On May 28, 1994, Dr. Harvey Butchart was interviewed at the Albright Training Center in Grand Canyon, Arizona, by Mike Quinn. The interview was part of a larger gathering, including LaVern Erickson, a neurosurgeon and friend of Butchart’s from Salt Lake City, Utah; Mike Mahanay, a seasoned hiker from Seattle, Washington; and Jim Boyd, the cameraman for the interview and a Television Production Specialist at the Albright Employee Development Center. This diverse group convened to delve into Butchart’s extensive hiking experiences in the Grand Canyon.
Edited Transcript of Various Hiking Experiences in the Canyon
The discussion primarily revolved around Butchart’s adventures in the canyon, detailing his methods for selecting hiking trails, encounters with natural challenges such as snakes and insects, dealing with inclement weather, the essentials he packed, and invaluable hiking advice. Quinn initiated the conversation by inquiring about Butchart’s approach to planning his hikes, including the distinction between day hikes and overnight excursions, and how he navigated through the canyon.
Butchart shared that his hiking endeavors were largely influenced by his early years in Flagstaff, where he led the hiking club and explored national parks across Colorado and California with his family. As his children grew more independent and his wife took up a job at the Museum of Northern Arizona, Butchart found himself drawn more to the rugged beauty of the Grand Canyon, preferring the simplicity and challenge of day hikes over extended trips.
During the interview, Butchart reflected on his hiking preparations, from the contents of his day pack—including a makeshift snake bite kit—to his minimalist approach to carrying water. Despite his initial fears of snakes, he soon realized the greater risk posed by cacti and learned to coexist with the canyon’s serpents without incident.
Mahanay queried Butchart about his experiences with dehydration and water sources in the canyon. Butchart detailed his strategies for managing his water supply, ensuring he was never far from a known water source. He recounted tales of unappetizing water sources and his pragmatic approach to water purification, highlighting the critical role of halazone tablets in avoiding illness.
The conversation shifted to food, with Butchart explaining his simple, albeit unappetizing, dietary choices on hikes, which included prunes, peanuts, sardines, and Lipton soup. His footwear of choice was practical and cost-effective, opting for ordinary working man’s shoes over expensive hiking boots, a decision that did not compromise his hiking efficiency.
Butchart also discussed his lightweight packing strategy, which eschewed tents in favor of a plastic sheet for rain protection, and his preference for sleeping spots free of cacti and cow chips. His inventiveness shone through in his anecdotes about managing blisters and avoiding the freezing of canteen water during cold nights.
A memorable encounter with a praying mantis, mistaken initially for a scorpion or centipede, underscored the unpredictable nature of the canyon’s wildlife. Butchart’s rich storytelling painted a vivid picture of his deep connection with the Grand Canyon, marked by respect for its challenges and an unwavering spirit of adventure.
During an interview with Mike Quinn, Dr. Harvey Butchart recounted various challenges and encounters he experienced while exploring the Grand Canyon, emphasizing his interaction with wildlife, route finding, and preparation for his adventures.
Encounters with Wildlife and Preparation Challenges
Butchart vividly described a night spent in a cave at the source of Tapeats Creek alongside Allyn Cureton and Don Finicum. Upon awakening, he discovered that all his raisins had been devoured by critters. Another incident involved ants piercing through a brown paper sack to consume his sugar supply, illustrating the persistent nature of the canyon’s smaller inhabitants. Additionally, Butchart faced challenges with rodents disturbing his pack at night. Despite his efforts to secure it, the rodents found their way in, prompting him to relocate his pack to avoid the disturbance. He even shared an anecdote about a fellow hiker whose new pack was compromised by rodents.
Butchart’s experiences weren’t limited to small mammals; he also encountered skunks at the Bright Angel Creek campground. A curious encounter involved both a skunk and a ringtail cat disrupting campers, which Butchart later referenced in one of his guidebooks. Interestingly, he met someone who had been part of that very incident, providing a real-life connection to his published work.
Regarding snakes, Butchart observed that his fast pace might have contributed to his infrequent sightings, averaging about one snake per 30 to 35 days of hiking. He recalled a conversation with a faculty member that led to a discussion about observation skills, where he highlighted his own detailed observations compared to others who traversed the canyon at a slower pace.
Route Finding and Exploration Strategies
Butchart shared his methodical approach to planning hiking seasons, focusing on areas like the Little Colorado River. He relied on USGS maps for trail indications but noted the overly generous interpretations of “trails” that were often no more than challenging climbs. His narrative included an attempt to locate the Dam Site Trail, which resulted in a broken wrist, emphasizing the risks involved in solo exploration.
He recounted a specific route finding adventure that led him to what he dubbed the Walter Powell Trail, named after John Wesley Powell’s brother. This endeavor highlighted the meticulous research and fieldwork Butchart conducted, underscoring his dedication to uncovering new paths within the Grand Canyon.
Butchart also discussed the challenges of following game trails, which often diverged unpredictably. He compared his strategy to an anecdote about Abraham Lincoln, humorously illustrating the trial-and-error process of navigating the wilderness.
Navigating the Redwall Limestone
The Redwall Limestone presented a significant barrier to explorers, but Butchart took pride in identifying 164 routes through this formidable rock layer. He shared stories of specific routes that offered both challenge and reward, including an endeavor on the north side of Comanche Point with a friend, Ken Walters. This particular route involved navigating a narrow ramp with bighorn sheep droppings, showcasing the unexpected pathways that wildlife could provide.
Among his achievements, Butchart cherished the discovery of a route he had sought for over ten years. His relentless pursuit and eventual success exemplified his deep passion for exploring the Grand Canyon, contributing significantly to the knowledge and lore of this iconic landscape.
In an interview with Mike Quinn, Dr. Harvey Butchart reflected on his exploration years, tentatively placing them in the 1960s. His inspiration came from Robert Euler, who had been gathering historical data on behalf of the Supai Indians for a land claim against the U.S. government. Euler’s task involved identifying ancient ruins to demonstrate the historical use of lands by the tribe. One informant, Walin Burro, suggested to Euler that his ancestors had farmed in the area of Fossil Bay Creek. Intrigued, Butchart sought out Burro in Supai, who, despite his unclear memory and damaged glasses, could not confirm the exact route his father had taken to the farming site.
Driven by curiosity, Butchart then took to the skies with a colleague from Flagstaff, surveying the land from an airplane to identify potential access routes through the canyon’s geological barriers. Though an aerial perspective offered some clues, ground expeditions faced challenges, including adverse weather and time constraints that thwarted Butchart’s attempts to explore the area fully. Persistence led to another expedition with Donald Davis, where they explored near Enfilade Point. Their journey down through geological layers revealed signs of ancient habitation and natural water sources, culminating in Butchart’s identification of what he named the Enfilade Point route. This discovery was a highlight in Butchart’s decade-long quest for new paths through the Grand Canyon, embodying his relentless spirit of exploration.An anecdote from a rappelling mishap in Saddle Canyon illustrated the risks and unexpected challenges Butchart faced. Despite preparation and previous experience, a solo descent turned perilous when he became disoriented and trapped by his equipment, narrowly escaping serious injury or worse.
Butchart’s explorations were driven by multiple motivations, including physical fitness, appreciation of natural beauty, scientific curiosity, social enjoyment, and a personal challenge. Among his many achievements, Butchart regretted not completing certain routes or projects, reflecting on unfinished paths as missed opportunities for discovery. His conversations with Emery Kolb and other contemporaries revealed a mutual respect among explorers of the Grand Canyon, each contributing to the collective understanding and appreciation of this vast natural wonder. Despite the dangers and the toll on his body, Butchart’s exploratory efforts left a lasting legacy, documenting routes, natural features, and historical sites that continue to inspire hikers and researchers alike.