Re: tragedy in Antelope Canyon

Walter Johnson in BATUSA (batusa@arn.net)
Thu, 14 Aug 1997 14:25:43 -0500

John Wesley Powell Memorial Museum wrote:
>
> Walter,
> All the licensed tour guides (3) who operate from Page got their people
> out, had cancelled the tours that afternoon that were scheduled and were
> warning visitors of the possibility of flash flooding.
>
> >From what I have been told, the Navajo person in charge of the gate for
> lower antelope did not do the same and allowed Trek America to take people
> down into the canyon as well as five other people from private vehicles.
> There are no phones out there. The Tribe's Recreation Department people at
> LeChee had told the gate keepers to keep people out. Upper had been closed
> already at least 1-2 hours prior.
>
> We always recommend people go with a licensed guide and warn them that the
> guy/gal at the gate doesn't stay with the group but just drops them off at
> the entrance to upper and returns to the gate for the next bunch or lets
> people go down the ladders in lower and doesn't wait to see if they come
> back up okay.
>
> Tribe will have to make changes now. It is their canyon, their land and
> their responsibility. We take our responsibility in Page very serious when
> talking to visitors who want to do slot canyons or non-paved roads. We
> always tell them that weather is a big factor cause it comes up suddenly in
> the summer.
>
> Thank you for writing.
> *************************************** --
How y'all are?
I had written them (JWPMM) and the above letter was sent in
reply. Am including FYI.
Y'all be hang'n tough 'til the fat lady sings,
(#1 Finest Kind)
Walter Johnson in BATUSA (BeautifulAmarilloTexasUSA)
Rotary--Amarillo High--Texas Tech--Cowboys---Yankees
USS CURRITUCK(AV7)--USS EVERGLADES(AD24)--ASSN TORP MATES
11TH REUNION SAN DIEGO SEPT 24-28,'97 ('98 Charleston SC)
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