After hearing the dreadful news that Kim Crumbo is missing in Yellowstone, Jim and I drive to my sister Kelly’s home. Together, decades ago, Kelly and Crumbo, with friend and colleague Larry Stevens, founded Grand Canyon Wildlands Council (now Wild Arizona). They had worked together ever since to preserve and restore wildlands.
A former Navy SEAL––and a decorated member of SEAL Team One, no less––Crumbo’s presence always motivated. His big vision for conservation was always clear and strong. Also a consummate boatman, Crumbo had worked for decades as a river ranger and then wilderness coordinator for Grand Canyon National Park. And now he is missing from a canoeing trip in Yellowstone, and his brother and best friend, Mark Crumbo O’Neill, has been found in the water, where he died from exposure.
With Kelly, we begin a journey centered around Kim and the wild places he loved. Our first stop is Marble Canyon along the Colorado River. Here at Lee’s Ferry, river trips depart to run the Colorado through the Grand Canyon, and here Kelly and Crumbo first met.
We stop at Paria Beach below Lee’s Ferry. In the distance a tall line of cottonwoods grows, one of two riparian restoration projects in the Glen Canyon stretch, which Crumbo helped to clear and plant.
At Paria Beach, Grand Canyon Wildlands Council (by Wild Arizona) is restoring nature using the best-available science and the hard-working hands of caring people; they are carrying forward Kim Crumbo’s vision.
Just below Lee’s Ferry, the Navajo Bridge spans the Colorado River. From the pedestrian bridge, it is often possible to see California Condors loafing on the underpinnings of the main bridge––released condors from another worthy conservation project, which aims to insure the survival of that iconic bird.
Beautifully written, lovely tribute.
Many thanks
Thank you for evoking Kim and so much of what he loved.
So many people loved him.
while rowing up to Crystal Rapid,
June ’83 leading a Sierra club trip for Wilderness World …we noticed rangers …due to the fact we had been told to disengage …. the NPS have “closed the river”. Rangers waved us over at Bright Angel creek ordering me to roll up the boats. hike the people out!!! No way …we kept rowing for Horn Cr…
seeing a Ranger upon gladly getting actually safely pulled over above flooding massive Crystal was unnerving , I knew they were gonna bum me out just as we were having such a wonderful row upon waters so big never seen before….no lets flee downriver..before …What ? it was KIM. we made a deal. if i wore his new lifejacket handing over the old worn thin jacket i was wearing Kim said “could read a book through this old jacket ….after a hug. Kim walked forever leading our clients all the way high up the cliffs…..to the top of Tuna ….we rowed through empty….promised Kim I would assist all those still below befuddled he had my back. as always. my friend!….. fuck a bunch a graves. graveyards. coffins. urns…..I hope I can be forever in a wild lake in the water….rest in peace in a truly sacred place ….
Thanks for the story Jimi. It so truly Kim. He’s still got our backs, just from having shared all these years of Kim being Kim. Hugs to you wily wild one.