Miya
Because I am able.
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2017
- Messages
- 1,404
Oh what?! I am in here. Awwww...imma cry...(not sarcastic either lol)
Best of 2018
- Thread starter Nick
- Start date
Oh what?! I am in here. Awwww...imma cry...(not sarcastic either lol)
chandlerwest
Member
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2015
- Messages
- 550
I wasn't sure where this retrospective was going to go. I didn't do much in 2018. I didn't make it to Zion NP until October for chrissakes. So it felt like this might get depressing. Well it did turn emotional. So evidently 2018 was not about where I went but who I did them with and the long time support that I lost.
The year started the frigid morning of the Super Blood Moon.
I spent numerous mornings hiking back to this rare-ish Silar Pinchusion because I was determined to see it bloom.
In early June I lost Phantom. Our cat that has been by my side for 14 years.
Our trip to Glacier in June was highlighted by the documentation of the prior years Sprague Fire. It was a day of discussion and awe with @Jeffrey Chandler. Then the juxtaposition of the glorious forests of Glacier.
Glacier June had a couple of frigid expeditions with Jeff.
I did have a day in July to myself in Cedar Breaks that was pretty wonderful. The sunrise was ripe for contemplation.
August found the entire chandlerwest crew in Glacier, with @Scott Chandler spending the entire week. Sharing Jeff and my tradition of pizza, tator tots, ice cream and Weinhardt's Soda every night after a long days of adventuring.
Thanks to @Artemus and @Rockskipper, my blue jeans and flannel shirts enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame on BCP !!!! My boys wouldn't be caught with jeans but they can still rock the flannel on the trail.
September I found myself at Scott's for a few days. He shared the wonder of The Needles. As I contemplated passing out on that day I wondered how Scott would get me back to the car. Sort of turned into him metaphorically holding a carrot in front of this donkey.
Autumn in the La Sals. Sunset at Dead Horse Point. Afterwards @Scott Chandler drug out the telescope and gave me a private night sky program! Then I got to do a couple things during the morning at Arches NP that I always wanted to do.
I finally got to Zion in October. Where I marked off one more drainage and ridgeline!
The year ended with a chandlerwest day at The Yant. The year seems full with being with my sons. (As opposed to 2017, of wandering alone in the backcountry of Zion NP all year.......which I loved....don't get me wrong.)
In November 25th my mom passed away. She was 96 years old and was fairly active except for the last three years. With numerous cross country trips she gave me an appreciation for seeing what was beyond the ridgeline. During the '80s she lead hundreds of people on bus trips world wide but especially to Alaska. In 1982 when I floated the idea to drive to Alaska she pointed out that the car surely had an available seat. She made us seat cushions to soften the bumps and off we went.
In 1984 while having my first, of many, existential crisis I found myself on a couple of her tours. We splurged and flew around Denali
Then in New Zealand we got out of the bus a few hours and hopped a small plane from Milford Sound to Queensland.
I have to tell this story. In 1982, when we drove, we spent the night at this "lodge". We had the small shed to the right. The bathroom was the big one on the left. In 1984 we were able to get the shot of the place.
Let's throw in a sunset from Tahiti
I want to express my appreciation to ALL the members of BCP for sharing their adventures with me and providing me a place to share mine!
The year started the frigid morning of the Super Blood Moon.
I spent numerous mornings hiking back to this rare-ish Silar Pinchusion because I was determined to see it bloom.
In early June I lost Phantom. Our cat that has been by my side for 14 years.
Our trip to Glacier in June was highlighted by the documentation of the prior years Sprague Fire. It was a day of discussion and awe with @Jeffrey Chandler. Then the juxtaposition of the glorious forests of Glacier.
Glacier June had a couple of frigid expeditions with Jeff.
I did have a day in July to myself in Cedar Breaks that was pretty wonderful. The sunrise was ripe for contemplation.
August found the entire chandlerwest crew in Glacier, with @Scott Chandler spending the entire week. Sharing Jeff and my tradition of pizza, tator tots, ice cream and Weinhardt's Soda every night after a long days of adventuring.
Thanks to @Artemus and @Rockskipper, my blue jeans and flannel shirts enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame on BCP !!!! My boys wouldn't be caught with jeans but they can still rock the flannel on the trail.
September I found myself at Scott's for a few days. He shared the wonder of The Needles. As I contemplated passing out on that day I wondered how Scott would get me back to the car. Sort of turned into him metaphorically holding a carrot in front of this donkey.
Autumn in the La Sals. Sunset at Dead Horse Point. Afterwards @Scott Chandler drug out the telescope and gave me a private night sky program! Then I got to do a couple things during the morning at Arches NP that I always wanted to do.
I finally got to Zion in October. Where I marked off one more drainage and ridgeline!
The year ended with a chandlerwest day at The Yant. The year seems full with being with my sons. (As opposed to 2017, of wandering alone in the backcountry of Zion NP all year.......which I loved....don't get me wrong.)
In November 25th my mom passed away. She was 96 years old and was fairly active except for the last three years. With numerous cross country trips she gave me an appreciation for seeing what was beyond the ridgeline. During the '80s she lead hundreds of people on bus trips world wide but especially to Alaska. In 1982 when I floated the idea to drive to Alaska she pointed out that the car surely had an available seat. She made us seat cushions to soften the bumps and off we went.
In 1984 while having my first, of many, existential crisis I found myself on a couple of her tours. We splurged and flew around Denali
Then in New Zealand we got out of the bus a few hours and hopped a small plane from Milford Sound to Queensland.
I have to tell this story. In 1982, when we drove, we spent the night at this "lodge". We had the small shed to the right. The bathroom was the big one on the left. In 1984 we were able to get the shot of the place.
Let's throw in a sunset from Tahiti
I want to express my appreciation to ALL the members of BCP for sharing their adventures with me and providing me a place to share mine!
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2018
- Messages
- 1,753
@chandlerwest - Im so sorry, 2018 was a very difficult year for you. It takes a long time to heal and fill the void. As time goes it will slowly get better.
Now we know, who gave you all the travel bug! I don't know how the bathroom could be bigger than the shed you slept in- fun picture.
It's also great that your sons were able to join you on some trips/hikes. We all love to read about your adventures and see your great photos. I sure know you made my day when you posted that TR from Moab with the photos from The Needles, it was awesome to read. We did part of that long Needles loop hike some weeks ago and I often thought of you that day, it's a tough hike (and we did Druid Arch on a separate day!).
We are looking forward to read more about your new adventures! What do you have planned for this year?