FLAGSTAFF, AZ – Pete McBride and Kevin Fedarko’s through-hike of the Grand Canyon is complete. On their their third-from-final leg, 4 Corner Film Logistics extracted Pete and Kevin from the Toroweap Overlook on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. With the Help of Steve Hatch and John Dillon, Chad, Harlan, and Nat Geo editor Sadie Quarrier were flown from Flagstaff, to the Bar-10 ranch on the North Rim. Had Chad, Harlan, and Sadie driven from Flagstaff, to the Bar-10 ranch, the drive would have taken nearly eight hours, yet the flight was little over an hour and fifteen minutes.
Upon landing at Bar-10, Chad, Harlan, and Sadie hopped in a SUV that had been driven into the Bar-10 from St. George, Utah by one of the ranch hands and set off over the mount Trumbull wilderness to find Kevin and Pete. After an hour’s drive, Chad, Harlan, and Sadie arrived at the Tuweep ranger station, which is the home of lone-ranger Todd Seliga. Todd is the only park service ranger in an area the size of Rhode Island, so to say he has his work cut out for him is an understatement. He also happens to have completed his own through hike of the Grand Canyon, completeing a ~650 mile route in just 24 days.
As part of their project, Kevin and Pete interviewed Todd, and then all six of us went down to the overlook for sunset and a dinner in the Toroweap campground. We had the whole place to ourselves, and after eating an exceptional dinner under the stars, Pete and Harlan pulled out their respective mandolin, and guitar and we had an excellent evening of good conversation and music.
We spent the next morning at the overlook getting sunrise shots, and around mid day we packed up for the return drive to Bar-10. We made it back to Bar-10 in the early evening where we re-connected with Steve and John. John had flown in ranch owner Gavin, who treated us all to some of the Bar-10’s exceptional beef, and a great evening at the ranch.
At sunrise the next morning, we set off back to Flagstaff.
Formation flying past the San Francisco peaks before Steve sped off to Bar-10
Getting to see the Grand Canyon from the air is quite a treat.
The Toroweap Overlook as seen from the air
Enjoying the details in the wonder of the world.
Pete and Harlan geeking out with an Emotimo camera robot at the overlook.
Pete free soloed the top of the red wall to ‘get the shot.’
Sunglasses may or may not have fallen off an errant head. Said sunglasses may or may not have stopped teetering on the edge of the red wall. Recovery attempts may or may not have been attempted. Said recovery attempts may or may not have worked.