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In the narrow parts of the canyon, the river touched rock walls on both sides. The smooth dark rock reached into the water like the legs of a dragon. We were walking through a fantasy novel.
I thought briefly about flashfloods. On my raft trip through the Grand Canyon the boatmen taught us that when we hiked through a slot canyon, we should always have an escape route planned. I looked around — and there was simply no place to climb up, especially in awkward dry pants and boots. "If there is a flashflood," I announced to my husband dramatically, "we are going to die."
He shrugged.
I knew eventually we'd have to turn back, but I kept wanting to go farther. Each bend brought a new sight: a springfed waterfall, a huge boulder in the middle of the river, a curving side canyon, or a glimpse of sunlight shining down into the canyon.
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4 comments:
It both sounds and looks fantastic.
well, it sure would be an "adventurous" way to die! ;)
These canyons are magnificent! And certain times of day and year you can be fairly sure there won't be a flash flood... you just have to know your stuff.
Yeah, we did check ahead of time to make sure the risk of a flash flood was pretty low. But still, I couldn't help but think about it ....
I agree that the canyons are magnificent. This was one of the most beautiful hikes I've ever taken.
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