Heaps Canyon and the Law: Hard Lessons in Preparation, Resilience, and Decision-Making

Navigating the Narrows of Complex Litigation

Introduction: Lessons from the Depths of Heaps Canyon

Zion National Park is one of my favorite places. Utah, in general, holds a special place in my heart—and for good reason. There’s something about escaping the noise of crowded tourist attractions and stepping into the solitude of slot canyons, where the landscapes demand every ounce of your physical ability and mental focus.

Canyoneering—a hybrid of hiking, climbing, and technical ropework through narrow canyons—became my passion after my cousin Christopher Loupee introduced me to it in 2018. Since then, I’ve completed over 100 descents across the Southwest, along the way having the privilege of introducing many others to the sport. But one canyon, in particular, stands apart in the canyoneering community: Heaps Canyon—a two-day, highly technical descent in Zion that demands meticulous preparation, strategic problem-solving, and a rock-solid team.

It took me three years to feel ready for Heaps. Even then, I knew I wouldn’t attempt it without my brother Nicholas Raley, EI and Jake Mogerman by my side. My first descent in 2021 tested every skill I had—and then some. A second descent brought even more lessons, reinforcing the importance of preparation, teamwork, and resilience.

Reflecting on my experiences navigating Heaps, I see clear parallels with my first six months working on complex, nuanced litigation at Copeland, Stair, Valz & Lovell, LLP . Just as in advanced canyoneering, success in law requires strategic preparation, a strong team, and the ability to navigate the unknown. Here’s what my time in the canyons has taught me about the legal profession.

1. Preparation is Everything

In canyoneering, you don’t just show up and hope for the best. You study maps, check weather patterns, and, most importantly, seek beta—insider knowledge from those who have gone before you. A five-minute conversation with an experienced canyoneer can often be more valuable than hours of independent research.

The same holds true in law. Preparation can—and should—go beyond reading statutes and case law. Learning from seasoned attorneys, analyzing past rulings, and anticipating every possible argument. Whether navigating a canyon or stepping into a courtroom, preparation is the foundation of success.

2. The Right Team Can Make or Break You

In slot canyons, teamwork is not just beneficial—it’s life-saving. A well-coordinated team anticipates each other’s needs, communicates efficiently, and adapts when plans change. Whether it’s rigging a rappel, escaping a pothole, or making a high-stakes decision, trust in your team is non-negotiable.

Litigation follows the same principle. No one in the field of law succeeds alone. From paralegals to senior partners, everyone plays a role in executing a case strategy. Just as a misstep in a canyon can have serious consequences, lack of coordination in a case can mean missed deadlines or strategic errors. The best legal teams, like the best canyoneering teams, move with precision and purpose.

3. Overcoming Obstacles with Strategy

Heaps Canyon throws everything at you—cold swims, free-hanging rappels (the final rap extending more than 300’), and often corridors extending for hundreds of yards in complete darkness. Some obstacles require brute strength, but most demand creativity. Advanced techniques like sandbag anchors and ghosting methods are required to progress safely while minimizing environmental impact.

Litigation is no different. Curveballs are inevitable—unexpected evidence, sudden shifts in strategy, or uncooperative opposing counsel. The ability to adapt and think critically, much like deploying the right anchor in a canyon, is what I’ve seen separate a skilled litigator from an average one.

4. Risk Management and Decision-Making

Before I ever set foot in a canyon, I learned risk assessment through mountaineering—summiting Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, and countless Colorado 14ers. These experiences shaped my ability to evaluate what risks are worth taking and which require retreat.

In litigation, high-stakes decisions are made daily. Assessing risk—whether it’s advising a client on settling versus trial or anticipating a judge’s ruling—requires a broad perspective and sound judgment. Just like in canyoneering, it’s never a bad idea to think outside the box, relying on prior personal and professional experiences separate from the law, to come up with creative strategy and insight you otherwise may not be availing yourself of. Experience and preparation make all the difference when making a critical call.?

5. Resilience and Mental Toughness

In Q4 2024, I worked with Tyler Winton on a catastrophic injury/wrongful death defense. The hours were long, the stakes were high, and the complexity of the case was unlike anything I had experienced before. I logged over 250 billable hours in a single month—which I do not share as a badge of honor, but rather as evidence of a lesson I learned in sustainability.

Much like canyoneering requires both physical and mental endurance, law demands resilience and self-care. Burnout, stress, and feeling overwhelmed happens. The key is recognizing when to push through and when to step back—something I’m still learning to balance.

6. Knowing When to Exit

Sometimes, retreat is the best option. In a canyon, an incoming storm or impassable section means turning back, no matter how much progress you’ve made. In law, there are times when trial is not in a client’s best interest. Whether due to cost, exposure, or strategic considerations, knowing when to pivot is just as important as knowing when to push forward.

7. The Joy of a Successful Descent

Finishing Heaps Canyon wasn’t just about the final rappel—it was about the entire experience: the planning, the teamwork, and the small wins along the way. Similarly, in law, the true fulfillment isn’t just in the verdict; it’s in the strategy sessions, the depositions, the courtroom arguments, and the camaraderie built along the way.

Whether in a canyon or a courtroom, the journey matters just as much as the destination. The key is to embrace the process, trust your team, and celebrate every hard-earned victory.

Final Thoughts

Canyoneering has shaped the way I approach my job—not just in how I prepare, but in how I tackle challenges, trust my team, and balance risk with reward. As I continue navigating my new role at Copeland Stair, I know the lessons learned from the depths of Heaps Canyon will stay with me.

If you're in the legal field—or even outside of it—I'd love to hear: What experiences outside of work have shaped the way you approach your profession? Drop a comment below.