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Three weeks later, I was on my way to another Grand Canyon adventure. In Phoenix, I picked up a buddy at the airport. We would be meeting two others of our group at Lee's Ferry. On the drive north, I told my friend about meeting Mike and Mitch. Not long after turning off US 89A at Marble Canyon, Jacek saw two figures hiking a couple of hundred feet off the road. He asked me if the two guys could be my friends. I pulled the car over got out and hollered 'Are you Mike and Mitch?' Sure enough!

	click for photos from hike

They had finished their long, hot walk across House Rock Valley a little ahead of schedule and were taking it easy on their way to Lee's Ferry for a layover day. We talked a bit as a dust storm raged. Jacek offered the guys some of his Polish beer. The brews soon had the guys 'talking with the little animals!' We couldn't stay with them long on the account that we were late to meet my hiking friends at the ferry, so we made arrangements to stop at the campground later in the afternoon.

"Jacek offered the guys some of his Polish beer. The brews soon had the guys 'talking with the little animals!'"

That afternoon, the fellows filled us in on the particulars of their adventure between Bright Angel and Marble Canyon. I was especially interested in how their equipment was holding out. They were mostly happy with all of their gear. Any problems were slight and of the predictable wear and tear variety. They did not have any trouble with the river crossing at the Little Colorado and their resupply caches went as planned.

We cross-checked each other's schedules in hopes of another meeting before they reach Arches, but it looks unlikely. For sure, though, we will get together for a joint adventure sometime in the future. Their spirits were high and they were looking forward to the rest of their trek and final victory at Moab in early July.

— Mike Coltrin, MountainZone.com Correspondent

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