March 27, 2012
After getting up
and ready, I hopped in the van with the Calhoun group for one last
day of hiking with them. We started at Door/Window,
hiking, exploring, fossil hunting. The wind was rather strong today,
and Door/Window has some pretty impressive ledges from which to view
the landscape below. Had to be a little cautious. Next we drove
down towards Saddle Pass, and parked along the shoulder before the
pass. We hiked off towards the formations, following Francesco's
directions toward a canyon that cuts through the towering rocks.
Followed the canyon to its end where we had lunch. Gary discovered a
reasonably accessible way to climb up to the top of the rock ledge high above,
and many of us followed. The top was a large plateau with an amazing
view, and was littered with fossils. Told Ed about it later at
night, and plan to hike him up there later this week so he can have a
look. I'll see if I can get some videos of him talking about fossil
parts and post it here. Around 2:30 we hiked out and headed to the
visitor's center where the Calhoun group had a sort of debriefing
about their experience here in the Badlands. It was so great to
listen to these kids talk about the things they will bring back from
their visit. Reminds me so much of my eye opening, month-long trip
to Europe with a school group when I was sixteen. We all headed to
the Wagon Wheel, a bar in Interior, for dinner, then back to the
housing area for some last-night fun. What an amazing day. A lovely ending to a great week. I am really going to miss
these guys and their energy.
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| View from Door/Window |
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| The Calhoun group hiking out of Door/Window. |
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| Door/Window area |
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| Final hiking destination with the Calhoun group. |
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| Opposing view. |
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| Toward the canyon |
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| Hiking in |
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| The canyon ends, lunch spot. |
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| View down the canyon from the ledge above. |
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| Top of ledge, erosion that leads to canyon. |
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| Above the canyon |
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| View in the other direction. |
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| Gary, Francesco, Ellen examining a fossil find. |
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| Fossilized mandible fragment with intact tooth. |
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| Coaching the climb back down. |
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| Narrow part of canyon. |
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| Calhoun teachers climb down the canyon wall |
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| The canyon begins to open. |
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| Fallen rock makes an arch. |
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| End of the hike. |
What incredible scenery! I imagine you're taking hundreds of photos. I'm glad you're able to do so
ReplyDeletemuch exploring...you are certainly in your element. Can't wait to see your work and hear more of you adventures. DK