Thunder River/Tapeats/Deer Creek '09

About 2 weeks ago I finished my 4th trip to Thunder River. This trip automatically includes Tapeats and Deer Creek since if you are going to get into good enough shape to do one then you might as well do a loop and include the other two destinations.

In 2004 I had a bad experience on this hike and I needed to "kill my demons". To help me do this I recruited close friends, family, and people I respect. Since I planned the trip a year in advance, it was fun to see how the group came together and who actually came. I am grateful for those that did come with me and for putting up with all of vague descriptions of the trip, misleading information, and selective memories that seemed to be devoid of every single "pucker factor" event that we experienced on this trip.

The trip starts at Monument Point/Bill Hall Trail head which is about 35 miles southwest of Jacobs Lake on the North Rim. We had a great group of a diversity of people and hiking levels and experience. All are LDS.

My demons were conquered as this trip was an amazing success. Still there were trials for me and my friends assisted me with these struggles. I rewarded them with great views and unexpected adventures.

We enjoyed very steep trails the first day, followed by day two's narrow trails with cliffs on one side trying to push us off the narrow ledge into the "Alley" that had somehow become hundreds of feet below us (Upper Tapeats campground to Lower Tapeats campground). On day three we enjoyed what I had described to the group as a hike along the Colorado beach, which actually was more like bouldering and technical climbing with packs on as we navigated our way by the dictates of my vague memories of doing this trip before. Deer Creek was the most beautiful with the amazingly narrow slot canyon below, elevated views of the Colorado (and Cory catching the largest fish of his life on the banks). Deer Creek is so tranquil with it's gushing waterfalls and green valley.

Always was I so relieved to get to the next destination without having lost a member of our group. Many times I was sure that members of the group where going to jump me or sucker punch me due to the inconsistencies of what I had described and what we were actually experiencing on this trip. I was elated when their response was light hearted, appreciative, and amazed at what we got to experience. I honestly can't believe my memory had failed me so badly that I had forgotten so many harrowing parts of this trip - the adrenaline was flowing at emergency by-pass levels. I got teased that my memory only failed for those parts because it was so traumatic.

Hiking out proved to be a memory of its own. We got our fannies spanked coming out of Deer Creek and then again as we plodded up the long unending "flat part" of Surprise Valley to spend the night. The next morning we woke up and immediately got spanked hiking up the mighty red-wall. We walked it off on the esplanade and regrouped before ascending the white-wall. Wow!! We actually made good time and were rewarded with corn "scoops" and Pace Picante Salsa - oh that was good! We washed it down with Dr Pepper and were able to enjoy the view from Monument Point knowing we had conquered this most difficult trail. We then stumbled wearily the last 1/2 mile or so to the cars to clean up and head back home, enjoying a feast at Marble Canyon lodge and some tire repair experiences which got us into town around 1am.

Thanks to all that came and for the amazing experience that we shared - you all are awesome!! The trip was epic thanks to Jarret, Darin, Carey, Scott, John, Cory, Jacob, Justin and Ryan.

Andrew "how did I forget all the scary parts of the trail" Brown

"Unto whom much is given . . ." Darin and Jarret

A short preface to my main subject - while I was on my mission I would watch other missionaries and in my mind determine what kind of people they were. As I approached a transfer, I soon learned that I would be serving with Elder Maycock. He had been serving with a district leader up to that point and in my mind I knew he was the reason the district leader had been so successful. As soon as we were put together, knowing very little of each other, he and I worked our tails off every moment we were awake. We lived by the book and did everything to exactness. We didn't talk a lot and his driving in the snow horrified me, but we worked hard and at then end of one month had amazing rewards for our efforts. We were only together one transfer and then we were both transferred to other areas and didn't see each other until about 9 months later. When we did hook up again, we both shared how we had never before worked so hard with any other companions. I was floored; I assumed I was barely keeping up with his expectations at the time. As I was the younger companion, he didn't want to let me down by doing anything less than what he thought I expected. The month we worked together was awesome, hard, educational, and an amazing growing experience. Due to our anticipation of what the other expected, we both had served beyond our comfort zones and enjoyed the blessings of growth.

I share this story due to the parallels that I had many years later. I experienced the splitting of my ward, right down the middle, with dear friends being in a different ward. I was given a new calling in my new ward where I got to work with two specific people - Darin and Jarret. I had some experience in my new calling from my prior ward and brought many of my ideas into my new calling. Darin and Jarret were already amazing friends which made it intimidating to me being the recent addition. I took an inventory of these two brothers and determined that much would be expected of me to serve at the level they were serving. For two years, through the mantle of my calling, I always knew what I should do. I was constantly busy with so much in my life and these two brothers seemed to always be giving me new opportunities that I had never experienced - much growth and discomfort filled my life as I tried to keep pace with them and not let them down with my shortcomings. For a little over two amazing years we got to serve together and experience much - we were close, we loved to have fun, and we loved serving together in our effort to fulfill our callings.

I look back now and am grateful for the chance I had to serve with these two men, they have gone on to serve more intensely in their new callings and continue to be an example through their great love for the gospel and their desire to fulfill their callings. Recently I got to spend several days with them as we hiked the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Their strength was more intense and amazing then what I remembered. I was able to see that they have gone on and built upon the experiences we shared. I shared with Darin's wife how I always knew what to do when I was serving with them - I never lacked direction as we three were so untied and blessed to have the mantle upon us. What we had as mere mortals was truly amazing and a gift from our Heavenly Father.

I am still processing my thoughts and experiences that I enjoyed serving by their sides - even now, 18 months later. When I do sufficiently digest and understand how to communicate this experience I hope to put into words my thoughts. Until then, I wanted to express my gratitude to both men in all that they helped me experience and grow from during those two years

Never have I worked harder, never have I been inspired more, never have I experienced so much discomfort as I strived to keep pace with you. Thanks Darin and Jarret - you are my friends; you are my brothers.

Andrew "knows discomfort" Brown