HikeArizona.COM

A few friends of mine are headed up to the Vermillion Cliffs for a couple of days of exploration atop the VCs before they embark on a day-long kayaking adventure on Lake Powell. I have no interest in kayaking on Lake Powell, so to make a trip to the North Rim worthwhile for moi, I'd need someone(s) to join me for an extra day or two of exploring on the NR. My friends will be kayaking on Lake Powell on Sunday the 23rd of September. As of today my buddies are heading to the VCs on Thursday, Sept. 20th. So, is anyone interested in exploring along the Vermillion Cliffs from Friday the 21st thru Sunday the 23rd (maybe even Monday the 24th)? I guarantee you there's PLENTY of "stuff" along the VCs to keep any adventurer happy. Whadda ya think about exploring, http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=391 , from above. I'll bet there aren't a whole lot of HAZers, or anyone else, for that matter, who have experienced Paria Canyon from the top.

This is all locked, like it already happened?

Trish

Mike Kelsey has done quite a bit from the top and written up several routes in. I've explored up there a little years ago.. There is a big horn route in near Wrather arch, but I got part way down that and froze up with the exposure. All I can say is prepare for a ton of sand slogging, and some exceptional views, with some hard photo ops due to sun angle. Hope it'll rain for you before cause that'll pack the sand down a little.

SAMBA, if you show up at the boat ramp at Lees Ferry in the morning, on Sept. 20, ask around for me. I'll be launching a 16-foot blue NRS raft from the "private groups" area. There will be some kayaks and some other rafts in my group as well. Ask for Elizabeth. I'd be happy to meet a fellow HAZer. Needless to say, can't go on the VC hike, although it sounds interesting. I suspect we will be launching around 10 or 11 a.m.. We'll have orientation at 9 a.m., so we'll be busy between 9 and 10.

Lots of pretty stuff up there for sure. There are some routes up and down on the south and west sides of the cliffs onto the plateau. I've heard that Craig Childs found a route up the east side to Powell Monument but don't know where exactly. Sand slog 100% guaranteed.