White Rim Road in a 5th gen Limited
- Thread starter Orbital Debris
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Orbital Debris
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At this point we part ways with the Cowboy, and were somewhat mystified. This was two miles south of Airport campground. Since we were on our way out, we decided to report this anomaly to the next ranger we encountered. On the previous day, we encountered a ranger who checked our permits, and who had two jerry cans on the back of his jeep. Shortly after passing him, we found a Wavian jerry can spout in the road and picked it up.
When we reached Airport campground the toilet service truck was nearby, so we flagged him down. Service truck guy was appreciative when we returned the nozzle, so we described odd cowboy to him. His response was equally strange. "oh that guy with the straw hat? He is full of SHHHEEET man. Like he is into Monkey Wrench Gang, Edward Abbey sheeeet. F him." Uh, ok thanks dude.
Meanwhile, we took some pics of Airport tower, which did not look like an airport tower to us.
When we reached Airport campground the toilet service truck was nearby, so we flagged him down. Service truck guy was appreciative when we returned the nozzle, so we described odd cowboy to him. His response was equally strange. "oh that guy with the straw hat? He is full of SHHHEEET man. Like he is into Monkey Wrench Gang, Edward Abbey sheeeet. F him." Uh, ok thanks dude.
Meanwhile, we took some pics of Airport tower, which did not look like an airport tower to us.
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Orbital Debris
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Perhaps he is one of the old school folks who can hike miles in cowboy boots. Perhaps we were too well indoctrinated by the NPS nto never going anywhere without jugs o' water. Either way, an odd encounter!
Orbital Debris
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North from Airport to Musselman Arch
There comes a point in most of the White Rim trip reports were folks say 'I hit the river and then the road'. At some point you get saturated with the beautiful view. I was still snapping pic though, so I will just post at this point. This was also the more populated section of the trail, so we started seeing a lot more folks.
There comes a point in most of the White Rim trip reports were folks say 'I hit the river and then the road'. At some point you get saturated with the beautiful view. I was still snapping pic though, so I will just post at this point. This was also the more populated section of the trail, so we started seeing a lot more folks.
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Orbital Debris
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Orbital Debris
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Musselman Arch
We reached Musselman Arch, and while it was impressive, not much more than some of the other areas. The signs say don't walk on the Arch, so that fit in with my reticence to walk out out on something 4ft wide with a hundred plus foot drop. I took pics without walking out there.
We reached Musselman Arch, and while it was impressive, not much more than some of the other areas. The signs say don't walk on the Arch, so that fit in with my reticence to walk out out on something 4ft wide with a hundred plus foot drop. I took pics without walking out there.
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Orbital Debris
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Orbital Debris
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After the switchbacks, we stopped at the visitor center for a break and to let them know about the cowboy and his invisible horse. This was another awkward conversation with a ranger. The ranger with a deep southern drawl asked me if he had a horse trailer. No sir, he had nothing and was on foot, two miles from anyone.
At the very least I thought they might need to worry about the horse if the guy wasn't pulling my leg. The ranger said they would keep an eye out. I wasn't entirely sure he believed me. Well, hopefully it all worked out ok. We headed for Grand Junction and a real shower in a hotel for the night.
Thanks for reading, this has been a quick and dirty report. There are many more pictures, let me know if there are more details I can provide. The trip was fantastic, I just wanted to share!
At the very least I thought they might need to worry about the horse if the guy wasn't pulling my leg. The ranger said they would keep an eye out. I wasn't entirely sure he believed me. Well, hopefully it all worked out ok. We headed for Grand Junction and a real shower in a hotel for the night.
Thanks for reading, this has been a quick and dirty report. There are many more pictures, let me know if there are more details I can provide. The trip was fantastic, I just wanted to share!
Orbital Debris
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The tent was an REI Kingdom 6. From what I understand, they discontinued the Hobitat. The Kingdom 6 is great and roomy, but really needs firm staking and solid ground to survive wind. In hindsight, I may have gone with the REI basecamp, which has the same footprint dimensions. Some of the poles were permanently bowed after the first night and may have to be replaced, but we were able to make them work.
That being said, It was nice to be able to stand up to put on gear for late night restroom calls. This tent swallowed two 80 inch cabelas cot with room for another to sleep at the back.
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I have a friend who has a Base Camp 6, it's not quite as roomy as the Kingdom. I have a Big Agnes King Creek 6 I bought at REI on close out, but haven't put it to the test in any sort of strong wind. I also have an REI Half Dome 2+, which has done well in the wind, but it's not large enough for even one cot.
Great pictures, and thanks for the tent info!
Riverfisher
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Great write up and pics OD! If you repeat the trip or something similar get a few Toughstake tent stakes. They are a lifesaver (pole saver too) in the wicked loose soil-nasty wind combo. They have held my Basecamp Tent secure through some rather violent weather.
https://www.rei.com/product/112558/msr-toughstake-snowsand-stakes-package-of-4-small-or-2-medium
Again, great write up and thanks for sharing!
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https://www.rei.com/product/112558/msr-toughstake-snowsand-stakes-package-of-4-small-or-2-medium
Again, great write up and thanks for sharing!
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sleevefullofaces
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Great thread. Thanks for sharing!
Orbital Debris
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Thanks for the tip on the product, I had not seen those. I had already picked up a set of MSR groundhog stakes, which are great if you can put them in anything solid. If I anticipate sandy conditions, I would definitely pick some of those.
Just an update on the tent. It was within a year of purchase, so I took it back to REI, told them the poles had bent and they gave me a full refund without a blink of an eye. I used the money to purchase the BaseCamp 6, and I was able to try that out last weekend at a ham trip in Wyoming.
While it has slightly less room than the Kingdom 6, it held up to the winds much better. Winds that night were 'light' for WY, which means I measured them at 20 mph sustained with gusts to 25. The basecamp was solid with the fly staked and 4 guylines out.
