MIDDLEBURY — Rich and Sheri Larsen will present “Exploring the Slot Canyons of Southern Utah” on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. at Ilsley Library in Middlebury.
 Southern Utah is a stark and wildly beautiful land of sandstone carved into countless canyons, ranging in size from Colorado River canyons to slots so tight a person cannot fit through. The Larsens, often with accomplices from Vermont and other states, have now made a dozen trips to Utah to play in slot canyons.
In their most recent trips in 2010 and 2012, some of the canyons they visited were semi-technical and required ropes and wetsuits. Others required route-finding over slickrock — and on a few of these the route was never actually found. Some outings were easy, with moderate hiking; some included visits to ancient pueblo ruins. Each trip was successful: The same number of people came out as went in — sometimes with bruises and abrasions, but always with pictures and stories.
The event is freeand open to the public. Refreshments will be served. This Taylor Series Lecture is sponsored by the Bread Loaf Section and is free and open to the public.