Going down... Part 1

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Jan 17, 2011: Down the South Kaibab trail to Phantom Ranch at the base of the Grand Canyon. Both of us with our crampons (pull-on spikes for ice) - Galina's strapped onto her platform shoes.

First stretch of trail was sloppy, wet, snowy and icy, with green manure from the mule trains mixed in.

Temps went up as we went down - trail is very sun exposed, and it is simply warmer farther down the canyon.

Colors, textures and shape of the rocks and formations change too, as you go down through layers.

Breaking photos from this hike out into a few sets, loosely grouped based on differences between a few levels of the canyon. The next set will pick up in an area where everything seems very olive yellow/green for a bit.