After a day’s rest at Entre Amigos we set off to tackle the ascent out of the deepest canyon in North America, taking a new road east towards Samachique.
Rough roads take their toll on gear. Jeff's panniers start to bounce off over bumps.
We need to ford the river before starting the ascent out of the canyon, which passes over the walking trail we followed on the return from Batopilas. Having seen the road carved out of the hillside we have some idea of what is in store for us. In addition, Cass took this road out of the canyon and has provided us with notes on what to expect. However, even forewarned, I am not sufficiently prepared for this ascent.
Fording the river...
It is deep...
...and my pannier attachments are also dubious. (Photo: Jeff Volk)
The ferocious ascent starts without preamble. I push... (Photo: Jeff Volk)
...over difficult surfaces and merciless terrain.
Our panniers are heavy with good, but impractical, items pilfered from Keith's garden, which will be sorely missed. (Photo: Jeff Volk)
We only cover about seven kilometres on the first day, having left Urique mid-afternoon, and I only manage to ride about 20 percent of it. I will claim, without having any real basis for comparison, that I don’t believe childbirth would be any more difficult or painful than this climb was for me.
Eventually, we top the ridge and follow the road which continues to roll through the mountain tops. The going is still not easy.
Riding the ridge... the going is still not easy... (Photo: Jeff Volk)
...but the views are splendid.
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