Buckskin Gulch

after we got out of wire pass/buckskin gulch, just before dark, as usual.

although this didn't happen, we quickly realized the importance of proper preparation and slow driving....

Joel's obsession with topographical maps is insatiable (he is pointing out our canyoneering route of buckskin gulch)

"There is no zeal like that of exploration, no longing like that for the desert places, no call like that of the unknown." -Clyde Kluckhohn....This made us think of the desert fathers/mothers of Christian antiquity.

Dinosaur museum west of Page, AZ

The desert greets us with open arms and gladly gives us 2 flats on the same side (conveniently located 45 miles from the closest town)

After hitchhiking with both flat tires 40 miles with Stewart from Kanab, UT, he dropped us off at the local tire shop of which he is a well-known canyon wizard and off-road adventurer. (Stewart drives a jacked-up Ranger with 2 spare tires and 6 gallons of water in the back. We learned a lot from this desert sage.)

At this tire shop in Kanab, Joel enjoyed free coffee and Abbi gobbled up unlimited, free popcorn. I think they felt bad for us. We got fixed up with 2 used - but in good condition - 10 ply load rated and bigger tires (ours were 2  ply, rated for passenger only).

Bob Ford, husband of the tire shop cashier, gladly escorted us with our 2 tires in the back of his Wrangler as Abbi sat on Joel's lap, one hour back to our truck. And we even made it before dark! Here, Joel happily mounts the newer, beefier heavy-duty tires and Abbi snugs up the lug nuts off-screen (she had to add that for clarification). 2 days later we went back to the same tire shop to replace the other 2 road-weary passenger-rated tires, so we should be ok now.

Our camp spot at Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs

Dropping into our first canyon

Things tighten up in Wire Pass before its confluence with Buckskin Gulch

Here Joel has flashbacks to his days of running the slots in the Robber's Roost area near Hanksville (NOLS)

Abbi encounters Buckskin's first major obstacle

If Abbi thought that boulder was an obstacle, she was in for a cold surprise as she wades through the frigid, stagnate, muddy canyon water (Abbi was assisted through all subsequent water crossings by hopping onto Joel's back - he PROMISED she wouldn't have to go through any freezing water prior to the trip!!)

Still recovering

Joel prepares himself for another Abbi-haul through deep water and thick mud

Log jam from the remains of the last flash flood, 20 ft up - yes we checked the forecast before dropping into the slot!

Abbi blends in smoothly with the water-carved walls

We all knew she was a tree hugger, but a rock hugger?

This tiny trickle of a waterfall was 200 ft high

Joel is getting hangry (hungry + angry for all those who aren't familiar w/ the term)

Joel attempts to find a more shallow passage of this pothole

Thankful for the stone bridge

Native American petroglyph (More info here: Petroglyphs)

Up close

Abbi creates a cairn so we don't get lost

Felt this the next day...

AHHHH Joel can take his cold, slimy wet boots off and treat his trench foot

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in the Canyons of southern Utah, despite the tire problems and cold water. It was nice to explore a slot canyon up close and personal - quite a different perspective than that of the Grand Canyon. Every day is flying by and it seems like we're always eating or going to bed. Hard to believe it's already been over 4 weeks since we left Ohio. Coming up next...Joel and Abbi's adventures in Zion National Park!!