Here is the URL for the group website. We'll be updating it and adding photographs soon:
http://www.art-design.umich.edu/ecoexplorers/bigbend/Welcome.html
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Updates again
Tomorrow we're starting to work on the trails with the park rangers, and after that we are going to canoe down the Rio Grande. I'm so excited for our laundry day on Wednesday! Taking a shower yesterday was the most blissful experience I've had in a long time. This break is much appreciated.
Last night we made pasta and sauce with garlic pita for dinner, and had cobbler and ice cream afterwards. It was amazing, after many meals of yard-o-beef and cous cous while we were backcountry. Yard-o-beef is like spam, only greasier, if that's possible, and after it's been hiked 10 miles in 100+ heat, it's... an experience, really. It also makes a great weapon if you need to kill something in the night.
While we were putting things away last night, I opened up a bear box (massive bearproof boxes for food) to stick some groceries into it, and discovered a huge web with a black widow spider right in the middle of it. That bin is now off limits until a ranger deals with it, but the experience certainly reminded me to stay on my toes- had I not been paying attention, I would have ended up in the hospital with a black widow bite.
I had the supreme luxury of sleeping in a tent last night. Three nights ago, our first two nights, I slept every night in the tent with my sleeping bag up to my ears, terrified of bugs. After two nights of sleeping in the bushes on the ground under the stars, I was much less scared in a tent, and slept on top of my bag in a sheet... It was the best nights rest I've had so far on this trip.
Last night we made pasta and sauce with garlic pita for dinner, and had cobbler and ice cream afterwards. It was amazing, after many meals of yard-o-beef and cous cous while we were backcountry. Yard-o-beef is like spam, only greasier, if that's possible, and after it's been hiked 10 miles in 100+ heat, it's... an experience, really. It also makes a great weapon if you need to kill something in the night.
While we were putting things away last night, I opened up a bear box (massive bearproof boxes for food) to stick some groceries into it, and discovered a huge web with a black widow spider right in the middle of it. That bin is now off limits until a ranger deals with it, but the experience certainly reminded me to stay on my toes- had I not been paying attention, I would have ended up in the hospital with a black widow bite.
I had the supreme luxury of sleeping in a tent last night. Three nights ago, our first two nights, I slept every night in the tent with my sleeping bag up to my ears, terrified of bugs. After two nights of sleeping in the bushes on the ground under the stars, I was much less scared in a tent, and slept on top of my bag in a sheet... It was the best nights rest I've had so far on this trip.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Chihuahua Desert, 100+ degree heat, the Chisos mountains, several thousand feet of elevation and descent, 12 litres of water and all our camping gear on our backs, and twenty miles over the course of two days combined to create what was probably the most physically and emotionally intense experience I have ever had.
I learned a great deal about surrender during this hike. Several miles into the desert, there isn't much option of turning back, nor is there the option of stopping. I was incredibly exhausted through most of the hike, the inclines and declines were difficult for everybody in our group, and often times I had no will to keep on moving, but had to because dehydrating in the desert is far less pleasant than hiking.
But oh, it was amazing. The view is spectacular, and being so far away from civilization and the noises of people was liberating. I cried freely often, releasing my old inhibitions about letting people see or know when I needed help, as a large group we all suffered our own pain and grew closer because of it. I had a few experiences that touched me with the realism of it:
On the first day, we missed a cairne and went off trail. Half an hour later, I started worrying, and shortly thereafter our little group realized that we were certainly quite lost. We were just preparing to blow our emergency whistle when by sheer chance another member of our group, in a different trail party happened to find us.
On the second day, I was leading my group, being aware of the markers and setting the pace. I walked up to a bush and it rattled at me. Rattle snakes are common in chihuahua, and deadly. We passed without harm, but it still gave me a fright.
Last night, we were unable to find our backcountry campground and, as the light faded, decided to camp out on the trail itself. My head was against a pile of rocks, and my feet were at a prickly pear bush, and I was terrified that I would encounter scorpions or spiders. Instead, a wandering Javalina encountered our party, it's fearful brays waking us all up as it passed through our campsite. We all waited, tensely whispering back and forth, waiting to see if it would choose to wander away or attack us. It wandered away, and we continued on our way.
There were also several funny experiences:
On the first day, Woody pocketed a prickly pear fruit, forgetting that it was covered in spines. He had to cut out his pocket, and went the rest of the hike that way.
After two days backcountry, we stopped by the lodge for milk. All of us stared in wonder at running water, tents, and toilets. It was with amazement that I washed my face, after two days of intense water conservation.... It was just two days, but possibly the longest two days of any of our lives.
At one point yesterday, my group was very very weary, and we were gradually becoming slower and slower as we pushed forwards. Eventually, we all collapsed on a rock face to sit for a moment (but not too long, stopping in 100+ temps in the middle of the day is a stupid idea), staring at the sky. It was then that we noticed those nice birds we had been observing were actually a group of turkey vultures, and they were circling us. Yikes!
In other news, I've gotten over my fear of bugs mostly, I learned how to use the potty in the desert (no room for inhibitions when in this situation), I drank a mouthful of ants (ooops), and I'm having an incredibly phenominal experience in the desert.
Lastly, I would like to give a shout out to my mom, who is awesome (happy mother's day!!), and thank her extensively for the 3Litre camelback bladder, without which I probably would have died in the desert. Or something close to it...
I learned a great deal about surrender during this hike. Several miles into the desert, there isn't much option of turning back, nor is there the option of stopping. I was incredibly exhausted through most of the hike, the inclines and declines were difficult for everybody in our group, and often times I had no will to keep on moving, but had to because dehydrating in the desert is far less pleasant than hiking.
But oh, it was amazing. The view is spectacular, and being so far away from civilization and the noises of people was liberating. I cried freely often, releasing my old inhibitions about letting people see or know when I needed help, as a large group we all suffered our own pain and grew closer because of it. I had a few experiences that touched me with the realism of it:
On the first day, we missed a cairne and went off trail. Half an hour later, I started worrying, and shortly thereafter our little group realized that we were certainly quite lost. We were just preparing to blow our emergency whistle when by sheer chance another member of our group, in a different trail party happened to find us.
On the second day, I was leading my group, being aware of the markers and setting the pace. I walked up to a bush and it rattled at me. Rattle snakes are common in chihuahua, and deadly. We passed without harm, but it still gave me a fright.
Last night, we were unable to find our backcountry campground and, as the light faded, decided to camp out on the trail itself. My head was against a pile of rocks, and my feet were at a prickly pear bush, and I was terrified that I would encounter scorpions or spiders. Instead, a wandering Javalina encountered our party, it's fearful brays waking us all up as it passed through our campsite. We all waited, tensely whispering back and forth, waiting to see if it would choose to wander away or attack us. It wandered away, and we continued on our way.
There were also several funny experiences:
On the first day, Woody pocketed a prickly pear fruit, forgetting that it was covered in spines. He had to cut out his pocket, and went the rest of the hike that way.
After two days backcountry, we stopped by the lodge for milk. All of us stared in wonder at running water, tents, and toilets. It was with amazement that I washed my face, after two days of intense water conservation.... It was just two days, but possibly the longest two days of any of our lives.
At one point yesterday, my group was very very weary, and we were gradually becoming slower and slower as we pushed forwards. Eventually, we all collapsed on a rock face to sit for a moment (but not too long, stopping in 100+ temps in the middle of the day is a stupid idea), staring at the sky. It was then that we noticed those nice birds we had been observing were actually a group of turkey vultures, and they were circling us. Yikes!
In other news, I've gotten over my fear of bugs mostly, I learned how to use the potty in the desert (no room for inhibitions when in this situation), I drank a mouthful of ants (ooops), and I'm having an incredibly phenominal experience in the desert.
Lastly, I would like to give a shout out to my mom, who is awesome (happy mother's day!!), and thank her extensively for the 3Litre camelback bladder, without which I probably would have died in the desert. Or something close to it...
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
quickie phone update
we've been on the road for the past 30 or so hours, with a 5 hour break at a tiny motel in oklahoma to rest. The countryside is slowly becoming quite different. It's gorgeous here, with the reaching horizon, dotted with small, dense shrubbery and low lying clouds. I appreciate the unique beauty of Texas. Surprisingly, it reminds me vaugely of Greece.
We should arrive at our first campsite tonight around 7pm cst. I think this trip is going to be amazing. :)
We should arrive at our first campsite tonight around 7pm cst. I think this trip is going to be amazing. :)
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Departure tomorrow!!!
A little more than 24 hours to go! Holy smokes!
I'm frantically trying to remember what I've forgotten to pack..
I'm frantically trying to remember what I've forgotten to pack..
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Big Bend Itinerary
May 4: Pretrip cookout, sleepover at the Art and Design building
May 5: Drive 900 miles
May 6: Drive 800 miles, arrive & camp at the Chisos Basin
May 7: Chisos Mountains Exploring
May 8: Begin back country hike
May 9: Back Country
May 10: Conclude Back Country hike
May 11: Explore Eastern Park
May 12: Service Project (building trails)
May 13: Service Project, arrive & camp at Rio Grande Village
May 14: Canoe Boquillas Canyon
May 15: Canoe Boquillas Canyon
May 16: Canoe Boquillas Canyon
May 17: Off the river midday, Camp Rio Grande Village
May 18: Move to western park, Camp at Cottonwood
May 19: Presidio Mexico Day Trip, Dinner in Mexico
May 20: Drive 900 miles
May 21: Drive 800 miles, camp at Art and Design
May 22: Bus and gear cleanup day
May 5: Drive 900 miles
May 6: Drive 800 miles, arrive & camp at the Chisos Basin
May 7: Chisos Mountains Exploring
May 8: Begin back country hike
May 9: Back Country
May 10: Conclude Back Country hike
May 11: Explore Eastern Park
May 12: Service Project (building trails)
May 13: Service Project, arrive & camp at Rio Grande Village
May 14: Canoe Boquillas Canyon
May 15: Canoe Boquillas Canyon
May 16: Canoe Boquillas Canyon
May 17: Off the river midday, Camp Rio Grande Village
May 18: Move to western park, Camp at Cottonwood
May 19: Presidio Mexico Day Trip, Dinner in Mexico
May 20: Drive 900 miles
May 21: Drive 800 miles, camp at Art and Design
May 22: Bus and gear cleanup day
CDL PASS!
Whoo hoo!!
I passed my CDL-P exam! I am now good to go on driving our passenger bus to Texas! It was a nerve wracking adventure, getting this certification on my drivers license, but worth it...
Today, Trump-master-flex (our professor) and I went grocery shopping for dry goods for the trip. Feeding 15 people for 3 weeks = mucho expensive. And holy smokes, what a lot of food.. We pretty much packed his little minivan full of food from Sams club.
The bus is big, but as our group gear pile grows, I wonder how it's going to fit all that + 15 people.
I passed my CDL-P exam! I am now good to go on driving our passenger bus to Texas! It was a nerve wracking adventure, getting this certification on my drivers license, but worth it...
Today, Trump-master-flex (our professor) and I went grocery shopping for dry goods for the trip. Feeding 15 people for 3 weeks = mucho expensive. And holy smokes, what a lot of food.. We pretty much packed his little minivan full of food from Sams club.
The bus is big, but as our group gear pile grows, I wonder how it's going to fit all that + 15 people.
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