Hiking the Grand Canyon Story by Damian Koshnick

I came upon a story by Damian Koshnick describing his first time hike of the Grand Canyon. It is well written and perfect for anyone that entertains hiking into the canyon or other remote destinations. There are also the very well done photographs along the way.

Damian Koshnick seems to stand apart doesn’t he?

Some thirty plus years ago, I entertained doing the same thing. I was an avid backpacker. I had read works by other hikers that had traversed the Pacific Crest Trail and seriously considered doing the same. I even studied maps and the intersecting highways where food caches could be established.

But, also, I had read Colin Fletcher’s works on not just the Pacific Crest Trail but also the Grand Canyon. The adventure of it all was alluring. The solitude. The self sufficiency drew me in. I read every thing I could about both trips. I wrote Fletcher, but he never replied. He was probably standing naked (his normal hiking attire I recall) in some desert canyon.

Colin Fletcher

Suddenly, life got complicated and although it all begged escapism, I hunkered down, stalled out and the glorious plans evaporated. Later, I would re-emerge and continue to back pack but the wanderlust of a truly grand expedition gave way to the Cascades, Eagle Cap, the Strawberry’s…gentler yet still remote enough locations. Fishing became a pronounced subplot to hiking too.

I still enjoy reading about others who venture forth in varying degrees to any part of these systems. Damian Koshnick’s writing (“composing”) seems very interesting.

Every Day in May Challenge Topic: Greenery

EVERY DAY IN MAY CHALLENGE TOPICS

Well now, I live in Oregon, next to the Evergreen State of Washington in the Pacific Northwest, next to British Columbia. Green abounds. I am thankful for it. The lush green. Of course, there are a lot of Portlandians in their eco sense of suffering that will let their lawns go brown. Not I…Green as can be and proud of it! Oh calm down!

Gary Green swatch commonly found now in fabric stores

Green has surrounded my life. Once my mom got a special on pants at Sears. They were green and she bought several pair. That was all I had to wear to school for a solid year.

You would think that would have cured me of wearing green. Yet green is my favorite color. In fact, the family has taken to calling my favorite color Gary Green. Actually, it is Forest Green but not when I am wearing it.

I actually spent 32 years of my life wearing a uniform comprised of various shades of green. I never tired of it. Ironically, I have green eyes but often forget that until it is raised in  conversation.

Gardening, fishing, clothing, walking through the woods to the often greenish river…even a tossed Green salad delights me. The sun shining down on a windy Summer day, the light filtered through giant maple leaves…a soft green.

My back yard is a lush green, the vegetation healthy along the spring creek that trickles by.

Steelhead Green is that perfect shade of river when the clarity improves from mud brown into shape…into possibilities after waiting for the river to drop into shape. (Riverwood Blog…Santiam River)

The watery home of a beautiful trout, momentarily brought to hand…a perfect shade of Gary Green Water. The water surrounded by tall green trees and edged with green grasses and reeds created a beautiful green. Glorious contrast. In fact, Green is a wonderful canvas for contrast and beauty.

Even the cap, is a pleasing shade of green. I bought the cap, not for a reminder of the denim jeans, but I anticipated the chance to display a beautiful fish with the cap in the back ground. My ‘true religion’ is being outdoors, at one with nature, surrounded by water and greenery. The essence of spirituality and religion…for me. Did I mention God loves Gary Green?

Tomorrow’s Every Day in May Outdoor Blogger’s Challenge Topic: Bugs

Outdoor Life Magazine (June 1948)

Today, I had the good fortune to meet with an old acquaintance I hadn’t seen in years. We were talking about life and all the passages that sometimes leave us sitting, in our 60′s, wondering what next. This nice man, knowing I fly fish, was most generous in bringing me an old magazine, an Outdoor Life from June 1948.

It was a thoughtful gesture, one of respect and a reflection of what a gracious man he is. Such touches, out of no where, remind me of a gentler, kinder way that I am sometimes woefully inept at.

Every Day in May Challenge: ‘Praying’

EVERY DAY IN MAY CHALLENGE: TODAY’S TOPIC ‘PRAYING’

‘PRAYING’ an empowering notion; a sustaining act. Each in their own way perform prayer; some in earnest and mechanical….some with crossed fingers. My last five years in particular have repeatedly tested my ability to withstand all manner of obstacles by myself.

The reality is, I have never been very good at handling the swirl of chaotic life unless I stop, and take the time to pray. We each do it in our own way. I rarely utter words aloud. I think my prayers and I often rephrase them with more emphasis to pierce the static out there, or is it in there, so I am heard.

To me, heretical as it may seem, there is NO greater church than the outdoors. I tend to abstain from the structure or individuals that assume positions. I don’t want the middleman. I don’t particularly like the confines of a pew. 

Today is a day of prayer as every day is really. Not so much because today is Sunday. Today marks the two year anniversary of my mom’s passing. It was a rough closure. I will visit her grave side today to say hello to her and my dad. Silly some would say, but it is paying homage to what they gave me and to who they were. It’s the right thing to do and I am blessed that I had that kind of relationship with them in the end. It is fuel for reality about one’s own life. It is fuel for prayer.

Today also, is my sweet grand daughter’s First Holy Communion. Ceremonial and obligatory to some, it is more than dutiful attendance and momentary attention to the altar and cross. It is a chance to pause and reconnect. A chance to assess where you are and where you should be. And, yes a chance to bow your head and seek some assistance or forgiveness through praying.

A touch serious? A touch uncomfortable or off putting? Well, just picture that outdoor altar you feel most comfortable at. I have mine and I often think “Oh my God, this is so beautiful.” There is not better place to reconnect, to pray, to seek guidance than knee deep in the river. Go ahead. Slow down. Ease the brain from the fishing moment and find that quiet place in your heart and hold your own service. No one around you will know. Maybe you will be totally alone…all the better. Of course, you are not alone.

Tomorrow’s Every Day in May Topic: Working (Ugh)

HIKING + PHOTOGRAPHY IN CANADA….VERY COOL SITE

Have you ever wanted to climb mountains? I entertained that idea for a brief time as a teen. A neighbor boy joined the Mazamas and climbed various Oregon peaks. He rock climbed as well. He tried to get me interested. I remember getting about ten feet up on a rock wall on the North side of Rocky Butte near the Grotto…that was it….no mas. So, I took to back packing and exploring the Cascades, Strawberry’s and Eagle Cap area. Pretty tame, but I was always captivated by a TV special on Everest, K2, or even primary training peak, Mt. Rainier. 

Hiking & Photography in Canada stopped by SwittersB this morning and I was impressed with the photography and the feel of it. So, I am sharing the site and I think you will enjoy their vitality, accomplishments and photography. Also, there’s logistical details that are helpful. 

Canadian HIking Photography

Agitated Anger & Limp Cobra Likes ‘Every Day in May’ Challenge!!!

The Agitated Angler and The Limp Cobra are helping get the word out about the Every Day in May Challenge to outdoor bloggers. Agitated Angler writes: “This is a really cool concept and I’m sure I won’t be able take all of these subjects on (time constraints and screaming children and all), but I bet it’ll be fun trying. Check it out if you haven’t yet!” 

That’s right, please check out the topics/theme list and let the free flowing writing ideas move those fingers on the keyboard…….

Every Day in May Challenge: Express Your Self

Every Day in May challenge has been offered up by three fly fishing bloggers, who want your input each day of May. Your challenge? Take that topics list and each day of the month will challenge you to write about that day’s theme (or some variation of  it). Keep it short and  sweet. Make us think. Make us wish. Make us laugh. Maybe make us wonder.

The inspiration for this great concept is coming at you from three directions:

How Small a Trout, Memoirs of a Fly Girl & Miss P over at Fresh Start. “Every Day in May is a blogging throw-down to all fishing and outdoor bloggers.“ 

“CHALLENGE: POST TO YOUR BLOG EVERY DAY IN MAY. Mayfly
hatches, spring runoff, spawning fish, tulips, debauched May Day pagan
rituals—blog it all. Blog to learn, blog to remember, blog to forget.
Document May in images, words, quotes, links, whatever, wherever.
We’re providing prompts for each day, but feel free to interpret,
misinterpret, reject, or improvise on these themes. To accept the
challenge and pass it on, reblog this kick-off post and graphic, then
<strong>tag your May posts with “every day in May”. We’ll
post a list of everyone who guts it out until June.”

1. May Day
2. home waters
3. current
4. tying
5. fishing
6. praying
7. working
8. hatching
9. grinning and laughing
10. conservation
11. waders
12. something completely different
13. Mother’s Day
14. rod
15. line
16. leader
17. fly
18. fish, fish, fish
19. more fish
20. greenery
21. bugs
22. runoff
23. safety first
24. memory
25. shoreline
26. lessons learned
27. bucket list
28. news
29. inspiration/aspiration
30. fish philosophy
31. achievement

Don’t worry if you see this and May is already here; there are no late
fees nor penalties for early withdrawal.

To all you who blog about other stuff, like knitting or wine or fancy
mice: feel free to copy this idea and do your own Every Day In May!

So, come on. Note the topics and each and every day of May take that topic for a short spin on your blog. Mention the Every Day in May challenge. Enlist others to exercise their creative side along with you. Hit the FB tag, re-post this, do your own post about it, please spread the word.

Salton Sea: Paragliding the Mountains

Interesting Video of Mountains from Above…..Paragliding

Turn the volume down a bit.

Outdoor Pledge (Just Leave Nanny Out of the Equation!)

Outdoor Life, 1962

Great idea. Just don’t let it be a vehicle driven by those that aim to control every aspect of your life. All sounds good ’til the never ending reg’s result.

 

Hot Springs & Red Spider Mites

Ah, the outdoors beckons. And, finding yourself in hot water or hot springs can be part of the experience. A peculiar little critter I was not (fortunately) aware of is the Red Spider Mite that lives in and around the hot springs. Of course, it wants to attach itself to your clothing and body during and after your dabbling with the steamy, hot waters…..     

Red Spider Mite...a pesky little critter near those hot springs

Red Spider Mite Info…Idaho Hot Springs Pic Source