#8 Flat Tire

"Adventure is not outside man,

it is within."

Samuel Butler

On our way to a church meeting out of town, we ran over a nail on the freeway. Why is this an adventure? Well, it was windy and the ground was wet with snow. We had a chance to test out what we had to take care of it...and what we wished we had. Our crew this day consisted of me, my husband, two sons and one daughter.




Jack to take off a flat tire...check. Tarp to kneel on to protect the suit...check. Now where to find the spare? I had wondered where it was. I was asked to look into it. We had downloaded the manual and had it at home on the computer.  I was feeling pretty rotten that I hadn't done it until we were in this predicament! Human nature probably...put off until needed tasks that seem unimportant at the moment!



Luckily I had google at my fingertips and it led me to this plug on the floor between the driver and passenger seats (plug is removed above) to reveal a rod to twist with the end of the jack which would lower the tire on a cable under the car.

Not seen in the picture is a handy tool...an air pump we plugged into the charger port when we saw our spare was flat. We filled up the tire and were on our way soon after.

Tools kept in the van at all times. These have come in  handy many times.  

A blanket we keep in the van it is actually protecting my two youngest from the wind and cold while we have the hatch open in the back.


Now for what we wish we had with us....gloves and hats. When we left for church we didn't expect to have any problems. Usually we attend a church a few blocks from our home but this time we were heading out of town for several miles. We will think better next time  and remember the cold morning on the side of the snowy, windy freeway and gather some simple items "just in case".

During our ordeal we had two kind carloads of Samaritans stop to help. We had what we needed and sent them on. It was nice to have them stop and offer to help. In truth, they didn't have what we needed but were willing to drive us to where we needed to go. Luckily we could take care of our flat and get on with our day!


We actually only missed a little of the opening song at the church meeting. It felt so good to be able to take care of this unexpected, unwanted situation without too much trouble.

#7 Extreme Sledding

"The less routine,

the more life." 

A.B. Alcott

My son Skyler was the inspiration for this adventure. He wanted me to go "Extreme Sledding" and he told me what that meant. Sledding down an untouched mountain trail,  through trees and curves. 

First I had to take my sled and make a trail. Then I got to benefit by sledding down the trail! It is a little tricky to not bonk into a tree or slip down the hill in an unwanted direction. At the end of this sledding trip was a sharp hill to the street. This type of sledding requires jumping out of the sled or at least being able to stick out a leg to stop a rogue sled. It is a little jarring but definitely exciting! It was fun forging my own trail!

At the end of the trail! Whew! Fun!

#6 Deep Powder Snowshoeing

"True enjoyment comes from activity 

 of the mind and exercise of the body;

  the two are ever united."

Wilhelm Von Humboldt

I've been extremely delayed in posting because I got stuck with a video. My video about this adventure is sideways. When I get it turned around it doesn't work as a video. I'll plan on posting this pic right side up as soon as possible!

This adventure was totally new for me. Deep powder snow shoeing. Thank heavens for the snowshoes. they saved me from sinking four feet down! It was fun. It is more work as you sink in (about 18 inches) and then come lift up and on to the next step. The snow was fresh. Fresh and fluffy. Little mini snow balls were running down the hill making trails. It was a blue sky, crisp, beautiful day. I was with my hubby and daughter but was the only one deep powder snowshoeing. They took a packed trail next to the hill I was snowshoeing down. 

I was up Big Cottonwood Canyon.

#5 Building and Sleeping in a Snow Shelter

This was huge for me! Way out of my comfort zone. The little voices in my head started to remind me that we were away from civilization (only a mile or so ) and it was cold, and quiet and I started to panic...What am I doing here? Why am I doing this? What if something happens to one of us? We could die!!!

We selected our spot, safe in the trees.  First we had to tap down a circle of snow to make our snow shelter border. Then we had to pile up snow. Next we tapped it down with our shovels and snowshoes and then we had to wait and let the snow bond.  It sounds so simple, but it took a long time. 

We built a "kitchen" area where we put our fire barrel for heating water and getting a bit of warmth. This is just up a path from our two snow shelters. While the snow is bonding it is time for some food to get some necessary energy for the next part of our project.

Hot chocolate and some hot food are a necessity out here!. We built quick snow benches to sit on with our bum pads.

 It was really cold but when you build a snow cave you are working hard and so your body stays warmer. The temperature was 6 degrees around 12:30 am when I checked. It was snowing and windy and pretty miserable. It takes time to build a snow shelter and you don't want to cut any corners. You want your shelter to be safe and solid.

After the snow bonds it is time to dig out the snow shelter. While someone is inside digging out, others are on the outside placing pipes in through the walls. The digger has to keep the walls to the desired thickness so they look for the pipes and dig til they see them . After the snow shelter is dug out it is time to wait again for the snow to ice over before you climb in. 

It looks so awesome from in here!

We finally climbed in the cave to sleep at 2:00 am. By then I was calm and happy and excited to be where I was, doing what I was doing! My fears had vanished. I knew I was with capable, experienced snow shelter builders but I had to overcome my own fears. Once in the snow shelter you change out of your wet clothes and put on a new set of snuggly warm ones. The best part is climbing into your sleeping bag. 

 We put a blanket over the door to keep in the warmth. Yes, it is cozy and warm inside a snow shelter. 

My cute snow buddy. Yes, those smiles were genuine! We slept great and were happy to be there!

Look at the strength of our  snow shelter! 

Snow shelters are hard work but where else can you get an adventure like this?  It was so worth it!

Be sure to go with an experienced snow shelter builder or study up on how to do it properly.  

Here's a place you can look for more information: 

http://outdoorswithdave.com/camping/building-snow-cave

What we took with us:

1. Clothing: Base layer- sock liners, thermals, glove liners.  Middle layer-leggings or other polyester pants, warm shirt and or sweater or jacket, Warmth layer- warm socks, snow pants, winter coat, gloves, hat, scarf, boots.
2. Sleep clothing- You need a new, dry set of clothes. Start with new underwear, thermals and some cozy polyester pj's or whatever  you prefer, a warm fleece jacket, a hat for sleeping, some warm socks. Keep your wet clothes at the bottom of your sleeping bag. In the morning they will be dry and ready to put on for the journey out.
3. Personal hygiene- lip balm, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, go-girl- can I say how nice it is to not have to bare all in the freezing cold? Awesome device! But practice before with it at home to be sure you get it right (see www.amazon.com) and TP, take a ziploc bag for your device and used TP to keep it separate, bandana (my choice for runny winter nose)
4. Sleeping- Tarp, we took rolls or carpet pad, closed cell foam pads, fleece sleeping bag liner or blanket, warm sleeping bag
5. Food-We take freeze dried meals. This time for dinner we had Beef Strogonoff from Daily Bread (Delicious!) and Biscuits and Gravy by Mountain House for breakfast, hot chocolate and a bag of snacks including Clif bars, trail mix, beef jerky, fruit snacks and Gardettos. Water put into pouches to keep them from freezing. At night we buried water bottles 14" down in snow. It didn't freeze. You also need to have plenty of water for drinking all through the process and with you in the tent to drink. Plan on drinking lots of water. You will need to replenish and stay hydrated after all your hard work.
6. Eating Gear-We take metal cups with their own cozies made out of closed cell foam, food cozies made out of closed cell foam, spoons,
7. Building gear- pvc pipes cut to our wall size to push into the snow for digging guides, small shovels. We took a wool blanket to put over the door.
8. Cooking gear-We had a stove, gas bottles, a fire barrel, fire wood, a water kettle. We have since thought that we could probably forgo the stove and heat the water on the fire barrel and save ourselves some gear.
9. A sled to put it all in. Bungies to tie the tarp across all the gear for hauling. We had backpacks full of our personal gear. Some of us put them in the sleds and some kept them on our backs. Snow shoes and trekking poles.
10. Take a buddy! 

#4 Night Snowshoe Hike at Guardsman Pass

We're hiking up about a mile in the dark, snowy night. I had never hiked pulling a sled of equipment before. All was beautiful and the hike was not too bad. It is a little tricky to navigate a loaded sled downhill though.

Big Cottonwood Canyon[edit]

Westbound SR-190 through Big Cottonwood Canyon

Signs of urban development quickly disappear as the canyon walls get closer together. The route passes many trailheads and picnic areas within the canyon, as well as historic water- and mining-related infrastructure and a few areas of cabins, before passing Solitude Mountain Resort and looping through Brighton.

Guardsman Pass[edit]

After looping through Brighton, the route connects (with some backtracking) to a narrower mountain road across Guardsman Pass, terminating (with a non-state-maintained connection through to Park City via SR-224 and Midway/Heber City via SR-222) at the top of the pass as it enters Wasatch County. This part of the road is normally closed all winter.

What we took on our journey:

1. Winter clothing Layers:
1. Base Layer- thermals, glove liners, sock liners
2. Warmth layer-snow pants, warm shirts (some wore sweaters), hats, scarfs, gloves, warm socks, snow boots
2. Snowshoes, trekking poleswater, food
3. Water, food
4. Equipment needed for Adventure #5
5. Adventure buddies- this time I have my husband, my 13 year old daughter, our friend Matt and his friend Scott
6. Go-girl 

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