Posting this here, because I thought y'all might find it interesting. I posted elsewhere (smile) that DH and I spent a glorious day in Joshua Tree National Park this week.
What I didn't mention is that DH wanted to do a hike rated "Difficult". I was googlng for more info and came across this tale, courtesy of YouTube via Reddit...[I can't make the link work. Look for "Adam Walks Around Episode 47".] It's about Bill Ewasko, a hiker who disappeared in Joshua Tree.
SCAREDTHE SHIT OUT OF ME, so we agreed to stick with shorter hikes for our first 2023 adventure.
I haven't been to JTNP since I was a teen. I had heard that there was damage when the government shut down a few years ago and some hoolligans entered the park with destructive intent. I wanted to revisit the park, but not be stupid.
Anyway, we did the equivalent of going to Arches and doing all the loops accessible from the main road. We had a blast, returning to our home base exhilarated and safe.
In the comments of Episode 47, Adam mentioned that he was putting the finishing touches on Episode 48, wherein he wraps up the story of Bill Ewasko. We were on pins and needles, checking every day until it dropped. It was a moving epiphany to a guy who seemed smart, fit, experienced and reasonably well prepared. Well, except that hiking in the Desert in July is never a good idea IMO, but people do it.
Conclusion: Mother Nature is incredibly beautiful and welcoming, but is also relentlessly trying to kill you.
See y'all in Moab, where there are so many cool mustachians that no one ever has to adventure alone.