If you love the outdoors, hiking/backpacking, and enjoy sunshine in February, this excursion might be for you! This trip is part of Pastor Peter's doctoral research project to test a new method of equipping people to encounter and connect with God in creation (i.e., the outdoors). If that sounds interesting to you, here's what this looks like:

* Voluntarily Register to Participate in Academic Research - link to Informed Consent Form will be emailed to you upon registration

* Participate in a 4 session course prior to the excursion - January 2027, Dates TBD with those registered

* Participate în a mandatory pre-excursion meeting in early 2027 to discuss gear and logistics

* Travel with the group by air and rental vehicle to the Grand Canyon, Thursday February 25th to Monday March 1st, 2027.

* Registering with a $100 deposit holds you a spot on the trip (11 spots available); you will be billed for the balance closer to departure. Estimated total cost per person is $249 (car rental, gas, food, backcountry permit) plus airfare (likely $3-400 each or personal air miles).

* Planned Itinerary:

* Thursday February 25th - Fly to Phoenix in the morning, drive to Flagstaff for final prep and to sleep in a large private home

* Friday February 26th - Drive to Grand Canyon Village, Hike down South Kaibab trail to Tip-Off, then Tonto Trail to Havasupai Gardens and set up camp

* Saturday February 27th - Hike to the Colorado River and back, Hike to Plateau Point and back, sleep at Havasupai Gardens

* Sunday February 28th - Hike out on Bright Angel Trail, explore the South Rim, drive to Flagstaff to debrief and sleep

* Monday March 1st - Drive to Phoenix, Fly to Seattle

Questions? Contact Pastor Peter at pmueller@hopeseattle.org