2017 10 25 Bandelier National Monument

Wednesday, 10/25/17, Bandelier National Monument. Hike to Alcove House.

Overlooking the valley. We noticed a helicopter close by with a large white bag hanging underneath. As we watched, the helicopter delivered its payload on the side of the valley wall. We noticed many other similar bags already placed on one of the hiking trails.   

The Park Service Rangers explained that after many years of erosion on the path above the big Kiva they were delivering 43 tons of dirt and rocks by helicopter to be used to repair the path. When Karen asked if they had equipment in place up there to move all that material, the guy said they had several kinds of hand tools, sunscreen and gloves. We all laughed at the thought of trying to distribute 43 tons of material with rakes and shovels. He laughed and said he was told this project will develop character.

Across the valley from our path to the Alcove House is the "Village" alcoves. This large opening can be seen to have soot from cooking fires.

Bob noticed that above and to the right of the small ladder cut into the side of the hill is a small circle with what appears to be a tree.

The top of this opening is used by outside people to determine if this group is friend or foe. The line of holes would have had logs in them.

The two people are standing on one of the narrow walkways and to the left of one of the four wooden ladders which would have to be climbed to reach the large ceremonial alcove.  

This is one of the longest ladders I have ever had to climb. It is secured to the side of the hill and the treads are bolted to the stringers so it is very solid feeling. Nonetheless, as Bob and I made our way further and further up the 140 foot ascent hearts started beating faster and catching our breath became  a little more difficult. 

There were extremely narrow walkways that would only allow people to get to the next ladder or stairs in single file. I kept wondering how any enemies could possibly get up to these alcoves without being picked off one by one. Of course then we met some folks who couldn't figure out that they should wait for those already in the narrow space to exit before they entered and would not back up. Thanks for that close encounter.  

Bob is pretty confident in his ladder climbing skills to stop and give a thumbs up before finishing this climb. And he was carrying a small backpack, camera bag and binoculars.

I was glad to see metal handrails along some steps but I assume the Native Americans who lived here did not have any safety gear. And it's a long way down when there is a false step.  

Bob is tying to take a panoramic photo. This was not a residential alcove but a larger space used for ceremonies. So it was infrequently used and probably only by men of the tribe who were high ranking. 

I am sitting at the back of the alcove and on the right of the photo is the fire pit.

The fire pit was considerably larger than any standard fire would have been and yet there was no accumulated soot. It was not clear why there were three small nooks, one here behind a pile of sand bags and two more on the opposite side.

Bob is standing inside one of the nooks which was only about 6 feet deep and barely high enough for him to not touch the ceiling. 

Now comes the really fun part of descending the four ladders. They do have long extensions at the top so there is something to grab on to when you have to back down the ladder but it's scary if you look down past your shoes.

I was certainly much slower going down than when I was going up.  

The stream running through the valley was really cold so I was glad I did not have to ford it but If I had brought my water purifying pump it would have been the perfect ending to our hike to get a cold drink. I'll have to settle for the water in my bottle. At least we all knew enough to bring water. We saw several people who had nothing.  

After our climb and hike, we drove to Los Alamos to meet a school friend of Karen's. We were fascinated by the acrobatic flying of about f half dozen ravens. But you have to be on guard because if you walked away from your lunch they would invite themselves to partake of it while your back was turned.