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For narratives and pictures from all of my trips since 2007 see my blog. For stories about my trips in 2004, 2005, and 2006, see my "Recent Trips" link at the top of this page.

Upcoming trips — 2010

Note: I am taking a sabbatical in 2010 to concentrate on some writing projects. But a few trips are planned

February 21 to 26 - "A Tour of Death Valley" with friends who have traveled with me before. We'll explore this geologic wonderland, which contains many surprises.

March 19 to 21 - "Grand Canyon Backpack" with family members from California and Tucson.

April 5 to 9 - Canyonlands and Arches Excursion with the Museum of Northern Arizona Ventures Program. We will day hike to many fantastic localities around Moab, Utah including Arches National Park, the Colorado River Scenic Byway and Canyonlands National Park. We'll stay overnight in the comfort of The Gonzo Inn and enjoy our dinners at any one of the great restaurants in downtown Moab. See this link for more details.

September 12 to 21 - A 10-Day Geological Rafting Trip on the Colorado River with Canyoneers. For the last few years I have led this very popular trip down the Colorado River in Grand Canyon and I am going to do it again in 2010. There is simply no better way to learn the geology of this world-class canyon than going down its entire 280 mile length. Canyoneers will be the outfitter for the trip. As of mid-November, 2009, the trip was SOLD OUT, however there may be cancellations at any time and I will be leading another 10-day trip in 2011. So if this appeals to you, please contact me.

October 18 to 21 - Mule Assisted Backpack to the Colorado River with the Grand Canyon Field Institute. If you are new to backpacking or the Grand Canyon, this is an excellent way to start. I'll teach the basics of backpacking for a full day on the rim and then we will deliver our packs to the mule barn. The next three days we will travel with only our day packs to the bottom of the canyon. Look at this link for more details.

Trips Completed in 2009

January 13 to February 4 - Cape to Cape - A Private Jet Expedition with TCS. This will be a fantastic trip on a 757 aircraft to the western side of Africa (countries visited are Burkina Faso, Namibia, and South Africa), crossing the Atlantic to Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Patagonia, and finishing up in Panama. Here's the link for more details.

March 16 to 21 - Down the Hermit Trail with the Grand Canyon Field Institute. This will be a five-day backpack (with one day of instruction on the rim prior) down one of the most historical trails in Grand Canyon. We will enjoy a lay-over day in Monument Creek and will explore down to the Colorado River. We will camp at Indian Gardens and then hike out the Bright Angel Trail. This trip has been very popular in the past and should be so this year as well. See this link for details.

April 6 to 10 - Canyonlands and Arches Excursion with the Museum of Northern Arizona Ventures Program. We will day hike to many fantastic localities around Moab, Utah including Arches National Park, the Colorado River Scenic Byway and Canyonlands National Park. We'll stay overnight in the comfort of The Gonzo Inn and enjoy our dinners at any one of the great restaurants in downtown Moab. See this link for more details.

May 25 to 29 - Exploring Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument with the Museum of Northern Arizona Ventures Program. On this special charter trip, our group will be exploring some nice slot canyons between Page and Escalante. The trip will include a three-day backpack into Coyote Gulch where we will see three natural bridges along the stream. The group is the same as last years adventure down to the Hall's Creek Narrows in Capitol Reef and is being organized by Dr. Richard Weibe, a long time supporter of the Museum. Recently, the mystery of Everett Ruess' disappearance in the southwest was solved. See this link for the story, which has some great video of the discovery of his remains. A great southwesttern mystery has been solved!

September 13 to 22 - A 10-Day Geological Rafting Trip on the Colorado River with Canyoneers. For the last few years I have led this very popular trip down the Colorado River in Grand Canyon and I am going to do it again in 2009. There is simply no better way to learn the geology of this world-class canyon than going down its entire 280 mile length. Canyoneers will be the outfitter for the trip. As of mid-November, 2008, the trip was SOLD OUT, however there may be cancellations at any time and I will be leading another 10-day trip in 2010. So if this appeals to you, please contact me.

September 30 to October 5 - Rim to Rim Backpack with the Museum of Northern Arizona Ventures Program. This Rim to Rim backpack is a day longer than my May trip and the food is included! We use the extra day to explore the area around Bright Angel Creek and the Colorado River. We have almost 48 hours without our backpacks on. Some of the food is delivered to us by mule. This is the best way to go across the canyon by foot. See the link for more details.

October 9 to 16 - A hike from Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon with a friend who wants to learn more about geology. This is a private trip biut I wanted to list it anyway to let you know what I am up to

October 19 to 22 - Mule Assisted Backpack to the Colorado River with the Grand Canyon Field Institute. If you are new to backpacking or the Grand Canyon, this is an excellent way to start. I'll teach the basics of backpacking for a full day on the rim and then we will deliver our packs to the mule barn. The next three days we will travel with only our day packs to the bottom of the canyon. Look at this link for more details.

October 24 to 30 - A tour of Santa Fe and Taos with friends from back east. Jim and Roz Butler are friends that I met while sailing around a glacier in Greenland in 1990. Every now and then we arrange for a private tour here in the southwest. This will be our latest adventure.

Don't just sit there - come on a trip. It's fun and educational.