Here's Gary showing off his best side. Originally, this photo was supposed to be an action shot but it turned out more like one man's statement to the world. Ignoring for the moment the indelicate pose and turning one's attention to the surroundings, the route Gary is taking is in fact the "easy" way up the trail. The desert throws up many obstacles to the casual hiker. Circumnavigation of vegetation is always a challenge. In this case we hit a spectacular palm grove oasis about half a mile up the trail. The skirts on these babies are so large and thick in spots that they form an impenetrable barrier. There are numerous large boulders choking the main draw along with the palms. Each side is guarded by steep walls populated by various varieties of cactus (read thorns).