47.32 Nevada and Arizona: Gold Strike Canyon, 1 and 2: Scrapes, bruises, slides, falls, excitement and much humility.

We would sum up the day of walking on soft sand, descending and ascending through, around  and over boulders and mostly dry waterfalls as follows: Our bodies were not impressed, our minds found it exhilarating. Three days later, we learned that it does not augur well for a person when the mind and body are not on speaking terms or at least, in sync. In fact, we've never had to face an internal rebellion previously. It's quite stressful. To be fair, over the previous few days, we had endured some tough hikes which included 'Corkscrew' in Death Valley. 

It brought forward another thought: Have I reached the time at which the physical is now older than the mental state? Should that be the case, it is indeed sad. And then here's the kicker: Jenni has a birthday and I feel older.  

Reaching the endpoint of the bouldering, hiking and sliding: the Colorado River again.

This is a class 4 and 5 climbing rating--the woman is a class act on the boulders.

We could not help reflecting on life as we walked through a slot canyon after a testing day. Gold Strike Canyon begins close to Hoover Dam in Nevada and may cross over into Arizona. Where it does end is at the river, the Colorado, of course. It takes a 6-mile return walk on soft sand for much of the way including scaling down mostly dry waterfalls on the way to the destination and of course, up on the return. The hike is about the journey rather than the destination. Some of the obstacles come with ropes while others, not. Each one is different and after negotiating more than a dozen of them, one arrives at hot pools and thereafter, the Colorado River. 

The river never ceases to amaze us. On this trip alone, we have viewed it from above and alongside on numerous occasions. We mentioned in an earlier blog, whatever it touches, wherever the Colorado flows, it beautifies but of course, it makes rugged, too. Should it be possible to love an object of nature then my love is the river and what it represents...(continues at end) 

Taking the gap.

To be effective through some of the gaps, a person has to diet before undertaking the hike.

Early days as we head down the wash.

Going down one of about 15 obstacles.

Finding the river through a relatively narrow gap. Before this position are the hot springs.

Hugging the boulder because our boots were wet. Made it difficult and dangerous.

Surrounded by towering mountains with massive bodies of water close by.

By way of perspective, Lake Mead is very close to this canyon, being just above and to the side.

Further perspective: On another hike, we rose to the mountains above and to the side of the canyon and lake and had this visual of Hoover Dam. Spectacular and wonderful how it all comes together.

I began with mention of reflecting on life. Ten days ago, I did this hike on my own as Jenni did not feel comfortable undertaking it. She had read about the canyon and it appeared too dangerous for her liking. Thereafter, we left Boulder City and headed for Death Valley but decided to return for a few days should we survive 'Death' Valley. This makes it our third visit to this town on Hike-about 47. One should not presume we like the Lake Mead region. Jen then decided (no pressure applied) she would like to strike gold and try the canyon hike. Rather redundantly, she wished to do it provided I helped and looked after her. Where's she been the last 52 years? 

She does not know this but I developed a quirk about undertaking it on her birthday. How would I feel should something untoward occur? Nevertheless, she exuded confidence that we set out on November 25th. Long story short, she was outstanding on the ropes, the boulders and wherever else we climbed. The problem was that the 'hero' slipped down a boulder once because my boots were wet, and fell from a rope on two other occasions. The rope climbing was relatively easy. However, at these particular positions, the rope moved about ten feet towards the right, throwing me off, with Tarzan landing on rocks, mud and sand. While the falls hurt, other than bruises and scrapes, I was fine and will probably be stiff and sore for a few days. That's the negative. However, the positive is that while lying on my side after the falls, those moments when one takes inventory of damages, one realizes what could have happened and what actually occurred. It made me realize that many of the little things that irritate a person fade into oblivion, or should, when one considers potential disasters that loom about us. 

The wonderful part of another day of wonder is that Jen suffered a mild scrape and no other damage. I don't think she'll forget a birthday that was so meaningful for she accomplished at least two things. She faced her fear and overcame it. That's a sign of courage. And once again, she did something different, challenging, exciting, the need for constant thinking of how and where to climb and actually, had plain old-fashioned fun. We think that's LIFE.  

Searching for a gap.

and finding it.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

This picture is dedicated to our good friend, Brian Murray, who composed and sang a wonderful song, "Save My Horny Friends" It's worth listening to...again and again.