Wednesday, June 26, 2013

VIDEOS -Whisperlites and Press-Bots

Here is a quick demo on how to SAFELY light a MSR Whisperlite Stove. 


Check this out!!! Using this super clever gadget, called a PRESS-BOT, you can to turn a NALGENE bottle into a high quality coffee press!  Find out more about the Press-Bot at http://canyoncoffee.us/  

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Black Canyon Kayak Pictures




Hello all.  Welcome back.  It has been too long since my last post.  Things have been going great.  The Canyon trips have been super fun.  Eagan Ford is groing like a weed.  And, Ryanne has been creating some incredible jewelry, using Canyon scenes. https://www.etsy.com/shop/EvolveJewelryStudio
I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to share the backcountry experience with so many wonderful people.  Thank you all for coming out.  Here are some pics from our latest trips.  I hope you like them.
Black Canyon Kayak -Hoover Dam





Black Canyon Kayak -on the water at last!
Black Canyon Kayak -side hikin'
Black Canyon Kayak -on the water!
Black Canyon Kayak -coming into camp!
Black Canyon Kayak -just fishin'
Black Canyon Kayak -view from camp!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

SUPA FUN IN SUPAI


Another awesome trip wonderful world of Havasu
Falls.  This time I have the privilage of hiking with a really nice couple that I know from a Rim2Rim backpack trip last year.             



Here is a pic of our good friend David.  He is getting a new horse "saddle broke".







For our layover day, we had a nice time exploring Fern Canyon. 









Waiting for the traffic jam on the steep trail down Mooney Falls to clear up.  It really pays to have patience.






The cottonwoods are fully leafed out and provide much appreciated shade for one of the new picnic tables.

The folks on the trip were really into hiking, so we got to explore alot!  After lunch, we make our way up to New Navajo Falls.
It is amazing to see how these new falls are evolving into a more mature ecosystem.


A great big thanks to Tom and Karen for coming on another Four Season Guided adventure.  It was great to see you guys, again, and get to know you better. 

HURRAY FOR FIELD DAY

Eagan Ford's first field day.  All the kids at his school took to the soccor field for a day of fresh air and play.  Here he is mixing it up with some of the older kids. 
Mz. Danielle sure has her hands full with these kids.  What a bunch of babies.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

LAUGHING AT THE SUN

Well, maybe not really laughing at the sun, maybe we will call it "agressively managing the sun".  High heat equals higher risk.  The trip is two nights at the world famous Phantom Ranch backpacker dorms.  The people on the trip are two sisters, from the mid-Antlantic, and a super active retired couple with their jet-setter amiga.  Because of the higher temps, Four Season Guides sent two guides along to ensure that this adventure was safe, fun, and successful.
 
Here is the view down the "chimney" of the South Kaibab trail.  It is early, shady, and coool
                                                                                 






Looking off at O'neal Butte and the North Rim from Ooh-Ahh Point.  The day is perfect.





                                                                                                        I think this is a great shot of Dave, of the much appreciated DAVE LOGAN BAND, leading the group through the Muav Limestone.  The day is starting to heat up and everyone is doing awesome.  The retired folks are fit and from Phoenix and the sisters trained and really prepared for the trip.  We are cruisin' right along.                                                                           

It is after lunch and well over a hundred degrees -true Grand Canyon heat.  Dave and I are armed with mister bottles and plenty of water to drench everyone and keep them cool.  Here we are looking down on the Black Bridge and some shady switch-backs, to get us down to the mighty Colorado River.  Everybody is stoked and smiling.  We are almost to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.          

For our layover day, we took a nice leisurely walk around the River Loop after breakfast to help loosen up the muscles.  Here are some mule deer browsing in front of the Rancher's Residents.


The wildflower this year are INCREDIBLE.  Here is yellow prickly pear showing it's full pride.






For the hike out day, we are up and at 'em pretty early.  This is one of my favorite views along the Bright Angel Trail.  Every layer in the Grand Canyon can be seen from this vantage point.  You can find it along the infamous Devil's Corkscrew.

We just had second breakfast at Indian Gardens -bagels with PBnJ and cream cheese and walnuts.  YUM.  The thermometer is reading 115f in the sun and everyone is taking good care of themselves and having a great time.   

This pic is taken from the 3-mile Resthouse, looking up at the "hour glass".






We rim out around two and make our way to the Backcountry Office for some Four Season Grand Canyon Sandwiches.  A great day of Grand Canyon hiking.  Everyone trained, took care of themselves by eating and drinking while on the trail, and had a super awesome experience.  I thank everyone that came on the trip -especially the sisters, who could always be counted on to have good humor and a positive outlook on everything.  Thanks a bunch.





Monday, April 30, 2012

RYANNE THE BIRTHDAY GIRL

Ryanne just turned another year.  And to celebrate, we loaded up Eagan up for his first bike ride.  He was super excited.  We rode downtown and played in the grass at Wheeler Park.
Here is the proud mama on her birthday.  After a bit of park fun, we walked over to Criollo and met some friends for dinner.  Flagstaff is such a great place to live. 

Friday, April 27, 2012

HAVIN' FUN ON THE HERMIT


I just finished up with a super fun backpacking trip out on the Hermit trail.  This picture shows the trail from the Cathedral Staircase, looking down upon the confluence of Hermit Creek and the Inner Gorge.


Stopping for a snack break on the saddle between Hermit and Monument, I snapped this shot looking back on Hermit rapid.
The wildflower are popping out like crazy now.  I thought this shot scene with the beavertail in the foreground was stunning.
The young couple on the trip were really excited about getting down to the river.  So, at our Salt Creek camp, four of us made the adventurous route down to the might Colorado, while two stayed back at camp. 
 
It was an eye popping sunset for our dinner at Plateau Point -or as I like to call it, Chateau Plateau.


Leaving Indian Gardens, we had a nice cool start to the morning.
We made some new friends.  Here is long time Flagstaff resident, Sue, sporting the Coconino Cycles tee shirt.  It is good to hear Steve Garro is still putting together the best hand built bikes around.
We also saw some more familiar faces.  No, this grainy photo isn't of Bigfoot, it's our good friend Gary.  He must have made a wrong turn at Albuquerque and got on the train to the Grand Canyon.  I can't even count how many trips this guy has done with us.  He is so much fun to have around.

Four Season Guides is looking  forward to seeing you this summer in Yosemite, Gary.