Dark Canyon

We went to Dark Canyon in Southern UT on a backpacking trip. There were 10 of us and no kids (Thank you Chris and Ramona). It's about a 1300 foot descent into the canyon (that you later have to climb back up) and we camped at the bottom for a few days and hiked around. The pictures don't really do the place justice. It was really pretty.



Basically, we would hike until we found a deep puddle of water and everyone would jump in. And of course, the men in the group (7 of them) would just come up with "physical challenges" that they all had to complete due to informal rules. I am glad I do not have to follow boy rules. It was fun for me to just watch the performances. I jumped a few times, but from low ridges. I had nothing to prove.



Jared on one of the physical challenges. He pulled out of the flop before hitting the water. I would give that one an 8.5.



The water was gorgeous. We never strayed too far from the water trail--way too hot and a lot less fun.





Girls represent. That's Kami. Shima did some high ones too.



Gerson came with us and at first, he was a little bit timid jumping off the high ones, but by the end, he was the first one to go and excelled at all the physical challenges. It was his first time camping like that and he was a pro.



Dinner:



Our camping spot:



It was too hot to sleep in my bag. I was eaten alive! I had about 60 bites bites on me when we left.

The first thing I saw in the morning:







Chillaxin (as Cyra would say). Notice Jared's shoes. He got these funny looking "barefoot shoes"--I know, oxymoron--why not just wear socks. Cyra calls them his "froggy shoes."





That was a really tough climb that Gerson is doing. Not many people could do that one.





It looks like Jeff is jumping between Mark's legs. When Cyra saw this picture, she said: "that's Noah." Not quite.



They caught a newt and called it "Gingrich"





Everyone jumping at the same time.



View from the top (after a ridiculous climb out).



Jared's backpack is off to the side--lest you think that I would carry both of our stuff. Actually, I think the only thing in my bag was water and my clothes and sleeping bag. Jared hauled most of the other stuff. Thanks Jared.



Always the tough guy face.

A note on foot wear:



So, about a mile into the hike, my left heel came off my hiking shoes. I duck-taped it on. Walked some more. Then the right heel came off. Duck tape. Walk. Then the whole left sole came off followed by the whole right sole. I walked on the foamy part for a little bit until it wore to the bottom of the shoe. And I was still at the top of the canyon. I think the shelf-life just expired off of my boots. I got them used in 1996 so I can understand why they would. Nevertheless, not good timing. So I had to do the entire hike in chacos (thanks Shima). I had to carry the boots the entire time (well, actually Jared carried them). Maybe I will see what kind of return policy Raichle has (lifetime warranty perhaps?).



Cute. Don't go copying this style in your metropolitan area, ok? It's mine.