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Andy is greeted by this banner at the top of the Grandview Trail, Grand Canyon, Arizona.
On April 8, 2007, just shy of seven months ago, Andrew Skurka set out to walk around the American West. It is now November 3,2007, the sun is streaming down upon a small group of us, the sky is clear blue, and the scene at Grandview Point here in the Grand Canyon is as good as it gets. We are mere moments away from seeing Andy crest the rim wall and the anticipation has reached a fevered pitch. Family, friends, people who have been following Andy's progress through his audio updates, photos, and blog, a few from Golite, and myself cheer him as he comes into view on a switchback below. His journey is done and everyone shares in the moment. I am sure Andy did not expect the champagne shower he received. However, I feel certain that he was overjoyed to see not only his family but everyone else who was present for his arrival.
I wish I could share the full measure of the scene but Murphy had other plans and technical difficulties brought that desire crashing down. The time spent at Grandview Point in the waning hours of the afternoon is something I don't think people will forget soon. The additional time spent in Flagstaff at a lovely dinner at the Weatherford Hotel chatting about not only the hike but all manner of other things was icing on the cake.
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| Champagne flowed freely at Grandview Point when Andy arrived, not all of it into cups. Their was no doubt that Andy was caught completely off guard as the champagne was showered all over him. | ||
However this is a companion article to the interview I conducted with Andy the following day at a quiet house in the woods just outside of Flagstaff. After hiking 6,875 miles through a dozen national parks and over 75 wilderness areas on both established trails and cross-country Andy has had plenty of time to think about many things. We scratch the surface of some of the favorite topics of backpackers and adventurers everywhere: gear, favorite place to spend time, most challenging event, how the trip has affected him, and so on.
A panoramic view from just below the rim at Grandview Point. The Grand Canyon is just one of the many awe inspiring places Andy visted over the past seven months.
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Forum Index » Editor's Roundtable » The Great Western Loop
( Buster )
Locale:
Currently a plains dweller.
Hi Ken,
Is there a trick to viewing the new pictures in full size, when I go through them, they remain thumnails where they used to enlarge. The thumbnails look great, I wish I could see them in large scale.
Any thoughts?
Garrett
( jcolten - M )
Locale:
MN
same here, using either IE or Firefox running under XP Pro
( aroth87 )
Locale:
Missouri Ozarks
I just happened to be browsing with a Mac at work and thought I would check how the pictures worked for me. I'm having the same problem with the pictures only displaying thumbnail size when you click on them. Using OS X and Safari.
Adam
( kenknight - BPL STAFF - M )
Locale:
SE Michigan
Actually this is a bug. I'm fixing it right now. I'll post a message to the forums when it is repaired. This is not computer or browser specific. Everyone is affected.
** Ken **
( kenknight - BPL STAFF - M )
Locale:
SE Michigan
The problem some of you noticed with large photos not displaying at full size has been fixed. Thanks for catching that. It's something I really should've noticed when I posted the new code.
** Ken **
( jcolten - M )
Locale:
MN
Ken,
Is it your intent that the "leftward pointing" arrow move us forward to the next photo (the one to the right on the same row or the first one on the next row) and the "rightward pointing" arrow move us to the previous photo?
( kenknight - BPL STAFF - M )
Locale:
SE Michigan
The big arrows move you forward (right arrow) and backward through the photos. The Sort menu only affects how the thumbnails are displayed (oldest to newest or vice versa per index page).
So if you are viewing in "descending order" the left arrow causes you to move through thumbnails left to right top to bottom (like writing). If in "ascending order" the left arrow would appear to move right to left and bottom to top.
** Ken **
( jbrinkmanboi - M )
Locale:
Idaho
Thanks BPL, the coverage on Andy's trip rocks. Only a couple days to go. Good luck to Andy on the conclusion of one of the greatest backpacking trips ever.
One nitpick: the video update titled "September 7, 2007—Elk Show." is actually a large bull moose!
( Buster )
Locale:
Currently a plains dweller.
Congratulations to Andy on his expected completion today. I've very much enjoyed keeping up to date via your Podcasts, videos, and photos posted on Backpackinglight and your website.
If you put together a slideshow there's an outdoor retail store in Delaware that would like you to stop by.
Again, Congratulations! Phenomenal accounts, looking forward to a wrap up Podcast.
Garrett
( kenknight - BPL STAFF - M )
Locale:
SE Michigan
THE GREAT WESTERN LOOP IS COMPLETE
Andy is sitting ten feet away from me here in Flagstaff, Arizona, the champagne has been spritzed, and the Great Western Loop is closed.
This has been a remarkable finish for Andy and I think for those of us who were able to be here for this moment in history. The day could not have gone any better.
We will have a great deal more to share with you in the next several days. Right now everyone, especially Andy, is savoring this wonderful moment.
** Ken **
( aroth87 )
Locale:
Missouri Ozarks
Congrats Andy! What an amazing accomplishment. You're really quite an inspiration.
Adam
( ryanf - M )
Locale:
Mid atlantic, No. Cal
thanks for the update Ken,
and thanks to andy for sharing his experiences with us through his podcasts and photos and videos,.. this trip will definatley help me in planning big trips for myself in the future.
( TomClark - M )
Locale:
East Coast
Andy,
Congrats and thanks for the podcasts! I enjoyed listening to them on my commute and during my hike thru the Three Sisters Wilderness.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/10125/index.html
I heard you talk about your sea-to-sea route in Madison, NJ and hope to hear a similar review of this hike. Hope you can put some captions on your photos to further educate us on some of these great places.
Tom
( sharalds - BPL STAFF - M )
Locale:
Montana
Andy,
Congratulations, man. Don't go walking for a few days, ok?
- Sam
( djohnson - BPL STAFF - M )
Locale:
Washington State
This is a great accomplishment Andy! It's been so fun to hear updates on your adventure- I'm really proud of you!
Enjoy the coming weeks at home- and best of luck on the reentry.
Thank you!
Doug
( cmcrooker - BPL STAFF - M )
Locale:
Desert Southwest, USA
Woo Hoo!!!!
( slnsf - BPL STAFF - M )
Locale:
Northern California
Congratulations, Andy - can't wait to hear more of the story.
( jcolten - M )
Locale:
MN
Ya mean Andy's not still hiking;-)
Truly amazing, well done!
( thortberg )
Locale:
Midwest
Congratulations on an EPIC achievement. I have enjoyed your reports and the images are beautiful. Thanks for taking us along on your adventure.
Gotta Run
Tim
( oysters - M )
Locale:
South Australia
Andy, I think you have completely reset the limits and have shown us all, once again, what is possible with the right gear, techniques, training and most importantly attitude.
I look forward greatly to an article (please!) on what gear, techniques, etc worked well on such a long trip, and any improvements you will make for your next extended adventure...we all know there's another on the cards somewhere.
Congratulations mate!