Aravaipa Canyon

On the day Adam turned 12, his scout troop set off on a 3-day backpack trip in Aravaipa Canyon in eastern Arizona.

That morning Edwin Lamoreaux, scoutmaster extraordinaire, presented Adam with a troop shirt with the slogan "Get A Grip".  Adam is so lucky to have Brother Lamoreaux as his scout leader!

After a 5-hour ride in the trucks, the troop set up camp prepared to enter the canyon the next morning.  Adam had visions of sleeping in a hammock (he had seen pictures of Lindsay doing it 12 years ago) but soon found that it is not as comfortable as some people make it look.  He opted out at 11:00 p.m.

Wayne Shill is a wizard at the grill.  He cooked "Black and Blue" burgers (bleu cheese in the meat)which everyone pronounced delicious.  Kevan Gurr and Jeff Perkins were kitchen helpers.

Doesn't this picture just make your mouth water?

After dinner it was time for the fireside - without the fire due to fire restrictions. 

During the fireside Brother Reed Shimamoto spoke about a story Pres. Uchtdorf told with the instruction to "lift where you stand".  So Brother Lamoreaux sent the troop out to pick up a large sycamore log - and to "lift where you stand"!

The next morning the group packed up and prepared to start their hike.  Brothers Shill, Shimamoto, Turcotte and Perkins loaded up to shuttle the cars to the west end of the canyon so the troop would have transportation when they emerged.

Starting in the back left: Dan, Eduardo Rojas, Spencer Gurr, Kevan Gurr, Austin Limon, Tucker Candland, Jake Flaherty, Tyler Cesar, Carlos Rojas.

Front left:  Caden Germaine, Nate Allen, Grant Gurr, Taylon Perkins and Adam.  Brother Lamoreaux was taking the picture.

Brother Lamoreaux brought along equipment to rappel and for a zip line.  Each of the boys took a turn carrying the rope.  Here is Austin, the senior patrol leader, taking his turn.

Off they go into the canyon.  There is no designated trail and much of the walking is in the stream.

Beautiful scenery.

Adam stopped to wash the sand out of his shoes.

More scenery.

Time for a break.

Along the way Dan and Adam hiked through the campsite where Morgan, Lindsay and Dan (along with the Sabino Canyon Ward young women from our old ward in Tucson) had camped on a high adventure trip.  That was 12 years ago - Adam was born one week after that trip.

During one break Adam checked the GPS to see "how much further" - a question he asked again and again.  Instead of hiking halfway into the canyon (a 5-6 mile trip) the troop hiked 9 miles the first day.  They chose to do that because Bishop Candland and his son, Drew, were hiking in from the west end and would leave Wednesday morning in order to get home in time to leave for the Trek on Thursday morning. 

Almost there...

As they got closer to where the troop had stopped to camp, Bishop Candland met them on the trail.  He had walked back to find them since they were lagging behind.  He helped Adam by carrying his pack for a while.  Adam is so lucky to have such great leaders who watch out for each boy.

Adam took a turn at carrying the rope.

Along the way they spotted a big horn sheep.

More scenery.

Finally - the campsite!!

Dan never travels lightly - even on a backpack trip.

Wednesday morning they packed up and walked a little further down the canyon for a spot for a day camp where they could swim, rappel and set up the zip line.

Packed up and ready to move out.

Off they go.

When they found just the right spot.  Caden and Adam began sawing limbs to make a ladder to be used at the top of the zip line.

Brother Lamoreaux and Caden lashed the cross pieces for the ladder.

A picture of the platypus water filtering system they used on the trip.  It operates by gravity and Dan said it worked perfectly - much better than using a pump.

The finished ladder.

A refreshing swimming hole.

Then it was time to rappel.  Brother Lamoreaux demonstrated with Austin's help.

Here is the cliff they chose.  It was about 25 feet tall.

I tried to insert a video of Adam rappelling at this point, but was unsuccessful in three tries.  Any suggestions of how to do it?

Here comes Adam down the rocks.

Caden, Grant and Adam.

This view shows you how high it is.

The group acting silly.

Time to pack up and head home.

As the sun sets behind the canyon walls, the troop headed through the stream to finish their adventure.

Along the way they found more wildlife - a gila monster.  Others saw a family of javelina.

More of the beauty of Arizona.

Adam pauses on the trail.

When they reached the trucks, they enjoyed the pop and Gatorade that had been waiting on ice for them.

Adam made it through his first scout hike.  It was quite a challenge, but he stuck with it and had a good experience.  Way to go, Adam!!!

It was late when they reached Los Hermanos restaurant in Superior, but the cooks and staff stayed after closing time to serve them. 

Thanks to all the leaders who made this a successful trip for Adam.  It is an adventure he will never forget.