Gila Prophecy

Jason Beyer and his side-kick Carl Crawford are the leaders of an inner-city youth group who embark on a whitewater adventure into the Gila Wilderness. The novice paddlers are tested to the limit when the normally mild Gila River turns into a raging torrent that sweeps the group deep into the Gila Gorge and into the middle of a sinister plot let by a ruthless billionaire to uncover a national secret of hidden treasure, that if exposed could alter the world's economy. Chest of gold given to early explores by an ancient people and lost on the Gila River provide the crucial link to the greedy billionaire's discovery of the riches. Only through the heroic actions of Jason and his group can the plot be foiled.

This story originates from a scouting canoe trip in 1998. I was the Scoutmaster and leader of the outing. Although we never experience anyone shooting at us or discover any gold, much of the adversity experienced along the river by the inner-city youth group comes from the experience of that trip.