MY PRINTED COPY OF THE FINISHED HISTORY AMONG THE MAYA
THE HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS A DILEMMA THAT ALL SEEKERS OF TRUTH SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN….CLARIFYIED with VOLTAIRE’S COMMENT (get the book and see for yourself the details):
“THOSE WHO CAN MAKE YOU BELIEVE ABSURDITIES, CANGET YOU TO COMMIT ATROCITIES!”
CHRISTMAS MEADOWS & OSTLER PEAK and SPREAD EAGLE MOUNTAIN
This wonderful area is on the North Slope, accessed from the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, north and down from Hayden Pass/entrance to the Highline Trailhead. All the information is found in my HIGH UINTA MOUNTAINS BOOK, pages 179-187. On my FACEBOOK PAGE I inserted pictures of Kermsuh and McPheeters Lakes–you can see going to: https://www.facebook.com/cordell.andersen. Below I’ll insert a beautiful picture of Ryder Lake mistakenly not included in my book as it is a breathtaking panorama. Climbing up from Ryder Lake to the right is above timberline McPheeters Lake, I’ll include below McPheeters, by the way it produces larger cutthroat trout than Ryder (which itself produces larger than normal trout).
RYDER LAKE IN MIDDLE BASIN OF THE STILLWATER FORK OF THE BEAR RIVERMcPHEETERS LAKE WITH MT. AGASSIZ on the left, and HAYDEN PEAK on the right.
In Middle Basin there are also several smaller lakes with fish, information in my UINTA BOOK, including topographical maps, and all the information you might need to have a great experience in West Basin, with Kermsuh Lake, and then in this Middle Basin–which I have to add, as I was reminded on FACEBOOK by my HIGH UINTA FRIEND, MIKE PACKARD,is accessible by real adventurers like him, by climbing that saddle to the right center from the Highline Trail area. Don’t attempt it unless you are a confirmed expert mountain climber!
HERE I AM IN 2017 ON ONE OF MY LAST BACKPACKS–INTO “THE GRANDADDIES” WITH TED PACKARD, MY ORIGINAL HIGH UINTA FRIEND WHO INTRODUCED ME TO THE UINTAS 70 YEARS AGO, & HIS SON MIKE WHO MADE THE ABOVE COMMENT.
To get an online copy of this book, some have called THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE UINTAS, send me $20 (don’t be afraid of sending a $20 bill as we aren’t south of the border) along with your email address, and I will immediately email you the link to download the book with my permission to share once with a friend. Send to: Cordell Andersen, 444 Elm St., American Fork, Utah 84003
NOW A WORD OR TWO ABOUT MY PREPARATION TO MAKE ANOTHER COMBEBACK IN MY 87th YEAR IN 2022–Never promised to be easy!
I persist working on learning to walk with my baby steps, along with hiking, and climbing, 5 days a week with my NO COST EXERCISE UNIT seen below and one a week in the foothills using my previously hated trekking poles–as I can’t risk a fall that could kill me due to my misaligned spine.
I’m working on building muscles again in my legs, and developing again balance, I do the pushup thing daily, gradually increasing the repetitions, along with using my two 8 lb. barbells while watching TV–BYU ladies in a great comeback just beating Gonzaga— to build my upper body.
ONE OF THE CHALLENGES
THIS IS “THE GRANDADDY TRAIL” up from the Grandview Trailhead, above the bridge and is the first switchback up from the Wilderness Sign–TO MANUEVER THIS FOR ME–normally would be almost suicide.…so– WILL REQUIRE A NEW EXERCISE DEVISE & WORKOUT I WILL SHOW YOU IN THE NEXT POST on the weekend.
I can’t have much weight on my back anymore, so am working on extreme lightweight equipment changes, 5>>10 lbs. on my shoulders/back, and the rest in a couple of waist packs.
This is the 4.5 lb. survival pack I used last season for my historic 1 mile backpack last year to Fehr Lake. I will build on this base pack, adding enough to first do an over-nighter, then build on that.
All of that above must sound like a joke for all of you, but considering I couldn’t even walk for a time last year, and the life-threatening misalign ment of my spine–IT IS MONUMENTAL!……For my 2,000+ miles of backpacking/exploring in the Uintas to do my book, I did work on“lightweight backpacking”but I should have done better–like I’m now forced to do–and if I had of done so, I likely could have avoided wearing out my back/spine and still be doing long backpacks, rather than the“mickey mouse”ones I’m now preparing for!
AFTER 5 DAYS ON THE STAIRS……MY WEEKLY HIKE INTO THE MOUNTAINS
No vegetation sprouting, much less flowers, but rather a fascinating FOSSIL found along the trail. Always keep your eyes wide open for the wonderful VISIONS OF NATURE all around us. Doing so will make even a difficult hike, AN INSPIRING PLEASURE!
ONE OF THE WONDERMENTS OF THE LORD’S FASCINATING CREATION!
I got to where the trail leaves the road to begin switchbacking up the canyon. Each week I’ll add about 100 yards–which doesn’t sound like much, but by the time backpacking opens up in the Uintas, it will almost equal getting to Hades Pass “the Gateway to the Grandaddies!“
I’LL KEEP YOU INFORMED…..IN THE MEANTIME GET MY BOOK & BEGIN PREPARING FOR A GREAT INSPIRATIONAL BACKPACKING/EXPLORING & FISHING/PHOTOGRAPHING SEASON!
I’ll comment on my 70 years dedicated to that cause further along.
NOW TO THINGS RELATED TO MY BELOVED…..
A PERSONAL NOTE……I’m still doing my darndest to NOT GIVE UP and learning to walk again, but…..
………….….. I don’t have my mommy or special loving friend to help me, but THAT’S NO EXCUSE!
Posted on Friday or Saturday (1/14-15/22): OH, & BY THE WAY, AS I’M DOING SO I HAVE the omicron variant of the virus, WITH MY EFFECTIVE PROTECTION, IT IS NOT SLOWING ME DOWN MUCH AT ALL….EVEN IN MY 86th YEAR….see DETAILS below:
IMPORTANT NOTE: Now…a few days after the above announcement….I am over what I assumed wasomicron, it only lasting 4 or 5 days being much less than the average cold–in fact it was like a cold, but with a strange twist–a stuffed up nose and even stranger nasal drip like I’ve never had until now–so I assumed it was omicron as Googling it, that kind of thing is the first symptom they list, and during it I didn’t have to change my daily life, nor miss my exercise going up and down the stairs, but did reduce my laps to 10/day for the 14th thru the 16th, but today the 17th, will be back up to increasing to 26 laps my routine! That’s what resulted from having purposely exposed myself to–as I considered myself in good health–and had Covid-19 back in June 2020 that I got through fine in my 85th year intentionally acquiring natural immunity, and maintaining my healthy life even with my back surgeries and complications. SEE THE DETAILS BELOW.
WE SEE BELOW MY CHEAP EXERCISE DEVISE — as close to hiking in the UINTAS as possible close to home, getting ready for the 2022 HIGH UINTAS BACKPACKING SEASON & I PROMISE YOU I WILL DO SOME BACKPACKING! The following stairs below theAmerican Fork Fitness Center, is where daily I’m going up and down to keep my legs awake, and build the muscle I need!
UP & DOWN is ONE LAP…..today, January 19th, up to 30 laps, and adding one more each day as long as my exercise devise is FREE OF ICE. It’s looking south so snow and ice melts quickly. NOTE: That equals over 700 feet of elevation gain–a comparison is that from the Grandview Trailhead to Hades Pass from where you drop into the Grandaddies, it is around 1,000 feet of elevation gain.I will continue to increase 1 lap each time, but every other day– the other day I will go with my walker a mile or so, and intermittingly jog always with the walker, and gradually increase the distance.If I can get the lower back pain to reduce, I eventually will do that without the walker, and the STAIRS without touching the hand rail, and in the Spring begin doing the foothills with the goal of doing some BACKPACKING IN THE HIGH UINTAS THIS SUMMER!
It has a hand rail I need, as I can’t afford to take a fall–that could paralyze or kill me– as you might remember the dangerous misalignment of my spine.
Hey all you HIGH UINTA FRIENDS, now you’ve got to help me find a
Uinta trail WITH A HAND RAIL!
I’ll go inside the Center, when forced to by the weather, but it will have to be bad–as doing my exercise outside, no matter how cold–will help me most GET STRONGER ……….or KILL ME! Of course STRONGER IS WHAT I’M AFTER and I will happilyrisk the other as
I’m NOT GIVING UP…..EASILY!
From now until BACKPACKING SEASON I’LL BE GRADUALLY INCREASING MY LAPS OF THE STAIRS UNTIL I REACH THE 1,000 foot ELEVATION GAIN in one day FROM THE GRANDVIEW TRAILHEAD to HADES PASS and BACK DOWN & THEN BEGIN GRADUALLY CARRYING LIGHT LOADS–only 5 lbs. or so on my back, but with several waist packs that shouldn’t affect my dangerous back situation!
The omicron variant CHALLENGE!
The treatment I outline in my HIGH UINTA BOOK for colds/flu or any “unwellness,” page 635, is basically what you see below, but using the WELLNESS FORMULA’S suggestion “if needing added support” plus adding DEFENSE PLUS (a formula a bit different than Wellness, but added gives a more complete and powerful boost to your immune system), along with Zinc.
THIS GOT ME THROUGH THE ORIGINAL COVID-19 WITH ONLY A 99.9 FEVER FOR ONE DAY, NO RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS, ONLY DAILY HEADACHES FOR A FEW DAYS & LOSS OF TASTE & SMELL, BUT I BASICALLY CONTINUED MY NORMAL ROUTINE, DOING MY SHOPPING & TAKING CARE OF MYSELF. I DID GET TESTED THAT SHOWED I DID HAVE THE VIRUS, BUT WITH NO PROBLEMS & less today with the omicron variant all with just natural immunity.
THE MAIN LESSON FROM MY INITIAL EXPERIENCE & HAVING THE VARIANT, IS: GET IN GOOD HEALTH, EXERCISE AND BE AS STRONG AS POSSIBLE, and OVERCOME & AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE THOSE PESKY PROBLEM CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE DEATH!
THIS SHOULD BE ABOVE ALL WHAT WE LEARN FROM THIS–GET IN SHAPE, GET RID OF THOSE DEATHLY CONDITIONS–EAT HEALTHY including NUTRITIOUS WEEDS–dandelions, purslane & MACUY–the Guatemalan weed that saved the Mayans!
**********************************
REMEMBER MY HIGH UINTA BOOK MAKES FOR GREAT WINTER-TIME READING & PLANNING FOR THE NEXT BACKPACKING or AUTO-LOOP TOUR SEASONS OF THE UINTA MOUNTAINS
…….and APPENDIX 5, pages 616-649
“THE ANTI-AGING CHALLENGE: Why, What & How”
It is worth much more than its weight in GOLD!
MANY THINK THAT IT MAKES A GREAT GIFT
–by purchasing the download link, or a thumb drive, and passing it on to your friends. Too late for Christmas, but all during 2022 there are birthdays, Valentines Day, Mother & Father Days, and then Christmas 2022. Scroll down to get information…….WHAT THE HECK HERE IS HOW YOU GET IT:
Send me $20, cash or check, to Cordell Andersen, 444 Elm St., American Fork, Utah 84003, including your email address, and I’ll email you the link to get the book on your computer. If you want a printed copy of the two volume set, put the book on a thumb drive and take to your favorite printer, mine is: COPYTEC, 185 West 200 South, Pleasant Grove, Utah 84062, Tel. 801-785-3680.
If you just want to print the Anti-Aging Challenge section, specify the page numbers and they can do that. THEY DO AN EXCELLENT JOB.
This was done by several, one whose note is inserted below–with her permission:
What I’ve abbreviated as THE MAYA BOOK is NOW FINISHED & available.
During my actual 70 years dedicated to the “MAYA CAUSE” that started with an NDE when I was 16 years old, until now–in spite of “friendly fire–or criticism” saying the whole effort was imagined by them to be a scam for me to build a business empire and get rich, I never charged a dime for all that effort, and supported myself and family WITH MY WORK as described in the book–so I’m not about to start making a profit off of that effort--with DOWNLOAD OF THE BOOK FREE.I just hope and pray that there will be one or two honest individuals of influence who will study carefully the history, and then DO WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.
The 557 page book detailing my adventurous life in the Mountains of the Maya, entitled,A FIFTY YEAR “IMPOSSIBLE DREAM” AMONG MY PEOPLE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF THE MAYA,is now finished with many new exciting additions and episodes, including on the 2nd page a Table of Contents listing the page numbers for the “33 MEMORABLE EFFORTS, EVENTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS” along with over 1,200 color photographs from “THE LAND WHERE COLOR WAS INVENTED.”
The TABLE OF CONTENTS can be seen below, but the entire book can only be seen by downloading it to your computer by clicking on the above title, and is FREE.
Here’s a movie-montage of crucial movies I learned from during that half century of experience giving us all needed perspective and helped us survive through what I once called a
“fascinating history of human conflict & triumph”
OPPS! I forgot what from my “simple man” and “pioneer” perspective was and is really important…
TABLE OF CONTENTS This is the life-long history of Cordell M. Andersen & families, including the incredible help of many friends through the Guatemalan Foundation, all updated & reorganized in more accurate chronological order, and with a General TABLE OF CONTENTS with page numbers – finished in December 2021 with exciting additions that enhance understanding, and new….…..candid “rest of the story” details, especially in Part 1: The VISION QUEST, & Part 4: The FINAL REVIEW of the “VISION QUEST” FULFILLMENT AMONG THE MAYA in GUATEMALA Part 1: 0-22 years THE VISION QUEST: A Checkered Faith & Works Journey Pages 3-79 – 77 color photos Part 2: 22-31 years THE MYSTERIOUS CAUSE and PREPARATION TO ACT Nine Years Finding the Faith to Make the..….Journey to the Land of the Mayas Pages 81-121 – 87 color photos Part 3: 31-38 years THE 1967 RISKY PIONEER JOURNEY TO THE MOUNTAINS OF THE MAYA Pages 123-173 – – 91 color photos Part 4: 31-81 years THE FINAL REVIEW of the “VISION QUEST” MAYA FULFILLMENT Pages 175-550 – 861 color photos 33 MEMORABLE EFFORTS, EVENTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS (“items”)
1. Traveling movie, Cine Chapinlandia..………………………………………………………………………… …p. 192 2. Poultry Farm—Granja y Tienda la Cabana, 1st in North Central Guatemala……………p. 197 3. Valparaiso Plantation—Ancient Fortified City………………………………… …………………..……p. 200 4. Education & Philosophy & Principles of the Good Life (Method)………………….…… ….p. 229 5. Bible-like “Miracle of Elvira”………………………………………………………………………………..………p. 235 6. Creation of Unique Methods of Teaching Cleanliness & Nutrition…………….……………p. 239 7. Organization of The Foundation for Indian Development………………..…………….……..…p. 247 8. The CID, Center for Indian Development “Oasis of hope & justice for poor”…………p. 248 9. Students 1st LDS fulltime missionaries for 3 Mayan language groups…………..….. ..p. 249 10. Carl Jacob and strawberry production introduced into Guatemala…………..…….…..p. 251 11. Las Victorias Dairy, largest in Northern Guatemala………………………………………….…… .p. 251 12. Early LDS history in Alta Verapaz, story human conflict & triumph………………………p. 263 13. BYU Lamanite Generation “miracle” and losing “Pepita”………………..………………..……p. 297 14. The GREAT EARTHQUAKE, CID #2 Las Mercedes, Communism in Guatemala….p. 304 15. Organization of LDS A.V. District history, extreme unrighteousness again……….…p. 306 16. “Greatest missionary adventure of my life” in the Polochic area………….………….……p. 329 17. BYU Distinguished Service Award, Church Historian comments, work manuals…p. 348 18. International ( Adoption) Baby Smuggling Scandal and those responsible……..….p. 351 19. Helping LDS missionary work in the Quito/Ecuador Mission, strange reversal ….p. 355 20. From 1980 on removed LDS image from work, multiplied Mayans helped…… .…p. 359 21. Greatest Soccer Tournament of my life—The Lamanite Youth champions…………p. 361 22. Establishment of the Valparaiso Community, aided potable water, electricity …p. 363 23. 1981-1982 became AYUDA representative, reorganized Patzicia Credit Co-o…p. 366 24. Supported Cunen projects for 10 years……………………………………………………………..…..p. 367 25. Spirit of Cine Chapinlandia showing TEN COMMANDMENTS to 10,000 peoplep. 368 26. For 32 years built and managed Andersen College in Patzicia for needy children.p. 369 27. Constructed Ariel & Ines Andersen Chuluc School, paid teacher for 30 years …p. .371 28. “Rest of story” from 1971-2002 told, life at THE FARM OF THE HOLY MAN…… ..p. 372 29. “Biggest mistake—A Great Success!” & “rest of story” 2002-20, FAREWELLS..p. 469 30. Museum of the Holy Man………………………………………….…………………………………………….…p. 505 31. Partnership with Garth Norman, Tree of Life—Izapa Project then to Valparaiso .p. 507 32. Last “goodbye,” a funny story, coincidental meeting my Indian Queen, again…. p. 532 33. The greatest blessing /accomplishment, “MY 15 DUNDERHEAD KIDS” …….……..p. 535
CONCLUSIONS—SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE & MY HOPE— THANKS TO ALL Last page of BOOK: Theodore Roosevelt’s famous statement,
“HE WHO DARES“
If you aren’t familiar with that great statement, you’ll have to go to theBOOKand scroll down to the last page.
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP, nor GIVE IN…..EASILY!
FOR A COMPLETE HISTORY OF WHAT THE PROJECT HAS TAKEN…from BACK SURGERIES TO NOT BEING ABLE TO WALK, LEARNING WITH BABY STEPS…ALL THE WAY TO DOING A HALF MARATHON, HIKING IN THE UINTAS AGAIN & HOW TO GET THE BOOKS, SCROLL DOWN–but first SOMETHING FREE!
To download to your computer this FREE 27 PAGE BOOKLET, click on that link & familiarize yourself with the 730 page BOOK-described by some as THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE HIGH UINTA MOUNTAINS, described further along in this post.
TODAY, November 17th the 15th surgery was done–since 2003, when the UINTAS PROJECT BEGAN: “NOSE TERMINATE REDUCTION SURGERY.” BELOW IS SEEN A PICTURE OF ONE OF MY ENLARGED NASAL TERMINATES, making breathing difficult, and secreting mucus that would cause congestion and coughing and of course making hiking in the Uintas more difficult.
Next we see that nostril with the terminate REDUCED, making breathing easier and reducing secretions of mucus.
Of course both terminates were reduced that will give me a few more years of better breathing.
TWO OTHER SURGERIES DURING THE LAST MONTH: EYE CATARACT REMOVAL & LENS REPLACEMENT. The incredible surgeries are still in recovery–with bags under my eyes, etc., but for normal eye sight I don’t need glasses anymore, can see crystal clear with normal vibrant colors, can now use dark glasses as both eyes are the same, and only will need glasses for reading small print.
CONCERNING THE LIFE & DEATH PROBLEM OF SPINE MISALIGNMENT, SEEN AGAIN BELOW IN THE X-RAY:
Yesterday, November 16th, my spine surgeon, after taking x-rays, concluded no worsening of my condition since the previous visit 1 month ago…….I have been very careful during that month to avoid any fall or movement that could cause more misalignment and paralyze, or kill me. He described the surgery he could do to correct the condition: “IT WOULD BE A SURGERY MUCH MORE COMPLICATED AND SERIOUS THAN ANYTHING YOU HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED. I WOULDN’T DO IT, NOR WOULD YOU WANT IT, UNLESS YOU WERE IN SO MUCH PAIN AND DANGER THAT YOU DIDN’T WANT TO LIVE ANY LONGER!” So, I’ll carefully persist in carefully working out, on cold days at the American Fork Fitness Center to get stronger– learning to use the apparatuses and still work towards…….
MEETING YOU ON A HIGH UINTA TRAIL IN 2022 IN MY 87th YEAR!
NOW I’LL REPEAT THE INFORMATION ON THE TWO BOOKS THAT TELL THE STORY OF HOW MY LIFE WAS SAVED & MADE PRODUCTIVE WITH A COUPLE OF
“IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS!”
IT’S THE ONLY HIGH UINTA BOOK WITH: BEAUTIFUL COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS–1,600 of them; THE FASCINATING HISTORY–like about the first explorers to see the Uintas; the story of my American hero, Jedediah Smith and his team–the first to trap on the North Slope, and the mountain I’ve named in his honor; “The Tie hackers,” unsung American heroes & their Ghost towns, including the story of “The liveliest if not the most wicked town in America” and President Eisenhower’s hero, “the Bare Knuckle Marshal,” who tried to pacify it; the UNBELIEVABLE LEGENDS, and the stories of gold in the Uintas, & more; plus 120 TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS with trails, and distances covering every Trailhead area including updated information on the lakes to guide you in planning your adventures; and critically THE SURVIVAL STORIES that have already saved many lives, INCLUDING MY LAST BACKPACK WHEN 80 YEARS OLD TO GET TO THE LAKE THAT HAS MY NAME, “LITTLE ANDY LAKE,”in the eastern shadow of Kings Peak, and the highest lake in Utah at 12,302 feet.
To get the BOOK: Send a check for $20 or a $20 bill, to Cordell Andersen, 444 Elm St., American Fork, Utah 84003, along with your email and I’ll email you the link to download the 730 Page eBook to your computer. With that, if you want, as 50+ Uinta lovers have, take it on a thumb drive to your favorite printer to get a printed copy. Scroll down to learn about my printer whose the best.
****************************
THE UPDATED 567 page STORY OF MY LIFE AMONG THE MAYA, downloadable FREE, entitled: (the title is the link to download)
We see below a sort of one picture depiction of the HIGH UINTAS PROJECT & publishing of the book. It started in summer 2003–then 2,000+ miles of backpacking /exploration later, the book was published online in 2017 on my 81st birthday. Then came the last 12 months–2020-2021– going through near death, to not being able to walk…..and my effort to NOT GIVE UP!
By November 2020–with 10 surgeries, two radiation treatments for cancer, and worn out joints and body parts–were all catching up with me, necessitating on November 13, 2020 the 3rd back surgery with more titanium appliances trying to keep my spine aligned properly, shown above. That began a YEAR OF STRUGGLE DEPICTED IN THE MONTAGE OF PHOTOS. The November surgery backfired and I couldn’t walk, nor stand up to take a shower, and my right leg literally died, leading to emergency surgery in Dec. which helped but not being able to exercise–the muscle disappeared and leg looked like a holocausts victim, but I couldn’t give in, and in my desperation wasn’t cautious enough……so in January I took 3 FALLS RESULTING IN A FRACTURE IN MY SPINE FORCING ME TO BE CAREFUL AND OVER SEVERAL MONTHS THE CRACKS IN MY VERTEBRAE HEALED, BUT……EVOLVED THE BEGINNING OF A DANGEROUS MISALIGNMENT OF MY SPINE…….
THE PRESENT CHALLENGE IS SEEN BELOW IN AN X-RAY THAT SHOWS A DANGEROUS MISALIGNMENT.
The lower vertebrae’s are misaligned with the upper ones and at an angle are pushing up on the inside corner of the upper ones. If it slipped a bit more it could cut the spinal chord!
My spine specialist and spine surgeon agree that another fall, such as I had back in January–or for sure the “FLYING FALL” I took in the Uintas on May 11, 2020 (scroll way down to learn about it), could paralyze me, or kill me–SO I HAVE TO WORK AT STRENGTHENING MYSELF AND GETTING STRONGER–CAREFULLY!
More surgeries? I was first told by the surgeon it could take from 4 to 5 surgeries to correct everything, and in my 86th year that didn’t sound very inviting–the Dr. himself saying, “I WISH YOU WERE 65 RATHER THAN 85!” but added, “You are amazing and in better health at 85 than most of us are at 65!” ………. so I’m carefully working on strengthening myself, as depicted in the montage and as reported in previous posts you can see by scrolling down–even using my WALKER for long distance walks………
……….my last one DOING A HALF MARATHON WITH MY WALKER AND BEATING THE KENYANS!–almost losing when TWO BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADIES TRIED TO DO A “LOVE KIDNAPPING!”
WHAT? YOU DON’T BELIEVE ME? SCROLL DOWN AND GET THE “rest of the story” in my last posts. You will notice that I’m doing my darndest to laugh at me getting OLD!
I will only go for another surgery if necessary to save my life.
IN THE MEANTIME GET MY BOOK SO YOU’LL HAVE SOME FASCINATING READING WITH YOUR KIDS, OR GRANDKIDS DURING THE LONG UPCOMING WINTER!YOU’LL BE GETTING THE ONLY BOOK IN EXISTENCE ON THE UINTAS WITH COLOR PHOTOS, THE INCREDIBLE HISTORY, FASCINATING LEGENDS, & SURVIVAL STORIES THAT HAVE ALREADY SAVED MANY LIVES!
………..and I must add, the BOOK has an EXCLUSVIE 89 page guide to doing a 856 MILE AUTO LOOP TOUR OF THE UINTA MOUNTAINS that show our UINTAS to be equal to or BETTER THAN MOST NATIONAL PARKS. My spine doctor, Dr. Allan Colledge, bought a print book and with his wife did the tour using the book as their guide in 2020, and when I afterwards went to him for one of my emergencies–HE IGNORED MY REASON FOR SEEING HIM, AND……
…HE RATHER WENT ON AND ON PRAISING THE GUIDE AND THEIR TOUR of our wonderful HIGH UINTA MOUNTAINS!
The good doctor finally got through with the Uintas and inquired why I had come to see him….eventually leading to two more surgeries and a very challenging year–NOW OF COURSE PERHAPS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE OF MY PROJECT!
Above we see the print version of the 730 page, two volume book. For $20 you can purchase a link to download the book to your computer. Send in the mail (if you don’t have checks anymore, just send a $20 bill–we aren’t in Guatemala, so you can trust the mailman), or drop by my place with $20 at 444 Elm St., American Fork, Utah. I live in the funky little white trailer parked at my son Jesse’s home behind my son Nephi’s luxurious mobile home. Give me your email, and I’ll send or give you the link so you can download it. If you send a check, make it to
Cordell Andersen.
Once you have it on your computer, if you want a printed copy as seen above, you can put it on a thumb drive and take to your favorite printer. If you are in the Utah Valley area, my printer, COPYTEC does an excellent job with perfect color reproduction and the best paper. Their address is: 185 West 200 South, Pleasant Grove, Utah 84062, Tel. 801-785-3680. Online: www.copyteconline.com.
In the beginning I had one printed for me at OFFICE MAX that cost me $173.50 and then I found COPYTEC and was able to offer a printed book for $140, but prices have gone up a lot so the last one I had printed cost $170 and I lost money. MORE THAN 50 paid the big bucks to get the printed version–and LOVE IT!
I’m not quite as mobile as before, so now, best get it done yourself. NOTE: If you go to OFFICE MAX make sure and tell them to lighten up the photos as the one done for me had them too dark and I had to give that copy away to a friend!
MORE SURGERIES FOR “LITTLE ANDY”
My motto over many years has been “NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE IN….EASILY!”
Now, on November 8th I’ve had two eye surgeries to get rid of cataracts and do lens replacement on my both eyes–that now are almost like knew — 20/20. On November 17th will have surgery–to reduce my nasal terminates so I can breath normally again for the first time in years and be able to better handle the High Uinta altitudes.
That will bring my surgeries to 15 since I began my HIGH UINTAS PROJECT…..with the 2,000+ miles of backpacking gradually wearing out some body parts, the unsalvageable ones removed, and others rebuilt with titanium. SO SOON I WILL BE A NEW MAN…….SO DON’T BE SURPRISED IF YOU RUN INTO AN OLD GUY IN HIS 87th YEAR ON SOME HIGH UINTA TRAIL IN 2022!
MY 2nd BOOK:
A FIFTY YEAR “IMPOSSIBLE DREAM” AMONG MY PEOPLE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF THE MAYA
Most of my life was spent among the Maya in Guatemala–which 567 page history has over 400 color photographs of “THE LAND WHERE COLOR WAS INVENTED” …………I”ll insert just one photo from the book that shows the ANNUAL INDIAN FOLKLORE FESTIVAL that the experts have said is:
THE MOST COLORFUL INDIGENOUS EVENT IN THE HEMISPHERE!
The book has also now been completed, and can be downloaded to your computer or electronic device for FREE by clicking on the link below:
More information can be found on the following website, as well as an online version–but not as complete as the one downloadable, at: https://www.guatemalanfoundation.org/
THE NEWEST VERSION (printable download) has WISDOM from Albert Einstein, Tom Selleck in his movieAN INNOCENT MAN, from Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) in his movie CLEAR & PRESENT DANGER, and from the Amazon Series,THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.
MY LIFE IS BASICALLY TOLD IN THESE TWO BOOKS. On giving a lecture at the Utah Valley Historical Society in Provo, Utah in December 2019, one friend’s reaction was:
“WHAT A LIFE, WHAT A COUPLE OF BOOKS!“
I have to agree that I was undeservedly blessed with my TWO LIVES: The ONE AMONG MY BELOVED MAYA, and my ONE IN THE HIGH UINTAS, for both of which lives I will be eternally grateful!
Here I am entranced by the view of THE GRANDADDIES from the East Grandaddy Saddle — for full disclosure, not in 2021, but rather back when I could WALK, HIKE & BACKPACK maybe in 2008 when I bivouacked up there along with my Guatemalan daughter, Mahana. NOW I’M WORKING WITH “BABY STEPS” TO BE ABLE TO HIKE A LITTLE with a “BABY SURVIVAL PACK” on my worn out back.
From last season–2020 not being able to hike, much less backpack, then following two back surgeries that didn’t work too good with me degenerating to NOT EVEN BEING ABLE TO WALK ANYMORE–WHICH SCARED THE HECK OUT OF ME–scaring me into pushing myself to the point of learning to walk all over again with BABY STEPS!
I then graduated to walking more and more to keep my good left leg alive and force my dead right leg to wake up and build again muscle–all with the wonderful walker my friend Paul gave me, stretching out my walks from American Fork all the way to Lone Peak High School in Highland!
Then, as reported in the previous post I stretched my walking to successfully doing the half-marathon distance (13.2 miles) with my walker–all the way to Alpine and back. NOTE: You will notice that there is now muscle AGAIN in my right basically dead leg, so all the walking has worked!
I then decided there was need of NEW PROGRESS, A NEW CHALLENGE–actually doing some kind of hike in the High Uintas to end the season. So, I humbled myself and got a pair of previously hated TREKKING POLES–before I always had more important things to do with my hands, like always having my camera at ready get that once in a life-time shot, carrying my fishing rod, or munchies, etc.
I headed for the High Uintas, up the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway–now finally back to driving with my right leg, and intending to find a 1/4 mile hike to some lake, and return for a 1/2 mile goal. I referred to my BOOK to find the right hike.
SOUNDS PRETTY WIMPY, RIGHT? But graduating from NOT BEING ABLE TO WALK all the way to A SEMI-STEEP, ROCKY TRAIL with only trekking poles–would be A VERY BIG DEAL FOR FOR THIS 85 YEAR OLD & HIS BABY STEPS! Around the bend from the Hayden Peak Overlook, a 1/2 mile from the Mirror Lake turn-off, I found what I was looking for at the FEHR LAKE TRAILHEAD–it was twice the distance I was looking for, but would have to do.
I have always advised everyone to go prepared even on a short day-hike-–which is what Carole Wetherton and daughter Kim were doing from the Crystal Lake Trailhead on September 13, 2003. They disappeared and were never found that fall in a massive search. Their bones were found in 2004. They had not gone prepared for any trouble–no rain gear, not warm enough clothing, had matches–but not waterproof ones so what they had were useless as it rained and then snowed, etc.
That tragic case is described on pages 347-348 of my BOOK. Other “SURVIVAL STORIES” are told in the book, as well as my “Survival stories” and why I’m still alive, when others in like experiences died.
So, as seen above, I actually had on my back what I call my“BABY SURVIVAL PACK” that weighs 4.4 lbs. with which I could safely spend a night or two in the wilderness, if needed.
NOTE: I have strict instructions from my doctors to NOT BACKPACK ANYMORE–but, 4.4 lbs. is basically nothing–yet….
…..NOW QUALIFIES ME AGAIN AS “A BACKPACKER!”
I didn’t have my waist-pack for the actual hike, that is for my camera, but just used my smart phone for a few photos on the trail as seen below.
This was my first experience with trekking poles, and just a short while down the trail I stopped to adjust the length properly. Soon I noted that on smooth stretches that were level, or just slightly uphill, it was best for me to not even use the trekking poles–but they were critical for the downhill stretches. My lower back pain was the most bothersome part of the experience, and I’ll admit I had to rest a few times.
Eventually I came to a quite long, steep downhill section with the lake now in view, but as seen below there were a couple of quite large steps down that my experience to that point had showed me was dangerous for my condition.
I’ll insert a close-up below of the steps down, even though the picture doesn’t really show how high they were–from 12-15″ each–two high for my BABY STEPS! I couldn’t see a safe way to detour around this tiny stretch, but I’m sure I could have if it had of been a matter of life and death–but as ridiculously small as this effort was, I couldn’t take excessive risks.
So, I got closer to the lake using the zoom on my smart phone, you see below.
I then headed back to the Trailhead, and like I mentioned for my condition & BABY STEPS, uphill was much easier for me than downhill–which was dangerous. On semi-level ground I didn’t use the poles at all, and moved along faster, even with baby steps. BUT I MADE IT BACK TO THE CAR & CAN NOW BRAG A LITTLE ABOUT DOING SOME “BACKPACKING IN 2021” but I frankly have to confess IT WAS TOUGH FOR ME, which for any normal person would be embarrassing to admit, but for me it WAS PURE TRIUMPH & A GREAT NEW BEGINNING!
But, once again for full disclosure: It hurt me some and driving home was painful–so I’ve gotto back off just a little and do less each time, but do it twice a day doing laps following the trails around the American Fork Amphitheater, even doing medium steps leading with my right “dead leg” which is coming back and isn’t completely dead anymore!
OBVIOUSLY I HAVE THE HOPE OF KEEPING IN SHAPE and GETTING STRONGER DURING THE WINTER–mostly at the American Fork Fitness Center, and I must FIND A SOLUTION FOR THE CONSTANT LOWER BACK PAIN–(and have set up an appointment with Dr. Allan Colledge who is a real High Uinta Friend who has been life saving in the past),
GETTING STRONGER….NOW in the Fall, & in Spring 2022, will have me add to my DAILY WALKS, at least every other day, hikes with trekking poles in the Amphitheater, foothills, and canyons–like GROVE CANYON, ROCK CANYON, etc. I have found that to keep my legs awake requires daily exercise WALKS & TREKS!
I’m even alternating walking with a sort of semi-jog with my walker with sights on……best not admit it or you’d be even more sure I’m crazy…..after all I have been also called a……..
“Modern Don Quijote!”!
KEEPING AWAKE BOTH OF MY LEGS, I’M HOPEFUL DOING IN 2022 AN OVERNIGHTER & I EXPECT SEVERAL OF THEM, EACH A LITTLE MORE AGGRESSIVE!
SOME OF YOU JUSTIFIABLY WILL LAUGH AT THIS “OLD BACKPACKER,” BUT FOR ME, CONSIDERING I COULDN’T EVEN WALK TOO LONG AGO & SEEMED TO BE GETTING WORSE WITH BOTH LEGS GOING NUMB–I PERSONALLY AM DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO THE LORD FOR PUSHING AND HELPING ME TO …..”NOT GIVE IN….EASILY!”
**************************************
This is the printed book in two volumes. With the link you can have it all on your computer, and if you want, put it on a thumb-drive to take to your favorite printer to wonderfully have one to hold in your hands
GET THE BOOK…..It’s not just for backpackers, but for parents and grandparents who can share the history, legends & LIFE SAVING survival stories with your children, and grandchildren, and inspire them to appreciate the wonderful High Uinta Mountains–as good or better then most National Parks!
Send your check in my name for $19.95 along with your email address to:
Cordell Andersen, 444 Elm St., American Fork, Utah 84003
I will then email you a link to download the two volume book. You are thereafter welcome to share the link with others, but I would appreciate you forwarding to me half of whatever you get for it–maybe it can be a business for you MAKING YOU A MILLIONAIRE–AND ME TOO–FINALLY! It’s a treasure of updated information, history, legends, hundreds of color photographs, 120 topographical maps with trails and distances marked, and what is needed to
From 1994 on for 14 consecutive years I ran….and towards the end “walked” some, the Coban International Half Marathon in Guatemala, but then in the midst of my High Uinta Mountains Project had to end my competing with the Kenyans and give top priority to my High Uinta Project and hoped for book because of too many needed surgeries–to date by 2021 – twelve, to keep me going and ended up in November 2020 to January 2021 having constant pain and a dead right leg–NOT BEING ABLE TO EVEN WALK!
But I’ve tried my darndest to keep my vow to….
….. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE IN…..EASILY!
As explained in previous posts, I graduated from a wheel chair, to a simple walker, and always using a walking cane. But then had a “SPINAL ABLATION TO DEADEN MY PAIN” resulting in little pain relief, but shockingly my good left leg feeling numb too! That scared the heck out of me and so I decided to keep my good leg awake, and force my dead right one to tag along–keeping it stiff, walking twice a day at the super market parking lots using a shopping cart, and some on grass each day with no devise to help me and as reported in previous posts–learning to walk all over again & fall without breaking anything LIKE A BABY!
Then with the incredibly wonderful help of my friend PAUL EDMUNDS who gave me a more modern version of the walker with big wheels, and a seat to rest once in a while, and a compartment to carry water and a picnic lunch–which freed me and I began at my tiny home doing LONG DISTANCE WALKING as mentioned in the last post.
I kept increasing the distances finally getting all the way to the Lone Peak High School in Highland, Utah–about 8 miles round-trip, then a week later doing a little more up to 10 miles, and was finally building up enough muscle on my dead leg to actually feel sore after my long walks!THAT WAS PROGRESS!
Then I got a flash from on HIGH:
I’VE GOT TO DO THE HALF MARATHON DISTANCE, 13.2 MILES–sort of competing again with the Kenyans!
So, to do my part to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, on Saturday, August 28th, I left home determined to:
Do a Half Marathon–even if it took me all day!
NOTE: I’ve been known to be a DREAMER, and during the night before the BIG DAY, I actually was nervous and didn’t sleep a lot, just as always happened before a race–but in the sporadic moments of sleep I ACTUALLY DREAMED A “BIG WHOPPER” OF A DREAM–ME USING MY WALKER IN THE COBAN INTERNATIONAL HALF MARATHON AND BEATING THE KENYANS!
So, I headed north from home near the CVS Pharmacy in American Fork, heading north to the Art Dye Park, then up the hill to the Highland bench, and continued north to Canal Blvd, and down the bicycle pathway that led to the Highland Glen Park pond you see below-
Then up the pathway behind the Lone Peak High School and all around it–WHICH IS HUGE–to the North County Blvd, and from there north to ALPINE. You see a shot below along the way in Alpine looking now back sort of southeast towards American Fork Canyon–which from American Fork was way north–SO I WAS COVERING A LOT OF GROUND!
By Alpine my legs were feeling pretty much like rubber, and so I rested more than usual, and had a small picnic lunch, plus the supplements I used doing the International Half Marathon, and my long backpacks in the Uintas–ENDUROLYTES, SPORTLEGS, and two more Excedrin in addition to the three taken before starting–all of which solved my “rubbery legs” problem, as well as other glitches I was experiencing,
NOTE: Excedrin in combination with Cod Liver Oil is the only combination desinflamatory and pain killer that relieves a little my constant lower back pain
I then headed south, eventually passing the High School — the picture below taken on a previous date you might be able to see.
From there on two previous “walks” I had returned south on the North County Blvd. on the east side using sidewalks, but this time I did as on my first effort by staying on the west side and using the bicycle lane down the highway–that previously had someone calling 911 and police stopped to try and save me, then a nice Latin American girl in a sports car tried to kidnap me!
So here I was again, hoping for anotherlove-kidnapping attempt, and it happened when a really sweet young lady–who was beautiful, tried to give me a ride. She was so nice I thought she would let me take a picture for this report–but my smart phone battery was DEAD! But, after a nice conversation-–I needed the rest badly–-and being revived in my spirits made it home again……
……..WITH MY HONOR & VIRTUE UNBLEMISHED!
At my CABIN-A HOMESTEAD I began my recovery as I was worn out after the half-marathon distance–that I have to honestly confess took me over 6 hours–and I needed some “MIRACLE SUPPLEMENTS” so I resorted to my stash of “blanched Macuy leaves.” My MACUY patch is seen below that now has gratefully taken over my entire garden!
MACUYis the miracle medicinal/weed from Guatemala that saved the Mayan people, more nutritious than most vegetables. It grows wild in shady areas of the Mayan mountains, the leaves gathered by women and their children, and usually eaten in soups. I discovered it from Erlinda Xol, the barefoot Guatemalan Half-Marathon champion who I visited in her village of San Juan Chamelco, she claiming her secret was to eat MACUY in soup for every lunch.
I got one plant growing in American Fork, and from the seed–now have it as my entire garden next to my Cabin-A. I harvest the leaves, blanch them to eliminate (or cook) slugs, bugs, microbes, etc. and then freeze. My afternoon meal always includes a gob of the leaves, mixed with fruit juice and blended to make a smoothie. I discuss this in my MOUNTAINS OF THE MAYA BOOK, pages 389-390, https://www.guatemalanfoundation.org/.
I try and freeze enough of it during the summer to last me all winter until the next harvest.
Well, there you have it my latest attempt to keep my legs awake and alive and hope I can get them working again a little to help keep me in good spirits to be…..
……….. ABLE TO BE USEFUL IN THE SERVICE OF THE KING and HIS “LITTLE ONES” A FEW YEARS LONGER!
REMEMBER:
GET THE BOOK…..not just for backpackers, but for parents and grandparents who can share the history & legends with your grandchildren, and inspire them to appreciate the wonderful High Uinta Mountains–as good or better then most National Parks!
Send your check in my name for $19.95 along with your email address to:
Cordell Andersen, 444 Elm St., American Fork, Utah 84003
I will then email you a link to download the two volume book. You are thereafter welcome to share the link with others, but I would appreciate you forwarding to me half of whatever you get for it–maybe it can be a business for you MAKING YOU A MILLIONAIRE–AND ME TOO–FINALLY! It’s a treasure of updated information, history, legends, hundreds of color photographs, 120 topographical maps with trails and distances marked, and what is needed to
UPDATE AUGUST 4th: Yesterday, August 3rd, I did 6 miles, and now have my sights on, for later this week getting from my home near the CVS Pharmacy on 5th East in American Fork and State St, to the Lone Peak High School in Highland! Should be around 8 miles round trip. I feel incredibly blessed to so far keeping my numb legs awake and actually developing again muscle in my dead right leg and gratefully feeling soreness for the exercise I’m forcing on it!
My Thursday, August 5th, “walk” had me leaving home at about 10:30–a mistake to not having left earlier as it would get up to 97 degrees before I limped home. I followed my route north up 400 East to Art Dye Park. From there following the walking/bicycle path up the hill to what I call the “Highland bench.” After climbing out of Art Dye Park and up on the bench heading north, I could see my goal way to the north–the Lone Peak High School.
I came to the new (Murdock ) Canal road and got all tangled up in construction areas and wasted a ton of energy and finally had to go back to the Canal Road, and out to the North County highway to get to the Lone Peak High School, but finally made it and had my picnic lunch and rest.
Then decided to follow the Highway back home and along the way two policemen stopped saying someone called in about me–so I apparently didn’t look as good as I thought!!! They offered me a ride, but I said I was fine. Had a nice conversation with Officer Waite & Pablo who wanted my name and birth date–maybe so they could more easily identify the body! I told them to Google my name and they would learn about my HIGH UINTAS PROJECT. Later a nice Latin girl in a Maverick convertible stopped to flirt with me. Both offered me rides so for sure In the first case I didn’t look very good, but in the second almost got kidnapped!
Now at Quail Cove park by the temple and my first shade for a while. Apparently after a bit of refreshment I fell asleep and shocked when I woke up to see it was 4:00!!! Down on the corner I found a handsome 15-year-old boy, helped by a little brother and tiny cute real little sister selling snow cones so couldn’t resist helping them and getting more refreshment and congratulated them for working and talked about whenI was a 7 year old and started working–always with a job from then on and how it was a blessing in my life and will be in theirs too. I’ll drive back up there every day and hope to find them and be a steady customer. NOTE: I should have taken a photo, and will to insert later if I find them.
It got tough getting home. Along the way all of a sudden a fellow working in his yard stopped me asking if I was on the same walk he saw me on way up by the Murdock Canal road and I said it was and that from there I continued up to Lone Peak High School, and then back to where he stopped me. I told my story about wearing myself out with my UINTA Project and like 7 months ago couldn’t walk but now forcing my legs to keep awake and– like a baby–learning to walk again with my walker (thanks again to PAUL…your gift has changed my life!)…..I continued difficult maneuvering through the road and sidewalk construction down the high school road and…… Finally home by 5 having walked around 9 miles–I felt like I did a few years ago when finishing the International Half Marathon in Coban, Guatemala–that up to 2008 I had done 14 consecutive years competing with the Kenyans!!
My “home” is the tiny funky looking trailer hid behind my son Nephi’s nice trailer, both of us parked alongside my son Jesse’s home in American Fork.
By the way I’ve discarded the walking cane, and learning to walk like a baby, except on my long walks when I use the beautiful walker given to my by my friend Paul.
It’s fascinating to notice how an old 85+ year old taking “BABY STEPS,” ACTUALLY BRAGS ABOUT THOSE “STEPS” — as 7 months ago I couldn’t even walk--now I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude to the Lord for those “steps” and for being able to increase my walking distances (with a walker)! It’s kind of ridiculous I guess, but I’m so thankful for even just a little progress–that for normal people is laughable–but I stopped being normal a long time ago. Maybe I’ve never been normal and rather the DUNDERHEAD & RODEO CLOWN, some called me and my kids related to my more than half century in the Mountains of the Maya–-labels about right…..and I LOVE THEM! See the new online book about my life among THE MAYANS where me and my kids were given those labels by “friendly fire” but which wasn’t friendly at all. Scroll down to see details, and learn how we turned the negative labels into fun titles we continue to enjoy–making fun of the critics!
So far I’ve learned that a rest day really sets back this old guy and has me feeling cruddy, so, like they say,
“NO REST FOR THE WEARY–or was it…….. FOR THE WICKED?”
I’LL PERSIST AS BEST I CAN “FAKING NOT BEING A CRIPPLE,” AND SEE HOW FAR THIS “COMEBACK” WILL TAKE ME –at least by next summer hoping to actually do a little hiking around the fringes of the High Uinta Wilderness.–NO BACKPACKING as my back can’t handle any weight. —
But, at least right now I feel so grateful that I’m actually feeling sore muscles in my legs–the right one especially as since last November it has been DEAD and A FEW MONTHS AGO THE MUSCLE HAD DISAPPEARED–as part of the 32 lbs. of weight loss during the period of the last two back surgeries– & HAD MY LEG REMINISCENT OF THE PICTURES OF THE HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS!!!!
FOR THE DETAILS OF THE “COMEBACK CHALLENGE” SCROLL DOWN FOR THE LAST POST THAT TELLS THE HISTORY FOR THE LAST 9 MONTHS…..
……from not being able to walk to where I am today.
MONTAGE BELOW IS A SUMMARY
Now, on July 27 still doing up to 300 yards daily walking on grass with no walking cane or any kind of devise, including getting on the ground for pushups and standing up on my own! — From July 14th on no going to the Supermarket parking lot anymore to use a shopping cart for my daily walking, rather using this wonderful gift from my Reams friend, Paul, and with it I did 1 mile on the 14th, then on the 15th 2 miles all at one time, and have increased to 3.6 miles yesterday, and 4 miles today on July 27th.
*************************
PROMOTING & MARKETING THE HIGH UINTAS BOOK
If you know of a business capable of promoting/marketing the book, please contact me: cordellandersen@hotmail.com
NOTE: I frankly have not known how to promote it properly, and have to admit I have age problems that now make it difficult if not impossible. I just want it to be promoted properly and get into the hands of those who can appreciate it, blessed by increased enjoyment in the Uintas, and have it continue to SAVE LIVES!
Recent comments about the book:
ONE HIGH UINTAS FRIEND SAID: “I just wanted to tell you that what you have done making this book is an incredible accomplishment. Excellent job! The Uintas are a funny thing, because you spend a lifetime living right next to them (55 years for me) and you rarely use them. We always seem to follow the crowds and go to Yellowstone or Jackson Hole or Glacier or somewhere like that when we have an incredible gift right in our back yard……….Your book reminded me of the treasure we have here in Utah and I am going to focus my fly fishing/hiking/camping on the the incredible gift we have in the Uinta Mountains and document it on my YouTube channel. You have inspired me and many others. Thank you!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVJdvB276yg
ANOTHER, AMONG MANY THINGS SAID : “Your most recent email got me thinking about your great book…..I pulled it out and started going through its pages, getting the thrills of its beauty, and began to recall my own experiences in the Uintas……Thanks for all the work you have done to publish this book! I have a physical copy, and I have given my sons and daughters all the thumb drive with this book on. It is full of great information! Best of luck on your trips this [next] year!”
ANOTHER HIGH UINTA FRIEND RECENTLY SAID: “I have your book and it is great!“
So if you know of a business capable of promoting/marketing the High Uinta Mountains book, please contact me: cordellandersen@hotmail.com
In the meantime, you can get the online book clicking on
A FIFTY YEAR “IMPOSSIBLE DREAM” AMONG MY PEOPLE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF THE MAYA
It’s finished….I promise.
A COUPLE OF THE FINAL ADDITIONS:
NEW:page 3:My 68 year journey really began with a 22 year long
VISION QUEST
“It basically taught me that I didn’t want to wait around for life to happen, rather reacted positively to the key spiritual experiences of my life THAT POINTED TO A CAUSE THAT WOULD MAKE ME HAPPY and SAVE LIVES, and by the end of my QUEST when 22 years old—I decided TO GO FOR IT! “In most of our lives about everything else that happens to us is BACKGROUND NOISE. But, I strongly suggest to each of you that in the case of this QUEST and HISTORICAL FULFILLMENT: All the innumerable crisis, miracles, dangerous adventures, experimentation, hard work, scary life threatening episodes, frequent coincidences, risky dedication to literally attempt to apply correct principles, and controversial conflicts with powerful people, ARE ALL MORE THAN “BACKGROUND NOISE,” rather KEY PIECES OF THE PUZZLE OF THE ANDERSEN FAMILY LIFE that you have to FOCUS ON CAREFULLY—or YOU WILL MISS THE POINT OF THIS ENTIRE UNIQUE HISTORY. So, read on cautiously with a prayer in your heart so you’ll have a chance of UNDERSTANDING.
NEW:page 440Last of all a HUGE ADDITION to Part 3: MEMORABLE EFFORTS, EVENTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Us Andersen’s were “laughed to scorn” by “friendly fire”— but not friendly at all, for our attempt to help the Mayans, and criticized for our kids being “DUNDERHEADS!” So, the new CULMINATING item is:
33. OUR GREATEST BLESSING OVER 50 YEARS WAS OUR“DUNDERHEAD KIDS”
So, meet the “dunderheads”—all 15 of them!
NEW: I have recently added one last key item—a critical “life or death” oneon page 386—to what now is a completed 552 page free online book with well over 1,000 color photographs of…….
” THE JUNGLES & MOUNTAINS OF THE MAYA WHERE COLOR WAS INVENTED”
Final words of wisdom from
ALBERT EINSTEIN and the OUTLAW JOSEY WALES!
IMPORTANT:
Read theHome page, and then scroll down examining the first 6 pages & for sure the first 10, and you will know if it is of your interest to read carefully the entire unique history from THE HAUNTINGLY MYSTERIOUS LAND OF THE MAYAS
THE PRICE OF 2,000+ MILES OF THEHIGH UINTAS WILDERNESS PROJECT& NEVER GIVING IN…..EASILY!
THE BEGINNING IN 2003 AT 67……. to November 2020 at 84–I wore out my back and now unable to walk with a bad back and DEAD RIGHT LEG–the one with the “football ankle” that was reconstructed in 2007 with a tendon transplant & 3 screws, and the “motorcycle knee” rebuilt with titanium in 2008, butstill not GIVING IN….EASILY.
I must add that “I’M HAPPILY PAYING THE PRICE” as I’m not sorry in the least for my 16+ years of exploration in my “Golden Years” in the High Uintas–rather INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL, and would do it all over again–but would focus a little more on keeping my loads “lightweight” as much as possible. See CHAPTER 5 in my book as a guide to do that.
SO, in November 2020, my 3rd back surgery as I basically couldn’t walk anymore
Then another surgery in December 2020–the 4th on my spine!
A CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR “LITTLE ANDY!”Walking for the first time in two months!
JANUARY 2021 SETBACKS WITH A COUPLE OF FALLS…
.…and A FRACTURED SPINE!
FROM JANUARY to JUNE 2021 I COULDN’T SIT FOR MORE THAN 1 MINUTE AT MY COMPUTER, THEN HAD TO LAY BACK DOWN TO NOT FEEL PAIN SO MUCH, BUT FINALLY MOSTLY FINISHED MY BOOK,A 50 YEAR “IMPOSSIBLE DREAM” AMONG MY PEOPLE IN THE JUNGLES & MOUNTAINS OF THE MAYA…….
…… only needing a bit more tweaking with some of the greatest adventures of my life!
ON JUNE 28th DR. FABER PERFORMED A “SPINAL RADIO-FREQUENCY ABLATION” TO HOPEFULLY GIVE ME PAIN RELIEF…..and it helped some but only about 20% effective leaving both legs numb, but I could sit up and work, so on July 16th, 2021 I COMPLETED MY MAYA BOOK with the following last addition on https://www.guatemalanfoundation.org/
“I’M GETTING NEGATIVE ALERTS ABOUT MY REPUTATION!THAT’S GOOD NEWS, BECAUSE……..THERE SHOULD BE POSITIVES ONES TOO—FROM THOSE TRULY FAITHFUL, LIKE HAROLD BROWN, WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO READ CAREFULLY THE ENTIRE RECENTLY EDITED BOOK & THEN DO SOMETHING!”
“THAT WILL GIVE ME HOPE MY LIFE WAS NOT IN VAIN!“
NOTE: Said Maya Project is now in the hands of the Lord & my friends–a few of which hopefully will do something about it. I will now “FADE AWAY” maybe into the High Uintas!
SINCE I DON’T GIVE UP….EASILY!NOW TAKING BABY STEPS TO MAKE ANOTHER COMEBACK….like done in the past. Do you remember?“FAKING…NOT BEING A CRIPPLE!”
Below is a link to a great review of the HIGH UINTA PROJECT:
TWO MILES A DAY AT THE FRESH MARKET PARKING LOT USING SHOPPING CART AS WALKER — WITH A DEAD RIGHT LEG…..HOPING TO FORCE MY LEGS TO COME ALIVE & FUNCTION AGAIN!
Starting July 7th–NOW WORKING ON LEARNING TO WALK ALL OVER AGAIN WITHOUT A WALKING CANE….
…..at the parks on grass to cushion a fall if it happens…..
…….and learning to fall like a baby does without breaking anything.
Now learning to get back onto my feet with only strength in my left leg.
Then standing up without help of a cane or walking stick.
Next, like a baby, carefully taking steps and learning balance, always remembering my right leg is mostly dead and so step with it stiff or it will collapse and I’ll go down like a rock! I have now stopped using the walking cane, and learning to do it on my own and walking so far 200 yards/daily, and increasing some every day, in addition to the 2 miles a day with a shopping cart, etc.……
Then on July 13 had a wonderful visit from PAUL, one of my 400 customers, whose names I memorized. from Reams Supermarket in Springville from 2009 to 2012 as a “shopping cart herder,” & “restroom scientist,” and after a several hour visit he gave me a gift to help in my COMEBACK…..
On July 14th no going to the Supermarket for a shopping cart, but I did 1 mile with this wonderful gift. Yesterday, July 15th I did 2 miles from my mobile trailer–home, all at one time, and today did a photo shoot showing how I can also use it to sit for rest stops and a bit of refreshment.
NOTE: I will still daily be doing gradually increasing distances on grass with no walking aids–with my BABY STEPS!
WOW! THANKS, PAUL, for the wonderful gift that will help me in my COMEBACK!
…..IT’S NOT POSSIBLE TO HAVE WEIGHT ON MY BACK, BUT AROUND MY WAIST & I WILL EVENTUALLY BE ABLE TO HIKE SOME….WHICH I WILL CALL MY
2021 COMEBACK IN MY 86th YEAR!
This is not new for me….rather a great tradition of
NOT GIVING IN …… EASILY!
In the MENU on the home page you can click on Videos and scroll down to find a whole bunch of my COMEBACK VIDEOS–the one mentioned previously a good review of most of the Project.
GET MY BOOK TO SEE THE WHOLE STORY & INCREASE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THE WONDERS OF THE HIGH UINTAS….and do it SAFELY!
NOTE: A printed book is now very expensive up from what 50 of you paid $140 for, and up from the $170 quoted recently. I will now have to charge $200 or more if I want a small profit. Best to get the…..
Click on the following link –83 YEAR HISTORY– to see it & download it to your computer FREE!It will help you make a logical decision about buying the BOOK.
The booklet contains an edited-improved version of my presentation at the Utah Valley Historical Society meeting on December 10, 2019.
You will enjoy the story & see wonderful glimpses of the MAGNIFICENT HIGH UINTAS
REPORTING IS YOUR OLD HIGH UINTA FRIEND, Cordell, NOW IN MY 86th year and slowed down by a “fractured spine,” and struggling to find a way to heal and alleviate the constant pain, and learning to walk with a basically dead right leg. To walk I have to keep it stiff and use a walking stick. If I relax a bit it collapses and I go down like a rock, so my backpacking days seem to be over with.
I have learned to drive with my left leg, so made a trip up the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway yesterday, May 27th, and then headed for Wolfcreek Pass and down to the North Fork of the Duchesne River, then up the GRANDVIEW TRAILHEAD road. I’ll insert a few pictures I took and then comment. For up-to-date information on Mirror Lake Scenic Byway…….call the Kamas Forest Service office at 435-783-4338
BALD MOUNTAIN & end of accessibility to the Pass on May 27th
This was the spot you could get to on Thursday, May 27th–about 1 mile below Bald Mountain Pass. For the Memorial Day weekend, the Forest Service in Kamas says that with warm weather and melting snows, accessibility will move up the highway a bit every day.
As we can see above, LILY LAKE with some ice still, with Mt. Watson and the Notch in the background. A little more open water in LOST LAKE was being fished in by a family on the other side of the highway.
NOW TO WOLF CREEK PASS & THE GATEWAY TO THE GRANDADDIES
WOLF CREEK PASS that has been open for around a month.
So, on Thursday, May 27th, at SPLASH DAM, the gate was closed. One truck was parked there, likely with the driver hiking up the road from there. The road is closed due to a landslide, and the Forest Service reports it likely won’t be opened until about mid-June. To get up-to-date information call the Duchesne Forest Service office, at 435-738-2482
FOR YOUR HIGH UINTA PLANNING ADVENTURES, get my book that has up-to-date information on all the Trailhead areas and lakes, along with the HISTORY, the LEGENDS, and the SURVIVAL STORIES — of those who didn’t make it and WHY, and my 8 survival adventures and WHY I MADE IT BACK TO CIVILIZATION EACH TIME.
SINCE MY BOOK WAS PUBLISHED AND MADE AVAILABLE ONLINE, ONLY ONE HAS DIED DURING THE BACKPACKING SEASON (in 2020)–and HE DIDN’T HAVE MY BOOK. OTHER’S LIVES HAVE BEEN SAVED & THE UINTAS MADE MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE & INSPIRING FOR MANY.
Get all the information you need by clicking PURCHASE THE BOOK or scroll way down.
FIFTY “HIGH UINTA FRIENDS” HAVE PAID BIG BUCKS TO HAVE A PRINTED COPY OF THE BOOK & LOVE IT. IT’S OVER 700 PAGES OF STUNNING COLOR & FASCINATING INFORMATION LIKE NO OTHER HIGH UINTA BOOK IN EXISTENCE.
TRIANGLE MOUNTAIN & RECONNAISSANCE LAKE …. ……as a rival to the RED CASTLE SCENE as
