This last week my wonderful husband took 16 young men, ages 14 to 18, and 6 adults on a High Adventure hike. It was a four day hike and covered about 9-10 miles. (Long, difficult miles.) But...let's back up a little. This adventure had been planned for several months. Steve put hours and hours into the planning; studying topographical maps, researching the area and preparing these boys. He sent out e-mails and handed out hard copies of info which included information about the hike, what to bring, how to prepare, etc.
Then...a few days before the hike....the forest was closed because of fire danger. So, back to square one. Steve again went back to his topo maps and spent countless hours researching and studying to come up with a Plan B. And then they left this past Wednesday morning. The hike became a little more difficult than Steve had thought. They hiked in pouring rain for several hours; one night they slept on a sandy beach, one night on river rock; one night in the forest; hiked up to five hours a day; nursed our Bishop back to health; and then to top it all off...Steve realized that they were not making as much progress as they needed to each day and were still far from the trailhead. Because of some unforseen circumstances, the last morning, they had to forge a trail...straight up and out of the canyon. Several grueling and tortuous hours of whacking and blazing a new trail.
Now let me tell you a few other things about this hike. Each morning and each night they held a devotional. The boys were able to hear their leaders bear testimony. The last morning, several of the boys bore their own testimonies of hard things. They talked of their love for the Savior and the gospel. When one of the members became ill, they all were a witness to the power of the priesthood. These boys had leaders, my husband among them, who loved them and sacrificed much to be out there in the wilderness with them. When the camp was a mess the first morning, Steve had to get on them. The next morning...they "encouraged" each other to clean up. When plans changed, Steve spoke to them all and told them how proud he was of them and how proud they should be of themselves. Then he prepared them for the hardest day yet. He knew that they could do it and he let them know that. As they hiked out the next morning, several of the boys unselfishly helped to carry the packs of others. And on that last day...the boys began singing hymns. Loud and clear. They made it.
I am proud of them all. I am proud of and have a great respect for the leaders. These brethren will most likely never forget this hike. Steve has a reputation in our ward of hiking the boys hard, plans not going quite right, and late arrivals home. But he always tells me tales of how they grow from the hardships, how they pull together. The greatest thing is to hear these young men bear their testimonies of what they experienced and learned. A few of these hikes are still talked about years later. These young men KNOW they can do hard things!
And...if I ever am stranded somewhere....I want to be with Brother Terry!! I will make it home!!
