| OCR Text |
Show PAGE 12 THE ZEPHYR JULY 1990 kindling good guide books make Jim Stiles by Greenspan and I were halfway up the mountain when we paused by a remnant snowfleld for rest and reflection. The wind, blowing from the West was ferocious on the far side of the ridge. But here, facing east, It howled above us while we contemplated the scene below. The air was sparkling clear despite the wind, and vlsfelllty was unlimited. My eyes scanned the horizon from North to South: the Book Cliffs, Eagle Park and the Devils Garden at Arches, the Sand Flats, the LaSals, Grand View Point, Elaterite Butte, Lisbon and Valley, the Blues, the Bears Ears, Dark Canyon, White Canyon, Navajo Mountain beyond. Above us, the sun shined like a diamond In the sea of blue, darker and purer than had aeen In a long time. It was a perfect moment "Stiles? grumbled Greenspan, "I don't think this duct tape Is holding up. The soles of Bobs shoes had split open several weeks ago, and now faced with flipping and flapping his way to the summit, he turned to his old duct tape friend. A few wraps appeared to do the Job, but the sharp granitic rock could be brutal. There was growing evidence that the shoes mltfit not make the climb. As Swarthy agonized over his feet, my eyes drifted over his shoulder to the talus that slope lay ahead. To my surprise and Indignation I saw another hiker coming down the I name he simply wrote, 45 minutes from register says something about his style. After his Hed clocked himself on the race up the mountain. Our chat with him on Bull Pass (sic). the way down must have upset his timetable. Now, I don't know Michael Kelsey personally, except for our brief chat on Summit Peak. Hes probably a warm and wonderful human being and a credit to the human race. But I have a real problem with what he and many others are doing to the last blank spaces on the map. They are filling them up with Idiotic details and statistics, and taking the mystery, the adventure, the fun and the danger out of everything. They find remote, It Infrequently visited places, then grid and dissect them, write up, desk top publish the In book store, drug store, grocery store, and curio results, and distribute the book every shop within 300 miles of the "target area. Mass marketing brings results. Ive been watching this guide book phenomenon for a long, long Arne. In 1968, when I made my first descent Into the Grand Canyon (I was 2 12 at the time), backcountry hiking was almost unheard of. But the backpacking craze awaited Just around the corner and would change all of that, almost overnight By 71, the Bright Angel and Kabab trails were overrun with hikers. Phantom Ranch became a madhouse. Park Rangers got nasty. I briefly to apeak with us, and looked dtedalnfully at Greenspan's duet tape boots. In a must continue my walk now, turned briskly and moved off at a very minute, he said: measured and efficient dip toward the saddle. Greenspan eyed him suspiciously, as the man departed. "He's In an awful damn his problem? Whafs hurry... I shrugged and reached for my pack. Bob took another hard look and aald out of wonder If hes that Kelsey guy, the one who writes all these damned guide nowhere, 1 1 books? "Whyd you say that? I asked. This time It was Greenspans turn to shrug. Theyd never been Introduced. Hed never seen his picture. It didnt matter. Swarthy pulled on hls own pack and we both trudged onward. Twenty minutes later, we were on top. A large pile of rocks and a mallboxreglster marked the spot Inside a tattered and hammered book kept the names of everyone who had scaled the mountain since 1963. Flipping through the pages, I found the names of old friends - Dave Loope 1974, Michael Salamacha 1989, Dick Robertson 1985, and a very special memory, Joan Swanson, September 3, 1985. A lot of water under the bridge. I'd climbed this mountain every June since 1986 I and now turned to the most recent entry In the register. I was stunned...... "Greenspan, look at this! I yelled. Bob leaned over the book, squinting In the bright sun, and read the signature. "I'll be damned, he said. "Im a son of a bltchln' psychic. The name read: Michael Kelsey, Provo, Utah. I couldnt believe It I had never considered Greenspan to be particularly Intuitive; In fact, on several occasions Id been concerned that hls upper brain functions had ceased completely. Yet, there It was - the signature In the book had been foretold a full 30 minutes earlier by my swarthy buddy with duct tape shoes. Michael Kelsey Is known for hls prolific writing of guide books about seldom seen areas of the Colorado Plateau. Uke other guide book writers across the West, Kelsey provides detailed Information on roads, distances, conditions, things to see, available services, historical and archaeological descriptions, travel times -- - In essence DATA. Its an attempt to make exploring more....efflclent Kelseys succinct comment In the trail looked elsewhere. trails that led from the Rim to the Tonto Plateau, and then, usually, down to the river. Trails like the Hermit's Trail and Grandview Trail were rough In sections, but wonderfully remote and full of history and surprises. I felt as If Id been given a treasure that I should share with a very few. Let the masses trudge past the pissing Mules on the Kabab. Who needed them? kept my vow of silence, and looked forward to returning to the old trails and some more unknown canyons that had no names. But when I did return a few exploring months later, I was shaken to see a new book for sale near the parks visitor Information desk. The books title read: I i A GUIDE TO THE PRIMITIVE TRAILS OF THE INNER GRAND CANYON Say It aint so, I thought I walked to the desk and asked for a backcountry permit for the Hermit Trail. The ranger shook hls head and chuckled. "Youve got to be kidding, he said. That trail has a five day waiting list Take a number. Take a number? Could this be the same lonely trail I traveled along barely a year ago? Reluctantly I realized the trail was the same - the world had changed, In the blink of an eye. Today those "primitive trails are heavily traveled; designated campsites have been established, rules and regulations have been Imposed, and are strictly enforced by eager rangers. Elsewhere, the pattern was the same. Use of established trails doubled, tripled, quadrupled, thanks In part to the ubiquitous guidebook. When cramped hikers sought refuge In lesser known areas, willing writers were there to fin the void. A recent review of guidebooks In area book stores boggled my mind. Included were detailed volumes about the High Ulntas, the San Raphael Swell, The Colorado Plateau (the broad stroke), the Paria and Escalante Rivera, the Grand Canyon, MLTImpanogos, the Wasatch Mountains, the Great Basin, Dinosaur, Desolation Canyon, the San Juan Mountains and the Wind River Range. Anything ELSE? Is there anything left for the Imagination? Does anyone have an Interest In not knowing what lies around the next bend? Maybe not, but I know for a fact WATERING DOESNT HAVE TO BE A DRAG Simplify your Irrigation system with drippers & mlnl-sprinkle- the only place to get the fresh roadkill of the day rs CALL KEN. and let him design your Irrigation system. Where High-Te- c and Common Sense Meet. -- FINEST FAMILY RESTAURANT Happy Trees Friendly Bushes Castle Canyon Nursery CALL 259-827- 4 ANYTIME OPEN 6 a.m. 259-835- 2 COME IN FOR THE BEST HOME COOKED MEALS 1075 So. Hwy 191 nwfjwe Fixes MWrry GMh KftAfr . |
