The Pioneers Are Home From the Trek

Kyle and Bruce returned from the pioneer trek this afternoon. Kyle was a trekker and Bruce was the official photographer. He took about 1500 photos.

The Richland Stake Youth Trek was four days long. Beginning Monday, June 16 and ending Wednesday, June 18th they pushed and pulled fully loaded handcarts about 22 miles up and down hills, through sagebrush and along irrigated farmland. The carts arrived in "Zion" on Wednesday evening. Thursday they got to play and rest. Pictured above is Kyle's trek "family." Ma and Pa Hayes took good care of their eight children. All the children had to do more than their share to help their Ma after the angels came and took Pa Hayes on the morning of the third day.

According to Kyle the first part of the first day was TORTURE! According to Bruce, Kyle is understating the difficulty. The first handcart on the trail turned the dirt to powder and every cart behind them sunk into the soil (sand/clay). Everyone had a terrible time getting their carts up the first hill. It took about 2 1/2 hours to go the first 1 1/2 miles with a 600 foot climb. You can see the hill behind Kyle's head in the close-up picture. It's a good thing each of the three companies (nine carts in each company) had their own professional medical staff. They were kept very busy.

Lance Rhoten went on the 2004 trek and this one. He said that in 2004 it was 20% physical and 80% spiritual. This year it was 80% physical and 20% spiritual. The trekkers were so busy overcoming unexpected obstacles and were so spent at the end of each day that there wasn't time for many of the planned experiences. Bruce mentioned that he thinks this trek will be much more spiritual in the long run. Many of the people really suffered. In the future, when those who participated in this trek hear the stories of pioneers and their suffering, they will be able to really understand.

After Bruce and Kyle had their showers we had to flush the waste lines to get all of the mud out of the pipes! The good news was no ticks. Well, I shouldn't speak so soon, we're still combing through Kyle's hair. I think we'll be done by tomorrow.