Becoming an Antarctica Explorer...

Is now officially off of my Bucket List.

After 38 years of venturing up, down and sideways in the Grand Canyon, this was my most frigid journey there yet. I was freaking cold! Don't believe it when an REI Lumina sleeping bag is guaranteed to keep your toes snuggly cozy at 25 degrees. It LIES! 

So anyplace remotely close to the point of liquid water turning solid is off of the Sambur Bucket List. 

Despite the abnormal Minnesota temperatures, the Grand Canyon still rocks figuratively and realistically. 

I can't think of too many places I'd rather be turning 60 than the Great Defile. Then again, I never turned 60 before either.

Be well and explore,

Jeff

"Don't look back...

Something might be gaining on you."

Satchel Paige

It took me 60 years to come to this moment?

So how do I spend my birthday?

Looking down into the Grand Canyon. 

It's older than I am and more photogenic too.

I might smile more often though. 

I start a 5 night backpack trip on Sunday with Cat Pumford (Mark granted her a kitchen pass to hang with me). 

I'm hoping on my climb out from Phantom Ranch, I won't be saying "I think I can! I think I can!"

Be well and don't look behind you.

Cheers from above the Rim, 

Jeff

PS: Thanks to all for those birthday wishes.

If you ask...

real nice, I'll tell you where I found these gems.

Remember, you can look, take photos but don't touch. And you can't tell the ghost of Dick Nixon (the tagger) where they are either.

The two Triangle Dudes were 20' above me.  The artists must have been amazing rock climbers or used archaic scaffolding. Michelangelo performed his artwork on his back. I'm impressed by both. They all shared a do or die attitude about their passions.

Hint: it's in Utah.

From the brewpub friendly city of Flagstaff, AZ.

Good night!

The ice on the creeks chased me from the northern territories.