Leake has been researching the history of his ancestors, the Wetherills, and country they explored for several decades. He has made numerous trips into the Canyon and other places where their stories took place.
Presentation Abstract...
The 1891 Nordenskiöld Expedition to the Grand Canyon:
In November 1891, three young men left southwestern Colorado on a daring excursion to the Hopi villages and the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The sponsor of the expedition was 23 year old Swedish scientist Gustaf Nordenskiöld who had recently completed his investigations of the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde. His chief guide was Benjamin Alfred (Al) Wetherill, who, at 30 years old, was already a seasoned explorer. The other participant was Roe Ethridge who was "hardly twenty."
The trio utilized Indian guides until they arrived at the home of Seth Tanner near Tuba City. Tanner led the party from there into the Canyon and showed them his mining operation near the base of what is now known as the Tanner Trail. There, the young men explored by foot and on a small raft they built.
From the written accounts of Nordenskiöld and Wetherill, Leake will discuss the highlights of the trip and the impressions that the Canyon made on the adventurers. The talk will be illustrated with photos from the expedition, some of which have never been published.