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WILDERNESS SLOT CANYONEERING
This award was developed and sponsor
ed by Troop 1210 (Foothills Church), Ra
ncho Santa Margarita, California. For
something completely different, give slot canyoneering a try. The American Southwest has loads of slot canyons, including
21-mile Buckskin Gulch in the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness of northern Arizona and southern Utah, and the
longest slot canyon in the world. The colorful geology, narrow ro
ck channels, waterfalls and pools are really cool for Scouts.
There is a plethora of possibilities, but th
ree river and geographic areas that include
slot canyons as tributaries are judged
to
be the best overnighters for Scouts: the Virgin River Narrows
(Zion National Park), the Es
calante River (Grand Staircase-
Escalante National Monument) and the Paria Rive
r (Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness).
Successful completion of the requirements earns both the main patch, which pictures Buckskin Gulch, and the appropriate
segment(s).
Requirements:
1. Complete an overnight backpack that
includes slot canyoneering, with rela
tively longer mileage and harder access for
older Scouts (e.g. Buckskin Gulch in Paria or Virgin River Narrows in Zion or Golden Staircase/Neon Canyon in
Escalante) and relatively shorter mileage and easier access fo
r younger Scouts (e.g. Harris Wa
sh in Escalante or Round
Valley Draw in Paria).
2. Utilization of a local and experienced guide service by units is approved and appropriate for some trailheads.
3. Successful trekking of Buckskin Gulch earns
both segments: PARIA CANYONEERING & 21-MILE BUCKSKIN
GULCH EPIC CANYONEERING.
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