Katie in the sweat lodge. Cryptogamic soil

The plan for today is to hike out to the ruins of Keet Seel. To get our permit we endure a 30 minute orientation session, which tells us over and over that the hike is not that bad, and fun can be had when crossing cow-shit infested streams...

We spend the rest of the morning relaxing, looking at Betatakin Ruins from the canyon's edge (thus avoiding the "strenuous" 5 hr hike down there), and buying gifts in the store.

Crossing the smelly river in the afternoon is not as bad as expected. The hike itself is long, but uneventful. A nice breeze cools us down peels the skin off our calves.

Nobody told us about the rats in camp...
resting before the hike... ... and other last-minute preparations.
One of the canyons of Navajo National Monument. At the first crossing we all are still a bit squeamish.
But the blowing sand takes care of most of the dirt.
Stream erosion in Keet Seel canyon. Dr. Morrison bringing up the rear. Campfire lecture by Annie.
 

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