Chaco for the Solstice

[PaleoRob]

So, upon returning from the 2011 Rainbow Bridge Spectacular we began discussing some possible "leaving Page" hikes. One that came up that Randy and I had done last year was Chaco/Bisti for the solstice. In order to 100% guarantee a camping spot we'd need a group of 10 people. Otherwise we'd be playing roulette. The idea would be to come in on the 20th at some point, do solsticial things on the 21st, and explore other parts of Chaco or nearby outlying areas on the days after that. The important thing would be to have 10 for the night of the 20th. Some folks may stay longer, some not so much.
This is a car-camping and day-hiking experience, not a backpack, and most of the main canyon trails are not strenuous. Some of the farther ruins in the canyon do require a decent hike, and in June the temps can get to 100. Come on up for a good time at a good place with good people and good drinks (and some Cag too).

Edit 5/26 - Plan is for some of the group to arrive on the 18th to take full advantage of the weekend and stay through at least the 21st.

[Jim]

After reading this thread, I caught the last 20 minutes of it last night. I had no idea about that stuff and have a new respect for those Puebloans.

[big_load]

I wonder if they used something rudimentary like the shadow stick

That's what I figured. People probably first learned it from natural shadows of natural objects thousands of years earlier. I'm much more impressed by their figuring the long cycle of the moon. However, given the importance of timing to agriculture, and the importance of agriculture to the rise of that society, I would be surprised if they didn't build astronomical relationships into things. I think the usual modern perspective has things somewhat backward. People today are awed by their astronomical sophistication. Turning that around, I think that if the builders showed up today, they would be taken aback by how few of us are well-versed in things they would have considered simple and obvious.

[Jeffshadows]

I wonder if they used something rudimentary like the shadow stick

That's what I figured. People probably first learned it from natural shadows of natural objects thousands of years earlier. I'm much more impressed by their figuring the long cycle of the moon. However, given the importance of timing to agriculture, and the importance of agriculture to the rise of that society, I would be surprised if they didn't build astronomical relationships into things. I think the usual modern perspective has things somewhat backward. People today are awed by their astronomical sophistication. Turning that around, I think that if the builders showed up today, they would be taken aback by how few of us are well-versed in things they would have considered simple and obvious.

Very well stated!

[Randal_Schulhauser]

Just got back home this evening after a side trip to El Morro => http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1295

Great job Rob & Crew for hosting Chaco/Bisti Wilderness Experience 2011! Looking forward to 2012 redux...

[Trishness]

By far this was the best trip I've done in the last year.

Rob~~thanks for putting this one together...it went off without a hitch! You shared so much information about Chaco history which made visiting this canyon that much more informative. Personally it was a great experience spiritually and intellectually. :thanx:

Great to see Randy again after several years (!) and meet everyone new.

The Hopi dancing on Tuesday was terrific and will post pictures later on this.

[squatpuke]

Rob is the MAN...we're 3/3 big guy (tongue in cheek), no bad trips...

Looking forward to the next Gay experience...(Yikes did I really say that!?!?!?!)

[PaleoRob]

This was an excellent trip, all! What a great group - old friends and new, old trails and new (to me). I have nothing in the works yet, since I'm moving and not sure what I can plan down there, but I'm thinking of another return trip to Chaco next summer for maybe some more off-trail exploration outside of the park to the north. Thanks all for making this trip so enjoyable!

[big_load]

I'm saving most of the photos and triplogs for tomorrow. I did peek at a few, though.