Josh, The Arch Hunter

...In 2004 Wilbur used those standards to measure Kolob's only rival, Landscape Arch, a thin, soaring curve in Arches National Park. It was 290 feet. Now Kolob is in his crosshairs. The plan is for him to remain on the valley floor with an arsenal of photographic, telescopic, and survey equipment, and to use a radio to gather information from the climbing team of Wade Christensen, Josh Heiner, Tim Nguyen, and Craig Shelley, four rock climbers from Salt Lake City. Ours will be only the fifth known ascent. "You guys are going to have all of the fun tomorrow, but I'm going to survive," Wilbur jokes. "That's my compensation."

Christensen, Heiner, and Nguyen, meanwhile, find anchors for their climbing ropes and prepare to descend. "Don't bounce," Heiner warns. "If you do, you'll cut your rope on the edge, fall, and die." Making the first ever rappel off Kolob, they drop into the abyss, the trio looking like something out of Mission: Impossible. After identifying the precise ends of the arch—something no previous team was able to do—they radio to an ecstatic Wilbur...

I am proud to say that my hubby made National Geographic Adventure! Not only is he named and pictured, but he is even quoted. Josh and a few buddies made this trek almost 2 yrs. ago and it is now published in the March 2008 issue. If you want to read the article, visit http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure. The article is titled The Arch Hunters.

We are very proud of him. How exciting to be so good at something that you are so passionate about! Great Job, Josh!