The Grand Canyon - (Sep. 1 - Sept.04 2011)

This is a review of the North Rim trip on Sept. 1, 2011. Since REI refused to publish I decided to put it on-line so the people can finally learn the TRUTH about the trip as although much have been written there is lot of stuff left uncovered , well until now …

Dream like escape into another world 

Trip classification system  

First of all due the unified system REI is using to classify all trips we are in a a-a-a let’s call it  interesting situation where winter climb of Mt. Washington is classified as level 3 enterprise in the search page (level 4 in its own page) and the Grand Canyon excursion  is deemed level 5.  Hmm does this make sense to you? Let’s look at the facts. The typical REI Mt. Washington climb have 50% percent failure rate (one in 2 does not make it to the top). Grand Canyon - perhaps even 20% would be generous (although true in our particular case). So what is causing the dissonance in the scales? I have no insider’s information but if I have to make a wild guess REI likely factored that Mt Washington despite the difficulties is a one day effort while in the case of the Grand Canyon you have to lug your backpack for days (4 to be precise).  So although you do not have to deal with 70+ miles wind you still have to face minor hurdles, i.e. being deprived by Internet, braking your beloved Kindle and similar injustice that easily puts the modern human down to his or her knees :)

Originally submitted at REI.com/adventures

Mount Washington Winter Climb

Great climb but 50% success rate only!

By Bragabondio from Washington, DC on 3/4/2011

4out of 5

Pros: Group Camaraderie, Guides
Cons: Fitness of the group, Activity Level
Describe Yourself: Casual Adventurer
Why Did You Choose to Travel with REI Adventures?: All the Details Planned for Me, I Liked the Itinerary

Book a private tour with the local sub-contractor / hire guide directly in case you would like to significantly improve your chances of reaching the summit. I tried in December 2011 with a group and we reached the infamous "hut". The guides, correctly in my opinion, decided that it is not safe to go further due to around 70 mph wind. In February 2011 I called REI for a private booking but they asked almost 3 times more than what the local company who is actually organizing the hike. Thus, on my second attempt I went with John (a super guide I met during the first climb who have climbed Everest in the past) and reached the summit relatively easy despite that the conditions were comparable or worst to the first attempt (60-80 mph wind and -33F with the wind chill).

The key to success is to get the wind after you reach Lions Head at your back or side. This can only be done if you check the forecast in advance and arrive at Lions Head at the right time. John did this trick for me but obviously if you are with a group you depend on the time of the slowest hiker. Carry summit size pack with the essential only. If you are wearing glasses take them before putting the ski mask. Finally, I noticed that all guides have enlarged significantly the mouth holes of their baklavas. That helps breathing a lot.

Guides are great, super fit and trying to be helpful as much as possible. However, do not expect a military discipline during the climb. There were some frequent stops where nobody knew how long the rest would be. On my second attempt the only rest we had was while changing equipment, i.e. snow shoes to crampons and for 5-10 min at the observatory and I felt much better as I did not have to worry about adding/taking out layers. Thus, in summary if you are fit you would be better off going with a guide only. If the social experience is more important than reaching the summit than go with the group.

The summit!

When you look into the abyss the abyss looks back at you

From the city of sin to the valley of death 

up to the summit of the mountain of Josiah 

I traveled passionate and invigorated feeling no regret
for the life I have left.

You die once but you can rot your whole life!

A woman a day

I discovered Philip Jose Farmer's relatively late in my adulthood and it was a a wild ride since then. Imagine seeing the old books or comics you have read during your childhood in a 3D. The old two dimensional heroes and villains not only look better but suddenly have also lost their black and white attributes and have become much more complex and interesting human beings. Imagine re-reading and re-living the old myths - an epic adventure in a strange but somehow familiar land. And you can probably understand the excitement I felt once I dived head first in the worlds of Kikaha and Annana, the red Orc and the wild and sexual Lord Tyger (Tarzan reincarnated) who kills an alligator with his knife and sleeps with a beautiful blond in the same night! Oh those happy days of daydreaming and little night sleep...

In the mad world of post 9/11 I always get an inspiration from great literature characters and a special place in my hearth is always reserved  for the flawed, vulnerable but so human and powerful characters of P.G. Farmer.  And here my friends I have to cut my story short as the night is still young and the savage, adult and none stop action stories of the world of tiers are calling me again.