Abandoning the Rim for the Gorge

Quick trip to the property yesterday. 5 hrs of driving for 5 hrs onsite.  Decided that my passion is for the river below.  I intend to abandon my efforts on the cactus choked rim and descend into the verdant gorge itself.

After research on historic floods as measured 6 miles upstream at Lobatos bridge, decided that it would be possible to build above all but the most extreme floods on a section of the property where two large boulders lie.  This section is 6to 7 ft above the riverbed which puts it above all but a couple huge floods like the 1905 flood when the river ran at 10 ft-an unbelievable depth considering it normally runs around 1 to 2 ft at the gauge.

My flood insurance will be placing the structure on piers so it will be 10 ft above the riverbed.  Additionally I will orient the structure along the cliff wall so it will not project into any future floodwaters as prominently.

I intend for the structure to be a sleeping and storage place with the majority of the living taking place outside in front on the "patio"

The proposed living area would be behind the large dark boulder on the right.

Here is a view from across the river.

The ladders up to the middle shelf

Beaver gnawed through my hose it appears.

Kerith Ravine Colorado version

So I was ripped off up top.  A band of white trash tweekers deprived me of buidling materials, generator, tools, and climbing equipment.  Since the rim is not secure I will then descend into the depths and make my hermitage on the sandy banks below.

King David preferred to put himself into the hands of God rather than of men so too will I put my fate in the God's hands next to the river.

Sobering read though about the year 1905 when the river reached 13000 cubic feet/second in this section. Normally 1500 is high for this stretch.  Don't imagine there was a patch of non-submerged ground in the gorge with that staggering amount.

The 1905 record was not a flash flood rather it appears to have been the rapid melting of snow pack in the mountains.  So I imagine those in the gorge would have seen a gradual increase and could take shelter above.

Moreover, there are hundreds of diversions upstream that did not exist at that time.  The river for better or worse has been largely domesticated-they can turn it on or off like a water tap.

Still thinking about elevating my keep 10 feet above the sand bank-this would provide some flood protection as well as deter lazy thieves from plundering my camp again.