Tim Babb, Ruth Ann’s grandson, presented a funny and informative program about their week-long post-Christmas camping expedition down and back up the Grand Canyon. Ruth Ann also gave her perspective on the trip. We were pleased to have a good turnout as our crack forecasters had us believe that we would have been better served staying home putting the final touches on our ark! 

The team ranged from male and female sixteen-year-olds to our own septuagenarian Ruth Ann who can compete with the best of them. After all she had been carting cannonballs in her backpack for months in preparation for the trip! Tim was under orders to take good care of grandma (and not bring her home on the roof like poor Aunt Edna in National Lampoon’s Family Vacation!). All of the male members of the team except one were Eagle Scouts with considerable hiking, camping, and survival experience. This crew used their wits, food donations, and thrift shops to do their trip for under $150 a head. 

Heading down the Hermit’s Trail, the road less traveled, they avoided people on an old track that is not well maintained. Hiking temps between 65-76 degrees were ideal. At the start the trail was slick due to snow melt, but they had learned how to use trekking poles and crampons. They ate well, purified their water with Polar Pure, and even dined on fresh-caught rainbows. At night they hung their food in bear bags that were in more danger from rodents than bears. On the final night they camped at Indian Gardens where they protected their gear from marauding mule deer before hiking out on Bright Angel. Great program about a wonderful trip!