WFW 2003

Posted: 7/11/2003, 4:35 pm Post subject: WFW 2003

No, it's not a wrestling match!! It's the 1st Annual West Fork Wade! (should've been 2nd... I tried to put this one together last year, but had to bow out because of a pumpkin knee problem! Mad

) Ck1 asked me about this thing recently, wondering if I was thinking of giving it a shot again this year. Well, the knee's doing just fine these days and I've been wanting to do this one for a long time, so here we go!!

What it is:

The West Fork Wade is a canyoneering adventure which begins at the top of the rim and follows the West Fork of Oak Creek 12 miles to the trailhead at Call of the Canyon. There is a possibility it will require a few short swims, but there is no technical climbing required. An alternative hike will also be available, which is the normal out and back beginning at Call of the Canyon. This optional hike can be extended beyond the "get your feet wet" point, which is about 3 miles in. If you've only hiked West Fork to this point, trust me, you've missed the most awesome scenery there. Beginning at this point, there is a short wade of about 1/4 mile, after which you'll be in and out of the water the rest of the way, as far back as you want to go. At about 5 miles, you'll encounter the first pool, which can be traversed on the left side. Beyond there, I have no idea, since that's as far as I've gone.

When:

I'm looking at mid September, either the weekend of the 13th or the 20th. The water should still be warm enough for swimming then, and the chance of monsoon rains should be minimal. There might even be some fall color in the upper part of the hike. The 12 mile hike will require a shuttle. To do this, we have to drive to Flagstaff, head west on I40 to Woody Mountain Road, then south to the top of West Fork. The best bet would be to camp the night before, either somewhere in Oak Creek Canyon, or on top of the rim. On the morning of the hike the 12 milers could be dropped off by the out and back group. The out and backers could then drive to Call of the Canyon to do their hike. At the end of the hike, we would meet up at the lower trailhead and head into Sedona for a celebration bottle of Oak Creek Amber Ale and dinner!

What you'll need:

The questions:

Let's hear it!
-Mike

evenstar · Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 5548 Location: SCW by way of CA

Arizonaheat · Posted: 9/22/2003, 3:27 pm Post subject:

ck1 · Joined: 04 Jan 2003 Posts: 1331 Location: Mesa

Yea, me too...I when my students ask what I did over the weekend, I usually just say "went hiking" or camping or riding or whatever...but today I pulled up the Kent's pics and SHOWED them what I did.

And if you were curious...the reaction of the average high school sophomore was "that looks dumb".

Yep dumb...but I'd do it again in a minute....I was actually looking at the calendar for next year, though a bit earlier...
_________________
-Colin

"The Journey is the Destination"

Arizonaheat · Posted: 9/22/2003, 5:08 pm Post subject:

Dumb, no.

Crazy, yes Crazy

but I have never denied being crazy Crazy

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Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life.

evenstar · Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 5548 Location: SCW by way of CA

Well Colin, I agree with your students....DUMB! But oh man, do I wish I was twenty years or so younger so I could have been dumb too. Multi

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http://members.tripod.com/~evenstar/index.html
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When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting."
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Tom Treks · Gear Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 3347

Saints be praised!!

My old 'battle axe' camera came back to life at 7:22pm 9/22/2003!! I really can't believe my eyes. That thing took a full fledged dunk for at least 30 secs. That would have been the second dunk actually that day. The first was just a short couple of seconds. Unbelievable.

The pics are a bit fuzzy for the most part at the start of the hike, but it was friggin' cold that morning. Mr. Green

That was actually my only casualty for the day other than a few scrapes and extremely sore muscles.

I still can't believe it. I'm thinking that I better not even consider buying another one right now. This is a sign from above. :angel:

Maybe I'll actually get a picture of a snake falling from the sky now...

mike · What box? Joined: 30 Dec 2002 Posts: 3134

Guest · Posted: 9/23/2003, 6:29 am Post subject:

From experience I'll tell you Colin, if you were to take those kids and do that hike with them it would change from 'that looks dumb' to 'when can we do this again?'

Hnak · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 1766 Location: Prescott, AZ

Daryl · Posted: 9/23/2003, 11:01 am Post subject:

Didn't WFW originally mean West Fork Wade?

I think you'll need to rename the hike for next year.
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Daddee · Posted: 9/24/2003, 9:32 pm Post subject:

Here's a post I put on my blog on Monday after you guys made your reports:

Hikngrl · Posted: 9/25/2003, 10:50 am Post subject:

I know I will never forget the experience and I DO feel I have grown as a result of the day! I am thankful I went with the people I went with as every one of them were supportive and not one maliciously laughed at the amount of time I spent on my tushie in that cold cold water!

When I look at the pictures (which I have done a million times already) I feel a renewed sence of accomplishment each time. I remember the laughs and the moans and groans (mostly mine) and know I did some thing incredible with an incredible bunch of people!

Looking forward to next year! For those of you who couldn't make it this year we look forward to you joining us on WFW II! (don't change the name, it's a classic now!)
_________________
~~~Diane~~~

I want to shine!