You asked for it...

[PaleoRob]

and now you've got it. Kinda. Its not here yet.

The Plan: Chinle Wash dayhike. Phonecians and Tucsonans may wish to spend the night in Kayenta the night before. We'll spend most of the day hiking to and in the Chinle Wash floodplain in Comb Ridge, exploring ruins and rock art. Total mileage will probably depend on how much exploration we do, but minimum is 5 miles. It'll be hot, though hopefully not unbearable. Trip could be canceled due to inclimate weather (we are not going to be crossing Chinle Wash during a flash flood!). Will end at Gouldings for some Navajo Tacos. Yum!

You: Should be unafraid of quicksand and crossing a swift, knee-deep stream. I should also know a little about you from either the forum here or have hiked with you, considering the sensitive nature of our destination. GPSes are welcome, but I'd prefer that any GPS tracks made are not published online.

Hazards: Quicksand, semi-feral cattle, swift-flowing stream, lack of shade, remote location.

Rewards: Lots of fun, beautiful canyon, amazing ruins, and should be some good company too!

[PaleoRob]

I'd carry all needed. The stream is very sediment-laden. See http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=60399 for an idea how much suspended sediment there is in the flow.

[writelots]

Too thin to farm, too thick to drink...

[PaleoRob]

Quite so!

[base871]

Sorry guys, im gonna have to cancel. I broke my back on a base jump on monday and am still in the hospital in scottsdale. Looks like im gonna be taking some time off from hiking and backpacking for about a year while i recover. Hope you all have a great time and take lots of pictures! Once again, i apologize for the last minute cancellation.

[PaleoRob]

Holy cow! That stinks! I hope you have a speedier-than-expected recovery, but breaking your back is no small deal!

[snakemarks]

Oh my gosh! What a terrible situation! You actually seem to be in good spirits, so I'm guessing that your accident was bad enough that you feel lucky to be alive after it. Wow.

Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery!

[writelots]

Wow -- scary! Hope your healing is speedy and complete!

[hippiepunkpirate]

Man this sounds awesome but I can't afford to take off anymore work. Someday I'll join in on one of Rob's classic Colorado Plateau adventures!

[base871]

Thanks to all! Im feeling really good today, hardly any pain, and have switched to Alieve already! Hopefully i do recover quickly, im itching to get out and do some hiking!!! Ive been watching the video over and over to see what happened, and yes, i feeel very lucky to be alive!!

[PaleoRob]

Ive been watching the video over and over to see what happened, and yes, i feeel very lucky to be alive!!

Intense, though glad to hear you're doing better already. Don't push it though. Are you going to share the video with several hundred of your closest internet friends?

[base871]

I didnt know hikeaz supports video, but if i can upload it on hikeaz, i will soon.

[oliverr99]

Rob, how much water should be carry in for the hike? and how long are we planning to hike? miles, hours, etc.?

[PaleoRob]

5 miles round trip, give or take a bit depending on how much exploring we'll do. I'll bring 4 liters at least. Hour wise, I'd plan on the majority of the day being out, but not hiking for all of it. We'll want to sit and explore ruins, surely.
So, basically typical Rob hike - variable mileage and unknown time, just some basic constraints. ;)

[oliverr99]

sounds good. thanks! (a typical rob, just around the corner or randal, when crows fly) lol

[Vaporman]

Uggh, my boss just screwed me over and made me choose between working this Saturday morning or next Saturday morning when I already have a 4-day weekend all planned out. :bdh: Sorry guys but I need to bail this weekend. It's either that or quit my job or cancel a 4-day weekend to Moab...

[writelots]

Bummer!

[oliverr99]

That sucks! You could quit your job! But that probably wouldn't be good. Have fun next weekend.

[PaleoRob]

That sucks. Sorry that your boss is being lame - was looking forward to hiking with you again. We'll take lots of pictures for you! ;)

[Vaporman]

Yea, I really wanted to do this hike as well. :roll: I can't wait for the pics! Now I need to decided where I'm going after work on Saturday...

[PaleoRob]

Thanks everyone for making this an awesome trip. I'm in the process of sorting through my photos and posting a triplog. Looking forward to seeing all your images.
Rainbow Bridge/Grand Gulch in the spring?