1st Canyon Trip - Havasupai Falls

DAB · Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 152 Location: Surpise, AZ

Well, I just got back from my first real overnight backpack trip!

Unbelievable! Inspiring, challenging, exhausting and mind clearing.

I had no clue how beautiful the hike in would be. I was concerned it wouldn't feel like I was in the Canyon and would just be a wash hike. NOT!

Talk about one long hike! Longest in my life for sure. Nearly 13 miles in and over 2500 ft drop. And that last couple miles of sand... well for you that haven't gone - I'll just leave that out.

I have a bunch of pictures - most like everyone else - but I'm in these - and they DO NOT do the falls justice. You can not capture or explain the color and brilliance of what should be considered the 8th wonder!

My gear was awesome, and I was just at 30lbs total weight with 100oz of H20 (I'm a drinker!) I'll do some reviews in the gear section later.

Again, many thanks to the board and the members who have all been so helpful.

I turn 40 this Saturday and this trip was quite the milestone for me. I look forward to a trek like this for my birthday each year! Bright Angel - your next!

And the pics:

The gear:

Me at the trailhead:

This photo doesn't even come close to showing the vastness of this draw

In the bottom - but still a LONG way to go:

The crew taking a quick break:

[img] [/img]
_________________
Douglas

- To those who do... and to those that don't. Cheers!

DAB · Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 152 Location: Surpise, AZ

And the first breath taking view - just in time too - I almost dropped dead!

Home sweet home:

Mooney Falls - Yeah Baby!@

Just beautiful

And on, and on, it goes ...

And that's about all I got. I dropped my camera in the river just after the mooney falls trip. No exit pic's or the grand exit. Sad

_________________
Douglas

- To those who do... and to those that don't. Cheers!

Suz · Joined: 27 Nov 2005 Posts: 3186

Yeah.......glad you had a good trip. Welcome to the oopsidroppedmycameraintthewaterclub. Is the camera working now?

Davis2001R6 · Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 5591 Location: Italy

Looked like a nice trip. Nice little gear set-up you have there, 30lbs with water is not bad, especially for your first backpacking trip. Nice pictures too, need to head back there sometime.

Trishness · Posted: 5/6/2008, 10:42 pm Post subject:

Ain't life sweet? I was NOT happy about that sand either but then heard the falls, went tearing down the trail until I saw them and was just overcome by their beauty.

Pretty awesome way to spend your 40th!!! Glad you had a blast and that's the way it should be!

Mr. Green

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~~~Trish~~~

"Eastward the dawn rose, ridge behind ridge into the morning, and vanished out of eyesight into guess; it was no more than a glimmer blending with the hem of the sky, but it spoke to them, out of the memory and old tales, of the high and distant mountains." � J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of The Rings.

threedogz · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 668 Location: Chandler

Sounds like you had a blast! Sorry about the camera...
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You can never eat too much candy...

azbackpackr · Posted: 5/7/2008, 5:41 am Post subject:

Ahh, yessss. You were a pretty savvy first-timer--only 30 lbs. Gold star for you!

So all these purists who refuse to go to Havasu Falls because it's not wilderness can continue to go....somewhere else. More room for the rest of us. I love going there!

I'm guessing on this trip you didn't do the hike all the way to the Colorado River?

Hikngrl · Posted: 5/7/2008, 6:01 am Post subject:

Wow it looks like you guys had all kinds of space for camp! I am glad you had a good time! I have been but need to go back so I can really enjoy the trip for what it is!
_________________
~~~Diane~~~

I want to shine!

wanderingsoul · Joined: 19 Jul 2004 Posts: 2285 Location: Gilbert AZ

That is such a beautiful place, once you get through the town... Glad you had a great trip. Isn't that first glimpse awesome? And I know the feeling with the camera , been there done that ! more than once I'm afraid to say.

30lbs.... I'm still working on a lowering pack weight.
_________________
Wanderingsoul (Michelle)

Positive Thinking Is the Spark that Makes Dreams Happen~~~Unknown

cmc · Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 43

Great job DAB... I know how much prep work and energy you put forth getting ready for the trip. Awesome photos and glad the trip was a success for you.

cmc

DAB · Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 152 Location: Surpise, AZ

I had a couple questions that I thought I would share - that way if anyone new like me plans the trek they can get some ideas.

Any suggestions or advice I need to know before I go?
If you plan on packing all your stuff in I would really keep my weight down. I'm 40 years old and not Mr. Health - so it was a monster of a hike for me. 13 miles in one day with 30 lbs on your back and the last mile in soft sand - was... exhausting. So, I would be very aware of what you pack and for training, if you are like me, hike, bike ride or what ever you can to try to get some cardio going Bring a camera - because it is awesome!

Where did put and store your food?
I packed all dehydrated meals and dry goods. There is plenty of water (obviously) down there - so cooking was very basic and simple. I kept all my food, snacks, etc in my pack - hanging on a line between some trees. If you find a good site - you might find a picnic table!

My gear list = 30 pounds (not counting few ounces of Jack Daniels)

MAIN GEAR (weight in ounces) = 261 ounces = 16.3 pounds
pack = 58
tent (no rain fly) = 32
sleeping bag - slumberjack = 41 (not the warmest, but light and small)
pad - BA Rem red = 24
pillow =
water - 3 liter = 106

COOKING GEAR = 18 ounces
bruton burner
bruton ib cookset
1 small fuel
1 spork

ESSENTIALS GEAR = (I didn't weigh this individual due to time.
first aid
rain parka
head light
tp & wipes
nelgene
leatherman
sunscreen, bugspray
camera & extra batteries

CLOTHES - (including what I wore)
shorts
long sleeved sun shirt
hat & sun glasses & bandana
3 pairs of socks
2 pairs underwear
t-shirt
swim trunks
teva's
hiking boots

FOOD = (again, I didn't weigh individually)
4 cups of trail mix
1/2 pound of beef jerky
4 granola bars
1 Resese (so good on the hike out)
4 Gatorade mixes
4 oatmeal packages
2 MH Pro packs (beef stew (yuck), pasta primavera (excellent))
1 MH 2 serve meal (mac and cheese)
1 MH breakfast (granola w/b-berries and milk - yummy)

Wow - sure doesn't look like 30 pounds does it! Honestly, I put it all in and weighed it on my back, took it off and subtracted and I'm really good at math.
_________________
Douglas

- To those who do... and to those that don't. Cheers!