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| Backpack | 22.00 Miles |
6,150 AEG |
| | Backpack | 22.00 Miles | 2 Days | | |
| 6,150 ft AEG | | 40 LBS Pack | | |
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| Partners |
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| partners | | Fantastic trip....Kyle and John's triplogs cover most of the physical hike details so I'll spare you those. Below are few unique things from my experience.
My three com-padres are solid, extremely competent backpackers. I suspected this from previously day-hiking with John and Kyle; was great meeting Chumley for the first time. It took a few hours to get to know him and appreciate his, ahem, eccentricity...but after while, I thoroughly enjoyed his wit and keen observations. Despite his age, I found Todd's eclectic music selections a bit "youthful"... 
On every backpack trip, I gain camping wisdom from those I'm with; sometimes good, sometimes bad...here are a few lessons I learned this weekend:
John - gatorade trash yields great sandwich protection and party lights are NOT that heavy.
Kyle - climbing helmets can have value while hiking; steri-pens are just NOT for me.
Todd - pre-cooked bacon.... 
Day 1 - Down New Hance to River
New Hance is STEEP...'nuff said. Kudo's to those that have climbed up...
A significant part of our early afternoon was spent recovering from the New Hance "pumpkin"-whipping. Things got exciting when rafts arrived. John and Todd quickly searched out the XX chromosomes and laid on their boyish charm for free brewski's; however I remained reserved...(Is it just me or are a majority of river runners way too snobby (or busy) to give hikers the time of day? (I think I'm just jealous)) The other 10 or so rafters gave us nary a second look...in fact, one old geezer blessed me a Full Monty while peeing a mere 10 feet away from me...incredible...I was in plain site jacka$$!! 
I'm convinced we found the best campsite at Hance Rapid. Just east of the creek, on top of a small shelf above the river rock, is a large Mesquite which provided four great tent-spots. Kyle and I made sure to drop enough food crumbs near John and Todd's tents to provide sufficient rodent entertainment and John's party lights produced great night-time atmosphere.
Day 2 - Hance Rapid to Hance Creek
I've hiked most of the Tonto, but the steep section from Hance Rapid to Mineral Canyon was very UN-Tontolike, and was probably a factor in our Sockdolager non-attempt. I'm looking forward to another trip with two nights at Hance Creek.
While hiking across, I was fortunate enough to see a California Kingsnake just off the trail between Red Canyon and Mineral. (see pics) The stretch along the east rim of Hance Canyon seems to take FOREVER, but at least it's easy hiking. We soon arrived at Hance creek and I happily filtered water w/o having to clean my cartridge every liter like I did in the muddy Colorado.
After a bit of a sprinkle, I wandered downstream, alone with my camera with no intention of going more than a couple of hundred yards (I was barefoot in my crocs)....however, the canyon fascination kept pulling me farther and farther (at least a mile or more) before I finally turned it around. I was on a mission to find that first (of three) "unclimbable" pour-off in Hance Canyon and thought it was just around each bend. Not so.
Day 3 - Hance Creek to Grandview TH
There was a young lady at Page Spring who seemed a bit improvised with her hike plan. She appeared lost already by thinking she was currently IN Hance Canyon (still several miles east) and had plans to simply get fresh water from (those nice) boaters on the River (even MORE miles east) then travel up Red Canyon for the night...hiking out New Hance in the morning. I think we all sort of held our tongues at her ambitious plan, but wished her well. I hope she is still alive.
Beside Kyle's test of stone vs. skull, the trip up Grandview was rather uneventful. Back at the truck, I downed my Orange Powerade that was ICE COLD from Todd's cooler. Was by far, the best beverage I've had in YEARS.
Was a fun weekend...many thanks to John for planning/leading...Todd for driving and Kyle for...for....being Kyle. |
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