A few years ago, I had come home to visit for the holidays and began worrying about my dad's health. I knew with his work schedule and big family, it wasn't easy to find time to exercise, but as an athlete, I knew that if you had a big goal - you would always find a way. Backpacking trips were the one thing that would motivate him to get on the treadmill at 10pm at night or get up for a 5am spin class (he's not a morning person either!). So, for the last few years, I had my brothers take care of organizing backpacking trips to keep dad motivated to train through the harsh Wyoming winters and stay healthy. This year was different as when Aaron and I went home for Christmas, I knew it was my turn to come up with a trip. Plus with my job as a coach, I finally had the flexibility to take the time off to go spend with my family.

I decided to hike the Grand Canyon. When I announced this, my dad was blown away - intrigued but somewhat intimidated by the steepness of the hike. I knew he would be highly motivated for this trip! Three of my brothers (Mike, Mark, and Matt) joined us for this grand adventure.

At first I tried for the permitting to do the rim to rim but that didn't work for our dates as they fill up very early, so I looked into the Havasu Falls hike as it had great reviews and the permitting was through the Havasupai Reservation. All I simply had to do was call after February 1st when they start taking reservations, give them my dates, and they gave me a code. When we hiked to the bottom into Supai Village, that's where you pay for and receive your permits.

Anyhow, back to our trip. Dad, Mark, and Matthew barely made it out of Wyoming, driving through a blizzard with highway roads closing behind them, and cars stuck alongside the road. This was hard for me to grasp with it being in the high 90's in Phoenix. I texted my older brother Mike, "Aren't you glad you're flying?" He responded, "If I can get out." All of the airports including Denver had flight delays from the snow so he was hoping to get out of Gillette and make it to Phoenix with time for us to drive to Peach Springs where we'd sleep and start hiking in the morning.

Mike's flight made it in by 6pm and perfect timing as we just missed rush hour and were on our way to the Canyon!

We stayed the night at the Grand Canyon Cavern's Inn - the same little stop that inspired the movie 'Cars'!

It was another 65 miles to the Havasupai parking and trailhead. We started the hike around 9am.

From left: Mike, Mark, Matt, and Dad (Pat).  Matt and Dad were the brunt of most of the jokes, manly because Matt was the youngest and Dad is just goofy. It was the first time in over 10 years that we'd all been together for a camping adventure. — From left: Mike, Mark, Matt, and Dad (Pat). Matt and Dad were the brunt of most of the jokes, manly because Matt was the youngest and Dad is just goofy. It was the first time in over 10 years that we'd all been together for a camping adventure.

The canyon walls are impressive and guide us along our path. We picked up every piece of trash we found along the way. It turned into a giant trash bag so please - don't litter this beautiful planet! — The canyon walls are impressive and guide us along our path. We picked up every piece of trash we found along the way. It turned into a giant trash bag so please - don't litter this beautiful planet!

After walking almost 10 miles, we arrive in Supai Village to get our camping permit and continue hiking to our campsite.

We passed the Navajo Falls on the way to the campsite. — We passed the Navajo Falls on the way to the campsite.

As we strolled with very tired legs to the campsite, the grand Havasu Falls greeted us with open arms. We had no idea of what was to come. — As we strolled with very tired legs to the campsite, the grand Havasu Falls greeted us with open arms. We had no idea of what was to come.

The next morning, we awoke to birds chirping and the sound of water.  After breakfast, we started our hike towards Beaver Falls.  After talking to a local native, and learning more about the culture of the tribe and what to expect on our h… — The next morning, we awoke to birds chirping and the sound of water. After breakfast, we started our hike towards Beaver Falls. After talking to a local native, and learning more about the culture of the tribe and what to expect on our hike, within a few minutes, we already came upon the grand Mooney Falls. And trust me, my brother Mark (as expected) pretended to throw me off of this ledge!

To get to the bottom and continue on, we had to hike through a cavern and climb down a series of chain ropes and ladders. My fear of heights slightly kicked in but I wouldn't let it get to me!

At first I was concerned about Dad, but honestly, he made it look like a piece of cake!

When we reached the bottom, my fear subsided as the climate was cooler and moist. You could feel the rumble of the majestic falls. — When we reached the bottom, my fear subsided as the climate was cooler and moist. You could feel the rumble of the majestic falls.

For miles we wore our sandals as you'd wade back and forth along the turquoise waters.

We finally made it to Beaver Falls!  This is the view from the top. — We finally made it to Beaver Falls! This is the view from the top.

I was a little afraid to climb the rocks down to the bottom but finally, I did. Mark came with me and when we got down to the bottom, we found a group surrounding a lady (about mid 50's) who had just broken her ankle. It was a compound fracture (the bone wasn't protruding the skin) but it looked bad. We got extra clothing from Dad and Mike to help keep her warm so she wouldn't go into shock and both Mike and Mark assisted in moving her from the rock she was on, to the grass so she would be more comfortable until the helicopter arrived. There were people there to stay with her, so we headed back along the trail, meeting some of the rescue crew along the way.

As we hiked back to camp, the colors on the walls turned a bright orange.

We stopped to admire the grandness of Mooney Falls once more, and put our hiking boots back on to climb up the ladders.

The hike out of the canyon was very challenging. First of all, it was uphill, and second, we had hiked over 25 miles in the past 2 days! We started early but it was supposed to be a record day for heat, so I knew as we'd get closer to the final climb, it would be very hot.

I knew early on that Dad was tired. He had done awesome the entire trip and I was impressed by how hard he'd trained for this. But with fatigued legs, heat, and a 40lb pack to carry for 12 miles uphill, he was pushing his limits.

As midday approached, shade became scarce. We stopped for more breaks and pushed along. Finally we reached the "1.5 miles to go" mile marker. At this point you can almost see the parking lot on the hill above, but this is the steepest section of the climb as the trail weaves to the top of the canyon. Many people hire mules to carry their belongings and at this moment, I was kind of wishing we had. I saw Dad look up at the trail looming ahead. "Let's keep going Dad!" My brothers were already far ahead, probably racing to the top. We moved forward and not long, I looked back and Dad had stopped again. His heart was racing. I knew he was bonking and the heat was not helping either. I immediately went into coach mode, "Ok, you can do this, keep moving forward. Almost to the top Dad!"

Not far ahead, a mule with packs tied to its back was turned over on it's side. I couldn't tell if it was dying or had broken something. This was the last thing my dad needed to see! He stared at it as we walked past. Soon I was pointing out visual points for us to hit. "Let's hit that green agave plant up there and then rest." It was everything he could do to get up to that point. I looked at him. "Let's remove your pack." I pulled his pack off, got his water out and handed it over. I was unsure of my ability but looked at the pack, and with my left strong arm, threw it over my shoulder. "You should let your brothers come get that," he'd yell. I'd respond back, "Remember, you used to call me your 4th son, I can do this! Let's go!"

We'll just say that my brothers saw us from the top, dropped their packs off at the car and ran back down to help me. We were only about 400 meters to the top. And with lots of encouragement, we made it to the top! Dad was fine when he got up, he grabbed a banana from a small vending stand and was ready to head to town for a good meal and a beer!

So that was my great adventure in the canyon - a grand reunion with my dad and brothers. Three days of adventure and just enjoying living every moment.