Tag Archives: backpacking

“Escalante Canyoneering” Airs Tonight on Live Well Network!

Posted on October 17, 2011 by

In May, Tom Jones and I led a three-day Escalante Canyoneering trip for Motion TV. Along with host Greg Aiello and two guest hikers, Anna and Futch, we hiked in from the Escalante’s Egypt Trailhead, set camp along the Escalante River, and explored Ringtail Canyon and Neon Canyon. We enjoyed a spectacular backcountry experience, opening wide doors to new sights and skills for the entire Motion team, and enjoying some fantastic laughter and stories to boot. Great weather, amazing canyon light, and a top-notch film crew made the event a success, and now that editing is finished, you can experience our trip from your favorite arm chair. Live Well Network airs Motion’s Escalante River Canyoneering tonight, between 7 & 9 PM, depending on your area. Check the Live Well homepage to see the viewing schedule in your city… Or just watch the embedded video above! If YOU would like to join us for this trip in 2012, pencil the below dates into your calendar and rally some friends together to start planning soon: April 20-22 May 4-6, 12-14 June 1-3 Sept. 7-9, 21-23 Oct. 6-8 For complete trip details, see our Escalante Canyoneering page.

Posted in Canyoneering, Escalante, Guided Events, Hiking, Videos | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kids Take on the Zion Backcountry

Posted on July 1, 2010 by

Michael Lanza, the Northwest Editor from Backpacker Magazine, recently gave us the heads-up on his website, TheBigOutside.com, and his family’s recent attempt at the Trans-Zion Trek. You can find the trip report, complete with photos and video, here. The video is especially endearing, as it features the Lanza kids having a blast in the Zion backcountry, working on a makeshift sandstone “workbench”, playing in the river, trucking up the West Rim switchbacks, and finding the infamous Cave of Horrors along the Angel’s Landing section. The Lanza’s Trans-Zion plan doesn’t work out due to unexpected controlled burns, but they still have a great time hiking and camping along the Hop Valley and West Rim trails. I don’t know how old the Lanza kids are, but I’d guess in the 8 – 10 neighborhood. How many parents would take their grade-school age kids backpacking miles from roads and civilization? I’m not sure, but THANK YOU to the Lanza family for reminding us that well-prepared kids can thrive in the backcountry, taking on 2 to 5-day trips with great enthusiasm and success.

Posted in Families, Outdoor Leadership, Trip Reports, Zion National Park | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment