Our Pioneer Trek
Preparation and Day One
| Prior to the trek, each Ward and Branch participating built a handcart to the specifications given by the organizers. |  |
| The cart boxes were about the size of the originals built by the pioneers, but we used PVC for the axle support assembly and heavy duty bicycle tires for the wheels. |  |
| We also gathered or made period clothing--the men had western-style hats, shirts with no collars, suspenders (no belts), and cotton pants; the women made long dresses, aprons and bonnets. We wore those the entire time we were on the trek. |  |
| We also took only 20 lbs of gear each--pretty close to the maximum the original handcart pioneers were allowed. The 20 lbs included bedding, clothing, toiletries, rain protection, etc. Each handcart had a lantern, a 5-gallon water container and a few other necessities. |  |
| Each cart was assigned to a trek 'family' which consisted of a Laurel and Priest to act as the 'Ma' and 'Pa' and 6 or 8 youth (14 years old and up) to act as children. Adult advisors (a married couple) were assigned to each family. There was a large support staff that included cooks, medical personnel, cart repairmen, etc. Fawn and I went as advisors and Cam went as the Pa for one of the families. The entire group consisted of over 500 people!! (When the leaders called Salt Lake City in May of this year for final approval, the folks at the Church offices said ours was the largest youth conference trek that they knew about.) |  |
| The group was divided up into two handcart companies--Red and Yellow (according to a wristband color we were given at the beginning). Each company had a Trail Boss who was in charge of about 25 'families'. Fawn and I were in the Yellow Company and Cam was in the Red. Cam
ended up with 2 wives |  |
| The first afternoon and evening were spent registering, getting to know family members, choosing family names and figuring out how in the world we were going to get gear for 10 people into a cart that looked like it could only hold enough for 3 or 4. That first night, we camped out near the registration area, but of course, no one got much sleep. Everyone was kind of excited to get started the next day, it was muggy, and we were all so close together that if anyone spoke we all woke up, and of course, there were a few who never shut up. | |
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Last Updated 6 January 2005