Beyond Mesa Verde: December 2008

I have started another blog called Anasazi Ruins where I will be posting my latest photos and updates. You will also be able to write comments on that site.

Click on the photo above to link to my most recent shots of the Anasazi Ruins

Recomended Books

GUIDES -

Non-Technical Canyon Hiking Guide to the Colorado Plateau (5th Edition) - Michael R. Kelsey

I've worn out 2 copies on the trails already and am now on my 3rd one. This book is a MUST!

A Hiking Guide to Cedar Mesa - Peter Francis Tassoni

This is a decent backup guide if you can't get your hands on the Michael R. Kelsey book above.

RELATED WRITINGS - by David Roberts

In Search of the Old Ones - David Roberts

A great book to get you started on your own quest of the ruins- " Inspiring - A Classic"

Sandstone Spine - David Roberts

Here is David's account of his traverse of Comb Ridge. Interesting and glad that I read it, but it would be last on my list of recomendations......it is not in the same league as his "In Search of the Old Ones"

A LITTLE HISTORY -

Cowboys and Cave Dwellers - Fred Blackburn & Ray Williamson

This is my all time favorite, but it is for someone who has more than a casual interest in the ruins.

In Search Of A Lost Race - James Knipmeyer

Obscure book and a little hard to come by. It is a reprint of the 1892 published accounts in The Illustrated American magazine by The Illustrated American Exploring Expedition of 1892 with modern commentary at the end of each chapter by the author - James Knipmeyer. An interesting book.

About COMB RIDGE ~ a GREAT book ! -

Comb Ridge and Its People: The Ethnohistory of a Rock -Robert S. McPherson

For all of us who have been awed by the beauty and felt the mystique of that magical spine we know as Comb Ridge, Mr. McPherson has succeeded in bringing us an account of it history that has long been overdue. This book is NOT just about the Ancestral Puebloans (Anasazi) who occupied Comb Ridge for a substantial period of time. Where as, it is more of the total picture of how Comb Ridge has played such an important roll in the different cultures it has touched. Along with the Ancestral Puebloans, the relationships of the Paiutes, Navajos, Utes and Anglo societies with Comb Ridge are also extensively covered. This is the definitive book on Comb Ridge. For those of you, like me, that have a special love affair with Comb Ridge ~ this book is a MUST!

RELATED NOVELS -

Thunderhead - Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

If you want to read a book that will make you feel that you are on an expedition looking for a ruin in Utah's remote canyon country - this is it. Loved this one.

A Thief of Time - Tony Hillerman

Tony's mystery mixing murder with those "nasty pot hunters". Very light reading, but enjoyable.

Anasazi Adventure Website

.....For those of you who wish to expand your knowledge on a much wider spectrum. I would like to direct you to the site Anasazi Adventure. It deals with many of the different cultures of America’s Ancient southwest including the Ancestral Puebloans ("Anasazi"), Fremont, Sinagua, Hohokam, Mimbres and others,. This site is maintained by Eric Skopec. Ph.D.
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.....Mr. Skopec is a retired professor, consultant, and author of many books and publications. He has spent more than 25 years studying the Ancestral Puebloans. His web site is a great resource for the ruins throughout the whole of the southwest. Here you can find trip planners, visitor guides, travel advisories and current archeological news. http://www.anasaziadventure.com/

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Something Special for Backpackers

Though I have tried to focus my site “Beyond Mesa Verde” more for the casual dayhiker, I recently made contact with a backpacker from Denver. He name is Jason Klass. I do not do much backpacking anymore but this is a gentleman that I wish would have been around 20 years ago when I did. If you backpack you MUST check him out. He has multiple sites that include videos of reviewing backpacking gear and DIY gear projects. He also is a very funny man…..he has one site called Survivor Stud in which he does a parody on Man vs. Wild. His spoof of Bear Grylls in the character of Wolf Mills is sort of how I always perceived Bear in the first place. He is right on. Okay, I might be a little biased, Jason also owns a sitar.

Here are the links to some of his sites:

Gear Talk with Jason Klass

Survivor Stud

Jason's You Tube Channel

I do have to put a special link to his video ~

Survivor Stud Episode 6: The Desert - Man vs. Wild parody

Even if you don’t backpack you should watch this before heading out into the desert.
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To see larger images of the photos on this site, click on the photos below.

Beyond Mesa Verde

Photo Site ~ Updated Aug.3, 2009 ~Click On Photo Below

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Recomended Books

Anasazi Adventure Website

Something Special for Backpackers