The sun is baking the dusty red rocks surrounding us like a blast furnace. The thermometer attached to my backpack reads 114 degrees Fahrenheit.
After five days and 30 backbreaking miles leading the University of Iowa’s expedition backpacking course deep into the Grand Canyon, nine students, a TA, and I are filthy, saltstreaked, and exhausted.
The course pulls students from their comfort zones, but in my 18 years teaching spring break expeditions, the heat danger has never been this high.
Safety becomes paramount.
Water along the Tonto Trail is scarce. My pack held 10 liters of water and weighed 70 pounds. Students hauled six liters minimum. It’s physically and mentally draining before we even get moving.
We start rising at dawn to avoid the midday sun.
The cool morning air and long shadows from canyon walls quickly vanish as the sun rises higher. Soon, we’re scrambling for shade anywhere we can find it. A scraggly tree, a rocky overhang, a giant boulder. The hours spent killing time until the temperature breaks—playing cards, napping, soaking shirts in tiny trickles of water—deepen our bond.
The last, most challenging day requires a 4,000-foot ascent. Emotions are on edge as we start hiking in the dark. After countless switchbacks, we reach the rim. Smiles, laughter, hugs. The joy and relief are palpable.
A balance of humility and confidence comes from facing something difficult and seeing it through. Students learn to rely on one another and function as a team, often with people they barely know.
Consequences are real, but success isn’t left to chance. It requires preparation and the ability to make smart decisions in the moment. Experiences like this can be a crash course in personal development, teamwork, and execution. Lessons tend to stick long after returning, providing a foundation for growth, both professionally and personally.
So very proud of this group!
- Brian Morelli (MBA25)
Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications
University of Iowa College of Engineering
As told to Tory Brecht
This article appeared in the Fall 2026 issue of Tippie Magazine.
