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| White Tanks Western Cuesta Wander, AZ | |
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| | White Tanks Western Cuesta Wander, AZ | | | |
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White Tanks Western Cuesta Wander, AZ
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| Hiking | 1.00 Miles |
200 AEG |
| | Hiking | 1.00 Miles | 2 Hrs | | 1.00 mph |
| 200 ft AEG | 1 Hour Break | | | |
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| no partners | | On my way back from the Eagletail Wilderness, I stopped in to try to solve two mysteries from previous trips.
I set up at "North Camp", where I spent the night before exploring the next day.
First was the cave that I recalled on "Two-Tone" that had appeared to go down at least 30'. I duct taped my GoPro and headlamp to some cordage and lowered it down into the narrow, crooked depth - hoping to make some cool discovery. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could see natural light coming from the side near the bottom! The position of the sun on my last visit had apparently made it appear black.
I pulled up the camera and climbed down and around to where I thought it might emerge, finding a large entrance exiting near the base of the cliff. For such a small area, it's amazing how many things there are to see here. Mystery #1 solved!
Next was the "Weeping Grotto" back on 1982', which is probably accessible to a skilled climber, but way beyond my abilities. Once again I was prepared with better technology - this time a narrow beam flashlight and a pair of nice binoculars, which allowed me to illuminate the grotto from below while getting a decent look. I still couldn't see much, just the buildup of mineral deposits from an unknown source. Perhaps an old or intermittent spring? Disappointed, I went back to camp for lunch and decided to return later as the light moved to change the conditions.
I guess it really is all about the timing. I returned later and stood in the same spot, but this time I could see something deep in the recess of the grotto's ceiling - another glow of light! Apparently a fairly large crack in the roof has allowed rainwater to enter, causing the buildup. I may be easily amused, but I thought it was so cool. Mystery #2 down!
Happy as a clam, I spent my last evening watching the full moon rise and listening to the two owls who nested in the cliff face next to camp. What a perfect, peaceful sound.
In the morning a took a short walk up the wash and found some cat scat partially buried in the sand, still warm. The morning songs of birds filled the air, a woodpecker was getting an early start on either breakfast or home improvement, and I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be. |
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The past, the present, and the future walked into a bar.
It was tense. |
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