We got a call from a swimming coach asking if we could help plan, and guide, a bunch of crazed college kids from a swim team in Canada. They were down here in Tucson for a training camp, and these swimmers (and coach) had a rest day to kill. So after talking to them and getting an idea of what they were looking for, it was decided to take them out to the Finger Rock trail, located in the Santa Catalina Mountains.
We were expecting a little larger group than what actually showed up – we found out later that shopping was an alternate option. So we ended up having 8 guys as . . . em, the girls went shopping. They were good guys, complained a little as we got going, but soon started to enjoy the unbelievable scenery and the physicality of the trail. If you’ve ever hiked Finger Rock than you know, it’s really steep.
We had a good run of it, and after ahour and a half of busting it up hill, we stoped for a picture. Due to time restraints we had to turn it back and head home. Was a good hike though.
Funny side note, being from Canada and having some serious winters to deal with, all these kids wanted to work on their tans. This left a shirt that had to be dealt
with, and most of them tucked them into there pocket or held them in their hands. This seems harmless enough, but as they started going downhill, their shirts were flailing around and brushing up against all sorts of desert vegetation. Most notably the prickely pear cactus. After they got back down to the bus, they put their shirts back on and found out how annoying those spines can be.
Hiking – Biking – Tucson, AZ