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Show Page 6, THE HERALD, Provo, Utah, - Hunting Section, Thursday, September 23, 1993 Zion Narrows modern day challenge By JOHN BEST Hereld Correspondent Rated as one of the top hikes in America for its beauty, adventure, diversity and uniqueness, the Zion Narrows in southern Utah, easily qualifies for its rating. While it niay not be a hike for everyone, everyone who hikes the narrow canyon agrees the trek is worth the effort. Beginning 16 miles north of Zion National Park, this amazing trail winds through towering canyon walls that extend 2000 feet into deep blue mountain skies. This impressive chasm carved deep into the Markagunt Plateau has been impressively sculptured into a grand presentation of sandstone art including arches, grottos and walls with erie configurations and smooth flowing patterns. The trail begins at Chamberlain's Ranch and follows easy rolling hills and the winding Virgin River for several miles. And then the magic begins. The trail drops into steeper canyons and the river becomes trapped in the deep canyon for the next 14 miles. The trail follows along the Virgin when possible, but many times the Virgin River is the trail. In parts of this inspiring canyon sun rays never reach the river or sandy trail. Much of the hike is in water from ankle to chin. Walking in the river brings invigorating challenges that require proper preparation. Hikers must have foot wear that can accommodate river conditions. Ankle support is highly recommended. A walking stick for balance and stability especially when crossing and walking in the river is also highly recommended. Backpacks, day packs and fanny packs are all helpful to carry first aid supplies, lunches, drinks, and photo equipment. All gear should be packed in sealed plastic bags or other water tight containers. Opportunities for photographs are unlimited. Special care should be taken to protect camera equipment from water damage. Water tight containers are a must for photo equipment. Wet soaked backpacks become a liability. Unfasten the waist strap while wading in deeper water. A tightly fastened pack can not be shed quickly and can be dangerous if the current sweeps a hiker from their feet. Hikers should keep track of their progress by recognizing side canyons and with use of maps or trail guides provided by the park service. Big Springs marks the entrance to a three mile stretch of the Narrows where sheer sandstone cliffs limit escape from flash viw A v r-:'.- v ' " - Photo by John Best Hiking the Zion Narrows in southern Utah is one of the most difficult outdoors adventures in the West. floods. Hiking below Big Springs is difficult when it's dark even with a flashlight and almost impossible without one. During portions of this section of the hike, travelers are in the water most of the time. Rangers for the National Park Service caution all hikers to as- - Plinkin' great way to practice shooting By REX INFANGER Herald Correspondent For a number of years now I have belonged to a great shooting organization called The Tin Can Rifle and Pistol Club located in Springville. This club is a dedicated group of shooters who simply enjoy putting holes in paper. The club was named after the tin can and all of our keychains have a small, shot through tin can on them to remind us that the number one target in the United States for years and years was a plain and simple tin can. Most of us got our start shooting back on our grandpa's farm which is where a lot of people in the fortysomething age group learned to shoot. Back when we were kids, there was a little more elbow room, there were more small towns and most of us had relatives that were still on that farm that we could get to and shoot on. We went out to shot, it was generally a tin can. Most of the time we were shooting a .22 caliber rifle or pistol. It was really enjoyable to hit the edge of the can and watch it jump up into the air. It was kind of a social event as well as a sporting event because it was competitive and a way to bond together as a family. It was just called plinkin'. Today, most of the farms are great big corporate entities and it is harder to find a place to shoot, although here in the state of Utah, we are very fortunate to be able to travel less than an hour and be able to find some fairly secluded place that is away from anyone else that has a nice hillside backstop that will allow us to shoot without endangering others. It is estimated that there may be as many as 45,000,000 recreational shooters in the United States just plain old fashioned today for a tin can to looking plinkers not only lucky to are We perforate. of the hilly some to close be so of west the us, but we to country also have an excellent shooting fain cility in the Lee Kay Center Salt Lake City. . The Lee Kay Center is operated f by the State Division of Wildlife Resources and there are dedicated volunteers that do nothing but spend days up there helping people to shoot, watching them shoot and making sure that they are shooting safely. The center is located on approximately 2100 South and 50th West. The cost to shoot is $2.00. It is an excellent place just to go and plink away. There is a pistol and muzzle-load- er range. There is also a range for high powered rifles. Plinking is a great way to spend an afternoon. It is a wonderful way to enjoy being together with your friends and family. mm ss )Mi THE HUNTER BIG FOOT 6 POUND HOLLOFIL KING SIZED BAG sume a tremendous responsibility. Conditions change rapidly and safety depends on good judgment, constant attention, and adequate preparation. Good physical conditioning is also recommended. All hikers into the Narrows are required to obtain a back country hiking permit. Permits for the Zion Narrows are not issued until 5 p.m. the day before the scheduled hike. The 5 p.m. deadline is set to evaluate weather conditions before allowing hikers to enter the narrow canyon. Flash floods are a high probability during heavy rains. Backcountry hikers have a significant responsibility to maintain the integrity of Zion's wilderness. Each hiker should know backcountry regulations and practice minimum impact techniques. Up to 80 hikers per day are allowed to travel the Zion Narrows. Without following backcountry regulations the beauty and integrity of the Zion Narrows would be destroyed in a short time. Although the colorful canyons, forested mesas and captivating deserts appear rugged and resilient, many areas are actually quite fragile and easily damaged. The survival of this unique canyon depends on the attitudes of those who come to enjoy its beauty. Some of the regulations back country hikers should follow are camping in designated backcountry sites that are indicated by the National Park Service. All wildlife, plants and natural features are protected and should not be removed or destroyed to obtain walking sticks or to build shelters. Carry out everything that is carried in including toilet paper. Obtain proper permits for hiking. Hikers without permits could be issued a citation. The National Park Service recommends one of three ways to hike the Zion Narrows. The first is to hike Zion Narrows from the bottom. Access to the lower Zion Narrows can be made from the Gateway to The Narrows Trail. Going upstream takes about as much time as going downstream and from the bottom there is generally no destination so hikers must budget their time and not go too far. Due to safety reasons, the Park Service does not allow upstream hikes from the Temple of Sinawa-v- a to Chamberlain's Ranch. The second way to hike the Narrows is a one day experience. Well conditioned hikers can travel the length of the Narrows in about 12 hours. Hikers begin at the Chamberlain Ranch hiking downstream to the Temple of Sinawava. It is recommended hikers begin early in the morning to allow plenty of time before dark. If hikers do not have two cars to shuttle they can arrange transportation through the Zion Lodge which operates a shuttle service. There is also a shuttle board next to the information desk in the Zion Lodge which hikers can individually use to contact each other about shuttling to and from Chamberlain's Ranch. The third way to hike the Zion Narrows is to plan an overnight hike. r Giardia uniting for ilio unwary in outdoors By BILL SUNDERLAND Knight-Ridd- This is the SAN JOSE, Calif. second column I've written recentand not because I ly on Giardia want to. As the cycle continues, new cysts are expelled and if they get into water become dormant until they find a new host. The incubation time is generally seven to nine days, so a backpacker or hiker might not get the effects Despite preaching about the dangers of this nasty little parasite that lives in those crystal-clea- r mountain streams particularly I managed in the Sierra Nevada to catch the bugger myself. Believe me, it was better warning about it than having it. The only positive effect seems to be that my plight provides amusement for some outdoor friends, who inevitably say, "Gee, didn't you just write a story about how not to catch Giardia?" June 10. And Well, yes I did not only did I write it, but I also followed the rules as laid down in wilderness medicine books written by excellent outdoor doctors. So now comes round two, which could be titled, "Stupid, unthinking ways to catch Giardia." But first, a reminder about what Giardia lamblia is, and does. It's a organism carried in the bowels of a number of animals, including deer, beaver, cattle, sheep and dogs, and which until long after returning home from the hills. The basic rule to avoid Giardia is not to drink water from streams, rivers or lakes in the wild unless it is boiled, purified or filtered with equipment designed to eliminate such tiny bugs. Don't eat snow, either, or rinse dishes in water that hasn't been purified, or has chlorine added, because all it takes is one drop. So how did I get it? From the leader of my fly fish- -it one-cell- ing line. When I tie on a new fly I'm in the habit of holding the leader in my mouth to keep track of it while cutting off, searching for and tying on new flies. I usually make sure Giardia needs the leader is dry but I must moisture to survive have put it in my mouth while there still was a drop of water on it. Bingo! I won the lottery . Pretty stupid, but it turns out I'm not totally alone. Fellow outdoor ed through animal waste finds its way into mountain streams. In fact, it has become so common in the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains that it is the top cause of wandiarrhea among back-count- writer Michael Hodgson took a mouthful of water during a river rescue. He spit it out except for one, Giardia-fille- d drop. The best one, though, is an outdoor doctor who grabbed a beer can that had been cooling in a river, popped the top and gulped. He didn't clean all the water off the top of the can before puiling the tab, so he got a mouthful of Giardia along ry derers. It starts as a cyst in the water so small the water may look perbut when ingested fectly clear incubates into another form and coats the intestines of the host. If the host is a human, that can mean stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea with the suds. 4X4 PIWWPW 375 - 3413 226-341- 3 If you are In the lake or the mountains we can get you out quickly & safely "Larry'te Towing - Where towing is our specialty not a side line" or 223-341- 3 375-341- 3 GUARANTEED WATERPROOF The Finest we Offer! Reg. $189.99 R f'ada SALE $139.99 DOUBLE LATER 3 HOLLOFIL U In U.S.A. Don't Get Cold Feet H Hours MODERN SHOE REPAIR Mon.-Sa- t. 375-27- 1 1 350 W. CENTER 9AM-6P- Everything about this btf Is rijhtl The fine workmanship, high loft, and tough nylon inside and out Toufh cotton denum outside and The double layered three pound oft cotton flannel Inside. 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