[Leica] Grand Canyon - M9 or XPan?

[hartzell at alerce.com (George Hartzell)]

Richard Man writes:
 > OK, the plan is then for me to get to Grand Canyon South Rim ~10AM Wed. I
 > plan to do a dayhike, obviously not all the way down.
 > 
 > I have been there once but only went down a few hundred feet. I am 
 > somewhat
 > torn between the M9 or the XPan. I have similar lens for both systems, so
 > the choice really comes down to the convenience of digital versus the
 > dynamic range of Acros100/TX and the wider view of the XPan. Taking both 
 > is
 > probably foolish as I will need as much space for water+food.
 > 
 > Advice? I am leaning toward the XPan...

Are you [and/or your available gear] better at shooting non-pano
frames on the XPAN or stitching pano frames together from the M9.

Is the goal distance or photography?  Depending where you go and how
far down you go it can be a heck of a hike, room for water and food
can be critical.  On the other hand finding a lesser hike (going less
far) with all of your gear could be attractive.

Are you going to be heading south through Flagstaff into Sedona?  If
so, consider visiting the West Fork Oak Creek canyon, parking here:

   http://g.co/maps/hnsas  (short link into a google map)

and following the signs.  It's *marvelous* in the fall and I'm sure
it'd be neat in the Spring.  It's safely above the Sedona craziness.

If you get to Sedona, consider dinner at Elote'.  It's quite good,
*way* better than you'd think given it's location.

g.