Update from TREK Team!

Update 3 July 11 Everyone is back at Trek base camp!!! Both groups were able to summit this week and had a great time!! The older group had a rough high camp hike because of weather, but came out of it stronger I think... Right now they're cleaning up and turning in their equipment, after which they'll have a banquet and a closing devotional. Keep them in prayer as they finish up tonight and travel to their hotels in COS and DEN. Everyone is tired and it could be a late night... A big thanks to Nancy C. who got everyone check-in on the Southwest flight this morning so they can board the plane together in the morning. She's even arranged it so that the group will have their boarding passes printed and waiting on them at the hotel. This doesn't really matter with the American Airlines group since they have assigned seats..Looking forward to everyone being home, I've really missed them, Andrew

Especially the good lookin' blonde chaperone... Calm down Stephen and Tim, I'm talking about Erin

Update #2

Jul 10 Thursday - Today was summit day!! I haven't heard any official news but the weather looked great today so I assume both groups made it to summit. You should hear something from your teen sometime around 1 p.m. tomorrow as the groups make it back to base camp. As soon as I hear something I'll seed out an e-mail.Friday - They hike back down, take the vans back to base camp, check in all there stuff, eat banquet, having a closing devotional, and then go to COS and DEN for their flights on Saturday morning!!

Update #1

Hey everyone, No News is Good News!! This last I heard from the Trek group was Sunday night and all was GREAT!! They went white-water rafting that morning and got to base camp on time at 2 pm. From that point on I think they were supposed to loose all forms of communication and their watches.Erin was able to sneak a call to me Sunday night when she went to gas up a van, and said everyone was having a great time. Here's what they've don so far...

Sunday - Check In, supplies distributed, devo with all trekkers (about 200), and they slept at Trek's base campMonday - Repelling, and a short hike to low camp Tuesday - The BIG hike day... Yesterday the group hiked anywhere from 8 to 18 miles with a full pack. I bet they slept well last night!!Wed - This morning they sleep in a little and wake up the the smell of Pancakes and fried SPAM!! Oh how I miss the SPAM, no seriously, I miss it. Today is solo day where they'll have 3 to 4 hours of time in nature - just them and the creator!! It's also a day at acclimate to the altitude.

Thursday - Tomorrow will be there Summit attempt... PRAY for good weather.. If it's bad they will not summit - safety 1st!! If they do summit it will most likely be between Noon and 1 pm out time, so pray away during that time!! After summit they'll hike back to High Camp and spend the night there again.Friday - They hike back down, take the vans back to base camp, check in all there stuff, eat banquet, and then go to COS and DEN for their flights on Saturday morning!!Please don't hesitate to call me if you need anything or have any questions.. Just know your loved ones are falling more in love with HIM this week as they struggle through this great experience together... Wishing I was there, Sowards

Saturday, July 5

Travel Day

Sunday, July 6

Day One: White-water rafting. Your group should arrive at the base campground at 2:00 p.m. The remainder of this first day is spent checking Registration Forms, dividing into crews, checking out equipment, packing packs, distributing food and other Trek preparation activities.

Monday, July 7

Day Two: Rappelling – You will rise early, eat a simple breakfast, load your pack and travel to a rappel site. Weather permitting; everyone in your group will get to experience the thrill of rappelling. After rappelling your group will travel to their first camp. This is usually a short hike at low altitude (less than 10,000 feet).

Tuesday, July 8th

Day Three: Backpacking - This day is typically the longest hiking day (5-20 miles). Camp is broken early and all the equipment and food is carried to high camp. It is a challenging day and you will be thankful to get to high camp.

Wednesday, July 9th

Day Four: Solo - The fourth day is a special day on Trek. You will spend about three hours on "Solo". This is a time of prayer and meditation between you and God. The afternoon is spent relaxing, getting acclimatized to the altitude, bathing, and playing games with the group.

Thursday, July 10th

Day Five: The Climb - This day begins with an early wake up call and a quick breakfast. Your group will start on the summit trail before dawn. Only water, food, and warm clothes are carried in your day pack on the summit attempt.

Friday, July 11th 

Day Six: Back Down - Today you will break camp and leave the mountain. After a short drive you will arrive back at base camp. Showers, a banquet meal and a final devotional are the high points of this day.

Sat, July 12th

Travel Day

Emergency Numbers

719-539-4888 Trek Base Camp

615-497-0726 Andrew’s Cell

Packing Reminder: PLEASE PACK LIGHTLY! Keep all your TREK items separately and pack them in one of the trash bags you're bringing. Your overnight bags for the hotels should be small and stuffable - (no hard suitcases). It's a good idea to pack in the day pack you're supposed to bring on the trip. You DO NOT need to bring a sleeping bag. Our goal is to be able to make the trip without a trailer, so please pack lightly.