September 9, 2005 - Gorge

It’s been a while since I hiked into Owen's River Gorge and it’s been about 8 years since Trang and I have been here together. Since then, a new route, Towering Inferno, has been established. It is the only climb that starts at the bottom of this 500 foot deep slit in the Earth and reaches the Gorge’s lip. I’ve been wanting to do this climb for the past half decade and today I got to share it with a long-time friend and climbing partner. It was quite an adventure...


Edison has been nursing his heal injury so he didn’t climb…but did manage to “make” a friend.

We headed into town and I finally had a chance to visit Galen Rowell’s gallery. Rowell is one of the most talented and prominent figures in wilderness and adventure photography. I would say that he is my greatest inspiration. I was quite saddened when he and his wife died in a private plane crash a few years ago. His legacy lives on in his gallery and his works continue to affect countless people, including myself.

Dinner was no big surprise. The Mexican food is quite tasty in this neck of the woods. The ice kept my margarita cool as well as the swelling in Trang’s knee down.

Edison did have his traditional snack before dinner…beans (or anything in a can) and bread but tonight his snack took place in a glorious setting.

Some friends just rolled in to the campsite but we’ll catch up in the morning, over Poptarts.