One of the most memorable experiences in recent memory is summitting my first 13,000 foot peak. 13,806 to be exact. The Middle Teton in Grand Teton National Park – Jackson, Wyoming.
August 26, 1996
I said goodbye to Drew a few days ago and I left for Lake Powell. Goodbyes, or whatever you call them, are always so weird. He’s definitely someone I’ll keep in touch with as long as I can.
I’m sitting watching over 2 boats up Dark Canyon in Lake Powell, actually Cataract Canyon. I’m on a six-day trip for the Marlboro Adventure team. We actually only work about 2 and half days out of the six, but I’m getting paid for them all. I spent the night on the boats last night and it was Great! Quite time to myself. I haven’t had that in a while. I’m not quite sure why they chose me to do this trip – actually, I do. I’m hanging around for a while – longer than most.
Dark Canyon is beautiful! We’ve been portaging water and gear to these Marlboro guys and I’ll tell you what – 6 gallons of water is HEAVY! We’ve had to carry this up and down the entire canyon. But, on our days off we rented a kneeboard and have been fishing. Hell for 8 of the 12 hours you’re on shift you sleep. Easy!
August 19, 1996
this is actually part II of the same entry. I went to the beach yesterday. I don’t know what it was about the day but very strange and peculiar thoughts ran through my head. The main part of my thought consisted of seeing people in a state of zen. Right then was the perfect world. I understood peoples actions as far as why people seem so flakey?? sometimes – it’s easier to deal with your life. Being happy where you’re at and having a good time being there. Wow – is that profound? Possibly.
I’m still vacillating between what I want to do for my trip. Definitely Nepal, but now I’m considering going to Africa instead of Australia/ New Zealand. Thus the problem.
At Tag, they’ve made me the daily TL (trip leader) which is basically a manager of the daily boatmen.
Talk about 14 years and the universe synching up. I just got back from Jackson Hole, WY where I was visiting one of my college roommates – who, coincidentally, I hadn’t seen in about 14 years. 14 years is a long time, the reason we didn’t connect for so long? Who knows – sometimes people just move apart and then come back together. It was a full week of activity and much needed getting back to my outdoor adventure roots.
What I love about Jackson is the small town feel where my friends are your friends. I met my buddy for dinner and his whole posse showed up. Nothing out of the ordinary, but all were welcoming. I ended up going fishing with one of the guys on the SouthFork of the Snake the next day. Great day in a drift boat.
Next day, I did a hike up an unofficial trail in Grand Teton National Park called Hanging Canyon. It was close to a death hike since I had come from sea-level and then went up in elevation (straight up). Started from Jenny Lake south and going all the way up to the Lake of the Crags. Well worth the view once you get up there.
We fished in the Bechler River in Yellowstone. One of the most amazing river valleys – ever. Note: Lots of mosquitos that ignore DEET. 
Finally, we summitted the Middle Teton. Peak height 13,806 feet. LONG day – started at 5 AM – out at 7 PM. My friend summitted the South Teton as well. 2 peaks bagged. This city boy only had enough to bag 1.
August 11, 1996
I’m sitting here sunbathing in the hills behind Ken’s lake. Wow – three weeks of life just whipped by. I realized toady that summer is coming to an end. An end as far as the friends I had at the beginning of the summer are leaving and moving on. In 2 weeks it will be the end of August. Drew will be leaving and right now I have no idea what I want to do for the next 2 months. I’m trying not to reflect on summer just yet. Most notable events I can remember that: One, Drew and I went on a road trip. SLC to Denver back to Moab. I went to my first baseball (major league) game. Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. I don’t even know if they won I had a ball – had a full experience, – bratwurst, beer and 3rd row seats off of 3rd base. It was a pretty long death drive back, but we made it. Drew said later, if you can sit in the same vicinity as someone and feel comfortable, he considers it a special type of relationship. Probably as far as no pressure to “make conversation.” I’d agree with that.
July 19, 1996
It’s actually about 1:00 in the morning. I’ve got Zack (Zizza) snoring in the background as I write. I guess I’ll start with the fact that I’m officially a Westwater Canyon guide.
I’m at the point where I feel competent enough to read water and go. Explanation, Westwater is pretty well-known for its whitewater. I feel like a “real” river guide. Most people don’t even get up there for a couple years. It was random. 1st time J-rig – 2nd time I rowed with another guide in my boat, 3rd I’m on my own. Tag-a-Long seems to place a lot in my abilities as a boatman. It’s a great feeling, I must say. It’s a point that most of the 1sst year guides see and get jealous. I know I would be.
I got my combat roll down (sort of) in kayaking. What a feeling – 3rd time in a kayak – actually my 2nd time – and I did it! Woo Hoo! I’m actually growing a bit weary of Moab. Great place, but my apartment has turned into the party pad. Randoms crashing here oh….whenever. I’m not sure I would come back next year – given the opportunity.
July 7, 1996
July – I can’t believe it. It seems that every summer the 4th of July seems so far away. Now, it’s past.
We had an employee Cat(aract) trip and we paddled it! That is a feat few people can claim. It was incredible, a 12-foot boat non-self bailing. We had to pull over into every eddy to dump the water out of it. After scouting Big Drop 2, we hit it. NUTS! Running BD 2 at 30,000 cfs!
A lateral wave smashed into us, completely swamping the boat. The tubes on the boat are about 18” in diameter and, not shitting at all, only about 4 inches was above the water line. Obviously with that much weight, a boat is not very maneuverable.
We tried to get into the eddy below BD2, but couldn’t make it. We started going into BD 3 backwards. I looked back and we were going into the hole. We spun just in time to hit the hole square on. Everyone was STOKED! YAHOO! Talk about Thriller!
Drew is on ad 5-day Desolation/ Gray canyon trip. I’m a little bit envious. But of course I’m happy for him. I suppose I’ll be on Westwater soon enough. Fri and Sat I’m helping run a J-rig up there – it should be a good time. I hope I’ll be guiding Westwater by the end of this month.
I think I’ve decided on my itinerary for my trip. Fly into Kathmandu, then to Bangkok and I’ll figure it out from there. Talking to a few people I came to the conclusion that when I originally decided to go I wanted freedom. With such a set itinerary, I don’t have the flexibility I want. So, I’m going to fly by the seat of my ass.
A funny thing just happened. I’m sitting in this diner, the “Star Café” just drinking coffee and writing. The owner, a little old lady starts asking if I’ve had breakfast. I said “no, it was my first time in here.” She turns right around and brings me a bowl of granola. “This one’s on the house” she says. How random is that?
A few days ago Drew and I and a few other were invited to be valets at “The lady’s of Moab – Hat Part” Oh my God. Talk about hilarious. We wore grass hula skirts and leis. Our job as “valets” was to make sure all of the lady’s were “taken care of.” Okay, so this involved putting suntan lotion and foot massages, feeding them grapes, etc. With all the free alcohol we could drink. When I got there and they gave us our outfits, D and I looked at each other like “What the hell did we just get ourselves into?”
We had a great time. It was great to see all the ladies with no husbands, kids and no worries. Total relaxation. I keep thinking I see some of them around town – ha.
Before that, talk about going backwards through time – we all went to Widespread Panic. My first Panic show. I was designated driver, which was cool. It was in Grand Junction, CO. It was a ball!
So we’ve found an apartment. After camping for 2 months under the tamarisk in Kane Creek, we got a place. A funny story, actually. I called about some office space for rent and asked if they wouldn’t consider renting it out for residential. They said, no of course. But that morning and the lady had heard that a spot had opened up and the girl couldn’t afford it and moved out. Perfect.
Anyway, we’d been partying – a lot. This is one of those crazy summer jobs where you work all day and play all night. The gang is getting along great – we all feel like we’ve known each other for years. Maybe it’s a karma thing – I don’t know.
In reading back some of what I’m writing is very adolescent and I’m shaking my head at how ridiculous I sound in parts. Ah well, it was the feelings at the time, I suppose.
Well, it’s June. I can’t believe it I think this summer is flying by. I just got back from visiting Greg in Albuquerque. He’s doing really well and I’m happy for him. I’m not getting much work right now, but it’s relaxing I know within a couple months impending work every day.
Drew and I have been hanging out a lot. It’s weird to have a “best mate” dare I sawy- down here. We camped in Negro Bill canyon last night – underneath an arch. It was fantastic.
In the 49th street station of the N, R, W there’s an Ann Taylor ad I’ve been watching evolve. It started out with the moustache on the model and has evolved to a unibrow and chest hair. Now, drawing moustaches on people has always been a classic adolescent behavior. Change something you know to something different or somehow making fun of someone you don’t like (albeit not to their face).
The evolution of this ad all started with the moustache. Apparently, once a tease starts, everyone jumps in.
Ann Taylor - model with a moustache