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V o l um e 2 01 1, Is s u e 0 1
J a n ua ry 20 11
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CENTRAL PARK (Deck 8) Ports in St Thomas and St Maarten were
Allure of The Sea (From Page 1)
both enjoyable. Limited time in port means
As with many places on the ship, Central
you had to have a plan and get off the ship
Park had live music from time to time.
early. Taxis and Water taxis become more
Night time brought with it another change.
busy as the day wears on. Also the volume of
Pathway lighting and other muted light
people in town increases. There are multiple
from the ship, made this a pleasant escape to
Cruise ships in port at the same time.
just unwind and relax.
We shipped out of Ft Lauderdale bound
for the Virgin Islands area. The Bahamas,
St Thomas , and St Maarten. A storm was
on our tail the whole time toward the Baha-
mas. A ship announcement came on that
due to the winds and sea conditions, they
would be unable to dock at the Bahamas.
This was a disappointment to some that felt
the Bahamas would be the highlight of the
trip. It was to be more sea time.
We found it odd the ship of this size
pitched so much. The swells were large.
Some were getting seasick. Personally I
took medication from the first day, through
the entire trip. I know I have a motion sick-
ness problem. Thankfully the medication
did its job for me.
The Main dinning room food was one of . I had a personal goal to get my Scuba
our disappointments. Service not quite up Certification. So I took the lessons while on
to that we previously experienced, and the board. Some long classroom hours, and a
same goes for that taste and quality. It just live dive in one of the ships deeper pools.
seemed there were too many passengers, for Be prepared for some high-tech features on
Then we had 2 open water dives while at
those providing the service. The Lobster this ship. The TV in your room is more of a
St Maarten. We were picked up on the dock
served on its special night was really taste- flat screen Computer. Complete with wire-
by a dive boat and shuttled around a point
less. less keyboard. You are able to monitor your
to a cove. Our instructors took us down for
We also found the entertainment (Theater account charges, watch TV, or check about
2 dives, to double check all the skills we had
shows) seemed over booked. We had made on-board activities via taped video.
practiced. We had one student drop out
reservations ahead of time. Literature You were supposed to be able to book on-
before the open water dive, but the rest of us
clearly states seats may not be held by other shore excursions right from your room...but
all passed the certification. Visibility was
people. Since seats are not assigned we that never worked for us the entire trip. We
rated on our paperwork at 2 feet. That part
found ourselves moving toward what ap- still had to run down to guess services to han-
really sucked but made us realize if we didn’t
peared to be open seats, only to find them dle that.
freak out in that we could dive in about any-
―held‖. For those of you that have cruised be-
thing.
Our guess is people with reservations fore..you know about all the photos they
Our instructors were great. Very profes-
where holding seats for those that didn’t take. In most cases you don’t need to hand
sional . I highly recommend taking the
have them. Toward the end of the seating them your sea pass any longer. They use
course. It was challenging, but a very full-
time there is a rush of overflow people Face Recognition software and upload the
filling experience.
(those let in without reservations) . We images to your file that you can review in the
witnessed a verbal altercation between peo- photo gallery….too bad they didn’t pipe that
ple over ―held‖ seating. We run back an into your rooms Monitor? We were amazed
forth to numerous locations and ended up at the technology they were using.
with no seats. There seemed to be no crew
supervision or organization in any of it. We
feel this needs real attention.
We can only suggest even though you TOPOGEAR is always looking for reader
have reservations….get there and seated interest stories and events. Please submit
very early. Again this appears to be a prob- your story, trip log, photos, recipes and
lem because there are so many people. We humor. Subjects on Climbing, Paddling,
have not experienced this on other cruises. Cycling, Backpacking, Horses, Search and
There are plenty of things to do. A Zip Rescue, travel destinations and more! Send
Line, Climbing Walls, Wave Riders, Scuba material to: sales@topogear.com
lessens, movies and endless food.
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St Maarten Business District
McDonalds-St Maarten
Courthouse St Maarten
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. TOPOGEAR is carrying a new line of Fine
Jewelry.
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RECIPE OF THE MONTH
TOPOGEAR’s
December Recipe
Contest Winner
Submitted by:
Doug McGee
Syracuse, Utah
APPLE DUMPLINGS
Peel and core apples. Cut each apple into 8 slices each. Roll each
apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a buttered 12-inch Dutch Oven.
In a separate pan, melt the butter, then add sugar and barely stir.
Add the vanilla, stir, and pour entire mixture over the apples. Pour
the entire can (yes, use the whole can!) of Mountain Dew around the
edges of the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake 40 minutes using
9 coals on the bottom and 17 coals on top of the Dutch Oven (about The TOPOGEAR Outdoor Recipe Page
350 degrees). Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet
sauces from the pan over the top. Outdoor Cooking Recipes
Doug’s Warning: WARNING: Prepare this dish at your own risk. It Cooking Tips & Tricks
is beyond imaginable. Don’t forget Vanilla Ice Cream!
(Send them to us!)
Editors Note: We tested this recipe and did a photo shoot during the process.
Send us your recipe and photo of your prepared item to
We followed the recipe with the exception of the apple type & soda (We didn't
appear on this page. See rules off our Home page at
have Mountain Dew on hand so substituted with Sprite) We didn’t use diet.
http://www.topogear.com
We only had Jonagold Apples on hand. DO Cooking is very forgiving.
Email to sales@topogear.com
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Backpack the Grand Canyon (Havasu Falls) 2011
TOPOGEAR.COM
Don’t miss our TOPOGEAR 2nd Annual Backpacking trip into a remote area of the
Grand Canyon. This is a trip of a life time. No trip experience to this area is ever the
TOPOGEAR same.
You will pass through the Village of Supai, located in the Havasu Canyon, a south-
Special western branch of the Grand Canyon. This village has been inhabited by the Havasupai
since 1300 A.D.
Event So bring your pack and camera. Trek down the switchbacks and through a long slot
canyon to the breathtaking waterfalls. (Havasu Falls = 100’ ft and Mooney Falls = 200 ft)
Camp with us, on your own, extend your visit.
For our fee we secure your entry
reservation/permit, and pay your
camping fee’s. We will then mail
you your confirmation along with a
trip outline and trip info. We will
meet you at the “Camper Check-in
station” in the Village of Supai.
The date is determined once
permits are secured. You are
welcome to sell or give away your
reservation. We are hoping for a
mid May or Mid June 2011 date.
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Backpack the Grand Canyon (Havasu Falls) 2011
TOPOGEAR.COM GENERAL INFORMATION
Please note that this is not a guided event. We are only providing you a service of re-
serving your camping and entrance reservations. This is an unpleasant task since tele-
phoning is the only option. It starts Feb 3rd and is first come first served for all of 2011.
Please respect Last year it took us 2 days of constant calling to make it through. Prime weeks go fast.
fences and the You assume all liabilities for yourself and those in your party, on and during the trip.
privacy of the You are completely responsible for your own transportation to and from the trail head,
people who call your safety during your trip, your food & water, as well as providing your own gear.
Havasu their TOPOGEAR implies no liability. Please be aware you are able to make your own per-
home. Do not
sonal reservations via the Havasupai Tribe.
take pictures of
the people or of Your fee’s will be based on your length of stay using the Havasupai Tribe Fee Chart in-
their homes. cluding their 10% tax. TOPOGEAR includes an additional 10% Handling charge per
The Tribe also person to process credit card payments, provide information and secure your reserva-
assumes no re- tions. These fee’s, less the TOPOGEAR 10% handling charge, are re-fundable at any
sponsibility for time through January 31st, 2011 11:59PM by providing written notice. The TOPO-
safety of visitors. GEAR 10% charge is non-refundable. No funds are refundable starting Feb 1st, 2011.
Our Attempts to secure entry & camping permits are for one of the following dates:
Choice #1 Camping the nights of June 14, 15 & 16 (hiking out the 17th)
Choice #2 Camping the nights of May 17, 18, & 19 (hiking out the 20th)
Choice #3 Camping the nights of Tues, Wed, Thurs in any available May or June week.
You must pay for this event by January 31st. Payment (i.e. Check) must clear the bank
by this date. So be sure to submit early. Up until that date you can receive a refund
upon written notification. You have to be flexible to change to available dates.
Havasupai means people of the blue-green waters. This trip takes you to the spectacular
waterfalls of Havasu Falls and the isolated community of Supai. You can also hike a
short distance further from Havasu Falls, to Mooney Falls.
Supai village is located within Havasu Canyon, a large tributary on the south west side
of the Colorado River. The area is not accessible by road. This land is Havasupai Tribe
land, which lies outside the jurisdiction of the Grand Canyon National Park. You must
have permission to enter and fee’s paid to not only camp, but to enter as well.
The Havasupai Tribe does not permit it’s people to use alcoholic beverages on the res-
ervation. Drugs are illegal in Havasu Canyon as they are anywhere else. Tribal law
does not permit the bearing of firearms by anyone on the reservation, nor are ma-
chetes, either necessary, or useful in the campgrounds. The Tribe requests visitors do
not bring pets with them.
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Backpack the Grand Canyon (Havasu Falls) 2011
TOPOGEAR.COM GETTING THERE
The Trailhead begins a Hualapai Hilltop. (Arizona)
Hualapai Hilltop can be reached by driving 65 miles north on Indian Road 18, from RT 66, northeast of
Kingman AZ. This road is a paved 2 lane road, but desolate. Beware of cattle and wildlife on Indian 18,
especially after dark! There are no services so be sure to gas up in Peach Springs. It’s a long round trip.
DO NOT use the road you see on some maps that comes directly from the South Rim area. It is a primitive
road and requires 4-wheel drive, if even passable in the good months. It is safer and far faster to use I40 to
Route 66, to Indian 18.
TRAILHEAD PARKING
The Trailhead is known as Hualapai Hilltop. There are no permanent services of any kind, i.e. gas, food,
lodging or camping sites. There is no water, so be sure to plan ahead and bring that with you for the hike.
The parking lot is safe to leave your vehicle in, and there is a night watchman that patrols the lot. But please
do not leave valuables in your vehicle.
The lot is limited in size so car-pool as much as you can. The lot is basically a flat cut into the cliff. One
side drops off hundreds of feet and provides a breath taking view of the canyon below. The cliff facing wall
shows signs of falling rocks. Cut vertical up 100 feet or so. On a previous trip we had hoped to sack out on
the ground next to our vehicle and leave at first light the following morning. We ended up getting stuck
parking along the wall (lot was full) and worried enough about rocks falling, that we surely didn't sleep un-
der them. Worrying about the vehicle was bad enough. Some people do sleep in their vehicles and leave in
the morning. We opted (after confirming with the locals) to leave late afternoon and make it down the first
couple of miles, completing the switchback, then sacking out that night off the trail. They didn’t seem to
have a problem as long as you were well off the trail. But be sure to ask first. In this case respect the envi-
ronment. Leave no trace and don’t tear up any of the plants. We had an awesome experience with a full
moon and stars. There is no man-made lighting for perhaps 75 miles, except for the village of Supai, which
we could not see?
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Backpack the Grand Canyon (Havasu Falls) 2011
TOPOGEAR.COM
*FEES are subject to Change without notice. All Fees are taxable and paid at time of payment at 10%.
TOPOGEARS FEE to handle your reservation and pay your Havasupai fees is 10% times the total of the
Havasupai fees and their 10% tax added together. We only arrange the Entrance fee, Environmental Fee,
Camping Fee and tax on those items. Other arrangements for Mules etc are up to you.
All visitors staying in the campgrounds must stop in at the camping office to pick up tags indicating you
have paid. The camping office is next to the grassy landing field across from the café.
If you are with a large group, your designated leader should take care of the fees and pick up your
tags..
This fee is charged one time per visit. All visitors entering the Havasupai Indian Reservation are required to
pay this fee and check in upon arrival at the Tourist Office.
Note: Native Americans with a valid Tribal I. D. card or Tribal enrollment card are exempt from this fee.
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Backpack the Grand Canyon (Havasu Falls) 2011
TOPOGEAR.COM Trail Map Distances
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Backpack the Grand Canyon (Havasu Falls) 2011
TOPOGEAR.COM
You will start your backpacking trip from the parking area at Hualapai Hilltop. As you start off on the path
at the northwest corner of the parking area, a breath taking view of the canyon below awaits you. Once you
descend several thousand vertical feet, about 2 trail miles, you will be heading through the canyon in a
northerly direction. Maps and compass/GPS are really not necessary. The trail is well defined by years of
mule, horse, and foot traffic.
The canyon starts wide, and the trail slopes gently downhill, toward the Colorado River basin. You will be
heading first for the village of Supai. The area is sparse with vegetation of any size. There are no sources of
water, so be such you have an ample supply to make the trip. Total up your drinking and cooking needs.
During the summer months temperatures can reach well over 110 degress.
You will soon drop into a slot canyon that becomes deeper and more narrow. Vertical canyon walls thrust-
ing up toward the sky for hundreds if not thousands of feet. In the warmer months the shade is a welcome
sight.
The gentle slope of the trail will change in places to more steep area’s. But nothing major. Remember,
horses and mules make this trip everyday. At places, depending on the time of year, there may water flow-
ing in and out of the gravel. Please don’t attempt to drink this water.
While on the flowing water subject, please be aware of another issue. Check the weather before you enter
the canyon. Flash flooding can occur. Those not familiar with the desert, have no concept of the danger. It
may be sunny in your direct location, but pouring rain a few miles away. Should that rain occur up-hill
from you, a sudden wall of water many feet high and packing the force to move full size trees and boulders
may come thundering down on you. It would be moving too fast for you to out run or find safety by the
time you see it coming. People are killed every year in areas around the southwest. What appears to be
parched and dry ground, will not soak up heavy rainfall that can suddenly start and stop.
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Backpack the Grand Canyon (Havasu Falls) 2011
TOPOGEAR.COM
The canyon will narrow as you proceed downhill. The walls become more vertical. You will see evidence
of water wear from past flash flooding. There will also be huge boulders and slabs of stones larger than a
house.
At many locations these nearly
block the whole trail. This is of
particular concern knowing the
mule and horse pack trains travel
this same route. You must yield
the way. Bear in mind the mules
and horses are often times un-
tethered and being run by people
on horse back. They are often
times loaded down with boxes of
mail, crates of food, or packs and
coolers of visitors. You must stay
alert and listen for their approach.
Often times their sound is muted
by large rocks, or the fact they are
just around the bend of towering
rocks.
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Backpack the Grand Canyon (Havasu Falls) 2011
TOPOGEAR.COM
You will eventually come out of the narrow canyon into the south end of the village of Supai. You will
follow the dirt path, through fence posts on either side. You will pass by several places with homes and
horses until you reach a definite T in the path. Turn right (toward the east), then a short time later a definite
left turn to again generally head north.
Follow this until you enter the village. The Camper check-in building will be on your left. A short distance
beyond that is the post office & store. As you proceed north out of the village you will pass the school. A
chapel will be just beyond the school. At the chapel bear to the left.
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Backpack the Grand Canyon (Havasu Falls) 2011
TOPOGEAR.COM
The trail left at the Chapel will drop slightly down and start to curve to your right taking you by several
homes on your left, rock and a small irrigation ditch directly off the right.
North of town you will pass the first waterfall on your left. The New Navajo Falls.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
JANUARY 2011
Event: Crossroads of the West Gun Shows
www.camp-cook.com
Event: Chili Cook-off
900 + Members Location: CasaBlanca Resort, Mesquite, Nevada
Date: January 16th, 2011
Join our Forum
Contact: See Full ad toward end of Newsletter
Desert River Outfitters is located in
Bullhead City Arizona in Northwest-
ern Arizona on the lower Colorado
River. We provide kayak and canoe
sales, rentals and guided river trips
around the tri-state area of Arizona,
Nevada and California.
Boy Scouts and Leaders
Desert River Outfitters Receive Special
Deep Discounts &
Bulk Order Discounts
"LODGE" Dutch Ovens
With BSA LOGO
Contact:
sales@topogear.com
For Special Price Quote
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UPCOMING EVENTS
FEBURARY 2011
Event: Crossroads of the West Gun Shows
www.crossroadsgunshows.com
Email to sales@topogear.com
http://www.shadeusa.com/
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UPCOMING EVENTS
MARCH 2011
Email to sales@topogear.com
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Enter your Dutch Oven/BBQ or Outdoor Recipe for a chance to win
a ―MAIR‖ 9 inch Dutch Oven Lid Lifter, or a Meyerco Folding Knife. We have had nu-
merous winners. We have extended this for subsequent issues too! Enter before the 15th of
the month, to be considered for the following months Next Newsletter. Details are found on
the TOPOGEAR Home Page. Look for ―CONTEST Win FREE Stuff‖ on the left menu.
Rules release and entry form are there. To keep it simple just email a statement that you
read and agree to the rules, attach your recipe and finished dish photo. Email to
sales@topogear.com No purchase required. (Free Prize is Available to USA Ship to addresses
only) Recipes from other addresses will not receive a prize but may be submitted to appear in our up-
coming recipe book.) Be sure to “subscribe” to our Monthly Newsletter by creating a Free account.
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