Camping
It was my wife’s birthday last week and so we decided to go camping in Maple Canyon. It is a beautiful canyon–full of great hiking and killer climbing. We mostly just relaxed but I did have the chance to teach my wife how to lead climb on an easy 5.4 that lead to the Trash Compactor Wall. She did a great job. Next time we will come back and do some of the routes inside the Trash Compactor. They looked really fun but we ran out of time.
While we were there we did have a chance to hike up Box Canyon (.7 miles up the canyon) and see some of the routes that have been set there. It is an impressive looking area; however, there are access issues. So, definitely visit the canyon sometime, but be sure to not visit too often and be a courteous guest while you are there.
June 26th, 2006
I’m heading down for a short overnight trip to Zion NP, to get out of town and take some good pictures. It’s an Unofficial trip, but please contact me if you’re interested in going. My car can take up to 3 passengers, as long as we’re careful not to bring too much gear.
Here’s the plan:
Wed March 29:
- leave Provo at 4:30 sharp
- drive to Zion NP, probably arrive about 9:30 (after dark)
- camp in the park, at Watchman campground if available
Thursday March 30
- I’ll get up slightly before dawn and head up the Mt Carmel highway. The shuttle doesn’t run until April 1 so you can either come with me, be dropped off at a trail head, or sleep in until I return to camp (anywhere between 9-11 am.)
- I’ll return to camp and collect my gear, then spend the day doing leisurely hikes, probably in Zion’s Canyon. I’m happy to drop anyone off and arrange for a later pickup.
- I load up the car with all passenger and gear by no later than 3:30 and leave Zion’s main unit. About an hour away is Kolob Canyon unit.
- arrive Kolob canyon unit sometime before 5 pm. I will drive all the way to the top of the scenic loop and wait there until the evening light is exhausted, so I can take a variety of photographs. Evening light will probably not die out until 6:45 pm or so. You can hike additional trails in Kolob (it will be colder there, and definitely muddy) or wait with me.
- leave Kolob @ 7 pm, drive back to Provo, arrive about 11 pm.
What you will need to bring:
-your own tent, sleeping bag & pad, tarp
-food, water, snacks
-some money ($5-10 to help pitch in for gas and campground would be appreciated; I do have a Parks Pass to allow free park entry for all in the vehicle), and whatever you like for fast food or snacks on the way down/back
-hiking shoes, pack, sunscreen, sunglasses, jacket. Be aware that Kolob will be windy and quite possibly chilly, and DEFINITELY muddy, if you choose to hike there
-your camera- it will be gorgeous!!
Please contact me ASAP if you are interested in going.
Charlotte Stanford, OAC faculty advisor
office 422-4604
if you can’t get ahold of me at my office, email me: Charlotte_Stanford@byu.edu or call the Humanities office, 422-4448 and they can give you my mobile number. I probably won’t see a blog reply, so call or email. Thanks.
March 27th, 2006
Our expedition to cross the Juneau Icefield began after 4 days of intensive training and preparation in Juneau, Alaska. From Juneau we spent an entire day making our way through temperate rainforest, alpine and subalpine vegitation, though the tree line, tundra, and finally onto the icefield (a large interconnected series of glaciers). The trail rugged and beautiful, the cool mist from the sea passed through the dense and dark green pine forest. Ferns covered the ground and signs of animal life were everywhere. There were bald eagles, bear, and we even saw a wolverine. Once we climbed above the tree line and onto the snowfields and ice we stapped on our crampons and placed our iceaxes firm in hands, carfully manuvering around the crevasses. We arrived at our first camp the evening of the day after having crossed the first glacier. Our first camp (and subsequent six camps) were located on a rocky ridge between glaciers called a nunatak an island in the sea of ice. We spent the next six weeks traversing the Juneau Icefield, tavelling from camp to camp. In all, we travelled by foot and ski over 175 miles, ending up in Canada! We crossed several glaciers, climbed over ridges and skiied snow covered slopes. We even rappelled into crevasses and camped atop icy peaks. Overall, it was an incredible experience, and by far “My Favorite Trip Ever.”
Click here for more awesome Photos For the Juneau Ice Field Story.
March 1st, 2006
Utah, Oregon, Washington, BC, Alberta, Montana-(April/May 2005)
I had to get back home to Billings, Montana somehow. So my girlfriend, 2 buddies and I spent 2 weeks hiking, surfing, camping, partying, sand duning, swimming, canoeing, ultimate frisbeeing, and driving through the most beautiful parts of the US and Canada. Here are the stats:
Weeks: about 2
Miles: about 3000
Bears: 3
National/State/Provincial Parks: about 11
Places: Mt. Raineer, Victoria BC, Tofino, Whistler, Mt. Robson, Jasper, Banff, Glacier, etc
Waterfalls: At least 20
Beach camps/parties: 3
States/Provinces: 5
Countries: 2
Canadian jokes: plenty
BEST TRIP EVER: THIS ONE!
March 1st, 2006
I love my Minimalist Down Jacket by Moonstone. Before, I just thought that it looked cool and the other hard-core outdoorsy people have them, therefore, I should have one. I came to realize today that my down jacket has a practical side to it as well. It is so warm!
We went snow camping tonight up in the Spruces Campground in Big Cottonwood Canyon, UT, for a good friend’s bachelor party. I, unfortunately, have a test tomorrow so I had to come back tonight to sleep in my warm, comfortable bed (shucks). It was really cold while I was up there. Somewhere around nine degrees fahrenheit. My Moonstone jacket saved the day and kept me nice and warm. I am also amazed at how light it is and how it can pack down into a really small stuff sack. The only thing I don’t like about it is that the stuff sack is separate from the jacket. It would be nicer if the whole thing folded up into a pocket or something. I’m afraid I might loos the stuff sack sometime.
I hope my friends have fun freezing the night away and if you were interested in getting a Moonstone down jacket, I would highly recommend it.
February 10th, 2006
Remember that we will be going down to Moab this weekend. It is a fun place. Last year, we mostly climbed along Wallstreet. One group went to Arches for hiking. The group that I went with went to Corona Arch and rappelled off the top of it! I think it is about a 160′ rappel. Does anybody have any other adventures in mind for the Moab trip? Let me know and I will post them.
Here is a picture to get you excited. It is aproximately nine miles up Potash Road in Moab. For more information on Corona Arch click here. Notice the person dangling from the top of the arch
September 19th, 2005
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