Zion Adventure 2011

Below are a few photos from my latest adventure.  Last week, I led a group of Varsity and Explorer Scouts on a 5-day High Adventure in Zion National Park.  From the moment I became involved in Scouting, I knew I wanted to visit Zion as a high adventure activity.  Zion has been my favorite place to visit, since I began trekking there about 15 years ago.  This year's agenda was altered considerably due to the severe flooding, but we still managed to have a great time.  Most of all, it was adventurous.

I wish pictures could ever do this place justice.  I like this picture, but it is impossible to truly capture the moment.

Displaying the fine art of the Cannonball

This is what happens when you go with teenage boys.  They hunt EVERYTHING.

This is what happens when you go with adult men who think 'they've still got it'.

This is what happens when a Dutch tourist falls 20-feet.  This was seriously no laughing matter.  We came across this guy, and he really needed our help.  That isn't a beard you see on his face - its blood, bubbling out of his mouth.  He was missing teeth, had a serious head wound, broken bones in his legs, in need of stitches around his knees, and couldn't remember anything in the past few weeks (including coming to America and taking this fall).  Three of us, myself included, joined the Search and Rescue squad, and spent the better part of 3 hours assisting his rescue. 

We were about a mile up Hidden Canyon, which is fairly remote and hard to get to.  Fortunately for Martin (the 'Flying Dutchman'), we had a medical professional with us.  Phil Burnett (in white above), was a true superstar and possibly saved Martin's life.

We eventually got Martin in a transport sled to keep him safe for the rugged trip out of Hidden Canyon.  I was astounded when we offered help to the rescuers, and they willingly accepted.  "We need all the help we can get", they replied.  A few minutes later, I was carrying Martin like a Pall Bearer, only over large boulders, and across tiny ledges.  The operation was very military-like, in that there was a squad leader, and we would yell commands like "copy that" while en route.

We took turns hauling the sled and a bunch of gear down the mountain to a place where a helicopter could reach him.  We would carry him until we tired out, then would 'bump' out of the sled and let someone else take over.  This was exhausting.  The big pack you see in the forefront weighs upwards of 50 pounds.

Zion Search and Rescue told us this was the most difficult rescue they had performed in over 18 months.  The terrain was rugged, and once we carried Martin out of the canyon, we had to get him up the mountain to a point where he could be airlifted.

After over an hour of work, we finally got him to an open spot up on one of Zion's cliffs, where the helicopter could reach him.  What you don't see in this picture are the 1,000 foot cliffs on either side of this flat spot.

We hurried down the mountain to watch the airlift.

It was truly miraculous that we were able to get him safely onto this point (upper-right, above).  In another life, I want to be a Search and Rescue professional.  They are true heroes.

Best of luck, Martin.  I hope he could at least enjoy the view.

Besides saving lives, we did some serious hiking.

My sheer size, and tolerance of cold water sure came in handy.

Here I am leading the boys under a small waterfall.

I thought these things were extinct???

These waterfalls were our trail.

In order for the boys to maintain thinking I am cool, I never let on that I have a paralyzing fear of snakes.  I lied and told them how cool I thought this was.

I love Zion.

Slot canyons are so cool, and I believe the perfect activity for a high adventure.  To get to this point, we had to trek across the desert, wade up a river, climb up a 25-foot cliff, and swim through ice-cold water.  It was well worth the journey.

The Subway.

You can see how it got its name, right?

Serious Hiking.  I loved every minute of it.