Conquer The Canyon®
Angelman Syndrome Foundation®

September 23 - 26, 2010
Grand Canyon

Your 2010 Team ASF Adventure Itinerary

Sept. 23 - Arrive Arizona - Valley Of The Sun (Overnight Phoenix/Scottsdale).

Sept. 24 - Arizona Journey - Travel through the Sonoran Desert to the Red Rock Country of Sedona where you will enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes. We continue the journey through narrow Oak Creek Canyon, up the Mogollon Rim, through the Ponderosa pine forest and high desert plateau to Grand Canyon! After an Overview visit you'll check into your hotel and this evening enjoy a Mission Inspiration Dinner. (Overnight Grand Canyon).

Sept. 25 - Hike Day - Spend the day walking and hiking Grand Canyon. (Overnight Grand Canyon).

Sept. 26 - Grand Canyon Sunrise - Begin your final day with an optional sunrise visit to Grand Canyon before you begin your trip south and head back to the Valley Of The Sun and points beyond. Or, extend your stay with an optional extension at the South Rim or exclusive visit to Grand Lodge - North Rim.

Hiking Grand Canyon with Team ASF & Conquer The Canyon®

Conquer The Canyon offers a wide range of hikes for Team ASF's Grand Canyon adventure. While each of the hikes offers differing views and varying degrees of difficulty, all provide an exciting adventure in Grand Canyon National Park. During your Mission Celebration Adventure, you will have the opportunity to visit the park at least three times.

With Conquer The Canyon, there truly is something here for everyone!

First Look.

Your first experience at Grand Canyon is at the Mather Point and Visitors Center Area. Take in the immense beauty and power of this wide open space. Bring your camera to record your teammate's initial reactions as you take in the views. This is one of its most popular overlooks and the most visited views in the park. It is located more than a mile above the bottom of the canyon and more than 7000' (2134 meters) above sea level. This is a great place for your first view of the massive canyon and a good spot for group pictures with the Canyon as your backdrop.

The Visitor's Center is located here and is staffed by park rangers and experts to answer questions. There is an excellent book store and most importantly, billboard size kiosks in the walkway mall area detailing each trail of the South Rim. You'll have time to take pictures from many vantage points along the rim as well at time to visit the very popular bookstore.

Hike Day - A Day of Options.

On this day we plan for you to spend the entire day at Grand Canyon National Park. Though your actual hiking times will vary, typically the hikers spend 7 - 9 hours in the park. Of course, we do have options that can shorten or lengthen the amount of time you spend hiking, distances you will cover, elevation changes you'll experience and technical challenges you will endure. You will have plenty of time to enjoy other features of the park at your leisure. The Choice Is Yours!

Each Hiking Team of 6 to 7 hikers are led by one Walking Connection Grand Canyon Expert Interpretive Guide.

After you officially sign up for Team ASF, and before you begin your training, we will provide you with information in greater detail about each trail and hike. You'll receive more general information and guidance to help you select the trail that will be best suited to you for your adventure. We will also request that you complete an online survey that will include your initial goals, past hiking experience, your preferred hiking pace, and finally the distance and difficulty of hiking you prefer. No worries, you can always change them later in your training period.

Hiking with Team ASF at Grand Canyon. Approximately 30 days prior to arriving at Grand Canyon, The Walking Connection will assign you to your Hike Team. While you have been preparing for Grand Canyon and providing us ongoing feedback through our surveys and communications, we will have been busy matching you to a team of like-minded hikers with similar abilities, speed and interests. At that time your team will be assigned to a specific trail, departure time and hiking guides. Once these assignments are processed, you will be notified of your assigned spot in the team.

Trail Selections. Conquer The Canyon utilizes a variety of trails at Grand Canyon, from the less strenuous rolling hills of the Rim and Greenway Trail to the longest and most difficult day hiking trails in all of Grand Canyon. We will listen to you and help you select the trail that will be the most rewarding and best suited for you.

A Farewell Sunrise Visit To Grand Canyon.

The chill of the fresh morning air will bring back memories of your hike the day before as will your sore legs and feet. We'll take a short (optional) ride back to Grand Canyon just before the sun rises. As you look out over the Canyon and reflect on your personal accomplishments, its beauty as it changes color with each passing minute will bring you back to the reasons you chose to Conquer The Canyon with Team ASF. It is here where you will truly understand their vision of improving the lives of individuals with AS and their families.

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Take The Next Step & Learn More!

Angelman Syndrome Foundation - How We Help!

For more than 20 years, the ASF has been a leading resource for AS information, support and AS research funding. Education and information from ASF is available through numerous materials and resources including: a newsletter, web site, biennial conference, annual scientific symposia, phone support, local contacts, professional references, mentorship program and the newly launched Angelman Treatment & Research Institute (ATRI). These resources cover current research being conducted, therapies for patients and long-term care and financial planning issues.