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Grand Canyon 2005
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Grand Canyon Backpack - Day 4
The Tonto: Grapevine Canyon to BH9/BJ9 Boundary (Continued)
We reached our camp at about 2:15 pm, on a broad, gently sloping area of the Tonto platform. And what an amazing place to camp it was! Out here (unlike all of the other nights on the Tonto), we were out in the open, and could see right down to the Colorado river. I was a bit unsure at first at camping somewhere that was so exposed, but the views of the entire canyon were spectacular. When we arrived, there were a few bare spots to set up our tents, 2 of which were only about 12 inches from the trail.
The Tarn on the Tonto
Last day's campsite
Open desert campsite
Near camp, we sat on a ledge atop a high cliff on the edge of the Tonto Platform for a long time and took photos and chatted. Brian tried to put on some of my lip balm, as his lips were really drying out, but he was really having trouble actually getting the stuff on his lips! My poor lip balm was shredded by his 4-day-old stubble...don't men know how to apply this stuff?
The Granite Gorge
The Great River
Resting at Camp
courtesy CDoucet
courtesy CDoucet
Male lip-balm application
Result of male lip-balm application
Precarious perch
Looking west from campsite
Prickly pear in a scenic spot
Newton Butte
Panorama from Camp
Since we had arrived at camp so early in the day, there was lots of time for rest and relaxation. We did a little minor exploring around our camp, but mostly we just sat around and chatted while taking in the specatular views. The Canyon was really beginning to feel like home, and Shannon and I both remarked that we were a little sad know that we would be hiking out the next day,
A chat amidst grandeur
A chat amidst grandeur (annotated)
A chat amidst grandeur
Murder on the edge
Desert reading
wispy sky
Stickin' it out
Damage below
More wispy sky
courtesy BConnell
Room with a view
Dinner in the desert
Dehydrated goodness!
Andrew at last camp
Tarn 3 at last camp.
Last light on Angel's Gate
Evening falls
Last light on Angel's Gate
Brian Phone Home
Shannon too
Pink afterglow
Twilight of Fire
Video Clip: BH9/BJ9 Boundary Campsite
Grand Canyon light show
That night was spectacular - the late-day sun, then the beautiful twilight, and then the countless stars - there was little blocking our views of the night sky. Caroline, Andrew and I did a little more light painting, and after several attempts we were successful spelling "Grand Canyon...". A little earlier on Brian tried to call his wife on his satellite phone, but couldn't get through. It turns out we thought it was 9 pm at home when it was really 11pm! Later, Brian finally did get through, only to wake up his wife! Shannon also tried called her parents and then Graeme and Meghan (my brother, and her cousin), only to be met by answering machines.
Wheeling around...
That night was the first time I actually got up during the night, and as I went outside I kept thinking of the night creatures (like scorpions) that might be lurking in the dark. It had occurred to me then that I hadn't seen much of any wildlife during this trip. There was evidence of it, such as animal droppings, an antler, and tracks, but other than a few birds and a dead lizard, we hadn't seen much in terms of animal life.
Interactive Trackmap with Photo Points - Day 4 on the Tonto - Click map to view
Interactive Trackmap with Photo Points - Day 4 on the Tonto - Click to view
Backpack Day 4: Grapevine Canyon to BH9/BJ9 Boundary
Start Time: 7:32a.m.
End Time: 2:14p.m.
Duration: 6h41m
Distance: 11.24 km (6.98 mi)
Average Speed: 1.7 km/hr (1.0 mph)
Start Elevation: 3530ft (1076m) *
Max Elevation: 3834ft (1169m) *
Min Elevation: 3530ft (1076m) *
End Elevation: 3757ft (1145m) *
* : +/- 75 feet
Total Elevation Gain: 398ft (121m) *
Total Elevation Loss: 226ft (69m) *
 
 
* : +/- 75 feet
Elevation Graph
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