This is My Return to the Ancient Ruin that Defied Discovery

Years ago, I found an ancient structure at a dizzying height off the canyon floor. I wanted to climb to it, but I backed down. I was scared. I've thought a lot about what I saw that day, and decided I was headed back to see it for myself. Would I be able to make the climb?

// Camera Gear I Use:

// Backpacks I Use:

// Clothing and Footwear:

// Backcountry Kitchen:

// Miscellaneous:

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[weshillman]

As a 73-year old guy who wandered the mountains of Wyoming in my youth, I'm continually awestruck by your explorations, commentary, and wisdom. I wish I'd been half as observant as you! Keep posting, and I'll keep watching! Thanks for what you do!

[onedarkgypsy]

As someone who is physically disabled I can only dream about exploring these areas myself. I love exploring them through your videos. I appreciate how respectful you are of the environment, the ancient sites, and the history of these amazing places and the ancients who lived there. Thank you for sharing. Much love!

[cloudyview]

Don't worry about the complaints regarding the promotion. The quality of your content speaks for its self. Viewers want to support you and know that your work provides a decent living. Thanks for the hours of amazing footage, bringing these ancient cultures and remote ruins to folks who might never be able to do it themselves.

[kellyhait]

As someone who spent 8 years on road alone...stopped 8 months ago...loves native culture and history..misses the lanscape...for a while now you have kept my heart at ease...the peaceful content and history I look forward to all the time...thank you❤

[kathleenbifulco]

There are many hikers, climbers & vloggers going thru the same ‘outback’, doing a similar thing to what you are doing, but YOU do it BEST! You’re excellent at filming and you take us on a journey where we get to see it all, and understand it as well. Thanks so much for doing such a great enjoyable job!

[laurareutter]

I enjoy your blend of outdoor exploration, archaeology, philosophy, botany and more. The long quiet pauses as you pan across the ruins are very moving.

[williamburdon]

The thanks is all to you, I am 75 and have been disbaled for the last 25 years, I always wanted to do something like what you do, but I didn't think there was any urgency, I was very wrong. Thank you for taking me along with you, I would still love to feel the wind on my skin and smell the air and the dirt, but seeing it from my table is pretty wonderful also.
May you and your family and loved ones be forever happy and healthy.

[Gigi-]

I think you possibly do things for two reasons #1 you honor those who have been before us and you want to make sure they are remembered and #2 because you have the desire to test your own metal. I love these videos. Thanks for inviting us along. 😊

[MarkTerblanche-lmxt]

I've got to say the ambient music selection is fantastic ❤️

[muath]

I live outside the US and do not mind watching ads on your channel even though I can not buy the stuff they promote. You are already presenting high-quality content for us to enjoy for free and we are happy to give back to you simply by watching these short ads.

[thedukeofspeed]

Dude. You are Special ! What you do is Special, Your show is Special... I don't have the words to explain how Special you and your show are.. I apologize for my lack of proper vocabulary
You Sir are Special too me and I wish to thank you for the quality entertainment that you provide.
Live Well, Be Well... I love your show.

[carywhozawhastit]

The scope of all the ruins you've found and visited is truly amazing. There were people hiding in the cliffs everywhere it seems!

[watcherspirit]

Mr. Drifter, this video is my favorite. The voice-over script is dynamite. The visual beauty is fantastic. You've a great eye for detail (guppies, tadpoles, monarchs). It's an honor to see the world through your lens.Thank you.

[Artifartibiz]

I’ve never travelled in the states, I’m in the UK. But I am MESMERISED, by your ancient history over there, so exquisitely shared with us/ and the world …. Thankyou so much xx 😊

[gprojectnoob]

Holy Crap, 9 months on youtube, 44 videos and you already have almost 300K subs. Your doing something right !!! Keep up the great quality videos. We love watching.

[gonepostal]

Everybody always wants everything for FREE, FREE, FREE!!!! An ad once in awhile doesn’t bother me none, especially if it means the content creators can keep putting out quality work.

[janicestewart]

How THANKFUL they keep calling you and you keep taking me along! AMAZING!

[jenricardo]

You’re acting in the little ad was great. And humor is always appreciated. ❤

[Michelle-fhdp]

I think the reason most of us to go to historical places like that is because we are Romantic Historians at heart and we keep going back to try to see, to touch those from the distant past. When you go to their homes, see their art, the artifacts from their daily lives you feel so close you can almost reach thru time and speak to them.

[SlearBlaneheart]

A few comments, answers and observations:
I see many people asking where they could have grown corn. Obviously the canyon bottoms once held more viable soil than they do now. In addition to the climate being drier now, 150+ years of Europeans grazing cattle have made huge changes in these arid landscapes. The few succulent grasses and plants have been overgrazed and cannot survive or reproduce. So the amount of topsoil delcines year after year after decade.
There's existing photos from the 1800s that show well grassed areas of the Southwest that are denuded now, never to recover. And when those grasses and their roots are gone, more soil washes away with every rain.
There are a couple of other YouTubers whos channels show drone footage of not just dwelling sites, but still visible cropped areas that can only be perceived from above. Orderly rows of mounds where maize was grown in quite large plots.
But how did they fertilize it, once the initial soil was depleted?
There's a very good chance they used nightsoil as the ancient Chinese did. Humanure as its called now.
I also think there is a very high probability that the bighorn sheep were domesticated. Peoples all over the world had domesticated all kinds of animals long before this, why not? Theres some popular, eurocentric notion that they couldn't have been that advanced? If these people could build and live in such inaccessible spots, and successfully grow crops to live on with little water, its hard to fathom that they would not have tried to capture and tame one of their most important food sources. Meat, milk, hides....
Recently, on this or a similar channel, there were pictographs shown that featured large groups of bighorn sheep in a line, facing a human figure. Not being hunted, no arrows or spears shown, just sheep in a line facing a human, just like a flock and its shepherd. I own sheep myself and this is exactly what it reminded me of.
Just my thoughts.