Hey all, I started a Patreon in response to this video being demonetized. If you'd like to check out some of the great perks over there and support the channel, here's the link patreon.com/DesertDrifter?Link
Appeal the decision that demonetized this video. What a ridiculous decision- especially when you see all the terrible violent and divisive (and worse) stuff that is allowed on you tube.
1.5 million views is the reason! When you gain that much traction they will take out the magnifying glasses and look for a reason to not pay that chedda!
@AKASHICRECORDS-o5c 6:43 so this petroglyph looks similar to the other on at 3:14 but here 6:43 you see a human looking across the canyon at the other two figures which represents the rock formations. the position is important. from where you are right now you would be looking up at them but that human figure is definitely on higher ground so what this is communicating is that there’s a higher ledge above you to take a good look at the formations. you didn’t notice the ledge until you were flying your drone back to you so this is just here to tell you to climb the ledge for a better look so in this petroglyph the human represents YOU or the reader. at 3:14 non of the figures are human so the figure in front represents a third formation. in your more recent video of this area at 2:10 you see the third formation and it’s a perfect match. so just like the humans position means to climb up the formations position tells you to go there as well. another clue is that the background figure has a goat next to him by his head but off to the right, that suggests another angle other than the one where it looks like a goat. the star is an abstract arrow pointing the way because it is written in code. anything that is not a human represents landmarks which is why the character has six fingers and a weird foot so the reader who knows the code will understand that it is a formation. the necklace is a tribal symbol so that the reader knows that the message is in their language/code and that they should be able to figure it out. in your next video you approach the base of the cliff under the formations and the goat is on the left so it’s telling you to go to the other side so the the goat formation would be on the left…. they are all telling you where to go. i believe this was a planned escape route so they didn’t want to make the message too clear so they wouldn’t be followed. i think the structure you find in the next video is temporary housing for travelers which is why the tools weren’t used very much and the star may even be significant to say to travel the next leg at night so they carved a sun clock into the wall to tell them what hour to leave out into the open. if you look in the background in the next videos at 2:10 you will see a mountain range and a valley in the background which curves off to the right the same as the shooting star, that’s an ancient road out of there but it would also provide visual cover for their escape being beside the mountain range and they are more likely to find food water and shelter so i bet there are other ruins and road signs along the way something else i notice is on the ledge you see the petroglyph of the guy who looks like he’s being beamed up…. the valley and mountain range are straight above you but there’s no way to access it from there. it’s saying that you need to get up there but you have to go to the other side of the formations in order to get up top 17:49
I LOVE how quiet it is when you are climbing & the camera is placed to observe…. All you hear is the vast silence & sweet finch birdsong (sounds like finches to this Aussie girl 😉). Brilliant video 🥰
@@Desert.Drifter 6:43 so this petroglyph looks similar to the other on at 3:14 but here 6:43 you see a human looking across the canyon at the other two figures which represents the rock formations. the position is important. from where you are right now you would be looking up at them but that human figure is definitely on higher ground so what this is communicating is that there’s a higher ledge above you to take a good look at the formations. you didn’t notice the ledge until you were flying your drone back to you so this is just here to tell you to climb the ledge for a better look so in this petroglyph the human represents YOU or the reader. at 3:14 non of the figures are human so the figure in front represents a third formation. in your more recent video of this area at 2:10 you see the third formation and it’s a perfect match. so just like the humans position means to climb up the formations position tells you to go there as well. another clue is that the background figure has a goat next to him by his head but off to the right, that suggests another angle other than the one where it looks like a goat. the star is an abstract arrow pointing the way because it is written in code. anything that is not a human represents landmarks which is why the character has six fingers and a weird foot so the reader who knows the code will understand that it is a formation. the necklace is a tribal symbol so that the reader knows that the message is in their language/code and that they should be able to figure it out. in your next video you approach the base of the cliff under the formations and the goat is on the left so it’s telling you to go to the other side so the the goat formation would be on the left…. they are all telling you where to go. i believe this was a planned escape route so they didn’t want to make the message too clear so they wouldn’t be followed. i think the structure you find in the next video is temporary housing for travelers which is why the tools weren’t used very much and the star may even be significant to say to travel the next leg at night so they carved a sun clock into the wall to tell them what hour to leave out into the open. if you look in the background in the next videos at 2:10 you will see a mountain range and a valley in the background which curves off to the right the same as the shooting star, that’s an ancient road out of there but it would also provide visual cover for their escape being beside the mountain range and they are more likely to find food water and shelter so i bet there are other ruins and road signs along the way something else i notice is on the ledge you see the petroglyph of the guy who looks like he’s being beamed up…. the valley and mountain range are straight above you but there’s no way to access it from there they probably lowered a ladder to create a shortcut.
I really do respect how you remind your viewers that disturbing, or even touching, artifacts could potentially lead to their degradation and be lost forever. It’s an extremely important thing to remember if someone ever comes across any kind of ancient art or artifacts.
@@BC-du5hmoils on your skin aren’t the only thing that ruin the paint, the pressure and moisture from your hand could also degrade it, just be an adult and understand, you cannot touch it at all without ruining it.
My favorite place to camp, is a Yahi village (see Ishi- the last known native living in california-a very sad story) and I have found pestles still in the mortars. I covered them back up with the oak mulch fallen on the slabs, and have not shown anybody. Pestles, from the last tribe. Very special! These where extremely important to them. I have also slept in the cave in which he hid from the whites, with a woman and child (last of their tribe after a surprise attack slaughter by europeans). Having a lot of native in me myself, it is very sad, but incredibly connecting.
Dude, I love that you left the scene with you climbing with no music or narration.. just hearing the birds and ambiance made me feel more in the moment experiencing what you are out there. Great video
Shame on YT for demonetizing this video! If I remember correctly, you are a professional climber. Your thought process on whether to climb a difficult place is clear and cautious. I love your videos!
In a platform full of egomaniac influencers, misleading click bait video titles, and endless dreadful self promotion Desert Drifter is breath of fresh air! Your genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for your content is so great to watch. So many people would be tempted to create some contrived drama or play into some B. S. Ancient Aliens narrative in this video just for clicks. You show respect and admiration for both the desert and the amazing native people who once called it their home. All I can say is thank you and always be careful out there!
Outrlm Well the more I think about it the more I’ve concluded ancient aliens are as likely as scientists being accurate on dating the ice age etc. There’s Turkish maps from the 1500s showing an ice free Antarctica and artic. I learned that when scientists carbon date things they assume carbon levels are fixed over time. It’s like that’s impossible especially considering coal beds and oil fields. The atmosphere used to have massive amounts of carbon in the air meaning the dating methods assuming carbon levels are fixed in the air is absurd.
I'm looking at that wall painting objectively and I see a comet and a being with six fingers! Try not to mock something you don't understand. It makes you look ignorant.
My dad broke his back and can’t walk for years now. He literally relies on videos for lots of things. But my dad being paralyzed makes me hate the government and environmentalists even more. My dad used to ride horses, hike, ride wheelers etc. now if he can’t drive to a place he can’t go there. The government and environmentalists shutting down roads on public lands he’s used or would like to visit means he no longer can go to places. Public land is no longer public nor publicly accessible or handicap accessible. It makes me wonder why the government can do that. Handicap laws literally offer zero protection to the disabled when it comes to closing down roads or locking up more of Utah for the next new wilderness area or monument or even recreation area. Did you know I was reading about one recreation area and they literally banned metal detecting. I thought to myself WTF these sonsofguns. Like thousands of people go metal detecting for recreation. You dig a small hole and fill it in when you’re done. It about as harmful as anything else.
Hi,i am a 76 years old and live in the UK,i am so grateful to you for your wonderful videos,they are absolutely amazing.I never thought i would be able to see the amazing buildings that the Ancient Pueblo people built so close up what truly clever people and their artwork is beautiful.I am obsessed with watching,please take care and i look forward to learning so much more.
Can’t decide what I like more about Andrew’s vlogs: imagery, his natural curiosity or philosophical questioning of us and how we fit our surroundings through millennia. Glad I don’t have to choose.
You seem to uncover much more ancient art that others documenting the area.When I think of documentaries I've watched and articles I've read, I was under the impression that these images were rare and not so numerous. But you seem to have hit the mother lode. A number of your vids have these. While the cliffs have changed over centuries, some of these images would have required staging to paint or etch the images. It had to be a major effort by the people living here. You have given me a new appreciation for the desert. Thanks!
One last thing - rock changes over time due to erosion, weathering, fracturing, etc., albeit slowly. Many of these ledges and tricky climbs might've been a tad easier if the ledges used to be wider. All I'm saying is that based on the rock fall that is obviously sitting on the ground under the arch, it might've been a touch different a thousand or more years ago. That said, you do have balls for going up there, as many others have said.
Andrew, wanted to share some love . I am in NYC and yours is my new best friend channel. Your manners and camera eye are a delight. Thank you so much for bringing us the Grand Canyon intimately. I only flew over it when I would fly from JFK to LAX. I admire your respect for the archaeology . I literally get sick when you walk narrow and high, OMG !!! 😱😱😱 Highest regards Brother ! ~Kozmic Karma Koala.
as a geologist that slab of sandstone with the fossilized ripples fascinated me a lot. in morrison, colorado there's a massive face of exposed upturned rock that shows a big network of fossilized ripples from when that part of colorado was part of the cretaceous interior seaway. much of where the colorado plateau now lies was part of the shallow parts of this seaway, so it's likely that slab of sandstone is at least 120-66 milion years old, an awesome find!
Across the road where I live, I found a massive boulder in the woods. On the top face was a huge clam fossil. It looked perfect. I delayed returning with intent to clean it off & get pictures when the property sold. I then waited to see the new owner & inform them what they had. But within days they moved in heavy equipment, put up fences, gates & signs & bulldozed a road through the very spot. 😢
Gettysburg battle field , near Little Round Top, is a stone bridge with the primary structures . Ripple marks, fossil, raindrop impressions, and laminated structers.😊
@@BalthazarMyrrh70That’s depressing. In Arizona, developers, city workers, etc are supposed to immediately stop work and contact authorities if artifacts are found. I had a friend who worked heavy equipment for the City of Chandler and he said they just keep bulldozing.
*I see the Bighorn Sheep rock monument potential. Maybe just labeling of a good hunting ground for an annually nomadic people, not different from remembering and returning back to where you caught two big fish.*
As a small child I had nightmares about walking narrow ledges like Andrew explores, so I'm a bit less enthusiastic than some - though having been born and raised near a state park with rock climbing potential I know I would have tried it myself if it had been a thing normal people did way back when I was in college. Back then park Rangers would have carted us off to county jail for taking such risks.
Same, I was just imagining how it could have looked if it was once a giant sphinx type statue/structure. It’s fun to imagine, and who knows, we don’t know how much we don’t know.
My stomach managed to cut flips Multiple times! When I was a kid, I would climb anything that stood still long enough! Not Any More! Especially at 68 in less than a month!
The placces you go, the things you see, the situations you experience, all of it truly blows my mind! As a "want-to-be" anthropologist and an ersatz archeologist, I find myself addicted to your content, but in a good way! I really enjoy myself while accompanying you on your quests! As a kid growing up on the Southern Arizona desert, I became sort of a geologist due to my love of natural materials. Continued success on your adventures!
Hi from essex. Returned yesterday from a few days in the lakedistrict. Omg, coming from a flat county like essex to a mountainous county like Cumbria was an eye opener.
Did you notice it looked like there was a kanyon etched out next to the figure. Making me think that was a watchpost for their tribes hidden in the caves.
6:43 so this petroglyph looks similar to the other on at 3:14 but here 6:43 you see a human looking across the canyon at the other two figures which represents the rock formations. the position is important. from where you are right now you would be looking up at them but that human figure is definitely on higher ground so what this is communicating is that there’s a higher ledge above you to take a good look at the formations. you didn’t notice the ledge until you were flying your drone back to you so this is just here to tell you to climb the ledge for a better look so in this petroglyph the human represents YOU or the reader. at 3:14 non of the figures are human so the figure in front represents a third formation. in your more recent video of this area at 2:10 you see the third formation and it’s a perfect match. so just like the humans position means to climb up the formations position tells you to go there as well. another clue is that the background figure has a goat next to him by his head but off to the right, that suggests another angle other than the one where it looks like a goat. the star is an abstract arrow pointing the way because it is written in code. anything that is not a human represents landmarks which is why the character has six fingers and a weird foot so the reader who knows the code will understand that it is a formation. the necklace is a tribal symbol so that the reader knows that the message is in their language/code and that they should be able to figure it out. in your next video you approach the base of the cliff under the formations and the goat is on the left so it’s telling you to go to the other side so the the goat formation would be on the left…. they are all telling you where to go. i believe this was a planned escape route so they didn’t want to make the message too clear so they wouldn’t be followed. i think the structure you find in the next video is temporary housing for travelers which is why the tools weren’t used very much and the star may even be significant to say to travel the next leg at night so they carved a sun clock into the wall to tell them what hour to leave out into the open. if you look in the background in the next videos at 2:10 you will see a mountain range and a valley in the background which curves off to the right the same as the shooting star, that’s an ancient road out of there but it would also provide visual cover for their escape being beside the mountain range and they are more likely to find food water and shelter so i bet there are other ruins and road signs along the way something else i notice is on the ledge you see the petroglyph of the guy who looks like he’s being beamed up…. the valley and mountain range are straight above you but there’s no way to access it from there. it’s saying that you need to get up there but you have to go to the other side of the formations in order to get up top 17:49
Funny how you praise him for not being "too scared." If this guy was a teenager, I would be calling him an idiot for doing something dangerous. There are plenty of people (far too many) who climb on rooftops, mountain ledges, and other dangerous places trying to get flashy, dramatic pictures. Let's not encourage anyone to "be brave" and climb up a narrow ledge. Being scared of something dangerous is not a bad thing.
As someone who's worked in a museum, thank you for pointing out that the oils from our hands degrade the paint over time! Great video & please be careful.
My thought , originally, was that oils from a human’s hand would help shield the art from the elements of wind and occasional water. In wet caves we have been warned not to touch the walls because the oils would interfere with the natural flow of the water over the surface. One day the ancient art in the canyons will disappear due to nature’s wearing it away.
@@sharondoan1447 Interesting thought, I didn't know that about the caves, it makes sense. All I know is that it's best not to touch, heck, even metal gets worn down, look at that statue in Harvard where applicants touch his foot for good luck, and compare it with the look of the rest of the statue.
@@facespaz Touching the walls, stalagmites ( the ones growing towards the cave ceiling) or the stalactites ( the one’s growing down toward the cave floor) in a “ wet “ cave are considered to be living and growing. The dry ones are dead because of natural dryness.
@@sharondoan1447 The oils from your hand will go rancid over time, reacting with oxygen to make fatty acids. And those can degrade a number of things. You don't want these things in fine electronics either, and that's what I've learned it from, but I'm sure it applies to art as well.
6:43 so this petroglyph looks similar to the other on at 3:14 but here 6:43 you see a human looking across the canyon at the other two figures which represents the rock formations. the position is important. from where you are right now you would be looking up at them but that human figure is definitely on higher ground so what this is communicating is that there’s a higher ledge above you to take a good look at the formations. you didn’t notice the ledge until you were flying your drone back to you so this is just here to tell you to climb the ledge for a better look so in this petroglyph the human represents YOU or the reader. at 3:14 non of the figures are human so the figure in front represents a third formation. in your more recent video of this area at 2:10 you see the third formation and it’s a perfect match. so just like the humans position means to climb up the formations position tells you to go there as well. another clue is that the background figure has a goat next to him by his head but off to the right, that suggests another angle other than the one where it looks like a goat. the star is an abstract arrow pointing the way because it is written in code. anything that is not a human represents landmarks which is why the character has six fingers and a weird foot so the reader who knows the code will understand that it is a formation. the necklace is a tribal symbol so that the reader knows that the message is in their language/code and that they should be able to figure it out. in your next video you approach the base of the cliff under the formations and the goat is on the left so it’s telling you to go to the other side so the the goat formation would be on the left…. they are all telling you where to go. i believe this was a planned escape route so they didn’t want to make the message too clear so they wouldn’t be followed. i think the structure you find in the next video is temporary housing for travelers which is why the tools weren’t used very much and the star may even be significant to say to travel the next leg at night so they carved a sun clock into the wall to tell them what hour to leave out into the open. if you look in the background in the next videos at 2:10 you will see a mountain range and a valley in the background which curves off to the right the same as the shooting star, that’s an ancient road out of there but it would also provide visual cover for their escape being beside the mountain range and they are more likely to find food water and shelter so i bet there are other ruins and road signs along the way
This is turning out to be a very spectacular hike for all of us. Just stopped to have a rest from gardening work & thought I’d check YT and what a delight to find you posted. Thanks for the gift of your explorations!
You do such a great job editing this. I have a neighbor that home schools is kids and told them about you and the beautiful job you do and that I thought the kid would really enjoy how the ancient ones lived. Can't wait to see where you take us next. Thank You So Much !!!!
This place was sacred to the people who left the petroglyphs. The petroglyphs speak of the 'giants' that many of the peoples of that area speak of. The Utes, the Navajo, the Hopi and the Apache all speak of 'giants' in their ancient stories. And many times it is mentioned that they were polydactyl. The astronomical glyph gives a date, sort of, such as a bright comet being seen in the night sky. Very interesting video, and thank you for the respect you showed. It wasn't that long ago that a white man who wandered into a place like that would have met a very grisly demise. Thank you for the video.
why would it be sacred? seems like just a place for people to hang out and doodle on the cliff face. Not much else to do lol. Ya'll put way to much thinking into something that was prolly pretty every day life for them, nothing special lol
@@StargazerTheFurry Maybe, maybe not. It's never good to be so sure of something you know nothing about. Question everything, but more importantly, do your research, as this person clearly did and you didn't. That way you'll be able to give a more valid opinion on things, one that people will be more inclined to consider.
I am so fascinated by this ancient art! When you were showing the pictographs, at first I thought it was a shooting star but after seeing it again, I think it is a comet!
In Chaco Canyon there was a population with 6 fingers, it is called Polydaktylie, an anomalie, but don't think it was an anomalie, especially if it spreads to a whole tribe!
Hi Andrew, I had to get on here and comment on this video's rock art you found. I watch a lot on ancient ruins, petroglyphs, pictographs & one day I was listening to an interview where this Navajo guy explained about shamen going into caves & the dark spirits they believe are there & also about how they believe those spirits are dangerous & that they come out of dark shadowy crevasses or holes/cracks in rocks, no matter how small they are. An archeologist also talked about it in another clip I saw. He said that sometimes when you see a figure & it looks like someone shot at it. It's not actually "always" modern-day damage, but instead an effort by ancients to release a spirit (they saw or drew) from that dark spirit world. Just one perspective that reeeéally makes a lot of sense as to why certain animal-like ok r spirit-like artist near cracks, caves, holes, etc. Keep up the great videos!!!!! I've really enjoyed watching all of your discoveries, climbing & scrambling feats & safety. My passion for rock art, ancient ruins, large & small stone effigies, and your passion for adventure. I'm unable to hike anymore (a neuro muscular disease), so I truly appreciate all of the time u put into these places u go & things you share!!!
Writing a book about your adventures in the Southwest desert would benefit your adventures. You indeed have enough information from the past to put something together. Your videos are informative and thought-provoking, and your choice of music is perfect for the type of videos you create. It evokes a sense of calmness but intrigue at the same time. Keep up the great work, and thank you for sharing your treks with us.
we also have landscapes that are perfectly flat with nothing but corn from horizon to horizon. no houses, no trees, just flat ground until the planet curves away
Its refreshing to always come back to visit you here. I find i get positive feelings from the wonders these people left in these canyons. And as a genuine soul that you are, its fun to take these trips w you. Being deathly afraid of heights i cringe every time you climb, but find the questions they left behind so intriguing. Thanks for doing the hard yards. P.j. Carpinteria Calif
I have been waiting for you to find a 6 digit figure. It is supposed to indicate a giant, 6 fingers, 6 toes. To me it is an amazing find. Thank you. Every art piece you show, I automatically count the digits. I was so surprised, lol💗💗
In my understanding, 6 digits is not that uncommon, especially among people groups that are isolated from others, ie, cousins co-mingling somewhere back in time. That was not uncommon in ancient times. That being said, I also have thoughts that some may say strange, but that pictograph also brings up the word "Nephilim" in my mind. I just find these pictograph so interesting.
This was so good! Thank you . I was bitting my nails on that climb . It did look like there was more dravwing up there . And that beam was crazy! Thank you again for your thoughts on them. I am watching this as I drive through Utah. Wishing I was walking through.
You are the happiest person on TH-cam, so keep smiling and sharing your journey. We liked the wife, would not mind seeing more of her. Your smile is contagious.
My first Desert Drifter video. So well done. I am familiar with similar formations in New Mexico where I reside. When I go exploring, it's usually up high in the mountains. Green , cool and familiar. I drive through vast stretches of desert and rarely poke around. Thank you for taking me somewhere I probably would not have chosen to go.
"The more you find out, the more you realize you dont know.." wise words...in a world full of know-it-alls desperate to appear to have it all figured out, its refreshing to see you humbly admit what you cant explain with absolute certainty while showing deep insight into the rest. This is top notch documentary up with the finest public education. Thank you!
6:43 so this petroglyph looks similar to the other on at 3:14 but here 6:43 you see a human looking across the canyon at the other two figures which represents the rock formations. the position is important. from where you are right now you would be looking up at them but that human figure is definitely on higher ground so what this is communicating is that there’s a higher ledge above you to take a good look at the formations. you didn’t notice the ledge until you were flying your drone back to you so this is just here to tell you to climb the ledge for a better look so in this petroglyph the human represents YOU or the reader. at 3:14 non of the figures are human so the figure in front represents a third formation. in your more recent video of this area at 2:10 you see the third formation and it’s a perfect match. so just like the humans position means to climb up the formations position tells you to go there as well. another clue is that the background figure has a goat next to him by his head but off to the right, that suggests another angle other than the one where it looks like a goat. the star is an abstract arrow pointing the way because it is written in code. anything that is not a human represents landmarks which is why the character has six fingers and a weird foot so the reader who knows the code will understand that it is a formation. the necklace is a tribal symbol so that the reader knows that the message is in their language/code and that they should be able to figure it out. in your next video you approach the base of the cliff under the formations and the goat is on the left so it’s telling you to go to the other side so the the goat formation would be on the left…. they are all telling you where to go. i believe this was a planned escape route so they didn’t want to make the message too clear so they wouldn’t be followed. i think the structure you find in the next video is temporary housing for travelers which is why the tools weren’t used very much and the star may even be significant to say to travel the next leg at night so they carved a sun clock into the wall to tell them what hour to leave out into the open. if you look in the background in the next videos at 2:10 you will see a mountain range and a valley in the background which curves off to the right the same as the shooting star, that’s an ancient road out of there but it would also provide visual cover for their escape being beside the mountain range and they are more likely to find food water and shelter so i bet there are other ruins and road signs along the way something else i notice is on the ledge you see the petroglyph of the guy who looks like he’s being beamed up…. the valley and mountain range are straight above you but there’s no way to access it from there. it’s saying that you need to get up there but you have to go to the other side of the formations in order to get up top 17:49
@@Desert.Drifter 6:43 so this petroglyph looks similar to the other on at 3:14 but here 6:43 you see a human looking across the canyon at the other two figures which represents the rock formations. the position is important. from where you are right now you would be looking up at them but that human figure is definitely on higher ground so what this is communicating is that there’s a higher ledge above you to take a good look at the formations. you didn’t notice the ledge until you were flying your drone back to you so this is just here to tell you to climb the ledge for a better look so in this petroglyph the human represents YOU or the reader. at 3:14 non of the figures are human so the figure in front represents a third formation. in your more recent video of this area at 2:10 you see the third formation and it’s a perfect match. so just like the humans position means to climb up the formations position tells you to go there as well. another clue is that the background figure has a goat next to him by his head but off to the right, that suggests another angle other than the one where it looks like a goat. the star is an abstract arrow pointing the way because it is written in code. anything that is not a human represents landmarks which is why the character has six fingers and a weird foot so the reader who knows the code will understand that it is a formation. the necklace is a tribal symbol so that the reader knows that the message is in their language/code and that they should be able to figure it out. in your next video you approach the base of the cliff under the formations and the goat is on the left so it’s telling you to go to the other side so the the goat formation would be on the left…. they are all telling you where to go. i believe this was a planned escape route so they didn’t want to make the message too clear so they wouldn’t be followed. i think the structure you find in the next video is temporary housing for travelers which is why the tools weren’t used very much and the star may even be significant to say to travel the next leg at night so they carved a sun clock into the wall to tell them what hour to leave out into the open. if you look in the background in the next videos at 2:10 you will see a mountain range and a valley in the background which curves off to the right the same as the shooting star, that’s an ancient road out of there but it would also provide visual cover for their escape being beside the mountain range and they are more likely to find food water and shelter so i bet there are other ruins and road signs along the way something else i notice is on the ledge you see the petroglyph of the guy who looks like he’s being beamed up…. the valley and mountain range are straight above you but there’s no way to access it from there. it’s saying that you need to get up there but you have to go to the other side of the formations in order to get up top 17:49
I'm a 60 yr old ex-explorer. I used to rock climb wherever I could back in the 70s & 80s. While I've seen petroglyphs seemingly in the middle of nowhere, they weren't of this quality thanks to people with no respect for the past. I wish I had the cool equipment you get to use. Just the Drone would have been incredible, and to add GPS to that. Sweet! Fun video, did you learn anything further about this site? An update if there has been would be cool.
That's one heck of climb. A few moments caused me to pucker up. While you were commenting about the difficulty of ferreting out the figures seen on the stone, I wondered whether you have considered carrying a polarized light source as a way to bring greater definition to what is being viewed. Thank you for the breath-holding moments and great, beautiful views. Be well. Stay well!
You should investigate what museums and archeologist pros do to enhance pictograph details. But don’t be limited by their imaginations. It may be that in direct sunlight the paint fluoresces in near or far IR or UV, or simple camera colored filters could make the pictograph contrast pop. Surprisingly a red camera filter makes landmass features visible on Mars, a planet abundant in red iron oxide. Your pictograph red paint may become more contrasty in just the same way. A polarizing filter could also help if it were turned at the correct angle, but there is a performance difference between old fashioned linear polarizers and more modern circular polarized filters. Trial and error experimentation might save you a week’ 22:44 s worth of reading and tail chasing. Plus filters are very lightweight. And note that dawn and dusk lighting (golden hour) is much softer and redder than mid day lighting (a color temperature difference) which is also bluer and harsher. All tricks that can be used in your photo journal documentation. Even if you and your compatriots simply walked the trails, took wide angle photos of the canyon and tributaries by GPS location, documented the existing man and animal trails, and ancient towers, granaries, walls, caves, and petroglyphs for the pristine and serious amateurs to examine in depth you could push the fact-science frontiers ahead by 50 years in a handful of summers. You indicated that only 5% of the sites out there have been found so far and maybe 1% have been investigated. Perhaps you could join up with experts in the off season and siphon off some of their observing skills and training while volunteering to help them catalog things already collected or plan expeditions where you have already been. I could see pro am teams of 3 covering a lot of ground quickly, especially investigating less traveled side canyons. My own limited travels have shown me that canyon features that apparently weren’t there previously, suddenly pop put under varying lighting conditions.
Dude, you are my hero. Thank you so much for letting us share in your adventure. More importantly, thank God for blessing you to be living in a country to live your life ,your adventure, and your freedom to move around and provide video narration. Thank you , so much for all that you contribute. To keep us in awe of nature ,the knowledge of history and forgotten or current culture and peoples. As I said,you are my hero ! Thank You for taking me where I cannot go because of time, work schedule, responsibilities and financing. My spirit weeps that I cannot be there to also revel in the glory of the natural beauty, the heat and climate, the physical exertion,the discovery of cultures and holiness of the stillness and silence that brings one to the Divine. Blessings on you and your family.
You must not have been watching for long if this was the first time you were frightened for Andrew! The first time I watched him put his hand on a ledge to steady himself, I was frightened he would put his hand on a snake… This fear comes from having stepped on a rattlesnake.
The crotch between the towers is very intriguing being in the middle for viewing possibilities for either of the solstices or equinoxes. In any event you found a truly sacred spot and so puzzling to us now. The ancient ones made the most of natural landscapes and geology. How would we manage in this day and age to survive so well as they did. Thanks DD for bringing us along on your journey. So intriguing.
I've been through parts of the American Southwest more than once and find it beautiful and mysterious. Thanks for getting us a more intimate look at what is there and asking the questions that I'm sure we all have on our minds. Love your channel!
There is supposed to be a photography/astronomy app that shows sun position at any given time. It would be useful to help understand sunrises /sunset positions that might have been important for rituals on specific locations. Awesome vid! Thanks!
... seeing this 2 feet from my 65" 4k screen (as I see everything including spreadsheets that way, no tiny monitors for me), I get a very good panoramic immersive view , and just marvel at the calculated risks you are taking, and the ancient presumably less calculated practice of standing straight up and clearly reaching high for the top of the figure and other divots being pounded into the rock surface, while the chasm is right behind and right below. Insane. I am shivering with fear of heights (which I have and uncomfortably suffer, to understand your experience, but I am boggled). I am an armchair ex-Yale archaeologist now, originally studied the world via 20 foot-square hi-res screens, technology has advanced to your hi-res drones, but your personal courage is still astounding, admirable, and occasionally essential. I pray for your continued safety and intrepid success.
Andrew, I'm so claustrophobic that watching you crawl through that place got my heart rate up. I love traveling with you but I'm sure happy it's from my recliner. The rock art is awesome but I really was amazed by the carved steps. You have allowed this old woman to go places she never thought she would. Thank you!
I really enjoy your videos. The scenery is amazing and beautiful. You’re going into places I will never see in my lifetime so it’s great to get a glimpse of something so spectacular.
Andrew, my friend.... as much as I enjoy watching your climbs and explorations, you scare the snot out of me!! My brain tells me I'm looking at your flick and your home safe and sound, but meold heart beats a little faster seeing the potential for disaster. My prayers, my friend are with you. Thanks for sharing. Ax
This is my first time watching. I subscribed. I love the lack of music and filler chatter. I'm old enough to be your mom, so reassure me you carry a GPS and file a trip plan and have some sort of emergency device. Keep on keeping on. The for the beautiful food for the soul.
I definitely agree. My heart was in my throat when he was climbing up that ridge. But since it seems that he is a knowledgeable climber, that helped me watch his climb.
This is the first video I have ever seen of "Desert Drifter", and must say how much I enjoyed it, although I did drift off (almost fell asleep) during the first climb on the ancient ledge hidden ladder. Intending no disrespect and after managing to regain my composure, I'm happy to report how you held my attention thereafter. I live on the East Coast, and although I would be interested in exploring places like this in person, it is awesome being there, living it a little bit in your footsteps, seeing and hearing it from your perspective. I loved exploring places like this when I was younger although I have never spent much time in the Midwest region, save Lackland, TX for USAF's boot-camp. It's awe-inspiring and intriguing to see these images appear on the canyon walls, ever so faintly even. I even found myself straining, struggling to see more images alongside the ones you pointed out - almost wondered if I was actually seeing something or not. The towers across the canyon were captivating. I could not mentally imagine the mountain goat in the one to the right, with the see-through hole in it. To me, it looked like a person standing sideways and the one to the left almost looks like there a forward looking face looking back at us; both towers, standing people. The triangle you spoke about, from the drone's vantage point, along the ledge ladder, I could not find without pausing, rewinding and pausing again... still not sure I saw what you were talking about. (A humble suggestion would be: please consider circling or highlighting these specific areas in a contrasting color, within the video, in the future.) Also, would it be possible to provide a general location link, for those of us who might want to look around that area on Google Earth? You've earned another subscriber, thank you!
Amazing how these ancient peoples made all this incredible art in these remote, difficult (and dangerous) spots....i would dearly love to understand the religious and cosmological significance of it to them.
It's amazing how I get butterflies and knee weakness just by watching you, not only climb but look down that cliff. Your finds are incredibly old, and the ancient ones were very talented. It would be nice if they could be preserved somehow. Thanks for sharing.
I absolutely love your content… so many signs of the ancient indigenous people who lived there eons ago and left their rock art and other artifacts such as their grain storage bins of abodes…great work so we can witness and share your findings…. Thank you
A heroic climb, Andrew. Thank you so much! The pictographs are incredible and, yes, leave us with more questions. The large figure with six fingers may well depict the six fingered giants discovered in the USA, and also other areas on the planet. Wouldn’t it be fabulous to KNOW! Keep up your great work. New Zealand. 👍🏼🕊️🥰
@jackiemack8653 : If that fascinates you about giants, go look up the pictures of the Plain of Jars in Laos and the pix of the lids that have to weigh 200-300 lbs. The intriguing thing about the lids is that the purchase points for lifting are just like the ones you see on kitchen canisters, a one hand lift. There are no other purchase points built into them where a pole could be inserted for a several man lift. Also, what were the purpose they were made for? Just because some human graves/bones (1-2) were found in the vicinity they've been classified as "burial tombs". Some sources claim they were made for the cremation of humans but there isn't any scortch or carbon stains inside from fires. Having been to all if them in 2016 that have been uncovered and demined I'm not buying it. Theories not even as believable as the pyramid ones. No one knows definitively who built them or when or were the rock was quarried from. BTW, they look like large shot or drinking vessels to me. Angor Wat is another mystifying one. Reflecting pools very high above ground level but how did they get the water up there? Certainly not by bucket brigade because they're pretty large and many. Also no nearby water sources for all.
You and your patient wife have changed my world. I'm unable to get out and about much these days as an Octarian but watching you both climb these impossible cliffs and see these marvelous antiquity absolutely is magic to me. God keep you both safe and filled with joy.
There was a time when I would climb up to a site like this. Age has made me both afraid of heights, and incapable physically of reaching said places. I appreciate your channel!
First of all, a huge thank you for all these videos! I would like to give you a thought related to this one. When I saw the drawing of the being with his hand outstretched towards what you call a celestial object, I saw something else. It looks like someone who uses magnetism. As if with his hand he could control something using magnetism.
Their relationship with Big Horn sheep and cliffs has made me ponder those crazy out of reach artworks before. The best climbers, perhaps imitating their favorite rock climbing sheep, are tested or are capable enough, for particular activities (art/lookout/etc) way up in those kinds of places.
Another sweaty palm, heart pounding mystical adventure with Andrew. Wow that detailed panel leaves a lot of questions. Loved the video but I worry about you, Andrew. Keep them coming. I hope one day the star nation people will show up, pay you homage and tell their history to you.😱👽
"Loved the video but I worry about you, Andrew." He's risking life and limb doing these super sketch climbs with zero safety gear. All it takes is the tiniest of mistakes, and it's all over. There are no 2nd chances here.
The rock “ art “ is just crude scribbles on a wall. What I think would be particularly interesting is to see if anything has fallen into the gap between the wall and the ledge at 11:30
HC would only ruin his work by trying to insert fake drama, editing riduclous cuts, and basically overproducing the content. I quit watching HC YEARS ago because of that.
Nice find. Man, that is one fat deer. These canyons you explore are spectacular. I really want to go & see these things for myself but I'm way too old for that now. Thanks for taking us along on these adventures.
I’m born and raised in NYC, still here almost 50 years now. Never been out in any wilderness, never hiked out in any country trails, never done any mountain climbing, but for whatever reason, I friggin LOVE this channel!!! I do know one reason I drift to this channel more than any other in this genre tho. It’s because Andrew rarely plays music in his videos, if ever. For one, me being from NYC, I appreciate being able to hear how quiet and peaceful it sounds out there, and the sounds of being out there, like the sounds of the climbing and scraping against the rocks, and even just the footsteps walking on the gravelly ground and whatnot. And two, when people play music throughout their videos over beautiful scenery like this, it feels like a cheesy travel ad for the ‘perfect getaway’, or like somebody’s gonna start talking about a friggin day spa or something.🙄
You have to visit upstate NY!! I am from there and there are amazing (and many easy) hiking trails and historical parks for easy strolls. I recommend the battlefield @ Schuylerville and buck mountain or prospect mountain. definitely worth the drive!
That's sad brother. We aren't meant to live in a concrete jungle(prison). Get out into the wilderness, it's where we're from, it's where we belong. I hate being stuck in the city and I drive almost 2.5 hours each day so I don't have to live in it. I need forest and wild animals and livestock. Do it, you won't regret it. It's medicine for the soul.
@@nicthemickatx Yes and no. Wilderness is where a version of us came from, but it's not necessarily where most of us belong. Humans didn't thrive until we started building villages, towns and cities. Been at it for more than 10,000 years. I love forests, but I don't want to be in them after dark. Cities are where the HVAC, sheets, restaurants and movies are. An art museum or library are medicine for my soul.
Fellow NYC guy here, just add close to 20 years. If you like the country (the real country), peace & quiet , fresh air & growing things you might consider a few days to a week “camping” trip to the Adirondacks. There are State park facilities with individual campsites, complete with safely located fire circle and an outhouse. Some sites accessible after a short hike, others by canoe or row boat. Rentals and sale of firewood (and potable water) always available at ranger station; nearby towns have food & supplies so if a re-supply trip is needed it’s a short car ride. A foam mattress, sleeping bag, appropriate clothing for deciduous forested lands and an opportunity to unwind, unclench muscles you probably never realized were tight, have some conversation in place of bring bombarded. The water site has the benefit of giving you the means to explore whatever body of water you’re on-so if the extra cost isn’t an issue. You are unlikely to make world-changing discoveries but what you gain on a personal level may be invaluable. And it’s only five hours away! (Assuming someone has a car) Bring a book for a rainy day or two… And don’t overlook the possibility of a day trip while there (wherever there might be). The Adirondacks are breathtaking when the leaves turn but someone in your group needs something beyond beginner camping skills at that time of the year-and timing is everything. Anyway, just a thought. The city is wonderful, but NYS has so much to offer and city snobs-and upstate snobs-so miss the grandeur of NY. In a way, it’s like watching the video that your comment was attached to: some might just see dessert scrub and profoundly eroded old rocks but there is so much more there (and that before considering the petroglyphs). Seeing it filmed with care helps, but seeing it filmed by someone with passion for the subject translates wonderfully. I believe everyone benefits when they can ignite little sparks of that kind of passion in themselves. Enjoying these videos speaks, perhaps, to something you might want to do (maybe not in such a grand, experienced way… 🧗♀️)
My body shivers in goosebumps as I watch you traverse up sketchy footholds. You bring to life hidden treasures that the vast majority of people will never experience. Thank you for doing this for us.
The part of heights that really gets me is when looking down when you don’t have stable footing or on a ledge. So the times he had the camera look off the edge, I found myself having to look away from the screen LOL. 😂
i would just love to see how the land was like when they lived there, and how they went about their day, why here specifically? perhaps back then the land was more suitable? what was the meaning behind their petroglyphs? what did they try to say? and to who? why so hard to reach locations where they even had to spend time and effort to carve out stepps in the rock to reach the location? questions we wont ever get a answer to, but still fun and interesting to think about.
I'm not sure which I love most about the Southwest...the beauty of the landscapes or the enigmatic art left by those who lived there long ago. I'll just settle for both. Thank you for taking us along, Andrew!❣👍
Andrew you are one of the very few that I watch. Your spirit and presentation of these areas are better than most others. Really enjoy your southwest hikes. For those of us who would not be able to see them in person … you take us right to them. Please keep them coming. I watch them several times ❤
Fantastic finds; just a suggestion, when reading palimpsests they may use different specific frequencies of light to reveal the very ancient scripts, often illegible under normal light, have they ever used this method or something like it, to reveal more of these faded wall paintings?
As an outdoor person, temporarily disabled, these videos are getting me through the days. Appreciate the soft quiet music and being able to hear the birds. Curious if your out there by yourself.
Hey all, I started a Patreon in response to this video being demonetized. If you'd like to check out some of the great perks over there and support the channel, here's the link patreon.com/DesertDrifter?Link
Appeal the decision that demonetized this video. What a ridiculous decision- especially when you see all the terrible violent and divisive (and worse) stuff that is allowed on you tube.
1.5 million views is the reason! When you gain that much traction they will take out the magnifying glasses and look for a reason to not pay that chedda!
@AKASHICRECORDS-o5c 6:43 so this petroglyph looks similar to the other on at 3:14 but here 6:43 you see a human looking across the canyon at the other two figures which represents the rock formations. the position is important. from where you are right now you would be looking up at them but that human figure is definitely on higher ground so what this is communicating is that there’s a higher ledge above you to take a good look at the formations. you didn’t notice the ledge until you were flying your drone back to you so this is just here to tell you to climb the ledge for a better look so in this petroglyph the human represents YOU or the reader. at 3:14 non of the figures are human so the figure in front represents a third formation. in your more recent video of this area at 2:10 you see the third formation and it’s a perfect match. so just like the humans position means to climb up the formations position tells you to go there as well. another clue is that the background figure has a goat next to him by his head but off to the right, that suggests another angle other than the one where it looks like a goat. the star is an abstract arrow pointing the way because it is written in code. anything that is not a human represents landmarks which is why the character has six fingers and a weird foot so the reader who knows the code will understand that it is a formation. the necklace is a tribal symbol so that the reader knows that the message is in their language/code and that they should be able to figure it out. in your next video you approach the base of the cliff under the formations and the goat is on the left so it’s telling you to go to the other side so the the goat formation would be on the left…. they are all telling you where to go. i believe this was a planned escape route so they didn’t want to make the message too clear so they wouldn’t be followed. i think the structure you find in the next video is temporary housing for travelers which is why the tools weren’t used very much and the star may even be significant to say to travel the next leg at night so they carved a sun clock into the wall to tell them what hour to leave out into the open. if you look in the background in the next videos at 2:10 you will see a mountain range and a valley in the background which curves off to the right the same as the shooting star, that’s an ancient road out of there but it would also provide visual cover for their escape being beside the mountain range and they are more likely to find food water and shelter so i bet there are other ruins and road signs along the way something else i notice is on the ledge you see the petroglyph of the guy who looks like he’s being beamed up…. the valley and mountain range are straight above you but there’s no way to access it from there. it’s saying that you need to get up there but you have to go to the other side of the formations in order to get up top 17:49
I LOVE how quiet it is when you are climbing & the camera is placed to observe…. All you hear is the vast silence & sweet finch birdsong (sounds like finches to this Aussie girl 😉). Brilliant video 🥰
@@Desert.Drifter 6:43 so this petroglyph looks similar to the other on at 3:14 but here 6:43 you see a human looking across the canyon at the other two figures which represents the rock formations. the position is important. from where you are right now you would be looking up at them but that human figure is definitely on higher ground so what this is communicating is that there’s a higher ledge above you to take a good look at the formations. you didn’t notice the ledge until you were flying your drone back to you so this is just here to tell you to climb the ledge for a better look so in this petroglyph the human represents YOU or the reader. at 3:14 non of the figures are human so the figure in front represents a third formation. in your more recent video of this area at 2:10 you see the third formation and it’s a perfect match. so just like the humans position means to climb up the formations position tells you to go there as well. another clue is that the background figure has a goat next to him by his head but off to the right, that suggests another angle other than the one where it looks like a goat. the star is an abstract arrow pointing the way because it is written in code. anything that is not a human represents landmarks which is why the character has six fingers and a weird foot so the reader who knows the code will understand that it is a formation. the necklace is a tribal symbol so that the reader knows that the message is in their language/code and that they should be able to figure it out. in your next video you approach the base of the cliff under the formations and the goat is on the left so it’s telling you to go to the other side so the the goat formation would be on the left…. they are all telling you where to go. i believe this was a planned escape route so they didn’t want to make the message too clear so they wouldn’t be followed. i think the structure you find in the next video is temporary housing for travelers which is why the tools weren’t used very much and the star may even be significant to say to travel the next leg at night so they carved a sun clock into the wall to tell them what hour to leave out into the open. if you look in the background in the next videos at 2:10 you will see a mountain range and a valley in the background which curves off to the right the same as the shooting star, that’s an ancient road out of there but it would also provide visual cover for their escape being beside the mountain range and they are more likely to find food water and shelter so i bet there are other ruins and road signs along the way something else i notice is on the ledge you see the petroglyph of the guy who looks like he’s being beamed up…. the valley and mountain range are straight above you but there’s no way to access it from there they probably lowered a ladder to create a shortcut.
I really do respect how you remind your viewers that disturbing, or even touching, artifacts could potentially lead to their degradation and be lost forever. It’s an extremely important thing to remember if someone ever comes across any kind of ancient art or artifacts.
Just wear gloves...
Just don't touch them 🤷♂️@@BC-du5hm
@@BC-du5hmoils on your skin aren’t the only thing that ruin the paint, the pressure and moisture from your hand could also degrade it, just be an adult and understand, you cannot touch it at all without ruining it.
@@manny4707 I'm gonna go and rub my hand over all of them now.
My favorite place to camp, is a Yahi village (see Ishi- the last known native living in california-a very sad story) and I have found pestles still in the mortars. I covered them back up with the oak mulch fallen on the slabs, and have not shown anybody. Pestles, from the last tribe. Very special! These where extremely important to them. I have also slept in the cave in which he hid from the whites, with a woman and child (last of their tribe after a surprise attack slaughter by europeans). Having a lot of native in me myself, it is very sad, but incredibly connecting.
Dude, I love that you left the scene with you climbing with no music or narration.. just hearing the birds and ambiance made me feel more in the moment experiencing what you are out there. Great video
Agreed 😊
I agree beautiful
✅👍🏻
Totally!!!
Try using his name.
Shame on YT for demonetizing this video! If I remember correctly, you are a professional climber. Your thought process on whether to climb a difficult place is clear and cautious. I love your videos!
I love them, too. I just have to give my heart time to leave my throat after each of his climbs.
In a platform full of egomaniac influencers, misleading click bait video titles, and endless dreadful self promotion Desert Drifter is breath of fresh air!
Your genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for your content is so great to watch. So many people would be tempted to create some contrived drama or play into some B. S. Ancient Aliens narrative in this video just for clicks. You show respect and admiration for both the desert and the amazing native people who once called it their home. All I can say is thank you and always be careful out there!
I agree wholeheartedly with you. Desert Drifter is a breath of fresh air!!
Outrlm
Well the more I think about it the more I’ve concluded ancient aliens are as likely as scientists being accurate on dating the ice age etc.
There’s Turkish maps from the 1500s showing an ice free Antarctica and artic. I learned that when scientists carbon date things they assume carbon levels are fixed over time. It’s like that’s impossible especially considering coal beds and oil fields. The atmosphere used to have massive amounts of carbon in the air meaning the dating methods assuming carbon levels are fixed in the air is absurd.
I'm looking at that wall painting objectively and I see a comet and a being with six fingers! Try not to mock something you don't understand. It makes you look ignorant.
Well said
It's in the good part of TH-cam definitely.
I'm a disabled person and can't go exploring like this,anymore. I kinda can look through your videos,and live it! Thanks for these clips!
Aloha from Hawaii 🌋! I walk with a cane now,I can relate to your comment!🏝️
I love you just know that. Humans are amazing. And you deserve happiness
I'm not disabled and would never climb up there. Haha
I'm just a lazy fat person and this reinforces my bad habits but I like exploring this way too! I'm serious. I'm not making jokes.
My dad broke his back and can’t walk for years now. He literally relies on videos for lots of things.
But my dad being paralyzed makes me hate the government and environmentalists even more. My dad used to ride horses, hike, ride wheelers etc. now if he can’t drive to a place he can’t go there. The government and environmentalists shutting down roads on public lands he’s used or would like to visit means he no longer can go to places. Public land is no longer public nor publicly accessible or handicap accessible.
It makes me wonder why the government can do that. Handicap laws literally offer zero protection to the disabled when it comes to closing down roads or locking up more of Utah for the next new wilderness area or monument or even recreation area. Did you know I was reading about one recreation area and they literally banned metal detecting. I thought to myself WTF these sonsofguns. Like thousands of people go metal detecting for recreation. You dig a small hole and fill it in when you’re done. It about as harmful as anything else.
Hi,i am a 76 years old and live in the UK,i am so grateful to you for your wonderful videos,they are absolutely amazing.I never thought i would be able to see the amazing buildings that the Ancient Pueblo people built so close up what truly clever people and their artwork is beautiful.I am obsessed with watching,please take care and i look forward to learning so much more.
76 here also. I enjoy these videos. The young man amazes me!
Can’t decide what I like more about Andrew’s vlogs: imagery, his natural curiosity or philosophical questioning of us and how we fit our surroundings through millennia. Glad I don’t have to choose.
What a great comment, Thanks ❤
you do and you have
I find this interesting because no matter how cold and dry a place is, it still has human contact.
Your a Mountain Goat 🐐
Appreciate that Yuri. It’s helpful for me to hear some of the aspects of my videos that are appealing to you, and others. Thanks for watching!
You seem to uncover much more ancient art that others documenting the area.When I think of documentaries I've watched and articles I've read, I was under the impression that these images were rare and not so numerous. But you seem to have hit the mother lode. A number of your vids have these. While the cliffs have changed over centuries, some of these images would have required staging to paint or etch the images. It had to be a major effort by the people living here. You have given me a new appreciation for the desert. Thanks!
One last thing - rock changes over time due to erosion, weathering, fracturing, etc., albeit slowly. Many of these ledges and tricky climbs might've been a tad easier if the ledges used to be wider. All I'm saying is that based on the rock fall that is obviously sitting on the ground under the arch, it might've been a touch different a thousand or more years ago. That said, you do have balls for going up there, as many others have said.
@@craighamley3669exactly my thoughts.
Thank you for the kind words and financial support of the channel OceanMariner. It means a lot!
This art is all over the place in all kinds of states. U literally can find some all over. Maybe even on your state idk.
The 6 fingered giant was beautiful
Andrew, wanted to share some love . I am in NYC and yours is my new best friend channel. Your manners and camera eye are a delight. Thank you so much for bringing us the Grand Canyon intimately. I only flew over it when I would fly from JFK to LAX. I admire your respect for the archaeology . I literally get sick when you walk narrow and high, OMG !!! 😱😱😱 Highest regards Brother ! ~Kozmic Karma Koala.
as a geologist that slab of sandstone with the fossilized ripples fascinated me a lot. in morrison, colorado there's a massive face of exposed upturned rock that shows a big network of fossilized ripples from when that part of colorado was part of the cretaceous interior seaway. much of where the colorado plateau now lies was part of the shallow parts of this seaway, so it's likely that slab of sandstone is at least 120-66 milion years old, an awesome find!
Across the road where I live, I found a massive boulder in the woods. On the top face was a huge clam fossil. It looked perfect.
I delayed returning with intent to clean it off & get pictures when the property sold. I then waited to see the new owner & inform them what they had. But within days they moved in heavy equipment, put up fences, gates & signs & bulldozed a road through the very spot. 😢
dinosaur ridge!
Gettysburg battle field , near Little Round Top, is a stone bridge with the primary structures . Ripple marks, fossil, raindrop impressions, and laminated structers.😊
@@BalthazarMyrrh70That’s depressing. In Arizona, developers, city workers, etc are supposed to immediately stop work and contact authorities if artifacts are found. I had a friend who worked heavy equipment for the City of Chandler and he said they just keep bulldozing.
that upturned rock is super interesting. it's like a massive force came up and out from the Earth, rapidly.
The more you watch, the more you realize you're addicted to Desert Drifter. The journey through life between uploads continues.
You are so right - 💯👍 the more I watch the better it gets ❤ and I can't wait for the next one
*I see the Bighorn Sheep rock monument potential. Maybe just labeling of a good hunting ground for an annually nomadic people, not different from remembering and returning back to where you caught two big fish.*
He's relatable. And yeah, addictive.
❤ positive waves
💯
As a small child I had nightmares about walking narrow ledges like Andrew explores, so I'm a bit less enthusiastic than some - though having been born and raised near a state park with rock climbing potential I know I would have tried it myself if it had been a thing normal people did way back when I was in college. Back then park Rangers would have carted us off to county jail for taking such risks.
I keep seeing a ‘sphinx’ when looking at that right hand ‘tower. Loved hearing the observations and questions in your analysis.
Same, I was just imagining how it could have looked if it was once a giant sphinx type statue/structure. It’s fun to imagine, and who knows, we don’t know how much we don’t know.
I thought the same thing. 😮
My knees are weak just watching him hang out up there
Mine too, but then, I am 80 with bad knees!
My stomach managed to cut flips Multiple times! When I was a kid, I would climb anything that stood still long enough! Not Any More! Especially at 68 in less than a month!
I think I peed😳
To me looks more to one of the paw patrol!! Jajaja! By the way Bendiciones para ti y tu familia! I always enjoy your videos,I love them!!
My palms are sweating!
Thanks for taking us with you on this epic adventure - balls of steel. What an astoundingly beautiful place, wonderful art.
YES! So much barely noticeable that has faded from Who Knows When.
Thanks badgerbob!
The placces you go, the things you see, the situations you experience, all of it truly blows my mind! As a "want-to-be" anthropologist and an ersatz archeologist, I find myself addicted to your content, but in a good way! I really enjoy myself while accompanying you on your quests! As a kid growing up on the Southern Arizona desert, I became sort of a geologist due to my love of natural materials. Continued success on your adventures!
Oh my gosh. Perfect bedtime viewing here in Scotland! Love these incredible finds!
Just watch bald and bankrupt trip to Scotland 😊
I love Scotland.
I love Scotland
Hi from essex. Returned yesterday from a few days in the lakedistrict. Omg, coming from a flat county like essex to a mountainous county like Cumbria was an eye opener.
I watched the bald and bankrupt and seen him show hell hole after hell hole in England. @@Mikell-h2c
This has to be the best exploration channel.
You literally have the guts to make climbs while other YT'ers are too scared or out of shape.
Keep it up
Thanks Jason. Appreciate you watching!
Did you notice it looked like there was a kanyon etched out next to the figure. Making me think that was a watchpost for their tribes hidden in the caves.
6:43 so this petroglyph looks similar to the other on at 3:14 but here 6:43 you see a human looking across the canyon at the other two figures which represents the rock formations. the position is important. from where you are right now you would be looking up at them but that human figure is definitely on higher ground so what this is communicating is that there’s a higher ledge above you to take a good look at the formations. you didn’t notice the ledge until you were flying your drone back to you so this is just here to tell you to climb the ledge for a better look so in this petroglyph the human represents YOU or the reader. at 3:14 non of the figures are human so the figure in front represents a third formation. in your more recent video of this area at 2:10 you see the third formation and it’s a perfect match. so just like the humans position means to climb up the formations position tells you to go there as well. another clue is that the background figure has a goat next to him by his head but off to the right, that suggests another angle other than the one where it looks like a goat. the star is an abstract arrow pointing the way because it is written in code. anything that is not a human represents landmarks which is why the character has six fingers and a weird foot so the reader who knows the code will understand that it is a formation. the necklace is a tribal symbol so that the reader knows that the message is in their language/code and that they should be able to figure it out. in your next video you approach the base of the cliff under the formations and the goat is on the left so it’s telling you to go to the other side so the the goat formation would be on the left…. they are all telling you where to go. i believe this was a planned escape route so they didn’t want to make the message too clear so they wouldn’t be followed. i think the structure you find in the next video is temporary housing for travelers which is why the tools weren’t used very much and the star may even be significant to say to travel the next leg at night so they carved a sun clock into the wall to tell them what hour to leave out into the open. if you look in the background in the next videos at 2:10 you will see a mountain range and a valley in the background which curves off to the right the same as the shooting star, that’s an ancient road out of there but it would also provide visual cover for their escape being beside the mountain range and they are more likely to find food water and shelter so i bet there are other ruins and road signs along the way something else i notice is on the ledge you see the petroglyph of the guy who looks like he’s being beamed up…. the valley and mountain range are straight above you but there’s no way to access it from there. it’s saying that you need to get up there but you have to go to the other side of the formations in order to get up top 17:49
Funny how you praise him for not being "too scared." If this guy was a teenager, I would be calling him an idiot for doing something dangerous. There are plenty of people (far too many) who climb on rooftops, mountain ledges, and other dangerous places trying to get flashy, dramatic pictures. Let's not encourage anyone to "be brave" and climb up a narrow ledge. Being scared of something dangerous is not a bad thing.
@@Adelicows
Being scared gets you killed.
As someone who's worked in a museum, thank you for pointing out that the oils from our hands degrade the paint over time!
Great video & please be careful.
My thought , originally, was that oils from a human’s hand would help shield the art from the elements of wind and occasional water. In wet caves we have been warned not to touch the walls because the oils would interfere with the natural flow of the water over the surface. One day the ancient art in the canyons will disappear due to nature’s wearing it away.
@@sharondoan1447 Interesting thought, I didn't know that about the caves, it makes sense. All I know is that it's best not to touch, heck, even metal gets worn down, look at that statue in Harvard where applicants touch his foot for good luck, and compare it with the look of the rest of the statue.
@@facespaz Touching the walls, stalagmites ( the ones growing towards the cave ceiling) or the stalactites ( the one’s growing down toward the cave floor) in a “ wet “ cave are considered to be living and growing. The dry ones are dead because of natural dryness.
@@sharondoan1447 The oils from your hand will go rancid over time, reacting with oxygen to make fatty acids. And those can degrade a number of things. You don't want these things in fine electronics either, and that's what I've learned it from, but I'm sure it applies to art as well.
6:43 so this petroglyph looks similar to the other on at 3:14 but here 6:43 you see a human looking across the canyon at the other two figures which represents the rock formations. the position is important. from where you are right now you would be looking up at them but that human figure is definitely on higher ground so what this is communicating is that there’s a higher ledge above you to take a good look at the formations. you didn’t notice the ledge until you were flying your drone back to you so this is just here to tell you to climb the ledge for a better look so in this petroglyph the human represents YOU or the reader. at 3:14 non of the figures are human so the figure in front represents a third formation. in your more recent video of this area at 2:10 you see the third formation and it’s a perfect match. so just like the humans position means to climb up the formations position tells you to go there as well. another clue is that the background figure has a goat next to him by his head but off to the right, that suggests another angle other than the one where it looks like a goat. the star is an abstract arrow pointing the way because it is written in code. anything that is not a human represents landmarks which is why the character has six fingers and a weird foot so the reader who knows the code will understand that it is a formation. the necklace is a tribal symbol so that the reader knows that the message is in their language/code and that they should be able to figure it out. in your next video you approach the base of the cliff under the formations and the goat is on the left so it’s telling you to go to the other side so the the goat formation would be on the left…. they are all telling you where to go. i believe this was a planned escape route so they didn’t want to make the message too clear so they wouldn’t be followed. i think the structure you find in the next video is temporary housing for travelers which is why the tools weren’t used very much and the star may even be significant to say to travel the next leg at night so they carved a sun clock into the wall to tell them what hour to leave out into the open. if you look in the background in the next videos at 2:10 you will see a mountain range and a valley in the background which curves off to the right the same as the shooting star, that’s an ancient road out of there but it would also provide visual cover for their escape being beside the mountain range and they are more likely to find food water and shelter so i bet there are other ruins and road signs along the way
This is turning out to be a very spectacular hike for all of us. Just stopped to have a rest from gardening work & thought I’d check YT and what a delight to find you posted. Thanks for the gift of your explorations!
I really appreciate the way you slow down and let us have time to see what you see.
Sometimes TH-cam delivers with content worth watching. Love this.
You do such a great job editing this. I have a neighbor that home schools is kids and told them about you and the beautiful job you do and that I thought the kid would really enjoy how the ancient ones lived. Can't wait to see where you take us next.
Thank You So Much !!!!
This place was sacred to the people who left the petroglyphs. The petroglyphs speak of the 'giants' that many of the peoples of that area speak of. The Utes, the Navajo, the Hopi and the Apache all speak of 'giants' in their ancient stories. And many times it is mentioned that they were polydactyl. The astronomical glyph gives a date, sort of, such as a bright comet being seen in the night sky.
Very interesting video, and thank you for the respect you showed. It wasn't that long ago that a white man who wandered into a place like that would have met a very grisly demise. Thank you for the video.
Thank YOU or the educated reaction to his video!
why would it be sacred? seems like just a place for people to hang out and doodle on the cliff face. Not much else to do lol. Ya'll put way to much thinking into something that was prolly pretty every day life for them, nothing special lol
@@StargazerTheFurry Not meaning to be disrespectful, but are you really that stupid? Or is it something you have to work at?
@@StargazerTheFurry Maybe, maybe not. It's never good to be so sure of something you know nothing about. Question everything, but more importantly, do your research, as this person clearly did and you didn't. That way you'll be able to give a more valid opinion on things, one that people will be more inclined to consider.
@@LeoGale27 I litterally don't give a fuck at all.
I am so fascinated by this ancient art! When you were showing the pictographs, at first I thought it was a shooting star but after seeing it again, I think it is a comet!
Yes, a comet certainly.
Large meteorite possibly?
It's certainly neither.
Agree it's probably an astronomical object
In Chaco Canyon there was a population with 6 fingers, it is called Polydaktylie, an anomalie, but don't think it was an anomalie, especially if it spreads to a whole tribe!
Hi Andrew,
I had to get on here and comment on this video's rock art you found. I watch a lot on ancient ruins, petroglyphs, pictographs & one day I was listening to an interview where this Navajo guy explained about shamen going into caves & the dark spirits they believe are there & also about how they believe those spirits are dangerous & that they come out of dark shadowy crevasses or holes/cracks in rocks, no matter how small they are. An archeologist also talked about it in another clip I saw. He said that sometimes when you see a figure & it looks like someone shot at it. It's not actually "always" modern-day damage, but instead an effort by ancients to release a spirit (they saw or drew) from that dark spirit world. Just one perspective that reeeéally makes a lot of sense as to why certain animal-like ok r spirit-like artist near cracks, caves, holes, etc.
Keep up the great videos!!!!!
I've really enjoyed watching all of your discoveries, climbing & scrambling feats & safety. My passion for rock art, ancient ruins, large & small stone effigies, and your passion for adventure.
I'm unable to hike anymore (a neuro muscular disease), so I truly appreciate all of the time u put into these places u go & things you share!!!
aboriginal australian petroglyphs include crack men figures that live in the cracks near water holes
I think I aged 10 years just watching you climb, plus they’ll lock me up for yelling ‘get down from there you galah’ haha We love you
I love watching you explore these obscure, hard-to-reach places. Stay safe!
Writing a book about your adventures in the Southwest desert would benefit your adventures. You indeed have enough information from the past to put something together. Your videos are informative and thought-provoking, and your choice of music is perfect for the type of videos you create. It evokes a sense of calmness but intrigue at the same time. Keep up the great work, and thank you for sharing your treks with us.
Usually music on this kind of videos suck. But your music does not annoy on the videos. Thanks for doing such a good job.
There have been books written about the places he has been.....they are all well known sites.
Being from England it’s really hard to fully appreciate a landscape like that
Yep, I'm near Birmingham and find this fascinating. Dolores cannon has interesting insights..
@@gazmasonik2411ISLAM IS ANTICHRIST
we also have landscapes that are perfectly flat with nothing but corn from horizon to horizon. no houses, no trees, just flat ground until the planet curves away
Being from Utah, I've never explored an alcove like that.
@@gazmasonik2411 yeah tell me more. which of her books or videos does she talk about them.
Your footage of the red rocks are stunning! As an artist, I find it's absolutely beautiful. Thank you for allowing us to view it.
Just can't resist havin' a little fun, can ya. Thanks for taking us along on the climb!
Its refreshing to always come back to visit you here. I find i get positive feelings from the wonders these people left in these canyons.
And as a genuine soul that you are, its fun to take these trips w you. Being deathly afraid of heights i cringe every time you climb, but find the questions they left behind so intriguing.
Thanks for doing the hard yards.
P.j. Carpinteria Calif
I have been waiting for you to find a 6 digit figure. It is supposed to indicate a giant, 6 fingers, 6 toes. To me it is an amazing find. Thank you. Every art piece you show, I automatically count the digits. I was so surprised, lol💗💗
I think it was their kids painting on one side and the adult on the other, explains why one side looks better than the other.
Half giant, half men?
In my understanding, 6 digits is not that uncommon, especially among people groups that are isolated from others, ie, cousins co-mingling somewhere back in time. That was not uncommon in ancient times. That being said, I also have thoughts that some may say strange, but that pictograph also brings up the word "Nephilim" in my mind. I just find these pictograph so interesting.
This was so good! Thank you . I was bitting my nails on that climb . It did look like there was more dravwing up there . And that beam was crazy!
Thank you again for your thoughts on them. I am watching this as I drive through Utah. Wishing I was walking through.
The 6 finger guy was a Nephilim. I believe the Bible. Outside that, I think people like LA Marzulli have it right.
You are the happiest person on TH-cam, so keep smiling and sharing your journey. We liked the wife, would not mind seeing more of her. Your smile is contagious.
My first Desert Drifter video. So well done. I am familiar with similar formations in New Mexico where I reside. When I go exploring, it's usually up high in the mountains. Green , cool and familiar. I drive through vast stretches of desert and rarely poke around. Thank you for taking me somewhere I probably would not have chosen to go.
"The more you find out, the more you realize you dont know.."
wise words...in a world full of know-it-alls desperate to appear to have it all figured out, its refreshing to see you humbly admit what you cant explain with absolute certainty while showing deep insight into the rest. This is top notch documentary up with the finest public education. Thank you!
Appreciate it. It’s part of being human not having all the answers, I wish we could be more comfortable admitting that. But we do love control…
6:43 so this petroglyph looks similar to the other on at 3:14 but here 6:43 you see a human looking across the canyon at the other two figures which represents the rock formations. the position is important. from where you are right now you would be looking up at them but that human figure is definitely on higher ground so what this is communicating is that there’s a higher ledge above you to take a good look at the formations. you didn’t notice the ledge until you were flying your drone back to you so this is just here to tell you to climb the ledge for a better look so in this petroglyph the human represents YOU or the reader. at 3:14 non of the figures are human so the figure in front represents a third formation. in your more recent video of this area at 2:10 you see the third formation and it’s a perfect match. so just like the humans position means to climb up the formations position tells you to go there as well. another clue is that the background figure has a goat next to him by his head but off to the right, that suggests another angle other than the one where it looks like a goat. the star is an abstract arrow pointing the way because it is written in code. anything that is not a human represents landmarks which is why the character has six fingers and a weird foot so the reader who knows the code will understand that it is a formation. the necklace is a tribal symbol so that the reader knows that the message is in their language/code and that they should be able to figure it out. in your next video you approach the base of the cliff under the formations and the goat is on the left so it’s telling you to go to the other side so the the goat formation would be on the left…. they are all telling you where to go. i believe this was a planned escape route so they didn’t want to make the message too clear so they wouldn’t be followed. i think the structure you find in the next video is temporary housing for travelers which is why the tools weren’t used very much and the star may even be significant to say to travel the next leg at night so they carved a sun clock into the wall to tell them what hour to leave out into the open. if you look in the background in the next videos at 2:10 you will see a mountain range and a valley in the background which curves off to the right the same as the shooting star, that’s an ancient road out of there but it would also provide visual cover for their escape being beside the mountain range and they are more likely to find food water and shelter so i bet there are other ruins and road signs along the way something else i notice is on the ledge you see the petroglyph of the guy who looks like he’s being beamed up…. the valley and mountain range are straight above you but there’s no way to access it from there. it’s saying that you need to get up there but you have to go to the other side of the formations in order to get up top 17:49
@@Desert.Drifter 6:43 so this petroglyph looks similar to the other on at 3:14 but here 6:43 you see a human looking across the canyon at the other two figures which represents the rock formations. the position is important. from where you are right now you would be looking up at them but that human figure is definitely on higher ground so what this is communicating is that there’s a higher ledge above you to take a good look at the formations. you didn’t notice the ledge until you were flying your drone back to you so this is just here to tell you to climb the ledge for a better look so in this petroglyph the human represents YOU or the reader. at 3:14 non of the figures are human so the figure in front represents a third formation. in your more recent video of this area at 2:10 you see the third formation and it’s a perfect match. so just like the humans position means to climb up the formations position tells you to go there as well. another clue is that the background figure has a goat next to him by his head but off to the right, that suggests another angle other than the one where it looks like a goat. the star is an abstract arrow pointing the way because it is written in code. anything that is not a human represents landmarks which is why the character has six fingers and a weird foot so the reader who knows the code will understand that it is a formation. the necklace is a tribal symbol so that the reader knows that the message is in their language/code and that they should be able to figure it out. in your next video you approach the base of the cliff under the formations and the goat is on the left so it’s telling you to go to the other side so the the goat formation would be on the left…. they are all telling you where to go. i believe this was a planned escape route so they didn’t want to make the message too clear so they wouldn’t be followed. i think the structure you find in the next video is temporary housing for travelers which is why the tools weren’t used very much and the star may even be significant to say to travel the next leg at night so they carved a sun clock into the wall to tell them what hour to leave out into the open. if you look in the background in the next videos at 2:10 you will see a mountain range and a valley in the background which curves off to the right the same as the shooting star, that’s an ancient road out of there but it would also provide visual cover for their escape being beside the mountain range and they are more likely to find food water and shelter so i bet there are other ruins and road signs along the way something else i notice is on the ledge you see the petroglyph of the guy who looks like he’s being beamed up…. the valley and mountain range are straight above you but there’s no way to access it from there. it’s saying that you need to get up there but you have to go to the other side of the formations in order to get up top 17:49
I'm a 60 yr old ex-explorer. I used to rock climb wherever I could back in the 70s & 80s. While I've seen petroglyphs seemingly in the middle of nowhere, they weren't of this quality thanks to people with no respect for the past. I wish I had the cool equipment you get to use. Just the Drone would have been incredible, and to add GPS to that. Sweet! Fun video, did you learn anything further about this site? An update if there has been would be cool.
Mate! Occasionally the TH-cam algorithm delivers gold! Thanks so much.
Thanks for continuing to share this opportunity with us, to see such amazing beauty !!!!
That's one heck of climb. A few moments caused me to pucker up. While you were commenting about the difficulty of ferreting out the figures seen on the stone, I wondered whether you have considered carrying a polarized light source as a way to bring greater definition to what is being viewed. Thank you for the breath-holding moments and great, beautiful views. Be well. Stay well!
You should investigate what museums and archeologist pros do to enhance pictograph details. But don’t be limited by their imaginations. It may be that in direct sunlight the paint fluoresces in near or far IR or UV, or simple camera colored filters could make the pictograph contrast pop. Surprisingly a red camera filter makes landmass features visible on Mars, a planet abundant in red iron oxide. Your pictograph red paint may become more contrasty in just the same way. A polarizing filter could also help if it were turned at the correct angle, but there is a performance difference between old fashioned linear polarizers and more modern circular polarized filters. Trial and error experimentation might save you a week’ 22:44 s worth of reading and tail chasing. Plus filters are very lightweight. And note that dawn and dusk lighting (golden hour) is much softer and redder than mid day lighting (a color temperature difference) which is also bluer and harsher. All tricks that can be used in your photo journal documentation. Even if you and your compatriots simply walked the trails, took wide angle photos of the canyon and tributaries by GPS location, documented the existing man and animal trails, and ancient towers, granaries, walls, caves, and petroglyphs for the pristine and serious amateurs to examine in depth you could push the fact-science frontiers ahead by 50 years in a handful of summers. You indicated that only 5% of the sites out there have been found so far and maybe 1% have been investigated.
Perhaps you could join up with experts in the off season and siphon off some of their observing skills and training while volunteering to help them catalog things already collected or plan expeditions where you have already been. I could see pro am teams of 3 covering a lot of ground quickly, especially investigating less traveled side canyons. My own limited travels have shown me that canyon features that apparently weren’t there previously, suddenly pop put under varying lighting conditions.
Dude, you are my hero. Thank you so much for letting us share in your adventure. More importantly, thank God for blessing you to be living in a country to live your life ,your adventure, and your freedom to move around and provide video narration.
Thank you , so much for all that you contribute. To keep us in awe of nature ,the knowledge of history and forgotten or current culture and peoples.
As I said,you are my hero ! Thank You for taking me where I cannot go because of time, work schedule, responsibilities and financing.
My spirit weeps that I cannot be there to also revel in the glory of the natural beauty, the heat and climate, the physical exertion,the discovery of cultures and holiness of the stillness and silence that brings one to the Divine.
Blessings on you and your family.
First time I was actually frightened for you. Such compelling climbs, pictographs, and ideas to contemplate. Thank you for enriching us in this way.
Same here. I was scared to the bone.
I like the cut of your jib👍
Yup. Scary work. Maybe a little crazy !
You must not have been watching for long if this was the first time you were frightened for Andrew! The first time I watched him put his hand on a ledge to steady himself, I was frightened he would put his hand on a snake… This fear comes from having stepped on a rattlesnake.
I'll try it only if serial killer is after me... 😫🤯
Drew on the wall wonders who drew on the wall... that is some amazing, intriguing, stuff. Great video, Andrew.
The crotch between the towers is very intriguing being in the middle for viewing possibilities for either of the solstices or equinoxes. In any event you found a truly sacred spot and so puzzling to us now. The ancient ones made the most of natural landscapes and geology. How would we manage in this day and age to survive so well as they did. Thanks DD for bringing us along on your journey. So intriguing.
I've been through parts of the American Southwest more than once and find it beautiful and mysterious. Thanks for getting us a more intimate look at what is there and asking the questions that I'm sure we all have on our minds. Love your channel!
There is supposed to be a photography/astronomy app that shows sun position at any given time. It would be useful to help understand sunrises /sunset positions that might have been important for rituals on specific locations. Awesome vid! Thanks!
Same thought came to me…have to be out the on Dec21st and Jun21st
My new favourite channel ! So fascinating
... seeing this 2 feet from my 65" 4k screen (as I see everything including spreadsheets that way, no tiny monitors for me), I get a very good panoramic immersive view , and just marvel at the calculated risks you are taking, and the ancient presumably less calculated practice of standing straight up and clearly reaching high for the top of the figure and other divots being pounded into the rock surface, while the chasm is right behind and right below. Insane. I am shivering with fear of heights (which I have and uncomfortably suffer, to understand your experience, but I am boggled). I am an armchair ex-Yale archaeologist now, originally studied the world via 20 foot-square hi-res screens, technology has advanced to your hi-res drones, but your personal courage is still astounding, admirable, and occasionally essential. I pray for your continued safety and intrepid success.
So excited for the new video. Thanks Andrew for taking us along.
What amazes me are the rock formations, the contours and layers. The power that made those move in that way is amazing.
Andrew, I'm so claustrophobic that watching you crawl through that place got my heart rate up. I love traveling with you but I'm sure happy it's from my recliner. The rock art is awesome but I really was amazed by the carved steps. You have allowed this old woman to go places she never thought she would. Thank you!
Yeah, I had to stop watching. You couldn’t pay me. 🙏🏼💙
Yet another fascinating and beautiful adventure with our favourite adventurer. Long may you reign :)
I really enjoy your videos. The scenery is amazing and beautiful. You’re going into places I will never see in my lifetime so it’s great to get a glimpse of something so spectacular.
Andrew, my friend.... as much as I enjoy watching your climbs and explorations, you scare the snot out of me!! My brain tells me I'm looking at your flick and your home safe and sound, but meold heart beats a little faster seeing the potential for disaster. My prayers, my friend are with you. Thanks for sharing. Ax
I always figure that if he fell then we wouldn't be watching the video.
@daciefusjones8128 That's a very "nice" thought🤔 LOL! God Bless You----BOTH💕
exactly my sentiment fellow Drifter fan.
This is my first time watching. I subscribed. I love the lack of music and filler chatter. I'm old enough to be your mom, so reassure me you carry a GPS and file a trip plan and have some sort of emergency device. Keep on keeping on. The for the beautiful food for the soul.
Climbing along that crack certainly took bravery!
Imagine being up there barefoot curving those hand & foot holds 3,000 years ago.
Not sure what to call it b/c he does have a drone that takes splendid pictures with zero personal risk. Falling 10 feet out there is a serious matter.
I definitely agree. My heart was in my throat when he was climbing up that ridge. But since it seems that he is a knowledgeable climber, that helped me watch his climb.
It’s interesting seeing rock art fiqures with six fingers. It makes me wonder if other human like creatures lived or visited these ancient people.
Sticks leg in crack entire slab peels off.😮
Love your exploits, Andrew. The video craft, drone-work, & narration is top-notch, in my opinion.
Hope you never stop making them 👍👍👍
This is such an amazing channel. Love getting to see all of these incredible ancient things. Thanks for another great upload ❤
This is so wild and beautiful, I feel dizzy watching you, the scenerary is so inccredible.
This is the first video I have ever seen of "Desert Drifter", and must say how much I enjoyed it, although I did drift off (almost fell asleep) during the first climb on the ancient ledge hidden ladder. Intending no disrespect and after managing to regain my composure, I'm happy to report how you held my attention thereafter.
I live on the East Coast, and although I would be interested in exploring places like this in person, it is awesome being there, living it a little bit in your footsteps, seeing and hearing it from your perspective. I loved exploring places like this when I was younger although I have never spent much time in the Midwest region, save Lackland, TX for USAF's boot-camp.
It's awe-inspiring and intriguing to see these images appear on the canyon walls, ever so faintly even. I even found myself straining, struggling to see more images alongside the ones you pointed out - almost wondered if I was actually seeing something or not.
The towers across the canyon were captivating. I could not mentally imagine the mountain goat in the one to the right, with the see-through hole in it. To me, it looked like a person standing sideways and the one to the left almost looks like there a forward looking face looking back at us; both towers, standing people. The triangle you spoke about, from the drone's vantage point, along the ledge ladder, I could not find without pausing, rewinding and pausing again... still not sure I saw what you were talking about. (A humble suggestion would be: please consider circling or highlighting these specific areas in a contrasting color, within the video, in the future.)
Also, would it be possible to provide a general location link, for those of us who might want to look around that area on Google Earth?
You've earned another subscriber, thank you!
Amazing how these ancient peoples made all this incredible art in these remote, difficult (and dangerous) spots....i would dearly love to understand the religious and cosmological significance of it to them.
we will never find out, no writing. you can only go sofar with interpreting in a very different time.
It's amazing how I get butterflies and knee weakness just by watching you, not only climb but look down that cliff. Your finds are incredibly old, and the ancient ones were very talented. It would be nice if they could be preserved somehow. Thanks for sharing.
I absolutely love your content… so many signs of the ancient indigenous people who lived there eons ago and left their rock art and other artifacts such as their grain storage bins of abodes…great work so we can witness and share your findings…. Thank you
It's really amazing to think that this art has sat undisturbed for thousands of years in what seems to be an isolated random spot.
A heroic climb, Andrew. Thank you so much! The pictographs are incredible and, yes, leave us with more questions. The large figure with six fingers may well depict the six fingered giants discovered in the USA, and also other areas on the planet. Wouldn’t it be fabulous to KNOW! Keep up your great work. New Zealand. 👍🏼🕊️🥰
I was thinking same about six fingered giants. I'm thinking that's why caves etc were built up high.
@jackiemack8653 : If that fascinates you about giants, go look up the pictures of the Plain of Jars in Laos and the pix of the lids that have to weigh 200-300 lbs. The intriguing thing about the lids is that the purchase points for lifting are just like the ones you see on kitchen canisters, a one hand lift.
There are no other purchase points built into them where a pole could be inserted for a several man lift.
Also, what were the purpose they were made for? Just because some human graves/bones (1-2) were found in the vicinity they've been classified as "burial tombs". Some sources claim they were made for the cremation of humans but there isn't any scortch or carbon stains inside from fires.
Having been to all if them in 2016 that have been uncovered and demined I'm not buying it. Theories not even as believable as the pyramid ones. No one knows definitively who built them or when or were the rock was quarried from.
BTW, they look like large shot or drinking vessels to me.
Angor Wat is another mystifying one. Reflecting pools very high above ground level but how did they get the water up there? Certainly not by bucket brigade because they're pretty large and many. Also no nearby water sources for all.
fantasy
You and your patient wife have changed my world. I'm unable to get out and about much these days as an Octarian but watching you both climb these impossible cliffs and see these marvelous antiquity absolutely is magic to me. God keep you both safe and filled with joy.
Thank you for doing what I could never do, to show us the things the ancient ones left for us!
There was a time when I would climb up to a site like this. Age has made me both afraid of heights, and incapable physically of reaching said places. I appreciate your channel!
First of all, a huge thank you for all these videos! I would like to give you a thought related to this one. When I saw the drawing of the being with his hand outstretched towards what you call a celestial object, I saw something else. It looks like someone who uses magnetism. As if with his hand he could control something using magnetism.
It could be the image of a shaman demonstrating his power or relaying a vision he had.
Their relationship with Big Horn sheep and cliffs has made me ponder those crazy out of reach artworks before. The best climbers, perhaps imitating their favorite rock climbing sheep, are tested or are capable enough, for particular activities (art/lookout/etc) way up in those kinds of places.
Another sweaty palm, heart pounding mystical adventure with Andrew. Wow that detailed panel leaves a lot of questions. Loved the video but I worry about you, Andrew. Keep them coming. I hope one day the star nation people will show up, pay you homage and tell their history to you.😱👽
"Loved the video but I worry about you, Andrew."
He's risking life and limb doing these super sketch climbs with zero safety gear.
All it takes is the tiniest of mistakes, and it's all over.
There are no 2nd chances here.
The rock art in this is absolutely amazing!! I can't believe you went up that ledge!!
The rock “ art “ is just crude scribbles on a wall. What I think would be particularly interesting is to see if anything has fallen into the gap between the wall and the ledge at 11:30
Thank you for taking us with you. You not only show, but impart knowledge and history. Ahéhee
The History Channel needs to hire Andrew as the Greatest Producer ever. The editing, audio etc are all superior! Thanks!!!
I'm beginning to learn that videos like this are better than the History Channel. I canceled my cable and watch better content.
HC would only ruin his work by trying to insert fake drama, editing riduclous cuts, and basically overproducing the content. I quit watching HC YEARS ago because of that.
@@PandaForceSupremeand forcing him to ask if the petroglyphs might have been made by aliens.
Cable TV sucks. I canceled cable close to 10 years ago. It's painful and tiresome to watch now
Really cool video, thanks for doing it. I moved from Michigan to Arizona in 2020. There is so much to explore out here it is crazy.
You did an excellent job in slowly panning over everything so we all could see everything well.
Thank you for doing your best to give us some perspective. Those are some incredible finds.
Thanks!
My heart is always in my throat watching you climb those walls. I live vicariously through you. :P
Nice find. Man, that is one fat deer. These canyons you explore are spectacular. I really want to go & see these things for myself but I'm way too old for that now. Thanks for taking us along on these adventures.
Very interestingly documented again. The entire area looks fantastic!
I’m born and raised in NYC, still here almost 50 years now. Never been out in any wilderness, never hiked out in any country trails, never done any mountain climbing, but for whatever reason, I friggin LOVE this channel!!!
I do know one reason I drift to this channel more than any other in this genre tho. It’s because Andrew rarely plays music in his videos, if ever.
For one, me being from NYC, I appreciate being able to hear how quiet and peaceful it sounds out there, and the sounds of being out there, like the sounds of the climbing and scraping against the rocks, and even just the footsteps walking on the gravelly ground and whatnot.
And two, when people play music throughout their videos over beautiful scenery like this, it feels like a cheesy travel ad for the ‘perfect getaway’, or like somebody’s gonna start talking about a friggin day spa or something.🙄
You have to visit upstate NY!! I am from there and there are amazing (and many easy) hiking trails and historical parks for easy strolls. I recommend the battlefield @ Schuylerville and buck mountain or prospect mountain. definitely worth the drive!
That's sad brother. We aren't meant to live in a concrete jungle(prison). Get out into the wilderness, it's where we're from, it's where we belong. I hate being stuck in the city and I drive almost 2.5 hours each day so I don't have to live in it. I need forest and wild animals and livestock. Do it, you won't regret it. It's medicine for the soul.
@@nicthemickatx Yes and no. Wilderness is where a version of us came from, but it's not necessarily where most of us belong. Humans didn't thrive until we started building villages, towns and cities. Been at it for more than 10,000 years. I love forests, but I don't want to be in them after dark. Cities are where the HVAC, sheets, restaurants and movies are. An art museum or library are medicine for my soul.
Agreed . And I don't need all that foot-crunching ASMR that so many in this genre add for .. ambiance?
Fellow NYC guy here, just add close to 20 years. If you like the country (the real country), peace & quiet , fresh air & growing things you might consider a few days to a week “camping” trip to the Adirondacks. There are State park facilities with individual campsites, complete with safely located fire circle and an outhouse. Some sites accessible after a short hike, others by canoe or row boat. Rentals and sale of firewood (and potable water) always available at ranger station; nearby towns have food & supplies so if a re-supply trip is needed it’s a short car ride. A foam mattress, sleeping bag, appropriate clothing for deciduous forested lands and an opportunity to unwind, unclench muscles you probably never realized were tight, have some conversation in place of bring bombarded. The water site has the benefit of giving you the means to explore whatever body of water you’re on-so if the extra cost isn’t an issue. You are unlikely to make world-changing discoveries but what you gain on a personal level may be invaluable. And it’s only five hours away! (Assuming someone has a car) Bring a book for a rainy day or two… And don’t overlook the possibility of a day trip while there (wherever there might be). The Adirondacks are breathtaking when the leaves turn but someone in your group needs something beyond beginner camping skills at that time of the year-and timing is everything. Anyway, just a thought. The city is wonderful, but NYS has so much to offer and city snobs-and upstate snobs-so miss the grandeur of NY. In a way, it’s like watching the video that your comment was attached to: some might just see dessert scrub and profoundly eroded old rocks but there is so much more there (and that before considering the petroglyphs). Seeing it filmed with care helps, but seeing it filmed by someone with passion for the subject translates wonderfully. I believe everyone benefits when they can ignite little sparks of that kind of passion in themselves. Enjoying these videos speaks, perhaps, to something you might want to do (maybe not in such a grand, experienced way… 🧗♀️)
You have made some amazing discoveries. Thank you for taking us with you.
That one tower looked like a sphinx to me. So interesting.
I thought that too or a sitting camel
Amaizing and brave of you I enjoyed this video very much i would say very very old rock art several thousands of years
My body shivers in goosebumps as I watch you traverse up sketchy footholds. You bring to life hidden treasures that the vast majority of people will never experience. Thank you for doing this for us.
The part of heights that really gets me is when looking down when you don’t have stable footing or on a ledge. So the times he had the camera look off the edge, I found myself having to look away from the screen LOL. 😂
Dear god, you’re bonkers Drifter! I hate heights so there’s a lot of 🫣🫢😲going on here!
i would just love to see how the land was like when they lived there, and how they went about their day, why here specifically? perhaps back then the land was more suitable?
what was the meaning behind their petroglyphs? what did they try to say? and to who? why so hard to reach locations where they even had to spend time and effort to carve out stepps in the rock to reach the location? questions we wont ever get a answer to, but still fun and interesting to think about.
Glad I caught your video ! I am beginning to love them ! ❤😂 Bonnie from Michigan
I'm not sure which I love most about the Southwest...the beauty of the landscapes or the enigmatic art left by those who lived there long ago. I'll just settle for both. Thank you for taking us along, Andrew!❣👍
Andrew you are one of the very few that I watch. Your spirit and presentation of these areas are better than most others. Really enjoy your southwest hikes. For those of us who would not be able to see them in person … you take us right to them. Please keep them coming. I watch them several times ❤
Fantastic finds; just a suggestion, when reading palimpsests they may use different specific frequencies of light to reveal the very ancient scripts, often illegible under normal light, have they ever used this method or something like it, to reveal more of these faded wall paintings?
I had no idea these were in this canyon. amazing what is hidden nearly in plain sight.
Your climbing scars me.. Better thee than me.. As usual.. a wonderful video..
Love how you respect what you find.
some next level exploration, mother nature got all the goods
All your videos are amazing! Thank you so much!
So much I would never get to even See!
As an outdoor person, temporarily disabled, these videos are getting me through the days. Appreciate the soft quiet music and being able to hear the birds. Curious if your out there by yourself.
Seeing how hard a workout this is for a modern, healthy man causes me to consider the ancient people were 2x the people we are today. Humbling.
They were undoubtedly very very tough. I think about that often
Hi from Switzerland, so fascinating to watch!!! The right tower somewhat reminds me of the Sphinx. 🤔 Your climbing gives me the heebie-jeebies! 🥴
Love your show. I always wanted to walk through a desert like this. How about the badlands? Keep filming!
Thanks for taking us with you on your excursions , the ride has been awesome