Today's route was either make or break. It would test whether we had the ability to travel over very difficult terrain in a given period of time, because the next day would be one of the most difficult ever.
First, we had to make a short trip (about a mile) to the mighty Colorado River. We left at around 11 a.m., along the stream that led to the Colorado. We criss-crossed the stream from base camp, where Jason prepared a batch of pancakes for us. Before the night, I barely slept either because I was pumped up by adrenaline or because I kept thinking about the rough terrain ahead of us. I also had to pee, which made it difficult. Eventually I pissed in an empty Pepsi bottle. The night also was made difficult by the stream, which Jason identified as wonderful sound of white noise. That same white noise is used to comfort my older brother's children to make them fall asleep. But such natural effect was useless on me.
The trip to the Colorado was an interesting prelude to our hike up the slope. The Colorado itself was pretty cool.
Upon returning to base camp, we immediately drank and refilled our water bottles before ascending the rocky slope, which brought us 500 feet higher. I have to tell you -- carrying a 50-pound backpack is no joke, especially on rocky terrain with loose soil. I sometimes think it;s crazy and foolish carrying a load about a third of my body weight.
Each time I grasp onto a piece of rock on this slope, I tell myself to be patient and hold. Every piece, every foothold, every grasp of my hand on rock must be secure.
The way down from this slope will also be equally difficult, if not tougher. This hike is no joke. I have scrapes and bruises to prove my case.
Jason went first to scope routes and Daniel followed. In no time, Jason reached the top just prior to the gulley, to which Daniel and I looked on in amazement.
We set out at about 1:30 p.m.
The view from the camp looked daunting. Loose rock, sand and dirt awaited us. traversing and climbing. That's what we did. In the shadow of the canyon wall, we climbed and traversed, slowly. I had to make sure my grasp was tight. It took about an hour to reach the base of the gulley (which was an almost truly vertical ascent) and 20 to 30 minutes to reach the top. There, we had to decide whether to attempt the climb for base camp at Monkey Face.
For me, I was approaching my limit. Descending about 500 feet and then ascending 500 feet onto a steeper slope with dirt and rock so loose that an attempt with 50 pounds on my back would be death defying.
Daniel was keen on going. But it was Jason's decision. Eventually, we decided not to go because judging from the planned Day Three hike, this hike to Monkey Face base camp with a full pack on second day seemed too ambitious.
I felt I was at my limit, more mentally than physically. Scrambling up that rocky and loose-soil slope looked daunting. I asked Jason to have him and Daniel pursue the loop and I would head back to the car, but he didn't want any of that because we function as a team, and on principle, he wouldn't allow that.
Still, Jason and Daniel continued on track without their packs, while I stayed behind. In about an hour's time Jason reached Monkey Face, while Daniel followed behind from afar. They were directly across me in the canyon, and I took photos, their profiles dwarfed by the enormity of the canyon wall.
Upon their return, Daniel remarked that he wouldn't have been able to complete the hike with a backpack fully loaded as it is.
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