This summer, 13 students and three faculty in the Bridge Adventure Program at Texas Tech University traveled into the heart of southwest Utah for a memorable excursion through Zion National Park and surrounding areas. During the weeklong trip in June, the group completed a 16-mile overnight backpacking excursion through the Narrows, hiked the dizzying switchbacks of Angel’s Landing, and completed a service project with the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The Narrows
To hike the Narrows from the top-down, our group of 16 split into two groups to utilize the two hard-to-get permits we secured from the National Park Service back in March. The first group of 10, led by Drs. Scott Burris and Lindsay Kennedy, completed the 16-plus miles of the top-down, overnight hike of The Narrows in Zion National Park, which is one of the most iconic slot-canyon river hikes in the country. Beginning at the higher canyon trailhead, the team worked through miles of ankle-to-chest-deep river, balancing on slippery cobbles, and ultimately camping at the last of 12 backcountry campsites beneath the route’s towering walls. Sleeping under the stars while listening to the roar of the Virgin River beneath the campsite was a premier backcountry experience for everyone.
Angels Landing
While the group of 10 was in the Narrows for two days, the group of six, which included faculty leader Dr. Nathan Gill, completed the harrowing Angels Landing hike. The route’s exposed ridgeline, dizzying switchbacks, and iconic chains make it one of the most notable hikes in the country. Like the top-down Narrows campsite, Angels Landing also required special permits, which the group had secured prior to the trip. Towering nearly 1,500 feet above the canyon floor of Zion National Park, the Angels Landing hike is a test of nerves and endurance.
Adventure Excursions
The trip to southwest Utah also introduced students to technical descent skills, with supervised rappels down sandstone canyon walls. With the help of trained guides, students participated in canyoneering excursions through dramatic slot canyons. With descents often more than 100 feet, students experienced the unique sandstone landscapes of the region.
Everyone on the trip completed the Narrows top-down hike and a canyoneering excursion, creating a memorable, bucket-list experience for students and faculty alike.
Service Project
One of the cornerstones of the Bridge Adventure Program is service learning. Each year, the program participates in community service activities with partner organizations to foster students’ understanding of environmental stewardship and service leadership. While in Utah, the program worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Service on an archeology site.
This summer’s Southwest Utah excursion provided students with educational experiences in outdoor skills, environmental stewardship, and interpersonal leadership.
Stay tuned for more information about the Bridge Adventure Program as it recruits and selects the next cohort of students during the fall 2025 semester!
bridgeadventurettu.com 