OAUSA Net - 12/11/2014 - Destinations of the South West

DaveK · Post by **DaveK** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 10:07 am

This week our net will be on destinations of the South West, including the north rim of the Grand Canyon, the Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument, and various locations on the Navajo Nation (Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley and Red Rock Valley.) These areas have an incredibly rich history and offer some of the most scenic locations in the US. Join us.

Pictures and write-ups to follow.

toms · Post by **toms** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 8:29 am

Product Spotlight

Electric Engraver

I use an electric engrave all the time around the house for equipment I take on the trail. (I don’t take the engraver with me).
A major use I put it to is to engrave the Working load limit (WLL) onto D rings, clips, etc. The WLL is not always on the product and is lost after removing the packaging. You should never use an item for rigging that you do not know the WLL rating.
If you camp with others or share equipment it is nice to engrave your name on them. For example the coffee pot and it’s inners.
I engrave a number on each of my tire deflators. If one is dropped in the sand or is no longer calibrated correctly, I know which one it is when I get home.

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Either of this two products will do the job.

Dremel Electric Engraver

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dremel-120-V ... /100394725 $20
The Dremel Electric Engraver Rotary Tool comes supplied with a carbide point tip that lets you engrave many common surfaces, as well as a template to help engrave letters and numbers. A stroke-adjustment dial regulates engraving depth from fine lines to deep grooves, while a soft grip improves user comfort and control.
• Specially designed for engraving
• Replaceable carbide point lets you engrave most surfaces
• Soft grip adds extra comfort and control
• Stroke-adjustment dial regulates engraving depth from fine lines to deep grooves
• Letter/number template helps etch words and numbers
• 6 ft. cord length
• Includes tool, letter/number template and #9924 carbide point
• Optional #9929 diamond point (not included) allows heavy-duty use on hard surfaces

Sear Craftsman Electric Engraver

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-corded-e ... 961050000P $15.99
Engrave a wide variety of materials including metal, plastic, glass, ceramic, wood and leather. Includes soft-grip body, replaceable carbide engraving point and variable stroke control that lets you etch fine lines or deep grooves. Personalize your valuables. Decorate metal, glass and stone for an individual touch. Includes plastic template for letters.
• Stroke adjustment dial regulates engraving depth from fine lines to deep grooves. 5 calibrations to vary depth of cut for precision engraving in a variety of materials from soft metals and glass (setting 1) to hard metals, plastic and wood (setting 5)
• Replaceable carbide point lets you engrave on most surfaces
• Optional 9929 diamond point (not included) for heavy-duty use on hard surfaces
• Letter/Number template helps etch words and numbers
• Soft grip adds extra comfort and control...

toms · Post by **toms** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 10:10 am

White Pockets AZ - Paria Plateau / Vermillion Cliffs National Monument

One of the most photogenic places in the entire southwest.
the next photographic phenomenon in this area to go viral
rivaling the Wave in size, variety, and complexity
it is as if they have entered a fantasy landscape on an alien planet

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Below you will find more of the pictures I took with a $69 camera. I suggest you google White Pockets AZ and click on images.

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: The Plateau; SAM_0342m.jpg (239.4 KiB) Viewed 4807 times

: Vermillion National Monument; SAM_0344m.jpg (353.8 KiB) Viewed 4807 times

Getting There – to trail head
I15 – St. George
Hwy 9 to 59 in Utah to
389 Fredonia to 89alt in AZ to
House Rock Rd BLM 1065 N36 43.879 W112 02.767
Pine Tree Rd BLM 1017 N36 51.689 W112 03.781
White Pocket Rd BLM 1066 N36 51.560 W112 00.656
Once off the pavement there are miles of deep soft sand and lots of cross roads making navigation difficult.
This is not a trail for a 2 WD vehicle or even an All wheel drive

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: Walk to the sandstone from the parking lot - .2 miles; SAM_0364m.jpg (287.22 KiB) Viewed 4807 times

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: SAM_0468m.jpg (386.07 KiB) Viewed 4807 times

: On 12-12-96 6 California condors were released into the wild atop the Vermilion Cliffs; SAM_0352m.jpg (278 KiB) Viewed 4807 times

DaveK · Post by **DaveK** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 6:06 pm

Time permitting, I will discuss a trip we enjoyed a few years ago which I generally described as the Indian Country Expedition. The country we explored on this trip took place entirely in the Navajo Nation, which is situated primarily in Northern Arizona. The Navajo Nation is the largest Indian Reservation in the United States and covers vast areas in the States of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. It is so large in fact, that is is larger than 10 different states. While our trip was a huge success, it allowed us to see but a very small portion of the Navajo Nation. It was a good start, however.

This type of trip is not just about seat time in the 4WD. It is an adventure to explore the land, it's history, it’s people and, of course, the scenery. To do this, it necessarily means that we need to get out of our vehicles and enjoy the adventure up close. Full appreciation is not possible without knowing some history of the area and without some "foot" exploration.

While Canyon de Chelly may not be familiar to many, Monument Valley probably is. Monument Valley has been the location for countless films over the years, most notably those featuring John Wayne and director John Ford (example: The Searchers). Why, even Sergio Leone (famous for his spaghetti westerns starring Cling Eastwood) used Monument Valley as the backdrop for his western, "Once Upon a Time in the West". Both Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley have rich histories and we will explore it as well as the scenery.

A great deal of the cultural history of the area we will discuss is covered in detail by David Stuart in his book, Anasazi America". Stewart is an archeologist and offers an intriguing insight into the history of this area. For those who hunger for a better understanding of the history of the four Corners area of the south west, this book should be on the reading list. The book is available on Amazon for about $10,00. This is the book:

: Anasazi America.jpg (46.45 KiB) Viewed 4761 times

The net will cover just some of the highlights of our trip, but you can get a much more detailed account and see some excellent additional pictures by going to our trip report at this link: viewtopic.php?f=118&t=1970#p18044 . We have returned to the Navajo Nation several times since this trip and will make many more. Here are a few examples of what awaits the explorer.

Canyon de Chelly