm
Man, that really makes me jealous.  Wish I could have gone.  Keep those pictures coming!


OK, one more before bed.



Claret cups were blooming all over the mountains (though not in the lower elevations  eusa_think), and their bright red blossoms were just about the only colors beside green and gold.
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Jeff Blaylock
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"We’ll be back, someday soon. We will return, someday, and when we do the gritty
splendor and the complicated grandeur of Big Bend will still be here. Waiting for us."--Ed Abbey
Al
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« Reply #11 on: April 21, 2008, 11:52:06 pm »
Beautiful shot.  Canon makes really nice digital cameras and the G9 is the high end of the prosumer line.  Can't wait for more.

Al
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SHANEA
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« Reply #12 on: April 22, 2008, 01:01:18 am »
WOW!

Nothing like crisscrossing the state.  Went to Big Bend, spent the entire time in the Chisos.   eusa_think  Thursday night, drove to Austin, Friday drove to Alpine and had lunch with Windchime and Gayle, drove to the basin for an outstanding dinner, mounted up Saturday for a very long endurance hike that included another summit of Emory Peak, splendid sunset with a little Scotch on the south rim, a nice short hike to LM1 and a long afternoon nap, good dinner, came down the mountain on Monday and crisscrossed the state again!  All based on "Drop Everything - Come to Big Bend - Let's Go Hiking..."

Damn I'm short...  rolling
« Last Edit: April 22, 2008, 01:08:22 am by SHANEA » Logged
mule ears
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« Reply #13 on: April 22, 2008, 06:53:14 am »
I was wondering why things were so quiet on the board over the weekend, the result of a covert trip to the Rim!  Let's see from North Carolina, driving on a whim, I can get there in 28 hours hmmmm?
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« Reply #14 on: April 22, 2008, 09:58:07 am »
Awesome sneek-away, Jeff!   eusa_clap

I, however, refuse to be jealous.  eusa_snooty  Instead, I'm going to stand resolute on getting out there (or somewhere) in the next few weeks...damnit.  evil
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