Hans

Chris's Line

The old stagecoach road brings us down, the climb brings us up, the sun burns us down and back again. The three mile descending road cools everyone enough that nobody feels the need to jump in the Colorado River once we find our lunch stop at Westwater Ranger Station. We vetoed the Fish Ford and McGraw Bottom; yes another part we voluntarily missed. The flat, power line existence didn't inspire the troops.

"The only thing that matters is the turning and pushing of the legs in hopes that you can maintain some sort of rhythm, some sort of flow. Another patch of deep stuff could kill you, another cool, hard-pack, clay descent could be your savior...."

We had inside information that the trail was fast and clean, but uneventful and flat under the desert sun was something none cared to witness. We worship the Suburban and motor past the flatlands and up to Yellow Jacket Canyon. This climb is punishing. Everything bows to the sun and the passage of time doesn't help. It always feels like it's high noon. The only thing that matters is the turning and pushing of the legs in hopes that you can maintain some sort of rhythm, some sort of flow. Another patch of deep stuff could kill you, another cool, hard-pack, clay descent could be your savior.

Lost

As we topped out the snowcapped La Sals beam into view out of the sand. We then bounce down petrified rock, and we're back again to the Colorado River and the Dewey Bridge campground. Again the celestial swim after the ride beckons even if it involves getting swept downstream in the waist-deep current.

I attempt a pre-dinner search for a phone at the end of the line we passed before the bridge. I resume pedaling to find only an abandoned gas station with signs regarding private property and biblical quotes everywhere. Luckily, all the little goats head flowers I ran over didn't completely deflate my tires. I might have taken it as a sign and got really spooked.

So sure enough, I win the award. Two flats, two days. Now who looks like the rookie?

—Hans Prosl, two flats in two days for MountainZone.com

EXPEDITION DISPATCHES