by Vanessa Lemen
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| Luke and Elissa sketching on Angel’s Landing / photo: Mahting Putelis |
I am writing this from Zion, while at an expedition with Legendeer. What is Legendeer, you ask? Well, in case you’re not familiar, here’s a bit from the Legendeer website:
Legendeer is dedicated to embedding artists back into the world.
We design tools and programs to facilitate creative pioneers in pursuit of authenticity and cultural impact across a broad range of mediums.
Legendeer is a community focused, multi-disciplinary movement, inviting innovators from creative industries as diverse as Illustration, Production Art, Independent Filmmaking, Education, Performance, Writing, Fine Art and Entrepreneurship. We believe in the vital connection between our experiences, our health, and our creative pursuits.
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| Canyoneering group / photo: @maelstrm |
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| Rob canyoneering / photo: @maelstrm |
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| Canyoneering group / photo: Ron Lemen |
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| Emerald Pools / photo: Vanessa Lemen |
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| Rob performing for the group / photo: Vanessa Lemen |
This year’s Legendeer expedition is in the Zion Canyon area of Zion National Park. With 45 of us, we split into 3 groups each day to head out on various excursions in the area, and each day, one group stays back at the hub for an instructed workshop. Collectively, we’ve hiked such trails as the Watchman trail, Emerald Pools and The Grotto trails, Angel’s Landing and West Rim trails, Observation Point, as well as hiked the (currently very high) Virgin River in the Narrows, and have gone canyoneering by way of rappelling into the slot canyons in the area. We all return in the afternoon to relax for a bit, continue our sketches and ideas from the hikes, write, play music, chat about our experiences – some head out for more hiking or running or adventuring – then later, we gather for presentations by the instructors. Every day has been amazing.
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| sketching at the basecamp / photo: @maelstrm |
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| Jeremy Collins and the group sketch while canyoneering / photo: @maelstrm |
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| Liz at Angel’s Landing / photo and sketch: Jason Chapman |
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| Hannah sketching at Angel’s Landing / photo: Jason Chapman |
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| Apolla’s presentation / photo (l): Vanessa Lemen // Sterling’s presentation / photo: (r) @legendeer |
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| the amazing Sandy and Forrest Hundley who took such great care of us all this week! So grateful for these two. |
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| Kirsten sketching at Emerald Pools / photo: Vanessa Lemen |
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| Wilson strikes a pose in front of The Watchman / photo: Vanessa Lemen |
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| Brook sketching on a hike / photo: Mahting Putelis |
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| Nick plein air painting / photo: Mahting Putelis |
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| (l)Sterling and Adam doing a painting demo / (r)the group at basecamp for dinner / photos: Vanessa Lemen |
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to be involved in the Legendeer expeditions for about 5 years now, having adventured and held workshops in places such as Richmond Virginia, San Francisco, Yosemite, Banff, Calgary, and now Zion. I have always come back filled with an immense amount of creative energy and stronger sense of connection with what’s essential both in terms of community and of my own intent. There are some beautiful videos on the Legendeer website that encapsulate the experience so well, and I recommend watching them to get a bit of a glimpse at what the expeditions are like. And without a doubt, being immersed in the environment among fellow Legendeers is the absolute best way to truly grasp the experience.
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| Luke and Jeremy canyoneering / photo: Jason Chapman |
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| the group canyoneering / photo: Jason Chapman |
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| sketch in oil on left: Ron Lemen / sketch in mixed media on right: Vanessa Lemen |
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| Ron and Kirsten canyoneering / photo: Jacqueline Lefranc |
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| photo and art: Jeremy Collins |
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| photo and art: Jeremy Collins |
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| repelling into a canyon / photo: @legendeer |
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| a few Legendeers at The Narrows / photo: Mahting Putelis |
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| more fun at The Narrows |
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| Virginie (l) at basecamp / photo: @maelstrm / Thiva (r) at basecamp / photo: Vanessa Lemen |
The photos I’m sharing here throughout this article are from our recent adventure in Zion, still in progress. In no particular order, and from various Legendeer points of view, I give you a glimpse of my current state of being. The landscape is otherworldly, the energy is simultaneously invigorating, peaceful, and centering, and the company is inclusive, supportive, and inspiring.
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| Donny canyoneering / photo: @maelstrm |
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| photo: @maelstrm |
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| Bruno sketches at Emerald Pools / photo: @legendeer |
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| photo: Ron Lemen |
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| photo: Ron Lemen |
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| photo: Ron Lemen |
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| photos: Vanessa Lemen |
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| waterfall at Emerald Pools / photo: Vanessa Lemen |
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| Adam demonstrates strata / photos: Vanessa Lemen |
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| Legendeers at The Watchman trail / photo: Vanessa Lemen |
As the mantra of Legendeer co-founder, Sterling Hundley goes: Life Is Story. As a like-minded community, we connect on various levels, and being immersed in our surroundings collectively gives us all the creative boost we need. This is a time for us to be introspective while also sharing our stories, free ourselves from some creative blocks we may be having, give each other a hand at diving deeper, and support our courageous leaps toward discovering our purpose and investigating the depths and expanses of our authentic vision.
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| Sterling Hundley canyoneering / photo: Jason Chapman |
Love it! So jealous! Some day I'll have to attend this.
Looks very fun
Yeah, I never understood how you can develop a community based on fear and ostracizing. At some point we become adults and realize it's not about stepping on people, like junior high.
What? Are we even reading the same article? Are you saying Legendeer promotes fear and ostracizes people?
Opposite. You obviously haven't had the other way of teaching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqN67bSxXVQ&t=5s
No, I'm saying quite the opposite.
Oh. Gotcha!
I'm so bummed that I'm just finding out about this – it looks so fun! You're literally right next door to me – we live on the back side of Zion. Hopefully you'll do another adventure here – I'd love to go!
Dan! You should! That would be so great to get the chance to hang out with you in this type of setting/environment. It's really a great experience and the groups that join on for the Legendeer adventures are incredible people. I look forward to it every year, and it makes lasting memories each time.
It definitely is. 🙂
What a great place to live! It's an amazing place. The trip was definitely a lot of fun with an incredible group of people. The setting for the Legendeer excursions changes every year – always an amazing time. You can see videos from past excursions on the Legendeer . org website. Even if it might not be in your backyard, you might still want to come along! 🙂
Thank for this outstanding blog..
Last month me and my friends went to Canyoneering Zion to the Zion National Park By Rock Odysseys, its really a great place in Utah for Canyoneering trips.
i love that place you may also like this Canyoneering Zion….
Looks amazing.
Even the photos are outstanding.
Seems like you and enjoyed a great time. Few days ago me and my friends joined Rock Odysseys for Zion Canyoneering. With its expert guides, you can feel safe every time and even the packages are quite affordable.