by now it’s it’s late October heading towards November and we’ve actually done
towards November and we’ve actually done
towards November and we’ve actually done something remarkable we have completed
something remarkable we have completed
something remarkable we have completed what was originally planned as the first
what was originally planned as the first
what was originally planned as the first section of our thru-hike and we’ve got
section of our thru-hike and we’ve got
section of our thru-hike and we’ve got to a point in the river where we’re
to a point in the river where we’re
to a point in the river where we’re actually climbing out of the canyon it’s
actually climbing out of the canyon it’s
actually climbing out of the canyon it’s about a 3,500 foot climb along a very
about a 3,500 foot climb along a very
about a 3,500 foot climb along a very obscure and very difficult route known
obscure and very difficult route known
obscure and very difficult route known as a walter powell trail named after the
as a walter powell trail named after the
as a walter powell trail named after the brother of John Wesley Powell who’s on
brother of John Wesley Powell who’s on
brother of John Wesley Powell who’s on that on that expedition in the summer of
that on that expedition in the summer of
that on that expedition in the summer of 1869 and when we got to the rim of the
1869 and when we got to the rim of the
1869 and when we got to the rim of the canyon we met this lady so this is Renee
canyon we met this lady so this is Renee
canyon we met this lady so this is Renee yellow horse she’s a Navajo woman who
yellow horse she’s a Navajo woman who
yellow horse she’s a Navajo woman who has spent her life out on the horizontal
has spent her life out on the horizontal
has spent her life out on the horizontal world of the Grand Canyon she lives up
world of the Grand Canyon she lives up
world of the Grand Canyon she lives up on basically the rim up here her family
on basically the rim up here her family
on basically the rim up here her family is great sheep here for hundreds of
is great sheep here for hundreds of
is great sheep here for hundreds of years she’s standing in a place where
years she’s standing in a place where
years she’s standing in a place where there’s one of the most impactful
there’s one of the most impactful
there’s one of the most impactful development projects it’s about to
development projects it’s about to
development projects it’s about to happen and she’s basically become a
happen and she’s basically become a
happen and she’s basically become a voice and a leader for this group called
voice and a leader for this group called
voice and a leader for this group called save the confluence and they’re fighting
save the confluence and they’re fighting
save the confluence and they’re fighting to save this land in this area of Grand
to save this land in this area of Grand
to save this land in this area of Grand Canyon and it’s become a very
Canyon and it’s become a very
Canyon and it’s become a very controversial issue it has divided the
controversial issue it has divided the
controversial issue it has divided the Navajo community and we figured that
Navajo community and we figured that
Navajo community and we figured that instead of us talking about it we let
instead of us talking about it we let
instead of us talking about it we let you hear what they say in their voices
you hear what they say in their voices
you hear what they say in their voices gonzo local would bring people all the
gonzo local would bring people all the
gonzo local would bring people all the way down to the confluence and there at
way down to the confluence and there at
way down to the confluence and there at the river level they would have a
the river level they would have a
the river level they would have a elevated walkway snack bar of restroom
elevated walkway snack bar of restroom
elevated walkway snack bar of restroom facility enough services to take care of
facility enough services to take care of
facility enough services to take care of 10,000 people in a day you’re going to
10,000 people in a day you’re going to
10,000 people in a day you’re going to employ an awful lot of people in an
employ an awful lot of people in an
employ an awful lot of people in an impoverished area and help them save
impoverished area and help them save
impoverished area and help them save their culture what’s better than that
their culture what’s better than that
their culture what’s better than that any idea of distrust in this area with
any idea of distrust in this area with
any idea of distrust in this area with your jackhammers with your machinery or
your jackhammers with your machinery or
your jackhammers with your machinery or whatever dynamite or explosive
whatever dynamite or explosive
whatever dynamite or explosive bringing here you’re basically
bringing here you’re basically
bringing here you’re basically destroying a shrine the confluence
destroying a shrine the confluence
destroying a shrine the confluence Little Colorado River meets the Colorado
Little Colorado River meets the Colorado
Little Colorado River meets the Colorado River where they meet this is where life
River where they meet this is where life
River where they meet this is where life begins this is what our grandmother’s
begins this is what our grandmother’s
begins this is what our grandmother’s tell us it is a sacred thing and we
tell us it is a sacred thing and we
tell us it is a sacred thing and we don’t let us see the Disneyland on the
don’t let us see the Disneyland on the
don’t let us see the Disneyland on the edge of the canyon I think the view from
edge of the canyon I think the view from
edge of the canyon I think the view from the bottom gives one a perspective of
the bottom gives one a perspective of
the bottom gives one a perspective of one’s place in the universe I were to
one’s place in the universe I were to
one’s place in the universe I were to hike down to the bottom of the canyon
hike down to the bottom of the canyon
hike down to the bottom of the canyon I’d have to be here evac’d out because
I’d have to be here evac’d out because
I’d have to be here evac’d out because of my knees and ankles and so we’re
of my knees and ankles and so we’re
of my knees and ankles and so we’re trying to offer the average person that
trying to offer the average person that
trying to offer the average person that below the rim experience it’s like a lot
below the rim experience it’s like a lot
below the rim experience it’s like a lot of experiences throughout the world you
of experiences throughout the world you
of experiences throughout the world you know you’re never going to be on the top
know you’re never going to be on the top
know you’re never going to be on the top of Everest we provide an incredible
of Everest we provide an incredible
of Everest we provide an incredible visitor experience for millions of
visitor experience for millions of
visitor experience for millions of people every year we can’t provide every
people every year we can’t provide every
people every year we can’t provide every experience for every person based on
experience for every person based on
experience for every person based on their own individual ability when I come
their own individual ability when I come
their own individual ability when I come here I wish to commune with the ones
here I wish to commune with the ones
here I wish to commune with the ones that have gone before me my
that have gone before me my
that have gone before me my great-grandmother and my father and know
great-grandmother and my father and know
great-grandmother and my father and know that they are the special place and if
that they are the special place and if
that they are the special place and if the escalade development comes in and it
the escalade development comes in and it
the escalade development comes in and it would dig into the heart of our mother
would dig into the heart of our mother
would dig into the heart of our mother just mother earth and I would never be
just mother earth and I would never be
just mother earth and I would never be able to come here to feel that way again
so we left the politics of storming
so we left the politics of storming politics of the grande Escalade behind
politics of the grande Escalade behind
politics of the grande Escalade behind us because we had to move downstream we
us because we had to move downstream we
us because we had to move downstream we had weaved 500 miles to go we actually
had weaved 500 miles to go we actually
had weaved 500 miles to go we actually walked back down through the area that
walked back down through the area that
walked back down through the area that it would be built if it were to be built
it would be built if it were to be built
it would be built if it were to be built and we moved down through the
and we moved down through the
and we moved down through the kaleidoscope of colors which is so
kaleidoscope of colors which is so
kaleidoscope of colors which is so famous for the Grand Canyon but the
famous for the Grand Canyon but the
famous for the Grand Canyon but the reality is once again we were in this
reality is once again we were in this
reality is once again we were in this situation where you can’t follow the
situation where you can’t follow the
situation where you can’t follow the river you come in two sections like the
river you come in two sections like the
river you come in two sections like the inner gorge where you’re constantly
inner gorge where you’re constantly
inner gorge where you’re constantly getting pinned and locked up on these
getting pinned and locked up on these
getting pinned and locked up on these different benches of rock so we’ve left
different benches of rock so we’ve left
different benches of rock so we’ve left food roughly every five to ten days in
food roughly every five to ten days in
food roughly every five to ten days in plastic buckets not a lot of food but so
plastic buckets not a lot of food but so
plastic buckets not a lot of food but so we’re on a time schedule to get there
we’re on a time schedule to get there
we’re on a time schedule to get there but more importantly we have to get to
but more importantly we have to get to
but more importantly we have to get to water everyday we can’t carry more than
water everyday we can’t carry more than
water everyday we can’t carry more than one day’s worth of water and so we’re
one day’s worth of water and so we’re
one day’s worth of water and so we’re constantly trying to find ways to move
constantly trying to find ways to move
constantly trying to find ways to move down Canyon sometimes on these benches
down Canyon sometimes on these benches
down Canyon sometimes on these benches way above the river but we have to get
way above the river but we have to get
way above the river but we have to get back to the river and when we get to the
back to the river and when we get to the
back to the river and when we get to the river a whole new set of problems
river a whole new set of problems
river a whole new set of problems present themselves you know what seemed
present themselves you know what seemed
present themselves you know what seemed like impenetrable thickets of thorns
like impenetrable thickets of thorns
like impenetrable thickets of thorns created by these dense groves of acacia
created by these dense groves of acacia
created by these dense groves of acacia trees mesquite and as to say nothing of
trees mesquite and as to say nothing of
trees mesquite and as to say nothing of the cactus that you encounter and the
the cactus that you encounter and the
the cactus that you encounter and the attentiveness that you have to apply to
attentiveness that you have to apply to
attentiveness that you have to apply to avoid stepping on these things and so
avoid stepping on these things and so
avoid stepping on these things and so you know the challenges and the rigors
you know the challenges and the rigors
you know the challenges and the rigors are still taking a toll on our bodies
are still taking a toll on our bodies
are still taking a toll on our bodies we’re still feeling the impact of this
we’re still feeling the impact of this
we’re still feeling the impact of this environment the difference however is
environment the difference however is
environment the difference however is that unlike in September we’re holding
that unlike in September we’re holding
that unlike in September we’re holding up and in fact you know we’re not only
up and in fact you know we’re not only
up and in fact you know we’re not only holding up but we’re starting to see
holding up but we’re starting to see
holding up but we’re starting to see evidence of our personalities reemerge
evidence of our personalities reemerge
evidence of our personalities reemerge every now and then I look over and I see
every now and then I look over and I see
every now and then I look over and I see you know the kind of Pete McBride that I
you know the kind of Pete McBride that I
you know the kind of Pete McBride that I know and recognize and he would look
know and recognize and he would look
know and recognize and he would look over at me and he would see the kind of
over at me and he would see the kind of
over at me and he would see the kind of Kevin Sadako that he’s used to being
Kevin Sadako that he’s used to being
Kevin Sadako that he’s used to being around
so basically what’s happening is that
so basically what’s happening is that you know we’re feeling comfortable
you know we’re feeling comfortable
you know we’re feeling comfortable enough in this environment that we are
enough in this environment that we are
enough in this environment that we are reverting to what passes for normalcy
reverting to what passes for normalcy
reverting to what passes for normalcy between the two of us all right so it’s
between the two of us all right so it’s
between the two of us all right so it’s now January we’ve moved all the way down
now January we’ve moved all the way down
now January we’ve moved all the way down to the South Rim and I want you to look
to the South Rim and I want you to look
to the South Rim and I want you to look at the lights on the top of this frame
at the lights on the top of this frame
at the lights on the top of this frame this is this is where you’d enter the
this is this is where you’d enter the
this is this is where you’d enter the South frame this is where five point
South frame this is where five point
South frame this is where five point five and a half million visitors come to
five and a half million visitors come to
five and a half million visitors come to Grand Canyon National Park it’s they do
Grand Canyon National Park it’s they do
Grand Canyon National Park it’s they do a remarkable job there but the lights in
a remarkable job there but the lights in
a remarkable job there but the lights in the distance is where the second on this
the distance is where the second on this
the distance is where the second on this basically it’s a southern threat that’s
basically it’s a southern threat that’s
basically it’s a southern threat that’s coming in is the Gateway community
coming in is the Gateway community
coming in is the Gateway community called to see on that proposed twenty
called to see on that proposed twenty
called to see on that proposed twenty eight hundred homes two million square
eight hundred homes two million square
eight hundred homes two million square feet of commercial space a water-ski
feet of commercial space a water-ski
feet of commercial space a water-ski park and what we started realizing and
park and what we started realizing and
park and what we started realizing and what we continue to want to explore is
what we continue to want to explore is
what we continue to want to explore is what happens up here on the rim how is
what happens up here on the rim how is
what happens up here on the rim how is it going to affect life down here below
it going to affect life down here below
it going to affect life down here below how is it going to affect the water
how is it going to affect the water
how is it going to affect the water table the complex water table that runs
table the complex water table that runs
table the complex water table that runs through it house it can affect the
through it house it can affect the
through it house it can affect the wildlife so as we move downstream we
wildlife so as we move downstream we
wildlife so as we move downstream we actually start depending on the wildlife
actually start depending on the wildlife
actually start depending on the wildlife in an unusual way mostly the sheep but
in an unusual way mostly the sheep but
in an unusual way mostly the sheep but also we start following lion tracks for
also we start following lion tracks for
also we start following lion tracks for four days we followed Lion tracks along
four days we followed Lion tracks along
four days we followed Lion tracks along the Esplanade layer but just as you
the Esplanade layer but just as you
the Esplanade layer but just as you think you’re starting to get kind of
think you’re starting to get kind of
think you’re starting to get kind of Grand Canyon savvy and get the kind of
Grand Canyon savvy and get the kind of
Grand Canyon savvy and get the kind of vibe of the place it kicks you in the
vibe of the place it kicks you in the
vibe of the place it kicks you in the gut again so winner in the Grand Canyon
gut again so winner in the Grand Canyon
gut again so winner in the Grand Canyon announces its arrival in the form of a
announces its arrival in the form of a
announces its arrival in the form of a bunch of massive storms that have rolled
bunch of massive storms that have rolled
bunch of massive storms that have rolled across they’ve rolled through the
across they’ve rolled through the
across they’ve rolled through the Pacific they’ve rolled across the west
Pacific they’ve rolled across the west
Pacific they’ve rolled across the west coast of United States and they start
coast of United States and they start
coast of United States and they start hitting the Southwest the desert
hitting the Southwest the desert
hitting the Southwest the desert Southwest and when they do so the first
Southwest and when they do so the first
Southwest and when they do so the first thing that happens is that they hammer
thing that happens is that they hammer
thing that happens is that they hammer the temperatures way down below zero and
the temperatures way down below zero and
the temperatures way down below zero and so you’re huddled in your tents at night
so you’re huddled in your tents at night
so you’re huddled in your tents at night you’re trying to protect your water
you’re trying to protect your water
you’re trying to protect your water bottles and keep them from freezing and
bottles and keep them from freezing and
bottles and keep them from freezing and then the storms they start unloading the
then the storms they start unloading the
then the storms they start unloading the precipitation that they carry in them
precipitation that they carry in them
precipitation that they carry in them and the snow begins to fall late at
and the snow begins to fall late at
and the snow begins to fall late at night when it’s dark you don’t really
night when it’s dark you don’t really
night when it’s dark you don’t really know what’s happening except you hear
know what’s happening except you hear
know what’s happening except you hear these ice crystals landing on the wall
these ice crystals landing on the wall
these ice crystals landing on the wall of your tent
of your tent
of your tent and you wake up in the morning and you
and you wake up in the morning and you
and you wake up in the morning and you realize that this world that you are
realize that this world that you are
realize that this world that you are inside of and suspended in has been
inside of and suspended in has been
inside of and suspended in has been coated in glaze in a layer of ice 10:00
coated in glaze in a layer of ice 10:00
coated in glaze in a layer of ice 10:00 to 11:00 cheese thick which has rendered
to 11:00 cheese thick which has rendered
to 11:00 cheese thick which has rendered the business
the business
the business the imperative business of moving down
the imperative business of moving down
the imperative business of moving down the stream toward those food caches
the stream toward those food caches
the stream toward those food caches terrifying and absolutely dangerous I
get my feet in some frozen I can’t even
get my feet in some frozen I can’t even straight down this is a actual
straight down this is a actual
straight down this is a actual desperation in an unexpectedly gigantic
desperation in an unexpectedly gigantic
desperation in an unexpectedly gigantic snowstorm sure you can’t get your soul
snowstorm sure you can’t get your soul
snowstorm sure you can’t get your soul out I can’t it’s frozen in there so we
out I can’t it’s frozen in there so we
out I can’t it’s frozen in there so we made it through that area called allies
made it through that area called allies
made it through that area called allies Bay was probably one of the most
Bay was probably one of the most
Bay was probably one of the most physically challenged most grueling
physically challenged most grueling
physically challenged most grueling sections of trip for us on a number of
sections of trip for us on a number of
sections of trip for us on a number of levels I think on some points was a bit
levels I think on some points was a bit
levels I think on some points was a bit of a milestone for us to get through it
of a milestone for us to get through it
of a milestone for us to get through it but it didn’t it didn’t let up we got
but it didn’t it didn’t let up we got
but it didn’t it didn’t let up we got through this snow and some level but the
through this snow and some level but the
through this snow and some level but the temperatures persisted compared to the
temperatures persisted compared to the
temperatures persisted compared to the fall where was over 100 it’s now below
fall where was over 100 it’s now below
fall where was over 100 it’s now below zero we saw temperatures at minus seven
zero we saw temperatures at minus seven
zero we saw temperatures at minus seven for a week after it hovered around five
for a week after it hovered around five
for a week after it hovered around five degrees and I’m just going to give you a
degrees and I’m just going to give you a
degrees and I’m just going to give you a little backup on the challenges I was
little backup on the challenges I was
little backup on the challenges I was faced with trying to capture this this
faced with trying to capture this this
faced with trying to capture this this place and our story with one camera with
place and our story with one camera with
place and our story with one camera with one lens with one tiny solar panel and
one lens with one tiny solar panel and
one lens with one tiny solar panel and four batteries there is no socket to go
four batteries there is no socket to go
four batteries there is no socket to go pop your camera to charge in and cameras
pop your camera to charge in and cameras
pop your camera to charge in and cameras and batteries they hate cold
and batteries they hate cold
and batteries they hate cold temperatures so I basically would crawl
temperatures so I basically would crawl
temperatures so I basically would crawl in when I would finally go to bed when
in when I would finally go to bed when
in when I would finally go to bed when I’m not trying to capture the
I’m not trying to capture the
I’m not trying to capture the Magnificent starlight I would go and I
Magnificent starlight I would go and I
Magnificent starlight I would go and I would sleep the entire night stashing my
would sleep the entire night stashing my
would sleep the entire night stashing my batteries in my armpit or anywhere that
batteries in my armpit or anywhere that
batteries in my armpit or anywhere that I could find any shade of warmth which I
I could find any shade of warmth which I
I could find any shade of warmth which I really couldn’t because I took some
really couldn’t because I took some
really couldn’t because I took some stupid sleeping that it wasn’t really
stupid sleeping that it wasn’t really
stupid sleeping that it wasn’t really warm enough but it’s part of the deal on
warm enough but it’s part of the deal on
warm enough but it’s part of the deal on some level what do you think what did I
some level what do you think what did I
some level what do you think what did I think
here’s what I think I think that what I
here’s what I think I think that what I hate the most about working with the
hate the most about working with the
hate the most about working with the National Geographic photographer is
National Geographic photographer is
National Geographic photographer is something like this when you take
something like this when you take
something like this when you take undiluted suffering and misery and you
undiluted suffering and misery and you
undiluted suffering and misery and you weave it into an image of beauty you are
weave it into an image of beauty you are
weave it into an image of beauty you are creating an act of fraudulent this is
creating an act of fraudulent this is
creating an act of fraudulent this is what it’s like to be me
what it’s like to be me
what it’s like to be me huddled inside of a tent with every
huddled inside of a tent with every
huddled inside of a tent with every stitch of clothing I own on me wanting
stitch of clothing I own on me wanting
stitch of clothing I own on me wanting not to go outside and this guy is
not to go outside and this guy is
not to go outside and this guy is flitting around like some photo flyer
flitting around like some photo flyer
flitting around like some photo flyer fallout Firefly you know early in the
fallout Firefly you know early in the
fallout Firefly you know early in the morning and late at night it was it was
morning and late at night it was it was
morning and late at night it was it was you know when I think back now I mean it
you know when I think back now I mean it
you know when I think back now I mean it was really bad 100 degree heat wave in
was really bad 100 degree heat wave in
was really bad 100 degree heat wave in September but it didn’t compare to this
September but it didn’t compare to this
September but it didn’t compare to this it was just so miserable and so awful
it was just so miserable and so awful
it was just so miserable and so awful that I don’t even like to look at this
that I don’t even like to look at this
that I don’t even like to look at this front round because it triggers a level
front round because it triggers a level
front round because it triggers a level of visual rebozo he gets going all right
of visual rebozo he gets going all right
of visual rebozo he gets going all right let’s be fair there’s one you you
let’s be fair there’s one you you
let’s be fair there’s one you you enjoyed sections right all right I will
enjoyed sections right all right I will
enjoyed sections right all right I will admit yes there were some things that I
admit yes there were some things that I
admit yes there were some things that I did enjoy it’s it’s it’s difficult for
did enjoy it’s it’s it’s difficult for
did enjoy it’s it’s it’s difficult for me to recall them but as it turns out
me to recall them but as it turns out
me to recall them but as it turns out here’s one of them and it occurred
here’s one of them and it occurred
here’s one of them and it occurred actually I have to admit each and every
actually I have to admit each and every
actually I have to admit each and every day so the thing is that like there is
day so the thing is that like there is
day so the thing is that like there is this moment that comes after you’ve
this moment that comes after you’ve
this moment that comes after you’ve completed your journey through the
completed your journey through the
completed your journey through the canyon at the end of the day and you
canyon at the end of the day and you
canyon at the end of the day and you finally stopped moving and you set up
finally stopped moving and you set up
finally stopped moving and you set up camp and you heat up some food and you
camp and you heat up some food and you
camp and you heat up some food and you get something hot into your belly and
get something hot into your belly and
get something hot into your belly and you’re feeling this delicious sense of
you’re feeling this delicious sense of
you’re feeling this delicious sense of relaxation and then what happens is that
relaxation and then what happens is that
relaxation and then what happens is that you lean back and you stare up and you
you lean back and you stare up and you
you lean back and you stare up and you realize that something extraordinary is
realize that something extraordinary is
realize that something extraordinary is happening you are reminded that the
happening you are reminded that the
happening you are reminded that the Grand Canyon is graced by something
Grand Canyon is graced by something
Grand Canyon is graced by something exceptional each and every night you are
exceptional each and every night you are
exceptional each and every night you are inside of an abyss that is a mile deep
inside of an abyss that is a mile deep
inside of an abyss that is a mile deep one of the greatest environments on the
one of the greatest environments on the
one of the greatest environments on the earth a place that has been polished and
earth a place that has been polished and
earth a place that has been polished and carved out by the greatest river in the
carved out by the greatest river in the
carved out by the greatest river in the southwest that is still running through
southwest that is still running through
southwest that is still running through its bottom thousands of feet below you
its bottom thousands of feet below you
its bottom thousands of feet below you and you realize that that river is
and you realize that that river is
and you realize that that river is reflected in a second River that is
reflected in a second River that is
reflected in a second River that is arched over your head a celestial River
arched over your head a celestial River
arched over your head a celestial River of starlight and you are caught between
of starlight and you are caught between
of starlight and you are caught between these two rivers and you
these two rivers and you
these two rivers and you held in a beauty that hinges on the
held in a beauty that hinges on the
held in a beauty that hinges on the juxtaposition between harshness and
juxtaposition between harshness and
juxtaposition between harshness and asceticism it is an extraordinary thing
asceticism it is an extraordinary thing
asceticism it is an extraordinary thing it is a privilege and is it a gift and I
it is a privilege and is it a gift and I
it is a privilege and is it a gift and I do have to admit that encountering that
do have to admit that encountering that
do have to admit that encountering that each and every night it’s one of the
each and every night it’s one of the
each and every night it’s one of the closest things that I’ve ever
closest things that I’ve ever
closest things that I’ve ever experienced the true religion now I
experienced the true religion now I
experienced the true religion now I would say he may hate my fraudulent
would say he may hate my fraudulent
would say he may hate my fraudulent photos but there are times that I did I
photos but there are times that I did I
photos but there are times that I did I definitely wanted to stop and his
definitely wanted to stop and his
definitely wanted to stop and his passion kept me going and we had to keep
passion kept me going and we had to keep
passion kept me going and we had to keep going the reality is we couldn’t soak up
going the reality is we couldn’t soak up
going the reality is we couldn’t soak up the Starlight like we wanted to we had
the Starlight like we wanted to we had
the Starlight like we wanted to we had to crawl out of our bags we descended
to crawl out of our bags we descended
to crawl out of our bags we descended into Ollo Canyon this is how you enter
into Ollo Canyon this is how you enter
into Ollo Canyon this is how you enter Ollo Canyon is one of the most
Ollo Canyon is one of the most
Ollo Canyon is one of the most magnificent slot canyons in all of Grand
magnificent slot canyons in all of Grand
magnificent slot canyons in all of Grand Canyon it’s a 200-foot repel free repel
Canyon it’s a 200-foot repel free repel
Canyon it’s a 200-foot repel free repel you’re cold and miserable but you have
you’re cold and miserable but you have
you’re cold and miserable but you have to come in here and start your day and
to come in here and start your day and
to come in here and start your day and find your way through this remarkable
find your way through this remarkable
find your way through this remarkable maze I could have spent weeks in here as
maze I could have spent weeks in here as
maze I could have spent weeks in here as a photographer it is total magic but the
a photographer it is total magic but the
a photographer it is total magic but the reality is like I said before we cached
reality is like I said before we cached
reality is like I said before we cached food every so you know distances apart
food every so you know distances apart
food every so you know distances apart we were on a 10-day food line at this
we were on a 10-day food line at this
we were on a 10-day food line at this point and we have basically run out we
point and we have basically run out we
point and we have basically run out we have about a day’s worth we’re running
have about a day’s worth we’re running
have about a day’s worth we’re running down to jelly beans and so we’re in a
down to jelly beans and so we’re in a
down to jelly beans and so we’re in a race for food here’s a little snippet on
race for food here’s a little snippet on
race for food here’s a little snippet on that got one day left to food even
that got one day left to food even
that got one day left to food even though we’re two days away from our food
though we’re two days away from our food
though we’re two days away from our food cache
got it but you get so as it happens when
got it but you get so as it happens when you camp or hike food get becomes kind
you camp or hike food get becomes kind
you camp or hike food get becomes kind of important but we’re now once again
of important but we’re now once again
of important but we’re now once again happy and we’ve found the yellow brick
happy and we’ve found the yellow brick
happy and we’ve found the yellow brick road so to speak this is the MU of
road so to speak this is the MU of
road so to speak this is the MU of limestone layer that we took for a short
limestone layer that we took for a short
limestone layer that we took for a short distance about three River miles Canton
distance about three River miles Canton
distance about three River miles Canton grew actually that Kevin featured in his
grew actually that Kevin featured in his
grew actually that Kevin featured in his book was the first person to ever
book was the first person to ever
book was the first person to ever realize you could connect these benches
realize you could connect these benches
realize you could connect these benches we’re basically following the the black
we’re basically following the the black
we’re basically following the the black pellets of gold we call them the the
pellets of gold we call them the the
pellets of gold we call them the the bighorn sheep poop and we weaved our way
bighorn sheep poop and we weaved our way
bighorn sheep poop and we weaved our way through here up to Matt cat we climbed
through here up to Matt cat we climbed
through here up to Matt cat we climbed our way back up from the river back up
our way back up from the river back up
our way back up from the river back up onto the layer and then weaved in ducked
onto the layer and then weaved in ducked
onto the layer and then weaved in ducked and dived our way all the way around up
and dived our way all the way around up
and dived our way all the way around up into Havasu because we wanted to really
into Havasu because we wanted to really
into Havasu because we wanted to really investigate you see these black lines
investigate you see these black lines
investigate you see these black lines here these Breck circles the uranium
here these Breck circles the uranium
here these Breck circles the uranium lines we want to try to understand that
lines we want to try to understand that
lines we want to try to understand that issue and the destination the end point
issue and the destination the end point
issue and the destination the end point of this segment the place that we were
of this segment the place that we were
of this segment the place that we were headed there’s the kingdom of the people
headed there’s the kingdom of the people
headed there’s the kingdom of the people of the blue-green water this is a very
of the blue-green water this is a very
of the blue-green water this is a very special part of the Grand Canyon and it
special part of the Grand Canyon and it
special part of the Grand Canyon and it is home to the tiniest tribe of Native
is home to the tiniest tribe of Native
is home to the tiniest tribe of Native Americans who live either around or
Americans who live either around or
Americans who live either around or inside the canyon Havasupai people they
inside the canyon Havasupai people they
inside the canyon Havasupai people they live inside of what looks to be an
live inside of what looks to be an
live inside of what looks to be an idyllic home but they’re incredibly
idyllic home but they’re incredibly
idyllic home but they’re incredibly vulnerable because one of the things
vulnerable because one of the things
vulnerable because one of the things about the canyon is that everything is
about the canyon is that everything is
about the canyon is that everything is connected and so they are aware perhaps
connected and so they are aware perhaps
connected and so they are aware perhaps at a deeper level than almost anyone
at a deeper level than almost anyone
at a deeper level than almost anyone else just how vulnerable they are to the
else just how vulnerable they are to the
else just how vulnerable they are to the sorts of things that are happening right
sorts of things that are happening right
sorts of things that are happening right now on the rim of the Grand Canyon so
now on the rim of the Grand Canyon so
now on the rim of the Grand Canyon so this is the Havasupai coming out to do a
this is the Havasupai coming out to do a
this is the Havasupai coming out to do a protest in front of the canyon mind the
protest in front of the canyon mind the
protest in front of the canyon mind the canyon mine sits on the south side of
canyon mine sits on the south side of
canyon mine sits on the south side of Grand Canyon it’s out of the border of
Grand Canyon it’s out of the border of
Grand Canyon it’s out of the border of the park itself but to have a soup I
the park itself but to have a soup I
the park itself but to have a soup I fear that it’s well within the watershed
fear that it’s well within the watershed
fear that it’s well within the watershed of Grand Canyon and if there were to be
of Grand Canyon and if there were to be
of Grand Canyon and if there were to be a breach or anything would happen that
a breach or anything would happen that
a breach or anything would happen that it would flow down right into their
it would flow down right into their
it would flow down right into their water source their life I’ve spent time
water source their life I’ve spent time
water source their life I’ve spent time with uranium miners all guys trying to
with uranium miners all guys trying to
with uranium miners all guys trying to hang on and do their job best they’re
hang on and do their job best they’re
hang on and do their job best they’re doing everything legally it’s a
doing everything legally it’s a
doing everything legally it’s a contentious area a lot of people
contentious area a lot of people
contentious area a lot of people against uranium mining that the
against uranium mining that the
against uranium mining that the challenge here is nobody has the money
challenge here is nobody has the money
challenge here is nobody has the money to drill a 3000 foot well to monitor
to drill a 3000 foot well to monitor
to drill a 3000 foot well to monitor these mines and if they’re acting
these mines and if they’re acting
these mines and if they’re acting appropriate or not there they’re dealing
appropriate or not there they’re dealing
appropriate or not there they’re dealing with systems environmental regulations
with systems environmental regulations
with systems environmental regulations that are not meant for the Grand Canyon
that are not meant for the Grand Canyon
that are not meant for the Grand Canyon because they’ve never there’s only one
because they’ve never there’s only one
because they’ve never there’s only one Grand Canyon and if you get above this
Grand Canyon and if you get above this
Grand Canyon and if you get above this and start to see the proximity this is
and start to see the proximity this is
and start to see the proximity this is on the north side
on the north side
on the north side this is Arizona one mine this is outside
this is Arizona one mine this is outside
this is Arizona one mine this is outside of the park boundary but as you can see
of the park boundary but as you can see
of the park boundary but as you can see from the air everything is connected
from the air everything is connected
from the air everything is connected it’s well within the watershed so if
it’s well within the watershed so if
it’s well within the watershed so if anything were to go wrong in the uranium
anything were to go wrong in the uranium
anything were to go wrong in the uranium situation it would go right down into
situation it would go right down into
situation it would go right down into the lifeline of the southwest
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