Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death.

Fedarko and McBride continued their arduous journey through the Grand Canyon, confronting the imposing challenge of the Great Thumb Mesa. This colossal protrusion, nearly 20 miles long, presented a treacherous route requiring navigation through complex terrain, scarcity of water, and grueling conditions.

Accompanied by experienced guides Amy Martin and, later, Kelly McGrath, the group meticulously maneuvered along the Esplanade, encountering remnants of ancient Indigenous life, such as arrowheads and pottery shards, which underscores the canyon’s rich human history. Fedarko explores the team’s reliance on ritual, respect for the land, and camaraderie in the face of isolation and danger. As they set up camp on the precipice of the Esplanade, the hikers received foreboding news of an incoming winter storm, heightening the stakes for the next leg of their expedition.

Fedarko and his team faced the full force of a powerful winter storm while navigating the treacherous terrain of the Great Thumb Mesa. Early warnings from weather reports proved accurate as high winds, freezing rain, and snow descended, creating hazardous conditions.

The group endured physical and mental strain, exacerbated by injuries to Martin and McBride, which threatened their progress and safety.