Reflection Canyon Hike

Before we, three of us, started this crazy expedition of 20 miles hike, back and forth, in hot dry weather on the challenging terrain with unclear trail almost untrodden , we had to be very strategic with the stuff we  were going to carry in our backpack because survival was the main concern. Seth made a good decision to take in 30 water bottles of each 16.9 ounce (0.5 liter) that made in total around 4 gallons (15 liters) of water. As Seth carried most of the stuff like 15 liters of water, food, lamps, powerbanks, charger,air mattress, clothes, pump, camera, tripod, lens, go-pros etc. in his huge backpack through out 20 miles hike, he had to do powerlifting with that backpack to get it on and off his back every single time when we all needed to take a break. He was now, I thought, ultramarathoner turned powerlifter. Though my backpack was nowhere as heavy and big as his backpack, it wasn't lighter either as I also had my camera, lens, powerbanks, drones, water bottles, towels, clothes and some food in it. We also put extra water bottles and some more food in Faiyaz's backpack.

Because our plan was to reach reflection canyon before getting dark, camp in the reflection canyon overnight and hike back right after sunrise, we were trying to maintain the good average pace. As sun was getting softer and softer, one way hike of 10 miles wasn't as bad as we expected except that my thigh got chaffed again 🤣😂 after we were over half way through. It was wise of me, I thought, that I had brought medicines for chaffing. This is the reason you can see me walking like Donald Duck in movie.

By the time we reached the Reflection Canyon, our final destination, sun was already set. We could see the reflection canyon in the dim light as the dusk was falling rapidly. We found the best spot for camping and also the best angle to capture the time lapse of stars. Slowly, one by one, stars and constellations started to show up in the darkest sky of Bortle class 1. Despite our exhaustion, we got busy with taking time lapse of stars. All of us were very happy to have the whole mesmerizing sight of reflection canyon to ourselves that we didn't sleep much.