Hiking With The Teachers.
Because I was in the YM for several years with my boys I have actually recorded many outings so I apologize for the bias nature of all these videos. I'd love to put include movies of other activities if anyone has recorded them. Any rate, I mostly did it for me at the time. I figured that since now I am ward historian and have this platform I can finally share them with all of you boys, leaders and parents. Teaching the boys to do hard things and have fun is one of the greatest parts of being a leader.
We started up Aspen Grove Timpanogos trail head and camped at the base of Emerald lake. Although the wind factor was nippy, it was very nice to be above the choking smoke from the prevailing fires ravaging Utah at the time. This contributed to a very orange sunrise and foggy valleys.
One of the best feelings was to reach lower falls for a much welcome relief from thirst and fatigue on the way back down. This trip was meant to test the metal of the boys and prep them for high adventure. And it did! (See Moab Bike Tour).
I was really impressed to see that although everyone was heavily weighed down with gear and some of the boys were slow and ready to stop, the others began to carry their packs for them and joyfully took turns lifting each others burdens. And I mean most of the way up!
Of course there is always time for fun. It was dark and brother Frazier couldn't help lunging from the trees with his shrieking cougar scream (actual sound bite in video) which nearly did a few of the boys in.
There really was no need to convince anyone the pain was worth it because the lofty summit (and Brother Alexanders Savory Summer Sausage) spoke for itself. In every aspect, accept maybe for the summit paper airplane launching competition, the boys respected nature and left the trail better than it was before. Really proud to be a leader of these tough back country warriors.
I have been to Goblin Valley several times in my life but had always resided under the false impression there was little to do there but run amid the goblins. There are also vast numbers of sketchy uranium caves, cool slot canyons and bike trails (not to mention the gorgeous sunrise). OF course it's always awesome when everyone arrives home safe and sound.
