Englestead!

From the first time I did Englestead in 2019, I have been excited to share it. Saturday I got the opportunity  to take Christi, Parker, Christi's brother Matthew and my old friend Mike Dorius. We started off with a 300 foot rappel, went through about 10 more rappels and then entered Orderville Canyon. As we went down Orderville we were able to play in the flowing waterpark areas. 12.5 hours. About 8.5 miles. We ended up hiking through the last section of the narrows in Zion National Park. Such a fantastic (and quite long!) day. Can't wait to do it again:) 

Best Father's Day ever!

Last week Taylor and Parker (who are only here because coronavirus brought them home for a short respite from their missions in Mexico) surprised me with a canyoneering trip for Father's Day. They had wanted to do all the planning and packing and then just spring it on me, but they quickly realized that in the planning phases they were a little over their heads. So we planned it together. And Christi came too! Perfect getaway before they headed back out to finish their missions.

We did Dragonfly and Moonflower in Moab. Great canyons with some really big drops, some fun and easy potholes and a short slot section. Thank you guys!

On Father's Day itself, Christi made me my favorite dessert: Key Lime Cake (thank you for the recipe Erin and Denise Christiansen!!!). It takes a few hours to make, so she only does it once a year:). I feel so spoiled. And Sophi and Lexi got me a fantastic pair of Bose Headphones. All in all I came out pretty good!

At least I had an amazing view as I hitchhiked back to the car!

Staring down a 200 footer!

Parker does a Spider-man! (Intentionally locks off and hangs upside down 😮:

Another 200 foot drop

Thank you sweetie! So delicious:)

Canyoneering Heroes!

The last week of May, a group of seven of us took on Granary Canyon in Moab. 13 rappels, 13 hours, 6 miles all culminating in a 330-foot rappel overlooking the Colorado River. AMAZING trip! So fun. So much fun to spend the day with Christi, Taylor, Parker, Christi's brothers Matthew and Danny and Danny's [now] fiancé Krystal. Great trip with a great group. Enjoy some pics and video:)

The last video of Christ doing the entire big rappel is a bit long, but it gives a good perspective on what it's like.

-Jer

This may be my favorite pic. Love the teamwork!

Are you kidding me?!?

Parker volunteered to go first on the big drop. What a man!

Taylor's view as he drops down.

Notice the tiny speck of a person against the skyline at the top of the cliff.

We made it!!!

Best Wife Ever!

How awesome would it be if your wife came to you and said, "Honey, I want to go on a backpacking trip.  Just the two of us.  Somewhere in the mountains.  Oh, and let's sleep in hammocks."  That would be SO awesome!  That's exactly what Christi said to me a couple of weeks ago.  So for the first time ever, we went camping with just the two of us.  We visited beautiful Fifth Water Springs in Diamond Fork canyon near Spanish Fork, Utah.  We hiked in as the sun was setting and enjoyed the beautiful evening light on the red rock cliffs and pine trees in the surrounding mountains.  We hiked in three miles, past some natural hot springs and two beautiful waterfalls.  We set up camp in the twilight and had our freeze dried camping meals next to a small fire.  It was so nice to get away with my sweetie!

We were able to set up our hammocks right next to each other (Christi was just a little afraid of the bogeyman).  We woke up and had a leisurely morning in camp.  On our way back, we stopped and soaked in the hot springs.  We were gone less than 20 hours, but it was a fantastic little getaway.  Thank you, Christi!  I love you:)

Off we go!

There were two nice waterfalls along the way.

Fun around the campfire:

LOVE waking up to this!

On end of our hammocks was hooked to the same tree.

The hot springs were fun, but sure did smell like sulfur!