EXTENDED CUT: What I Found in the Grand Canyon is Baffling

[@Desert.Drifter]

Hey everyone, as the title says, this is an extended version of my recent Grand Canyon trip. There's additional insights and footage in this one. Just FYI. Thank you for continuing to support the channel, I've got a video coming out next week I'm very excited about. Stay tuned

[@jesselyall7519]

Thanks for the video.! An yes I truly believe the cookbook idea would be great

[@gregor6922]

What kind of Hoodie are you wearing?

[@ZIGZAGBureauofInvestigation]

You have shown us all more than any Tv program his ever shown. Thanks

[@mzinns]

Cookbook…yes! Thanks for posting your journey, it’s truly exceptional in all ways.

[@Cnsalmoni]

The longer the better! It’s my way of meditating after a stressful rat race day.❤

[@antoniopereiraneves2009]

This is what KZbin was made for. If Andrew had to go to some major network and pitch this, he would most probably be be dismissed as some crank with a niche idea. Yet here we are. Professional level cinematography, editing, narration, just a feast of landscape, experience and ideas. And HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of people in one day taking almost an hour of their daily schedule to go hiking with Desert Drifter and friends. How many major network shows get hundreds of thousands of viewers?! The future is here and it doesn't need to be edgy and trendy, it just needs to be good. Thank you so much for all that you have showed me, Andrew. Stay on your path, distant friend!

[@dougsain5090]

The rock's and structres are the story. D put's word's to the story. Thats all you need. LESS IS MORE🌵🪶

[@arthurdent5357]

Oh, they would totally grab the show, and then change everything that made it good and add some fake drama for good measure .

[@erah4994]

it just shows how much we don't need the main stream programming. I haven't had cable for way over a decade, there are so many awesome talented people, so much information out there from everyday people. It widens the perspective.

[@WalterVetterli]

wish I could explore with you ! all the best from Canada!

[@TeknoMediumsParanormal1111]

Isn't it Grand? (Little pun, couldn't resist) ❤

[@Tom-ej8eg]

Navajo elders can answer your questions. The people who lived temporarily in the Grand Canyon were Cliff Dweller people who fled into remote areas to escape the Anasazi people. The Anasazi were not good people. They came from the south (Mexico), remained in Chaco Canyon for 280 years, then returned to the south. While in Chaco they captured, and traded, slaves. They also ate human flesh. When the Anasazi left Chaco, the cliff dweller people returned to their traditional farm lands. During this period (Anasazi occupation), many cliff dweller clans, as well as Fremont people, and ancestral Puebloans people, joined with the Dene' people, (safety in numbers) where they remain to this day. Because the Anasazi people in Chaco relied upon slave labor, their building techniques, and pottery styles, confused early archeologists. What the Anasazi left behind is pretty much a mishmash of various other enslaved peoples arts, crafts, and technology. The Anasazi have no decedents currently living in the USA. They returned to Mexico long ago, and were most probably a clan of the Aztec people.

[@deanasnarky3903]

I believe that the Anasazi are now being called the Ancient Puebloan people, Because Anasazi means ancient enemy, And Native American tribes were getting upset about the name.

[@RandomGuy-qm3mg]

Not to get into a online debate but Hopi elders would disagree with the Navajo elders you are referencing.

[@marilynbridges8697]

@@deanasnarky3903 If the Anasazi were likely of Aztec origin, why would they now be referred to as ancient Puebloan?? That confuses the issue even more.

[@pinkiesue849]

Weren't they Giants

[@PhillipTallman-se8rt]

Not nessisarly those were people from long ago

[@redbustourguide]

Im a tour guide here at the Grand canyon. I honestly believe your videos are by far the best I've come across and just wanted to thank you for all your hard work and research... Great job!!!

[@ByGraceIGo]

I just have a question: you do know in 2014 they made it illegal to use drones in any national park. I mean it looks like you may have used it at a minimum. It's because I guess it was causing problems for people and wildlife even though you can get some fantastic footage. And also because of the helicopter tours like you said. But you seem like a smart guy and you seem like you'd probably be aware of this already. Very interesting I've never been to the Grand canyon I really would love to go someday.❤

[@richgreiner8965]

We recently rode your bus. Thank you for a great time, and I appreciated our discussions. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your appreciation for this channel.

[@redbustourguide]

@@richgreiner8965 hey thanks Rich!!! You made my day my friend! It was my pleasure!!!

[@KozmicKarmaKoala]

I live in Manhattan and just found his channel ! I am not an envious person, I am ENTHROLLED ! 🤩🤩🤩...I just wish I could be there !!!

[@redbustourguide]

@@traveler614 no such place

[@judil3294]

Speaking as someone who has had vertigo issues for the last 50 years, I'm blown away by the confidence you have walking and climbing those heights.

[@sread833]

This is one of my fav channels on KZbin. As an avid hiker in the Canadian back country I truly appreciate the beautiful environments you are sharing with us. Thank you

[@KMcKee-qn6bo]

The most difficult thing about these videos, is that they end. I think I go into a bit of a grieving period. I watch the program a second time, but still find it so sad when it ends. Third time? Same. Honestly everything about his programs is just so damn perfect. The videography, the lighting, his voice with such a pure tone of reverence. The breaks for history and grounding. Holy cow... what a fine thing this is.

[@karie9890]

Not to mention that he's pretty nice eye candy!

[@deanasnarky3903]

That too!

[@IgorMironov-rq4ye]

​@@karie9890 the dude is married, in his previous video, his ring finger was clearly seen.

[@813lem]

I find the heights to be the most difficult part. Im terrified every time camera pans down over the edge of a sheer drop i get that panic feeling sweaty hands weak knees. Just watching a video! Its crazy. I want to stop video but i power thru and keep watching. (Lol) Dont want to miss a sec! I love archeology. Ancient history is a passion of mine. These videos are priceless to me.

[@karie9890]

@@IgorMironov-rq4ye ... I'm glad for him! Doesn't mean I can't give him a complement by saying he's great looking! No offense was meant to his wife or him.

[@thanebridges6776]

In the winter of 2005, my wife and I, both active duty military personnel, went on vacation to the Grand Canyon. While at the visitor center near Williams, AZ, we thought we were fit enough to hike down to the bottom and back in just a few hours. However, the hike took longer and was more challenging than we anticipated. We also made the mistake of not carrying enough water and had to push ourselves to reach water to refill our supply. Although we made the trip successfully, we witnessed many people who thought they could make the trip ending up paying a large sum of money to get rescued. I strongly advise anyone planning a Grand Canyon vacation to carefully consider their abilities and the impact of elevation changes before attempting the hike. While pictures can't fully capture the grandeur of the site, the Grand Canyon is a must-see destination.

[@bananasmcduck630]

Elevation change is no joke

[@crystalbilyeu8756]

Several years ago my Sister and husband invited me to hike to the bottom , and she warned me to wear good socks as we hiked DOWN for 9 miles! Spent a lovely night camping at the bottom and then I Struggled uo the next day as I was living in Phoenix and not used to the altitude! PREPARE WELL my Friends!

[@hrh4961]

@@crystalbilyeu8756 Not "altitude." Its "elevation." Oh, boy, how many times have I been corrected on that?

[@charlieandhudsonspal7031]

That’s sound advice. You probably saved someone a lot of trouble. And $$$

[@georgesheffield1580]

This is a long ,rugged walk ,dry , and unlike in the mountains ,the return is up hill and gets hot as you climb. Thin air for most people too .

[@jmac7133]

I’m not sure if anyone else feel the zen energy he projects across the web, but I feel so relaxed listening to his narration and seeing those views from my chair. But if I’m anxious, I know this will ground me!

[@angelalewis3645]

Yes! Same. 😄

[@FamesJinley]

Yep. I'm with ya!

[@mtngrammy6953]

What a marvelous video! Thanks for the trip. I have traveled in Alaska, Hawaii, Antarctica, Scandinavia, Asia, trekked in the Himalayas to 16000' flew beside Mt. Everest at sunset, but never have I experienced anything that comes close to the magnificence of the Grand Canyon! Each time I go there, it is as if I am seeing it for the first time! No photograph or movie can ever do it justice. It is simply beyond one's imagination, even after experiencing it. Walking on the rim is one thing, going down the trail a ways gives you a totally different feel and hiking in to Havasupai is another experience altogether. In my opinion, it is the greatest of the great wonders of the world!. (I guess the Himalayas come in a close second, for me, especially if you get up above 16000" and look down on the expanse of greatness.). I've spent my life in the mountains of Colorado, so have spent lots of time roaming around the southwest and now that I don't travel as much, I truly enjoy going on your adventures as a spectator. So very enjoyable!! (And, yes, I would love to see you put our a cookbook!)

[@garypalmer2066]

In January 1999 I backpacked 256 miles from the west to the north and the east of the Grand Canyon. I started at the S. Bass Trail on the west south rim, hiked to the Bright Angel Trail down to the Colorado River then up to the north rim on the North Kaibab Trail, then back down and up and over to Clear Creek, then back to the Colorado River then up the South Kaibab Trail to the Tonto Trail then east to Tanner Rapids, and up the Beamer Trail to the Lil Colorado River and up it to the sacred Hopi site of the Sipapu, a mineral warm springs mound, then back to Tanner Rapids and up and out the Tanner Trail to Lipon Point. Prior to the hike I cached 3 five gallon pails of food and water at points a weeks hike apart. I started with one weeks food, sleeping bag, pad and ground tarp, 2 water bottles and camera. I was in the canyon 4 weeks.

[@Chereese0808]

Wow. That's amazing. Great idea pre stashing your survival goods. Must have been unbelievably beautiful. We're you alone? Did you document it?

[@misterdeplorable2088]

Overachiever! Lol

[@ggrace1133]

Amazing feat! Well done!!

[@MartinGlasser-mj3dd]

Awesome trip dude. I'm a fellow bp er. I hike the Selway Bitteroot Wilderness. Check it out .

[@suzie2z]

Impressive!

[@mariamjehn7071]

Do you know what a blessing you are to a 62 year old Grammy from Maine?? As a hiker and climber for decades I’m just grateful to you!! I can no longer do these adventures!! This is phenomenal!! 😮😊❤

[@SOMEOLDFRUIT]

Greetings from also Maine! 🌲 It's cold and not sunny much lately what with all the spraying of our skies. I'm thankful for this warm video of sun baked rocks! ☀️🏞

[@chubbrock659]

@@SOMEOLDFRUIT”spraying of our skies”. ?? What’s does that mean?

[@loncho5079]

I'm 60, I feel young and active! But you make being in our 60s sound like we're ancient!🤣🤣🤣

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

​@@loncho5079There are folks in their 80s hiking and mountain climbing.

[@Godflesh88v2]

Kudos from another Mainer!

[@markmark2080]

The quality of this video would be hard to overstate, VERY interesting and educational.

[@JASPACB750RR]

I lived in Scottsdale for many years. Visiting Montezuma’s Castle for the first time (east coaster) made me start paying attention to the canyons around me. Hiking around black mountain, skull Mesa, Lake Roosevelt, Havasu, Wet Beaver, Cave Creek, The Superstitions, and many other Phoenix surrounding areas, you can find remnant of structures like these. And like you said, they are very hard to spot unless you’re looking from the perfect vantage point. It’s humbling to walk around out there with bottled water, modern UV protections, hiking equipment, and backpacking equipment. You realize the difficulty with all that, and think about how they had none of it and survived for thousands of years out there. Makes you feel small, but also connected to them in a way. Connected in the thought that at some point in time, you’re standing in a spot looking at the same view an ancient inhabitant viewed and called home. And you’re just visiting. So remember that. They may no longer be there, and have been gone for a thousand years. But in that though, it is still someone’s home and we are but a guest. Respect the sites as you would respect a current friend, family member, or acquaintances home.

[@TheHuntron2000]

I spent a lot of time on black mountain as I built two of the huge mansions on the east saddle the mountain in the saddle, and plenty of homes down in the foothills. I never realized there were ruins there, but I have heard of ruins everywhere, like in the hills along the 101 and over by the juvi along the 17. Never found ruins or native artifacts, but I did find a big cave system made from the sandstone boulders that have fallen down black mountain over the millennia. Cool stuff

[@surajsahni9519]

I am from India. I really enjoyed the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Thank you very much for uploading this amazing video.

[@sharonspurgeon6361]

I am 74 and can’t get out like I one time did but I enjoy the trips with you please keep it going

[@thomassherer5962]

While the Grand Canyon may be out of your possibilities, keep pushing yourself to walk locally. It is the single best way to keep yourself out of the hospital. Take good care, youngster.

[@patricknoveski6409]

I'm 70, & I've been walking about a mile 3 times a week, and I've noticed such a difference in the way I feel . It's amazing. But for big hikes, I follow these younger folks. Great channel. P.j. California.

[@kathrynpupos9103]

Grand Canyon is one place that everyone should see in person at least once in their lives. Pictures never do it justice.

[@DISOPtv]

Yeah was just at the overlooks last week. It's even hard for your eyes and brain to grasp the vastness even in person!

[@avo616]

My ex misses had a bigger canyon so I think I get the idea

[@Linsuesaz]

I am lucky to live in AZ and spend every summer in Flagstaff. I trek it to the Canyon every summer-only 90 mi from Flag! Yes! I know I am so fortunate!

[@wilshirewarrior2783]

@@DISOPtv I have a state of the art Fujifilm camera and trying to focus confuses even the camera as the panorama and distance confuses the camera.

[@geridannels1701]

I did a week in the canyon around 14 years ago. Went from the south canyon around to the north where we rode horses to the canyon and had a great time. Thank you, desert drifter, I'm not in good enough health to do the canyon ever again, 67 years young and hanging in there.

[@selfretired3025]

I love the signs at the GC advising hikers. Someone explained it to me like this: usually we go up a mountain when we are fresh and down when spent. It's the opposite in the Grand Canyon. You have the easy descent when fresh and the hard climb out once your energy is spent. It's energy is absolutely majestic, in person.

[@heard3879]

Archaeologists have only surveyed 5% of the archaeological sites in the canyon!? That's incredible. There must be so much hidden and unknown stuff to discover! Exciting! I hope they make many more discoveries!

[@joesmith-es1zy]

It's such an absolutely massive area with many parts of it very hard to get to.

[@johnathoncastro]

Yea the other 95% of the area is not accessible. The military won't allow it.

[@Derskimeister]

Thanks for sharing these adventures with everyone. I'm 78 and not willing to take the risk of trying to go where you have. Good job.

[@DanHORVATH-yi6cu]

Wow, I live within 25 miles of south rim entrance. The picture u took of San Francisco peaks gave me an excellent point of view about where you were on that break, 5 miles in. I had trained hard in phoenix to do rim to rim in 1991, 1992, but my Ford escort motor blew in 1992 half way from phoenix, at black canyon city. So I limped the car back to my apartment. Never made it up there for the hike your now doing. I'll be 70 yrs old in beginning of June. Time has long passed for when I was in excellent shape. So ill watch instead. I have been inside the south rim many times, since I bought my senior pass, b4 prices went up. I've just knew better to not do the hike, now that I'm older. Thanks your imo, the best video maker on youtube.😂

[@gregor6922]

What kind of Hoodie are you wearing?

[@DanHORVATH-yi6cu]

@@gregor6922 a first Infantry division hoodie. Class of 1972, when sissies/babies, ran to Canada and I chose to enlist and learn how to fight. Best 6 years I ever did! Made Sgt E5, in 2 years, because there weren't enuf Sgt's that survived in Vietnam. Nuff said

[@chrisclark4112]

I like this comment 😊​@@DanHORVATH-yi6cu

[@KlintonWyont]

Never too old to go bro!, I'm in a wheelchair now and I will go with you 😂 only live once right 👍

[@KlintonWyont]

Jehovah God is good and he will bless and protect us!❤

[@sabrina84105]

I can’t thank you enough for your high quality videos. I was a desert rat myself during the 30 years I lived in Utah, exploring much as you do but without the modern camera gear. Your work often brings a tear to my eye as I recall my own revelry when experiencing these most beautiful landscapes on earth. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@danielwoolman8969]

If you made longer videos like this I think people would watch them through

[@sandramorey2529]

Thank you. I've been by the Grand Canyon, but I was a child & Daddy wouldn't stop. He wanted to get across the Mojave at night so no time to stop. Hence I've never been there. As an adult, my jobs kept me confined to northern Cal. I backpacked the No. Sierra as I could get to it for a weekend. Thus I appreciate your guided tours. Now that I am in my 80's & have lots of arthritis I have timed out on hiking & backpacking so I am grateful beyond expression for your guided tours. Oakland CA

[@Desertpagan]

Andrew, your work is incredible!! I grew up hiking the Grand Canyon and exploring Utah's deserts. Now in my 70's I watch your videos. You have a lot to be proud of. My confession is that watching you so close to the edge while standing on loose rock stresses me out. Maybe it's my age.

[@diannacatesdunn]

Gratitude. All I have for this video is gratitude.

[@daveland2653]

I am very happy to hear you use the term "the ancient ones". This is a great way to help people understand how long we as a people and our ancestors have been on the lands here in north america.

[@aidanmartin7923]

Is there any way of telling from native stories how long your people believe they have been on the land?

[@now591]

@@aidanmartin7923 Its well known fact they migrated from Asia originally .

[@daveland2653]

@@aidanmartin7923 The stories have clues. One, from where I am from, is the stories about giant beavers, giant beavers lived 10,000 (500 generations) ago. Also, where I am from, there are stories about the creation of a certain waterfall, something that geology says happened around 14000 (700 generations) ago and the people have been talking about in stories for generations. This is in eastern canada. I bet you can map these stories in this way, matching stories to known geological, paleontological or any other "ogical" sources and based on this get a better view of how long we have been here.

[@Cool-Aid5564]

​@daveland2653. If you're curious, check out the Bible! It's all there. It is the best history book ever, along with Enoch. You can figure everything out from there. The hardest thing is figuring out the changed names of everything. Different races and different names from different perspectives. All the same stories and history from all.

[@e.k.4508]

​​@@Cool-Aid5564You're just kidding, right? This vid is about a place in North America. The bible is written by near eastern and perhaps north African people.

[@richardstone5241]

Being former military and a historian of ancient culture my guess is security as it would be near impossible for an opposing force to wage war against a people in those cliffs. Also, I do not agree about the difficulty to have a flourishing agriculture because of the readily available water supply. You might take a look at what some people are doing in the middle of the deserts turning waste land into flourishing food gardens. I think these ancient people did the same. Also, by having hidden food caches dispersed up and down the canyons this would allow them to survive while traveling the area but because they are hidden would not allow an opposing force to access them.

[@finnberglander7816]

Wouldn't it be relatively easy to wage war against people in those cliffs? Burn their crops and deny them access to water-or did they store significant amounts of water in their cliff houses?

[@pope1089]

Maybe they are way points

[@richardstone5241]

@@finnberglander7816 Good point but new research strongly suggests these ancient people did not actually "live" in the cliffs but rather used them for food processing, storage, look out posts and defensive positions when needed. This is what I think also meaning they lived with their crops and easy access to water.

[@kimkarn4201]

The granaries are ingeniously placed!

[@thisnthat7760]

Some of the areas in GC looks like petrified cities

[@ErikMartin-sg6ju]

I spent the summer of 1964 exploring Mesa Verde National Park and surrounding areas. Some of the roads were not even constructed yet. We used horses, and hiked and climbed many of the canyons. We discovered significant ruins that were not even on the official archeological inventory maps. Traveling off-road in an old jeep as far as we could go in a SE direction and hiking a long distance (probably outside the park) we discovered what appeared to be a ‘pottery factory.’ There were six structures reminding us of pizza ovens and a large mound of broken pottery in the center. We assumed that each time a pot broke it was tossed into a pile. I assume this area is one of the most isolated spots in the US because human entry is prohibited. Have you ever seen a pottery factory anywhere else?

[@karlbarros2849]

Broken pottery was ground and added to new clay to give it body (firm it up).

[@wuznotbornyesterda]

I appreciate you taking me to places I would never get to see. Please, keep sharing and we'll keep watching. Very good way you presented everything.

[@Punk_Rock_Grrl_Dragon]

A Backcountry cookbook would be very useful, I hope you do.

[@waynedavis7245]

I'm so happy that I found your channel. I'm like some of these other viewers, I'm 57 years old. Arthritis has taken its toll on me . I loved exploring the desert in Nevada. Your videos are better than most shows on TV. Thanks for sharing your adventures.

[@PaulDeCamp]

As a person with a tremendous fear of falling I was having a difficult time watching this, but you did the public a great service in telling us a story we would otherwise never know. I can't go there myself, but you have brought me as far as I will go. In my youth I did hike the Adirondacks, which are not as difficult. But now time has taken its toll on me much like those weathered graineries. Thanks for bringing us a good report.

[@meredithheath5272]

Same - I have a great deal of trouble watching this - I feel like I have nausea in my lower extremeties!! I'm not even there!!! I don't know how people do this!! But, the scenery is tremendous!

[@janwill6227]

My anxiety starts rising when he’s looking down from a cliff but I keep watching. Amazing. Have had a fear of heights for 55 years.

[@sherim7111]

I agree, I have gotten butterflies in my stomach while watching some of his videos. I keep watching 😊

[@Brie7362]

I’ll be 62 in a couple weeks. WE MADE IT THIS FAR.

[@Dwade6894]

I am with you on this! I have a tremendous fear of falling, even if I am on plain Land! My stomach went upside down when i saw him standing on the edge of that ridge, looking down! 😮..

[@nomadicam]

I just want to echo all the praise for this video. It's so soothing, you're not all spastic like other KZbinrs, i just feel like I'm hiking with a particularly knowledgeable friend. It's wonderful! You're quickly becoming one of my favorite channels. And I've also found so many manos, pottery shards, etc out there... Thank you for treating them with respect.

[@papajon62]

My son and I did Rim 2 Rim in October 2023, from north to south. We did 26 miles in 12 hours, a surreal and unforgettable experience at the age of 61 years young. The Grand Canyon is a mystical place ; and the scale of the landscape is some of the most beautiful that can be seen anywhere. It also is the deadliest ☠️ of all the National Parks. Over 600 people need to be rescued per year and 10 to 20 die trying. Always have a good plan and a top level of fitness when attempting any hike there.

[@chrisloomis1489]

Night starry sky , the sound of the air , the silence of the Earth just breathing ... What peacefulness abounds there . I could envision my self living in a place like that ... deeply peaceful.

[@kimkarn4201]

I would like to live there too. Just let my soul live at creek bottom with the frogs for eternity. Sigh.

[@anneamus]

Trust me, it was not peaceful. Human competition made every day a struggle to survive.

[@nodescriptionavailable3842]

⁠@@anneamusback when humans weren’t so abundant, I bet there were a few peaceful glory days here and there, even in the good spots, and I could be wrong but I bet you didn’t see old beer cans and water bottles everywhere, not to mention tp sticking out of lazy rock coverings, pottery sherds have a much nicer aesthetic lol I’d compare post ice age earth, after the population bottleneck to post ww2 America, some of the best times in human history, to be sure.

[@wormbigail]

Had to pause the video to say: Yes!!!! A "backcountry cookbook" would be fire. I am always amazed by the things you pull out of seemingly thin air. The ingredients just make sense for backpacking. Having fresh meals while out in the wild is such a luxury when you're not living off the land with the cultivated resources natives might have had. We gotta work with what we got... And you bring practicality to the table!

[@arthurwagar88]

Many years ago i arrived ar the north rim the day after the area closed. Spent the night driving around the end to the south south rim. Got tired and parked. Woke up at sunrise right on the rim. Amazing experience to see the emensity of the canyon spread out before me. One of those times i wished i had some one with me to share it. Thanks very much sharing your adventures.

[@rickrutledge9363]

I really enjoyed this a lot. I grew up in the desert and love the colors, beauty, and simplicity of it. I haven't explored much near the Grand Canyon, but I should. Thanks!

[@TheJoan48]

I hiked the Grand Canyon sitting here on my couch. It was mesmerizing! Thank you!

[@jerrylong381]

I think one thing that people tend not to consider when looking at these places today is that the Colorado river, when those ancient ones settled there, was a wild river. No flood control. No water being siphoned off to distant lands. No Glen Cannon damn. I don't know the range of the river level in the time people settled in the canyon but I'm sure it would have fluctuated greatly. Floods bringing fertile soil to be deposited on the delta's would have renewed the areas used for growing, but periodic major flooding could wash away anything built to close to the river and it's tributaries, including the deltas themselves. If my peoples lives depended on preserving our food stocks, and I wasn't sure how high the water could possibly rise, I would definitely store it as high as possible. The grainaries I've seen very often do appear to be hidden, but as they are built from the materials close at hand, they naturally blend in. I'm not saying that they weren't intentionally hidden and made hard to access, as that is a prudent thing to do. I'm saying that situations that we may see as defensive may not have been specifically built to defend against other humans. That being said, a prolonged drought could cause the area to become infertile and people to resort to drastic measures to survive.

[@beccymalloy]

Some interesting point well made here!

[@oceanmariner]

You eat well for back packers. I'm near 80. Usta hike about 20-30 miles a week in the PNW before I wore out my knees and hips. I never hiked the desert, so your videos are very interesting. Especially with the ruins and info about the old inhabitants. Thanks!

[@Desert.Drifter]

Thank you oceanmariner! That’s incredibly generous. I’m glad I can show you a part of the country you haven’t experienced yet. The PNW is a special place as well!

[@nodescriptionavailable3842]

My first backpack trip was MonteCristo ghost town camping at glacier basin up outta Granite Falls, Wa, as an Az native I’ve been to the Grand Canyon a few times but never backpacked into it, I’m right next to the Superstitions and only backpacked overnight once, I miss the PNW so much, it really pulled me out more than this desert although northern Az is amazing, I have no point really but, happy trails everyone!

[@gardubois7194]

Thanks for sharing your explorations! I always enjoy your wanderings and discoveries. Regarding your Nankoweap visit, as an aging and long time river guide in Grand Canyon, I’ve encountered many of the granary structures tucked into and sheltered by ledges and alcoves along the length of the Canyon and the side canyons. I was told back in 1970 on my first trip, that they were built as defensive measures to protect and hide their food and other survival supplies from potential enemies. I’ve often thought there may be a more prosaic and much more practical explanation. If I were living and farming there, and had at the end of the growing season, several hundred pounds of corn and piñon nuts etc to store, I’m faced with the question of where to build my storage facility. Creating a weather and varmint proof storage structure out of rock would I think, be quite challenging to do out under the open sky. Those protected ledges/alcoves offer a much simpler build (the roof and half of the walls are already built) and offer an extremely protected location, safe from the ravages of the climate extremes that exist there. The extreme heat affecting a food storage area out in the open there, would alone be damaging to stored crops. There seems to be little way of knowing about the level of inter-tribal hostilities in those days and that may well have been a factor, but I still think from a purely practical point of view, that’s where I would have built my food storage structures. As always, I look forward to your next beautifully produced video.

[@HeirOfNothingInParticular]

I agree.

[@mariposa5900]

Never. Seen. This. TRAIL. Before. !!!!! Amazing. VIEWS !!!! Great. Filming !!!!! Thank you for sharing. !!! T. California

[@JohnGroff-uc3hh]

Thank you for doing this series. You are doing what I wish i could have done.

[@user-rp2cx4dm7z]

That view at 27:30 is mindblowing. Photography at the Grand Canyon never does it justice - I can only imagine how spectacular that view is in person.

[@asmodeus1274]

Next time you post a time stamp, post it as 27:30 so it will be highlighted.

[@selmalunast]

Dear desert drifter, what an amazing and beautiful video! i;m living in the Netherlands, as flat as can be. But i would love to visit the U.S.A. and see the stunning nature with my own eyes. I was;nt aware of the rich history of the native Americans until I came across your channel, thank you for these amazing pictures, right before going to sleep🍀

[@seanjones7170]

Very nicely done.The narration is calming as well as informative.The videography superb.

[@ellenw391]

OMG a video worth watching!!!! After a series of inane time suck videos, I was actually disgusted with myself for watching what I would consider one tiny step above the Kartrashians. I was not in the mood for a movie, and then, like a cleansing rain, I somehow hit this video. Stunning, fascinating, taking me to a place I could never physically go myself. WOW!!! I had read about those caves many years ago. Best video I've seen in I don't know how long. THANK YOU for taking me on this journey, and for creating something worth watching!!

[@bryannivens6696]

Dude you did an incredible job on this!!! Like all of it from start to finish. Your words, the scenes you highlighted, the bits of education you included as you journeyed, just beautiful. I love the natural world and you sure did the Grand Canyon a solid with this one. Please keep these coming! Thank you.

[@lindadirker5166]

Beautiful. A hiking recipe book is a great idea. Greetings from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@Ms.Andrist]

Thank you for letting me live and see things vicariously through you.

[@lindaliestman4397]

A favorite place of mine to hike! While I am a flatlander from Minnesota, I have guided 9 one week trips into The Big Ditch. We enjoy the non-maintained trails the most, especially Boucher Creek and North Bass Trail. Yuma Point is one of my favorite views on earth! Great video and you advise viewers so well. Hydration is everything down there, and I have seen people in dire conditions too many times. A sign at the top says, “Know Your Limits!” Still, until one has hiked The Canyon for themselves one time, it is impossible to know one’s limits. Getting good advice and good planning is extremely important to enjoyment and survival. And most people should take at least one layover day near a perrenial water source to recover before hiking out.

[@gctrails]

Having decades of intimate knowledge of maintaining trails at Grand Canyon and the Nankoweap trails and delta, I appreciate the accuracy of your video. Thoroughly enjoyed it and your content.

[@RaeCarson]

Thank you sooo much for admiring and not harassing/touching/getting too close to wildlife!! As someone who lives less than an hour from Yellowstone Park, I can't even count the number of idiotic tourists who, every damned year, try to get up close and personal to bison, bears, swans, moose, and more! Some of them even think they can try and ride those poor animals, like they think it's a Disney animatronic zoo instead of wild animals. X_X Watching your videos is so refreshing in so many ways. I love that you share your knowledge about ancient structures, building techniques, artifacts, geology, flora, and fauna. You point out and explain the type of things I myself would wish to learn and rediscover if I had the ability to go. You do your best to leave no trace of your presence after you leave. And I really truly love that you don't selfie-film when you're having to hike tricky/dangerous spots for viralism/hits.

[@northsongs]

It's a great morning when you wake up to a new @Desert Drifter video! I visited the Grand Canyon a few years back and I was amazed how looking down in the canyon messes with your depth perception.

[@H03dur]

I stumbled upon your channel a few months ago and have watched every video since (and most before that). I find it amazing what kind of quality content is brought to us by content creators. When I think back to my childhood, I'd compare this type of content to legendary TV shows like The Crocodile Hunter (since I can't think of a Geology/History-based one) in scope and the things you can learn from it. Thank you for taking us to some of the most interesting places you are excited about.

[@charitywattenburger4550]

I think this is my favorite video you have posted 😃🫶🏻 I love that you went a bit deeper into the history than usual. I wish I could hike into these places you go. I could’ve in 20s and 30s but I was raising a family then. Now I’m just plain broken, from head to toes, literally. I love this kind of history and our beautiful country 🇺🇸.

[@BeefNEggs057]

These comments make me sad. Try carnivore. Maybe it’s not too late for you. American diet kills. That includes the low fat garbage the doctors recommend. Killed my dad and was on the way to killing me. Turned it around and lighter that my high school weight. Life changer!

[@ALWAYSAFREEMAN]

Super job! I've lived with limited mobility all my life and could never take a hike like this. Your presentation brought me along for a trip I always wanted to do. Thank you so much for your beautiful effort.

[@shanasmith4176]

The Grand Canyon is absolutely breathtakin and absolutely amazing

[@joellenmeek658]

This is a beautiful and hugely interesting hike. 35 years ago we took an 8 day raft trip through the Canyon and your vlog brought back so many memories. We hiked to a grainery and enjoyed wonderful views. Thank you for teaching me more about the Canyon.

[@puppy2haley]

Did you raft on the Georgie White rafting adventures?? Think that was the name of the company. They’re take you white water rafting. Just curious caz my aunt did it at age 68 probably 35+?yrs ago.,🤔🤔.

[@mrolsen6987]

Thinking of the difficulty for you to get up to these storage units, and then think of that those who used them carried up everything they would put there is mind blowing.

[@doylecole]

I am grateful for your efforts to create these videos. I grew up in Tucson and my wife and I honeymooned on the South Rim in January 1980. We have 2 binders of slides, nothing compared to your videos. I believe that archeologists have missed the dates of the ancient ones by 2500 years or more. They pre-date the move of the Hopi, who speak of them with reverence. The Havasupai and Yavapai have many stories of them. The Jicarilla Apache feared them. I hope, some day, we will find the answer. Thank you!!

[@jasonjohnson6344]

I’m so glad to have found your channel. This was one of the best produced, adventure videos I’ve seen in 20 years. Real “reality” tv.

[@douglaspalla7575]

Today is November 4. 30 years ago I was in a group of 4 Canyoneering from the south rim. The air felt ancient and full of history. Thank you for creating this amazing journey.

[@TUCOtheratt]

Thanks for another great escape on my Saturday morning. I like the extended version even more!

[@G_R_3]

LOVE that you’re putting out the extended versions of these. More please! Love what you’re doing.

[@Agape2021]

Awesome! Thanks, Andrew, for an exciting exploration. Good to see Josh with you. Some of those cliffs are nerve-racking just watching. I appreciate the editing and prepareing useful information. See you on the next episode.

[@dorothylewis1207]

Very informative really appreciate, so well done 🫡👍

[@keithlawrence4952]

Once again, remarkable and staggeringly beautiful..I have two daughters who live in that area and I envy their proximity to such an historic, mysterious place. Thank you for taking me along !

[@christinadupuy897]

That view up the canyon/river is just absolutely drop dead beautiful. I can watch this one over and over for the scenery.

[@csdnb5647]

Always feel like I’m on adventure with you. You get to explore places some will never visit

[@jenniferlittle9038]

Thanks for the beautiful videos of these canyons and ruins. One likely reason cliff dwellers in the Southwestern canyon lands might build granaries and storage spaces high up the cliff faces would be to protect their food and supplies from flash floods. These canyons experience severe flash floods on a fairly regular basis, and the bottom land area where they were farming and building a larger settlement could have been submerged by floods often enough that the people adapted to storing their critical food supplies and tools high up the canyon walls. These cliff storage spaces could also double as defensive installations if the tribe was attacked.

[@ValeriePallaoro]

That's a good point! The floods that bring silt and deep moisture to the fields and promote high nutrient loaded ground for farming would be random enough to warrant the creation of a high safe area for produce.

[@gaz8891]

I think that was the obvious answer, but 800 feet up is extremely high, and so perhaps flooding was not the issue, but defence concerns were.

[@RealBadDaddy]

But why live in the canyon to start with? Maybe they were hiding from star people.

[@donnievance1942]

The elevation of these granaries is vastly higher that what is needed to get out of the flood zone.

[@HeirOfNothingInParticular]

@@donnievance1942 They went where the caves and large shelf’s were, obviously.

[@GIBKEL]

You are killing me but I’m glad you are out there eating it up. I got sick early in my arch career and had to give it up by age 27. Autoimmune disease. Now at 55, I exist between bed and couch. I played between Mt. Idaho all the way down to tye Baja with much time in southern Utah. Mostly beaching myself in the sea of Cortez in the deep winter. I loved it all. Broke but enough for a bit of gas, a good Pilsner and a lot of beans. Went down New Hance creek on the parks 75 anniversary in feb of the early 94/95….got lost in a cave. Damn mag lights! I so miss what you are doing but glad I got my bite at it. Cheers and thanks for going where I only can imagine.

[@Glenn-em3hv]

Arizona is incredible!!! I've been all over the world in the Navy and I've never been to a better place than Arizona!!! It has everything, mountains, desert and the biggest ponderosa forest in the world!!! There's always something to see and do!!!

[@northsongs]

It's a great morning when you wake up to a new @Desert Drifter video! Thanks!

[@OBieWolfMan-v5g]

It seemed like the same video as the other week to me?

[@virginia5]

@@OBieWolfMan-v5gextended cut

[@LibbyHelprin-uy7tg]

@@OBieWolfMan-v5g I noticed some similarities, but as DD wrote, this is an “extended version of his 4 day trip.” So that explains a few overlaps. No problem at all from this viewer! Best on KZbin, imo.

[@bettygreenhansen]

I cannot walk very well so hiking along with you is a real pleasure. Thank you!!! ❤️

[@imatnnael3202]

Thank you from those of us who can no longer get around well. I wouldn’t have been able to see what you did, thank you so much for doing such a superb job and for sharing. Continue to be safe, blessings.

[@edmedlin2936]

I hiked across the Canyon back in about 1977. North to south, solo. I was fortunate to tag along with a college geology class on a field trip, and their instructor was very friendly and helpful. It was a march down through the history of the earth. Layers like Coconino limestone, Toroweap sandstone, (I may have some of this wrong), Vishnu schist down at the bottom, pre Cambrian stuff. It was a great trip and I will never forget it. I still have the coffee cup I packed along on that trip. I did some free climbing in some areas, but not as brave as you and your buddies. Great work, keep it up, and big thanks for all you do for us.

[@mattmatt6572]

But the grand canyon was created in less then a year.

[@prarieborn6458]

@@mattmatt6572Wow, I heard that somewhere. Please tell us more. I know that Lake Missoula the ice age lake broke through and carved out the Grand.Coulee in WA , and the badlands in Eastern WA , but the Grand Canyon? ..it never made sense that a river did all that.

[@mattmatt6572]

Am really not certain what did it as far as proof go's. I attribute the grand canyon to a great flood. As their is hard evidence the river did not carve it out. The start of the river at the canyon at the rim is higher elevation then the end of the canyon at the rim. The river could not have started flowing their befor the canyon was carved as water does not flow up hill. Unless the laws of gravity didn't apply back then. But in that case a river could never carve a canyon without gravity.

[@voiciray]

Hi I remember reading in the 90s an online webpage which was essentially an online book where a college geology prof takes a bunch of students on a trip through the canyon. It was packed full of information and history that the prof recounts and was a very enjoyable read. I haven't been able to ever find that again and I've looked a lot in the last decade. It sounds a lot like what you're describing. Would you happen to know what I'm referring to?

[@joybarber6974]

That was amazing! Such magnificence! Some of your hiking made my knees weak! You are like a mountain goat! I have been watching your videos every night since I discovered them! I can’tthank you enough!

[@MrBobconner1952]

One thing of note too: The Colorado apparently dried up completely close to the time frame you're speaking of when the area was vacant, so drought could easily been the impetus for the relocation/disappearance of the people.

[@lesterma1608]

The discussion pulls the whole adventure together! One of the best you have done!

[@lennonwilson6407]

I expect the river itself is partly to blame. Many growing seasons were probably not productive so those graineries were the only thing keeping them alive. Now imagine perfecting as well you can you're agricultural plots, and then a 100 year flood happens. Not only damaging your crops, but washing away 100 years of soil building and irrigation canals. It would be devastating. Now imagine it happens again. The feast or famine nature of the canyon could have finally been too much. Remember, this was a river without dams and had a very different hydology than it does not. Just some thoughts. Enjoy your videos.

[@kbock7383]

I found charts and reports on flood flow rates but couldn't find anything about depth of water at those flow rates. But I am of the same opinion: safety for those times when the river turned wild. Truly a different river many hundreds of years ago. Storage areas high and dry had to be a necessity as you so clearly stated.

[@Gail-ux2ly]

A cookbook would be a welcome addition to my library.

[@karensagal8230]

Thank you from those of us who can't explore for ourselves to take us along along on your journeys! Such a beautiful Country....

[@janetjilote6495]

I'm an artist and I love the scenery. I paused your video severals times and took pictures for reference material. Would have loved a scene from within the cave to have shown the total outline of the cave opening from the inside. It's sad that taking a photo of a TV stillshot is not the best representation of the beauty you/y'all shared with the world, especially me! Thank you from a once adventurous barefoot child who roamed the forests, followed creeks, climbed and explored this beautiful earth 🌎 ❤️ 🌎 I felt at home while following your footsteps in nature. This was a spiritual pleasure. ✨️

[@jantefft2442]

You speak with such reverence and respect for the spirits of those from the past. We are such a spoiled civilization and have not a clue.

[@karie9890]

Thank you SO much for your trips! I have watched other hiking videos, but mostly they just film themselves walking in a pretty environment. Nice, but YOU share so much information & history about the places you go, and the way to behave and respect the land and habitat! I enjoy it all so much. I have always wanted to do what you are doing, but never had the time. Now at a moderately senior age, and a few spine injuries later, I don't see it ever happening. Your generous sharing of your adventures in this way is allowing me to live my dreams vicariously through your camera! I can't thank you enough.... Blessings on your future travels~ Cook book a good idea! Hey... have you ever gone miles and run into a spot that you just couldn't pass & had to go back to the beginning and take another route?

[@ivydixon3506]

Thank you so much for taking me on this adventure with you!!

[@sofloprepper6710]

Watching these videos is like finding a movie series. You binge watch till your all caught up and waiting for the next episode but can't get enough. I live in florida and will never see a desert like this but I am amazed with the way the native people lived in the desert.

[@jonathanstephen-o5j]

I thank you very much for bring back some of my childhood adventures. It is something i loved as a child and so miss ass an "adult". Your vids bring back many memories of ....."JUST GOING".... and being truly free, letting the exploration of nature take me where it wants. Never was i fearful of the unknown or of what may be found, for it was always sought, regardless of its outcome. It is eye opening, breath taking, humbling, and most of all it brings together all of the human experience, the smell, sounds, the feeling of being "on your own", and being completely at peace with gods creation. Doing what can be done, pondering the remoteness, the struggles, life's and families that once were abundant, in what we call a "hostile environment". The thing is, a hostile environment, in most cases "today" is right out the front door, in the streets, workplace and highways. and we call it/this/that "living".......... I have ever felt "more alive" as i have when out in places like the ones you have shared. Again, I thank you for your time, efforts, and willingness to share these things with us, that as "we" are unable, and probably will never experience again, if not ever in our lives....

[@sstdiecastracing2372]

I am happy you brought someone else along, in case something goes wrong. I love the videos but hate to see you alone.

[@GratefulWarriorMom]

Great video! Don't forget to hit like! I love exploring and discovering or rediscover old sites that really haven't been investigated as much as the middle east has. I realize now that there is so much more to learn about our own history and that much of what we've been taught MAY be wrong! Growing up, i thought that pretty much everything that could be discovered, was already discovered. More and more i see parts of the puzzle coming together ever since the internet became a household thing and individual knowledge and obscure theories started getting shared instantaneously. The theories and facts that we learned have been manipulated to produce a desired effect. We all know that the history books are written by the victors of war and powerful kingdoms are built around that narrative. Its always good to hear the OTHER side of the story.... from the standpoint of the folks who didn't win the war. Then maybe we will have the bigger picture that we are looking for. Thanks for sharing your adventures!

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

Most history books are written by scholars of history, not " victors of war." There are plenty of history books written, with divergent opinions, outside of known proven facts. The fact that you have expressed yourself in a language derived from the"victors " on a technical device invented by them, says a lot about the level of ironic ingratitude.

[@gaz8891]

True, well said.

[@lenwenzel7440]

That country is remarkably beautiful. Away from the city the night sky blows me away.

[@ken2tou]

Well narrated and produced! My wife and I, along with three other couples; completed a 9 day rafting trip from Lee’s Ferry to Lake Mead in 2012. We used the services of Grand Canyon Expeditions for that trip. Each day was filled with awe and wonder as to the majesty of this great natural wonder. We camped each night under the beautiful night skies. I recall these granaries! Watching you climb up to them was illustrative of the skills the inhabitants had! Also, to haul heavy stones while traversing narrow paths on that cliff face! Thanks for this excellently produced video! National Geographic should be picking up your material. Thank you!

[@Condordancer]

Storage units should be high enough over any river down below bc of frequently happening flash floods, too. You don't wanna loose your stored materials like corn, seed and so on to flooding waters. This is only one reason among others, I think. I like your videos!

[@sharrongrattan5940]

What a treat to find your video this morning. I appreciate going along with you visually on your journey and I love the historical back story you provide. In my childhood, like many family’s, I went to the Grand Canyon - a stop along the trip from coast to coast. A semi-annual event. It gave me a life-long desire to learn the history of a place. Your channel with video is a blessing now that I’m past the season of hiking and travel. Thank you for sharing your journeys.

[@ericb.4358]

I've backpacked the Grand Canyon twice, the 1st time at age 66 and the 2nd, North Rim to South Rim, at age 74. Both time sere fantastic but different. THANKS for a very interesting "off the beaten path" tour of the GC.

[@RussellB]

I'm a 900 year old frog person stuck on a swamp planet. Thank you so much for uploading your adventures so that people like me can experience them. God bless the USA ❤️❤️

[@prophez23]

Ribbit..

[@Lookyhere73]

Swamp planets have wifi too

[@bullzdawguk]

I'm also a frog person. Like you, I am also stuck on a swamp planet. However, I am only 669 years old. What part are you from? I live in Boggy. By any chance, do you know Squippy? He lives in the Soggy District of Boggy and runs a moderately successful fungus farm. 🍄 😜

[@SomeRandomdude857]

If you find Squippy, let me know- he’s owes me 2,000 Boggins.

[@813lem]

900, wow. Im surprised you havnt croaked yet.

[@castorc9710]

Absolutely stunning videography and photography. I'm glad you do this because it's the only way many of us would ever be able to see these areas. Thanks for doing the heavy lifting for us.

[@mothermedicinemusic]

The research you add to your vlog is appreciated. We love hiking these areas and, like you, have found so many constructs of the ancient peoples, leading to so many questions. Love the views of the Grand Canyon, Colorado River, tributaries and this marvelous land with so many secrets. And especially Thank you for the respect you show these areas. Many blessings, Mother Medicine

[@monicai8183]

Just wanted to thank you for bring us your journey. I pray for you and your friend safety. You are awesome!