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Show THE ZEPHYR problem with number 91. JAN-FE- B PAGE 17 1991 Have you noticed that Stevens has placed It In the wrong canyon? Stiles: "Yes wetll meant to check on that Reuben: And I have a problem with Its categorization. Do you really conalder that a dlff wall arch? Stiles: "Well geez, Reuben...l-u- hReuben: "You do know where 91 Is? Stiles: "Sort of. Reuben: "Have you been to 91? Stiles: "Not exactly. Reuben: "What exactly do you do here In the park? Stiles: Not nearly enough, I think. Moab Mercantile & Gallery of Fine Art Kathy Cooney and Chuck Schildt, owners Grand Emporium on Main 5 North Main 259-298- 5 Humiliated beyond words, Chief Ranger Jerry Epperson called the rangers together to discuss our Inadequacies. Obviously, something needed to be done. Jerry proposed an arch Inventory, a systematic exploration of the park and a running record of all rock openings exceeding three feet (an arch criteria established by Stevens). I thought It was a great Idea. It meant that I'd spend 2 or 3 days a week getting to wander the parks most Isolated backcountry, an untraveled seldom seen, redrock paid wilderness In search of holes. Often accompanied by Reuben and Ed, we explored every side canyon, every fin, every remote cluster of sandstone pinnacles for the elusive windows In stone. But they proved to be less elusive than wed anticipated. We discovered that we could find little three foot arches everywhere. After awhile, Reuben and I concluded that the three foot minimum qualification for an arch was Just too small Ed, on the other hand, thought It was Just fine. Sometimes, In fact, Ed felt Inclined to give nature a helping hand. Heres Ed with the tape measure "What does It measure, Ed? "Well, wait a minute- .- It says 34 Inches but this dirt here Is In the way. "Is that legal? "Sure It Is... there... by golly, Its 37 Inches after all. Write It up. Travers, who had always maintained a low-kapproach to arch hunting, finally met Reuben and Ed In the early 80s. The three compared lists, and whenever Doug was In town, the three archqueteers sallied forth together Into the desert sun In quest of the holes. More often than not, they spent more time arguing over their discoveries than looking for them. Reuben and Ed, In particular, failed to agree most of the time. "Ed," says Reuben, "this Is not an arch. This Is a piece of exfoliated sandstone. "What are you talking about? exclaims Ed. "This Is a platform arch I It meets the criteria. dont care. If I stand on It, It wont be anything at all! Now. Now, gentlemen, Interjects Doug, the Reasonable One. "Remember. I'm videotaping this entire conversation. But the disagreements were never more than a reflection of their passio- n- their love for the redrock arches. The years passed and the number of arches grew. From 200 to 300. To 500. And beyond. We all began to think that Ed especially was developing some sort of unusual obsession. He kept finding arches everywhere, and I began to wonder If he wasnt packing an auger and some TNT In his oversized pack a little creative archmaking. When we heard that Dale Stevens was coming back to the park for a more comprehensive arch count Reuben and I were convinced that the Professor would reevaluate his 3 foot arch stipulation. Maybe Dale could pour a little cold water on McCarricks madness. But we were wrong. Stevens was crazier than Ed. 'Stevens doubled Eds weekly quota and the numbers continued to climb. Ed Arches, we called But while Reuben and I grumbled about all the little arches them the simple truth was, while McCarrick may have been finding a few dinky ones, he was discovering his share of Impressive arches as well. old None w GXHAU$T6P., lLKAty CLOSED you WtlL lU JANVAPy iO tti?vARy. ey mull i'll 1 and Dale Stevens pooled their knowledge, experience, out to write the definitive book about arches In the park. set energy and love of arches, and Three years later, their efforts paid off with the publication of The Arches of Arches National Park: A Comprehensive Study (Mainstay Publishing). It documents and describes 527 arches within the park. But besides merely listing the many rock windows, the book deals with the geology of the area and the origin and development of arches, and delves Into the history of Arch Hunting In southeast Utah. Since Its publication, the number of arches has more than doubled and the end Is still not In sight The Arch Hunters carry on. I can clearly see McCarrick, crashing through the low branches of a plnyon tree, undeterred by the 100 degree heat bound for a rumored dlff wall arch and Glory. now thank God he got rid of that pork pie hat And there's Scolnlk methodical The for arches. one on rock but art, eye open keeping concentrating (he claims) one thats Reuben. On one of our first hikes, wed spent much of the day scrambling up and down canyons and side canyons. We came to a small ledge and he stopped. "Come on Reuben, I said. "Whats the matter? "Ill have to go around, he explained. "What? Why Its only a three foot Jump. "I know, he said. "I only allow myself three Jumps a day, and Ive used them all Land Before Time Rocks & Fossils 5 No. Main Moab 259-664- 4 featuring: Dinosaur Bones Crystals Fossilized Sharks Teeth, Sand Dollars, Trilobites Ammonites, Fish and Much More!! (also home of Canyonlands Telephone) In 1985, Ed McCarrick THE HOGAN TRADING COMPANY home of authentic Indian Arts jewelry sandpainting rugs kachinas pueblo pottery baskets sculptures up." thought he was nuts. I made the Jump; he went around, and now ten years later, my knees make squlshy noises when I bend them and Reuben, at 71, Is going strong. And Travers. He showed up on my doorstep a year ago looking a little shaky. "I need a Scotch, he said. On a hike up Courthouse Wash, Doug had stepped Into the deepest pool of quicksand anyone had ever had the thrill of sinking Into around here. He sank to his waist and then fell backwards Into the trembling muck. He looked like a beached whale. His pack vanished, his camera equipment was saturated, but somehow he extricated himself from the goop to return another day. I When springtime rolls around again, you can be sure that the sun will be warmer, the flowers will bloom, the mountain bluebirds will sing, the mountain bikers will return and the Arch Hunters will be on the Job. Count on II 5 North Main at the Grand Emporium 259-811- 8 & Crafts |