The still of the canyon

[tanya]

by Katie McElveen

It's quiet down here. Not the peaceful quiet of a meadow, where the wind whispers through the grass, or the muffled near-silence of snow falling in the forest, but an absolute, overwhelming silence so great you want it to end and never stop at the same time.



Charly Moore, our guide through this very deep and narrow serpentine of striated stone, seems to draw strength from the stillness and stands motionless.



The spell of the silence ends rather abruptly as a photographer rounds the corner and stumbles into our little group. We had not heard him coming because we had been so enraptured by the quiet.



"Most people have no idea what it's like to listen to nothing," Mr. Moore says. "That's why we bring you here. It's a new experience. If we have our way, it will never change."



By "here" he means the ominously named Canyon X, one of many slot canyons that cut into this part of the world.



To reach it, we left Page, a tiny slip of a town

[sparker1]

Thanks for the TR, Tanya. I have wanted to visit Canyon X for some time, but haven't managed to do it. Where are the photos?

[tanya]

Here...

http://washingtontimes.com/article/20070908/TRAVEL/109080014/1021


I have never been in Antelope either. Anyone know what it is like .. say as compared with Red Cave? The commercial part kills it for me. I heard though that there is a part that is not guided?

[sparker1]

Tanya, Upper Antelope is guided only and crowded. Lower Antelope (where the tourists drowned) allows you to go on your on and stay much longer than if you go with a guide. I've stayed in it for several hours, getting different lighting.

Take a look at http://www.pbase.com/sparker1/antelope_canyon

[AFI]

Do either require a permit?

[oldno7]

I think some people miss out on the "still of the canyon"

seems to a few the only point is who can go through the fastest!(not most efficient) Probably never seeing past their 5/10's

solitude and unique scenery is what drew me to canyoneering.

I think being in a hurry causes problems,being efficient can solve those.(if your efficient theres no need to hurry,it just happens)

so far if I was to label one spot for "still of the canyon" it would be the top of Mystery spring(that place is incredible.)

[ratagonia]

I think some people miss out on the "still of the canyon"



Based on what?

Tom

[ratagonia]

Do either require a permit?

both require a permit.

Tom

[ratagonia]

Tanya, Upper Antelope is guided only and crowded. Lower Antelope (where the tourists drowned) allows you to go on your on and stay much longer than if you go with a guide. I've stayed in it for several hours, getting different lighting.

Take a look at http://www.pbase.com/sparker1/antelope_canyon

Excellent photos. What lense have you got? It says 10.0 mm.

Tom

[Iceaxe]

I think some people miss out on the "still of the canyon"


I totally agree with this statement..... based on my limited experiance.

In fact.... I would put the number much higher then "some people".

:five:

[Iceaxe]

both require a permit.

I don't know if I would call it "a permit"..... a fat wallet is a better description.

More like a receipt/ticket.

:nod:

[sparker1]

Tanya, Upper Antelope is guided only and crowded. Lower Antelope (where the tourists drowned) allows you to go on your on and stay much longer than if you go with a guide. I've stayed in it for several hours, getting different lighting.

Take a look at http://www.pbase.com/sparker1/antelope_canyon

Excellent photos. What lense have you got? It says 10.0 mm.

Tom

Thanks, Tom. The lens I used for those is the Canon 10-22 mm, which on my cameras is equivalent to 16-28 mm.

[oldno7]

I think some people miss out on the "still of the canyon"



Based on what?

Tom

based on the one canyon I did this one time my senior year in band camp :lol8:

[Iceaxe]

band camp

:roflol:

http://www.trustedpartner.com/images/library/000133/band%20camp.jpg

[Jaxx]

so far if I was to label one spot for "still of the canyon" it would be the top of Mystery spring(that place is incredible.)

That spot is awesome. Except the frogs are a little noisy.

[tanya]

Tanya, Upper Antelope is guided only and crowded. Lower Antelope (where the tourists drowned) allows you to go on your on and stay much longer than if you go with a guide. I've stayed in it for several hours, getting different lighting.

Take a look at http://www.pbase.com/sparker1/antelope_canyon


I just might take a look then one of these days. :2thumbs:

[tanya]

I love to spend lots of time in the canyons, no hurry... taking lots of photos and enjoying the company. :nod:

If there is nothing to take photos of though..... then I like to go fast... but ONLY if there is nothing to take photos of, or I have already taken photos and are happy with them.

Places like Pweap ... I could stay ... and stay ... and stay....

So much beauty... quiet.....

[tanya]

so far if I was to label one spot for "still of the canyon" it would be the top of Mystery spring(that place is incredible.)

That spot is awesome. Except the frogs are a little noisy.


Too many people..... I would have to choose a place.... that few go.

All I am thinking of at the top of Mystery Spring is that there is cold ahead! :mrgreen:

I do love the sound of the canyon tree frogs though!

[Jaxx]

Too many people..... I would have to choose a place.... that few go.

All I am thinking of at the top of Mystery Spring is that there is cold ahead! :mrgreen:

I do love the sound of the canyon tree frogs though!

When we went through it was only us in the canyon, very peaceful all day. The canyon under mystery springs is so lush and green. I love the frogs to.

[americanhero]

Tanya, Upper Antelope is guided only and crowded. Lower Antelope (where the tourists drowned) allows you to go on your on and stay much longer than if you go with a guide. I've stayed in it for several hours, getting different lighting.

Take a look at http://www.pbase.com/sparker1/antelope_canyon


I just might take a look then one of these days. :2thumbs:

@ sparker:

great pics, thanx for them :2thumbs:

Tanya, Lower Antelope Canyon is one of the loveliest places I've ever been. And there are neally no crowds in it. You can go there by yourself or with a guide. I recommend to go by yourself, so you can stay for about 4 hours and shot as many pics as you like. The best time is here around noon.
When you get to the end of the canyon, go back the same way. It totally looks different and you will shot again a lot of pics. And don't forget your tripod.

Here are my best shots of this years visit at Lower Antelope Canyon:


http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s140/americanhero_auf_reisen/Reisebericht%20Desert%20Solitudes/comp_3005.07229.jpg


http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s140/americanhero_auf_reisen/Reisebericht%20Desert%20Solitudes/comp_3005.07119.jpg




by the way: Canyon X was on my list for this year, but there wasn't enough time to do it. Maybe next time when I'll be around in the Page area.

[tanya]

When we did Mystery... we were suppose to be the first for the season and only ones that day... but we followed foot prints! So.... we too had a nice day with no one else around. Actually that has been the case with most canyons in Zion except Pine Creek and Keyhole?


Thanks AH! I am going to do the trip for sure now. :five:

[sparker1]

Nice shots, Hero. I think it is a special place, but then I haven't done many of the slots like so many on the forum.

[tanya]

Wow! These are awesome!

http://www.pbase.com/sparker1/antelope_canyon

It is usually a dry canyon?

[sparker1]

Thanks, Tanya. I believe it is usually dry. Nothing but damp spots on either of my trips through, but those were in Feb and Mar. Summer rains obviously put lots of water through it, but I think it usually dries out pretty quickly.

[americanhero]

Nice shots, Hero. I think it is a special place, but then I haven't done many of the slots like so many on the forum.

thanks. :wink:

I've done only a few slots until now, but Antelope Canyon was totally different to them. Only in Antelope Canyon the light and shadows were so intensive compared to the other slots I've been. It depends a lot on the daytime you're there and noon is absolutely perfect for Antelope Canyon.


@ Tanya:

Antelope Canyon is usally dry, but they often close the Canyon, when there is water in it or especially in bad weather conditions.
I think, this results of the flash flood accident some years ago.

[tanya]

Yeah....

A death usually changes a lot of things!

[americanhero]

Yeah....

A death usually changes a lot of things!


that's true and in a lot of cases something awful must happen until the rules were tightened.


Greetz,

Yvonne

[CarpeyBiggs]

I think some people miss out on the "still of the canyon"


I totally agree with this statement..... based on my limited experiance.

In fact.... I would put the number much higher then "some people".

:five:

I'd agree with this as well, especially when on a uutah trip where women and/or designer briefs may be involved. Rockgremlin, I'm looking at you... :lol8: