Lazarow World-Hike-About

Sometimes the news is not good. This was such a time which inspired a tiny piece of writing (below) that encapsulates a little of our philosophy. If there's ever a time I'd like a photograph of Jenni and me together is when we are undertaking a technical climb or coming down steep slopes on scree. With Jen hanging onto me and giving me instructions, a dime-a-dozen or, at times, me hanging onto her for support, a true love story exists. I don't find anything as moving as those occasions when we depend on each other, sometimes to avoid serious falls and worse. In our book, "A Life Experience As No Other...", we often make the point that when two people sweat together, the bonding that flows in and from such perspiration is without equal. I'd like the photographs to remind me of such occasions, particularly when I fall short in my behavior and secondly, for the period when we are too old to climb some of those treacherous parts. I'd also like such pictur...

There are times when one is offered a name, a title or description that is irresistible. Who would not wish to take the name of this mountain, Mollie's Nipple, it's official name, and not want to run with...write about it? Some people (guess who?) wish to show a modicum of both respect and decorum and let temptation pass by. Unfortunately, it does not happen frequently, but in this case, Mollie's nipple should be treated gently and guardedly. Other than stand on it, admire it and having pursued, we (I) decided to avoid temptation and let it be. (Yeah, right!) A tough start and it got steeper. Pretty indeed. We have stayed in some pretty slick places lately—something’s changing or we’ve struck it lucky. We’ve been to Hurricane a number of times, although we usually rush through on the way to other places in Utah or use it as a base. This time we were blown away when we came across the highest structure in the town, The Wyndham Wingate. It has only been erected...

Sunset in Nevada. Las Vegas beyond the mountain to the fore and right. We spent ten days in Utah and have posted this blog of Nevada. We keep raving about the magnificence of Southern Utah and yet, have ten unpublished hikes showing the state’s beauty and, post this blog in Nevada. What gives? Who knows? I just walk in the editor’s footsteps as we wander from place to place, mountain to mountain. This hike takes a person up to the saddle and then one can make an election to go left to Red Mountain or right to Black Mountain. Because we don’t have a color preference (we have to be careful of the thought police these days, George), we ended hiking to both. The distance was approximately 7 miles and the elevation gain, hard to estimate, perhaps 1,600 feet, provided the usual outstanding experience of Boulder City. We usually undertake this hike as a sunrise or as in this case, a sunset. Nevertheless, whatever the time of day, the views of Lake Mead are some of the finest scenes we’ve...

Contrasts of golden Zion. We left Bryce Canyon , Utah for Hurricane via a second stopover in Zion National Park. The idea was to hike Observation Point trail in the park and then sleep in Hurricane for a few nights. We've always maintained that Observation is one of the finest day-hikes around. One of the reasons it's special is because it's in Zion, a place that is remarkable. With its towering walls and monoliths, the incredible canyon, the Virgin River, colors and shapes that at times look artificial and so much more, one cannot help but walk the park in awe. On the hike, much of what was described is on view, plus it's a great workout including distance of 8 miles and an elevation gain of well over 2,000 feet. We still believe the gain is understated. It does not get better than this. When we loaded our car in Bryce at about 8am, the temperature was 23F, which is cold. Even Ron Allegretto would agree and he's probably the subtle motivating force for our ...