I have long loved hiking, but I've never been to a canyon before, so I could hardly contain my excitement when we struck out on the chair at the bottom of the canyon. We all made careful preparations with water and sunblock and then set out. Everything with devastatingly beautiful. The canyon walls rose straight up and the river gurgled cheerfully by as we strolled leisurely. The entire dynamic changed suddenly when our guide came to a stop at a set of narrow stairs cut into the rock and rising up steeply. As we took note of them, apprehension mounted and I couldn't wait to begin the real hiking. It was hot and sweaty, but insanely enjoyable work as we climbed all the way up to the top of the canyon. I got some of the best pictures I've ever taken as we climbed. I often found myself with one hand on the camera and the other holding myself steady on the wall as I looked over a steep drop off.
We had one great opportunity to squeeze along a ledge (with a safety wall) to go take a look at a cave in the rock. It was really cool and yet another amazing photo opportunity. I was surprised at how hot it was in the cave, so we didn't linger inside. When we finally reached the top of the canyon it was an amazing feeling of accomplishment. Several people raised their hands over their heads triumphantly and I sang the first lines of "eye of the tiger". We conquered the desert.
- Rebecca B.
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