The reason I know its Fake News is because I’ve read about the coldest, most miserable, hardcore campout in the world. Ever. The memoir was appropriately named “The Worst Journey in the World.” It was written in 1922 by Apsley Cherry-Garrard. (I wish I had a pen name like that.) His journey was a side note to Robert Falcon Scott’s ill-fated race to the South Pole. (BTW Scott and four others lost the race and their lives.)
Mr. C-G’s adventure classic is his account of an Antarctic icy cross country trek to rip-off Emperor Penguin eggs The omelette theft was all done in the name of science. I’m sure they didn’t call it stealing for that reason. Maybe you are thinking, well that’s not so bad. Tourists pay big bucks to see Emperor Penguins in the wild. Here’s the kicker. Apsley and company performed the frigid mosey during an Antarctic winter. Nothing but dark, Mach 3 winds and nearly absolute Kelvin cold. (-459 F). This strikes me as both suicidal and insane. They somehow survived. Barely.
OK. So my recent attitude adjustment wasn’t that extreme, but it WAS cold in Canyonlands! The Arctic north winds hardly abated. On my hikes I wore fleece on top of fleece topped by down. Plus a wool beanie, leg warmers and gloves. My clothes alone doubled my body weight. I ran the furnace in Sanctuary Too all night long when I discovered it was 34 degrees inside the camper. Taking an outside Solar Shower? Fahgettaboudit! I settled for inside sponge baths with the furnace blasting away.
I finally realized my 5800’ campsite was too high and exposed. I decided upon an altitude adjustment. I descended towards the Green River at 4100’. Ahh! That made all the difference, plus the sun coming out of hiding and the wind taking a TV timeout. On that lovely afternoon/evening, I read outside and partook of Happy Hour. Now that’s my kind of camping!
Jeff. If it were that chilly, why didn’t you just drive the 3.5 hours back to your Durango townhouse with its fireplace and unlimited hot water? Why? Because I’d rather hang out in Canyonlands National Park with its dry mud-free trails, it’s multicolored rock formations and scenic vistas while awaiting vaccine number two. That’s why.
Besides, I’m into the exploring mode with my new Macho Truck for a Macho Guy like me, who happens to keep a clean house, cooks, smiles at babies and takes photos of pretty flowers. Yep! I’m macho, alright. Gggggrrrrr!
Canyonlands, the Grand Canyon, Great Sand Dunes, Death Valley, the Eastern Sierra and the San Juan Mountains are a few of my happy places. I’ll endure some hardships for experiencing their beauty. Especially when I have access to a furnace, cold IPAs and books to read.
I had it heaps easier than Apsley Cherry-Garrard did on his worst journey in the World.
Enjoy your journey no matter where it takes you.
Gentle reminder. Please get your Covid vaccinations.
Cheers
Jeff
Last Photo. I was joking about cooking. That’s a kosher for Passover Asian Fusion
March in Canyonlands--guaranteed snow!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping we get to the Southwest with our pop-up tent trailer in late April/early May--can't go sooner due to medical appointments.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a peacefully, beautiful place to hike. Beats staying in town.
ReplyDeleteSpring's here. Warmth is on the way.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite places also! Thanks for the lovely pictures!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you experienced altitude and attitude adjustments. What was ApsleyCherry-Garrard thinking? I'm way too modernized to entertain, even in the slightest bit, what both of you went through. With that, thank you for the blog and photos, which allowed me to pretend I was reluctantly :) on both of your treks. I say that as I sit in my warm house, with my warm blanket, on my warm couch. Your photos definitely catch the beauty of Canyonlands and your delicious looking Passover Asian Fusion now makes me want to put warm food in my warm belly. Thank you for sharing!
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