A baby in Shake Tree Canyon, sort of

Shake Tree Canyon, 3B/CIII
approximately 5 miles
Mazatzal Wilderness Area
04/18/11

It is hard to believe after all these years and all of these canyons I have never done a descent without David. Shake Tree was going to the be the first, well at least sort of. David, our five- month old son, Wyatt, and our Boston Terrier, Briscoe did accompany Mike, Kyle and Eric during the several mile hike from the trailhead to the start of the technical section. Once we got there, Briscoe cooled off in the crystal clear pools and I fed Wyatt and changed his diaper in a shady spot by the creek. After kissing his chubby  little cheeks, we said our goodbyes. David strapped Wyatt back into the Bjorn (a baby carrier) and lead Briscoe out of the canyon, down the trail and back to the car. The rest of us continued down Shake Tree, a canyon with flowing waterfalls, water slides, a big rappel and some lovely scenery. It was a perfect day and as the boys got farther in front of me on the hike out it was nice to have the desert all to myself.

 - Laura

Eric holds Wyatt before the start of the technical section in Shake Tree Canyon.

Briscoe cooling off.

David, Briscoe and Wyatt, before we headed in our separate ways.

Eric rappels.

Eric slides.

Kyle on the big rap.

Mike and Eric pull after the big rap.

Eric and Kyle perform a simul-rap.