Day 6: Meeting the Boys (The Thunder Rolls)

Day 5: Colorado River (Note to Self: Don't Die)

There are few things in life that are actually life changing. Seeing death, seeing the joy in a child's face, and being broken down by the strength of the desert. Trekking through the scarcity of the desert seems ignorant to most, but to the few who have faced: the refining fires of near dehydration, the brutal beating of the Sun, and the seemingly endless foot stomping that the hike turns becomes; know that those who haven't been in the line of fire are the ignorant. If you don't have a true understanding of destitution, than how can you truly apprehend the benefaction of plenty.

Day 4: Slide of Susurrus (Erosion)

Day 3: Scotty's Hollow (Beam Me Up)

It would be my assumption that most boy band are birthed out at least some sort of talent. They can either: sing well(Boyz II Men), dance well(N'sync), or look good(98 Degrees). Well, our boy band has none of those three. But, I'm proud to announce the birth of America's next great pop sensation Walrus 14! We can't sing, dance, or even look good; we just take good pictures in the world's most remote places.

When preparing for a trip I've never planned on deepening friendships. I would say that it's just one of the benefits of being stuck together for 24 hrs a day for 9 days. Inside jokes are created, continuous fun is had, and many a meal and drinks are shared. Inevitably these things build great bonds between people. On top of all of that you have been to amazing and physically testing places with these people. So, John Lennon was the Walrus, Bono was the Walrus, I am the Walrus!

Day 2: Shower Bath(sheba)

Waking up in a new environment can throw me for a loop, 'Wait a second, my bed isn't usually surrounded by rock walls? And my carpet is made of dirt???" But once the GPS kicks on I realize that I'm in the Canyon. Then the weight is lifted from my shoulders when I realize that all I have to worry about is walking and finding water; no MIOX, no bills, no emails, just walking. This is the day when I realize that my job is to pack, unpack, and maybe boil water when the occasion arises. I call this the letting go stage.



Now that I'm set in my new scene I can begin to act accordingly. Powerbar here, pumpkin seed there, pump water, sit, sleep. All the worlds a stage, act the part.

Day 1: Sowats Point (The Affair)

For months before each trip all of the participants spend countless minutes starting to prepare for the impending journey. And as the day approaches those minutes turn into hours, and subsequently the week before every waking moment is focused on the hike. To some point there is a looming stress when you don't know how many socks to bring, or if your ExOfficio underwear should be your only pair of underwear. Then there is an almost magical moment when you feel as though all you calorie counting, training hikes, and Google Earthing have all been worth it, but it is time to let it all go and just hike.



The first step into the canyon is always to trickiest. After all the formerly mentioned planning there is still a haunting thought that something critical isn't in your pack! But once the second foot hits the trail the eyes are over come and the brain is overloaded with the adventure to come; the face takes on a glow, and nothing else matters except the 3 others your with and things that you will see with your two eyes that most will only see in a picture.


{Click on the Pictures to Enlarge}

It's Grand Canyon Time

Starting tomorrow I will begin posting a daily blog of each day of my most recent Grand Canyon trip. Each day will include video blogs, pictures, and written word of each days happenings. This year 4 of us hiked for 9 days, and we met up with 8 other for the last 4. It was a great time, so check back to see and hear what went down.