Featured Photo: Looking out over the Virgin River from the last rappel at the mouth of Behuenin Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah. Credit Max Markusen
We walk on flat white sand, red rock walls to the left and right rise a thousand feet framing an impossibly blue sky with puffy white clouds. The air carries the smell of desert spring—fragrant White Sand Verbena, Pale Evening Primrose, and blooming Prickly Pear. We hear only the sound of water flowing and soft bird calls. It is May 2024. My son Max and I are on a wilderness canyoneering descent of Behuenin Canyon in Zion National Park. In over 50 years of wilderness adventures, I have never descended a desert slot canyon. Time to learn something new.
This article of What I Learned This Week is titled Live Better Longer: Learn Something New. Over time, our brains shrink. The average ninety year old has half the neural connections they did in their twenties. The connections themselves degrade so signals travel slower. When exposed to new challenges, the brain responds by growing new neural connections and improving existing ones. Older brains create new wiring, a kind of work-around that makes the brain larger. Learning a new skill stimulates brain growth. Challenge your mind and body. It will respond. Check out my article: Don’t Let The Old Man In: Seven Strategies For Adding life To Your Years
Photo: Descending to the head of Behuenin Canyon. Credit Max Markusen
The Science of Neuroplasticity
It is called neuroplasticity: the process the brain uses to retrofit itself by growing new neural connections when exposed to novel circumstances. We flatter ourselves thinking we are lifelong learners. But in many cases we are deceiving ourselves. Things we do to stay sharp are merely a replay of life-long habits: watching the news, reading the paper or working out doing the same routine over and over again. Growing the brain as we age requires the challenge of learning new skills. For more on this subject read my article: Old Dog, New Tricks: Living Longer and Happier
Scientists have found something interesting studying the brains of seniors over the last fifteen years. Certain groups of seniors have denser brains, more neural connections and less atrophy. There is no single answer for this, rather research indicates a number of factors effect brain density. Anything requiring the brain to focus attention on learning something novel causes neural connections to grow. Learning a new language strengthens cognition. Research shows exercise is the best brain builder of all. Scientific studies show exercise stimulates all aspects of cognition: reasoning, spatial function, processing speed, learning, balance, memory and decision making. When you combine cognitive training and exercise multiplier effects emerge. The two processes work in concert producing a powerful stimulus to rewire the brain.
Photo: One of nine rappels in the canyon. Credit Max Markusen.
Behuenin Canyon
Behuenin Canyon is a Zion National Park Wilderness adventure. Once we left the crowds and the trail, we saw but a handful of people. Max and I have all the gear and skills required for a technical canyoneering descent: route finding, ropes and harnesses for rappelling, and weather awareness (not a place to get caught in a flash-flood), and most importantly: how to move quickly and safely over high consequence terrain. We put those skills to test in a totally new environment with its own unique challenges.
Photo: Max hiking the sandy bottom.
It took us three hours to hike the 4 miles and 2000 vertical feet just to get to the head of the canyon. The descent is six hours requiring nine rappels; some through running water and others ending in pools. Each rappel requires pulling your ropes through the rappel anchor. With each pull you risk hanging up your ropes or jamming them in a crack. If you stick your ropes, you are stuck—no way back up or down. Unless you call for a rescue, you are there until the next party drops in and frees your rope… maybe days.
Photo: Max rappelling into a pool.
I was grateful to be with Max. We were a good team. I provided the wisdom and experience. Max had the strength and can do attitude. We marveled at the towering red rock walls, spring flowers, and flowing water in this hard desert environment. Most of all we were in awe of the intimacy we experienced tucked deep in the canyon. Learn a new skill. Go on an adventure. Push yourself. You will live a better longer life.
Photo: Late afternoon in the canyon. Credit Max Markusen.
Thank you for reading. If I can help you with training or health issues, please contact me at steve.crookedthumb@gmail.com.
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