Wednesday, October 24, 2018

No-Owl Canyon and Bad Etiquette


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Mark and Bobbie discovered this area a couple years ago, another unnamed canyon to explore west of the small Zion tunnel. They found an owl along the way, so they dubbed it Owl Canyon. After a steep, sandy climb down it’s a fairly level walk for a bit.

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Then we came to this spot where some of us needed a boost and encouragement to make it up. I hate having a panic attack so early on in a hike, because then I worry about how I’m going to get down on the way back.

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Luckily the scenery was a distraction from my worrying, and except for a few places, it was fairly easy hiking.

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Another tricky spot.

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The maples have really changed over the 11 days we’ve been here.

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There were a couple times when I thought I might be joining this poor guy.

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Recent rains and deep pools made for some difficulty getting around the water in places. After throwing in some rocks for stepping stones, Chris managed to get across but I had already decided this was my turn-around point. Mark followed Chris but had a slip of his foot, which resulted in an unintended split and a painful strain.

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But of course he kept going.

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Mark then tried to help Bobbie across but her legs weren’t long enough, so she and I turned back. They didn’t get too far before coming to another major obstacle that was impassable so we were glad we didn’t follow them.

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I noticed this interesting place in the rock wall that reminded us of a fossil.

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Much to my surprise, getting back down the places I could barely get up turned out to be easier than anticipated. More photos of us crawling around can be found on Box Canyon Blog

And no owls were seen on this hike, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t hiding out in the trees.

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Here’s a photo of our new neighbors, a Japanese couple who squeezed in between Chris and us as we were coming back from a walk this afternoon. Definitely bad boondocking etiquette, especially since there are plenty of other places they could have camped where they would have had privacy and not invaded ours. Chris gave up trying to communicate with them and was kind enough to move his truck, which was parked where their van is, because they were going to drive around the back of our rig to get to this spot anyway. Mind boggling.

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16 comments:

  1. WOW That hike certainly makes me wish I still could. But I cannot. However I do have you folks to take me along with the great pictures. Thank you.

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    1. Not sure how long I'll be able to keep doing this, either.

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  2. In fairness to your Japanese interlopers, remember where they are coming from.

    Perhaps you should have asked to see their reservation, and when they couldn't produce one, you could have told them they had to move. (grin)

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    1. I like the reservation idea. Guess we could have told them we were holding that spot for a friend.

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  3. It's pure surmisal, but they may feel safer between you.

    I had a man from Ireland ask me how I kept cool at night. After some questioning, I learned he was sleeping with his windows rolled up so the bears wouldn't get him....at Klamath Lake, OR.

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    1. That's what we surmise, also. At least they didn't tie off their tent to our RV, which happened to a friend of ours.

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  4. Your new neighbors must have a different definition of personal space!

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    1. Coming from Japan I'm sure they are accustomed to having very little personal space, but still...

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  5. No Owl Canyon was a treat. It seems all off the beaten track hikes in the Zion area are worth the effort. As for our close neighbors I also think it is a matter of different cultural definition of personal space...compounded by a language barrier!

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  6. We have observed this behavior before with people from Japan, maybe? it is because they live so close at home.

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  7. Those look like some pretty significant obstacles on that hike. I always think it's a good time to turn around when it stops being fun.
    Obviously those folks have a very different definition of personal space! As in "zero."

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  8. How wonderful to be able to discover such gorgeous places and name them yourself. Not that others haven't done it too but still, off the beaten track is divine. Do they not have camping in Japan? No English I take it. I hope they didn't stay long. Seriously lacking in consideration.

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  9. I so enjoy creating hikes on the east side. There are so many places to explore and no people!! With so much slickrock the hiking and climbing is pretty easy...at times! Your photos are so gorgeous, Gayle. Love the fall colors:) What is wrong with people! Why do so many want to be very close!! Crazy!

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  10. Wow!!! To still be able to hike such gorgeous places!!! I’m afraid those areas are beyond us now. The views were beautiful!!
    Now that was inconsiderate!!!! Some people just shouldn’t be camping!! I do hope they left quickly and didn’t stay several days!! Sorry about that!

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  11. Definitely a cultural thing. But then so is hiking the no trails, that's counter culture. Gorgeous country and photos. Not sure I'd have made it as far as you did.

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  12. Love No-Owl Canyon! Really liked the petrified sand dunes last summer. Looks like great hiking.

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