Editor’s Note: Victoria Cabal, director of the First Ascent Scholars program, talks about the group’s recent trip to Moab and what her students did in order to prepare for the adventure. First Ascent Scholars cultivates, encourages and enables academically focused students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds to attend the Eccles School, connect with the University of Utah, local and global community, and reach their full academic potential.

On Oct. 27, First Ascent Scholars took in the sunset at the Living Room trail to culminate their Parks, Recreation and Tourism (PRT) course. The course was developed as a partnership between the PRT department and the First Ascent Scholars program to help scholars build community, develop a sense of place in the world, and link outdoor recreation to the boardroom and beyond.

Through a series of classes, students gained an understanding of expedition planning, teamwork and adventure.

Pre-trip courses included understanding how outdoor recreation can directly relate to skills needed in the global economy, including communication, teamwork and problem solving. Scholars also participated in a ropes challenge course at the University Neuropsychiatric Institute high R.O.P.E.S course. This activity allowed students to work together to solve simple challenges all leading up to supporting their fellow scholars on a high rope test.

The last preparation for the trip to Moab took the scholars to Petzl in West Valley City. Petzl staff provided a great tour of the facilities with an overview of the company, as well as supported the scholars in practicing climbing and canyoneering techniques to prepare for their Moab adventure.

After four weeks of preparation scholars hit the road for Moab, participating in three days of desert adventures and relationship building. The group started the expedition with a hike to the iconic Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. The first lesson in respect for self, others, and the environment was taught all while taking in a desert sunset.

The next day, the scholars headed into the heat, jumped boulders, and repelled a canyon wall and Morning Glory arch then trekking the creek of Negro Bills Canyon trail all to establish the importance of teamwork and enthusiasm.

Wednesday was all about Wall Street; that is climbing Wall Street on River Road just outside of Moab. Climbing sandstone slabs on Wall Street helped teach valuable communication skills all while having fun in the sun. The trip culminated with stories around the campfire as scholars began to understand just how much the beauty of the outdoors can bring a group together.

“I liked it because I got to bond with Victoria and my peers,” said First Ascent Scholar Florecita Martinez-Torres. “We don’t get to do that a lot because we’re in school and get busy.”