Outdoor Leadership Training Seminars

Weaving the Web - A Wilderness Adventure in Arizona's Superstition Mountains
March 17-23, 2010

Join our small clan of adventurers and renew your body and spirit on this journey of exploration and discovery in the fabled Superstition Mountains of Arizona--a spectacular landscape of desert canyons, stately saguaro cactus, natural springs and pools, and wind carved rock. At this time of year, the desert is in bloom and around every corner are delightful surprises and beautiful vistas of wild flowers and painted rock.

On our travels, we will backpack to isolated campsites, practice climbing and rappeling, attempt an ascent of the WEAVER'S NEEDLE, spend time in sharing, reflection, and on solo. In our daily circles and other settings, we will share our stories, explore our visions and hopes sing and drum and chant, practice Tai Chi, and live in nature in a way that enhances our connection with Nature and its healing energies. The journey will begin with a gathering at a convenient location near Phoenix at 9 AM on Sunday, March 17 with several hour's drive to our chosen roadhead to begin our trek into the heart of the Superstitions. After loading packs, an orientation to the desert environment and lunch, we will pack to our first camp and spend the evening and following morning getting acquainted, sharing goals for the trip, and tuning into this vibrant landscape.

Larger Photo

We will then travel through the canyons from camp to camp, practicing the skills of wilderness travel while discovering unique sanctuaries for rest, renewal and sharing the immense scope of our surroundings. The challenge and difficulty of our route will be determined by the experience and physical capacities of the group and available water sources. This journey will prepare us for our attempt(optional) to ascend the WEAVER'S NEEDLE, a moderate roped ascent of a major desert peak with belays, fixed ropes, and rappels on the descent. After a short solo(as our timing allows), we will share our personal learnings and future commitments in a ceremonial context and celebrate our time together as a tribal community. We will then say our farewells to this magical existence and return to the outside world by late afternoon on Saturday, March 23.