Columbus Day Exploration!

Hey everybody! Monday, October 12th, is Columbus Day, and as a federal employee, I get the day off! So if you're also a federal employee, or a bank teller, or if you're living off your savvy estate planning, you should come exploring with me!

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In the true spirit of Columbus, we'll be setting off in to parts of Valley of Fire no person has seen before (except for the native people who lived there for centuries, and probably a few intrepid hikers). Since it's new to us, we can claim to have discovered the cool things we'll see (just like Columbus)! But unlike Columbus, we'll be doing no enslaving or disease spreading. Well, very little, anyway...

What we will be doing lots of, however, is SCRAMBLING. This year, I want to check out the red rock area across the street from Mouse's Tank. Ideally, we'll have more than one vehicle, and we can arrange a one-way hike between there and Lot 1, for maximum exploration.

Monday we'll be set aside about five hours to discover what lies in this seldom visited portion of the park. We'll probe deep in to the expansive red rocks that have tempted us so many times before. Be prepared. We will encounter scrambling of all levels, Class I through Class IV. (Please note that while I am a confident climber, I do not like heights. I won't take us anywhere that will have us hanging off cliffs with death below.) We will be out there for the better part of the day. We will have to boldly venture over, across, and even under rocks unknown to any of us. And then we'll have to find our way back without getting eaten by rock monsters...

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If you want to join me for THE MOST AMAZING DAY OF SCRAMBLING EVER!, you should bring at least three liters of water. You should also bring a lunch and some snacks. You need to be comfortable on the rocks and willing to push yourself and trust your fellow hikers in order to overcome obstacles. And most importantly on this or any hike, you should bring a positive attitude, ready for adventure and exploration!

Sound great? That's because it will be. Who's with me?!?! - Alan

P.S. We're meeting at the 4th floor of the Craig Road parking garage of the Cannery at 8 AM. From there, we'll carpool in to the park. Park entry is $7 per carload and National Park Passes don't get any discounts.

P.P.S. Because we will be traveling far from the trailhead over very rough terrain, any injury would make self-rescue VERY DIFFICULT. Please bring extra supplies (food, water, first aid) and please hike carefully. People regularly run out of water on this hike. I adamantly recommend you bring extra water for yourself, and some to share in the event of emergency. We want to make sure we all go home safe and sound after this great day of exploration.

(Donations of any amount help us keep posting and hiking. They are always gladly accepted.)

Please note the following:

• Meetup organizers are not tour guides and are not park rangers. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being.

• By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other outdoor activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. The organizers of this group and current and former members cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant - including you - at any event.

• All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests.

• By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer, and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.