We took a shuttle bus back from our 1 hour and 45 minute hike today on the South Rim Trail. It was a wonderful walk. The views were spectacular and William and Nanette were a lot of fun. The hike got me thinking about the feeling of panic and how we are fortunate that we don’t experience it very often.
The trail is right up against the rim and about 4-5 feet wide. Most places there is no railing. Some places have a little barrier between the trail and the edge of the cliff that they tell you over and over again not to step out onto that section.
People do it all the time. And people die all the time. The Grand Canyon loses about 5-6 people every year. Of those 5-6 people, 80% are male from the ages of 20-35. That is not surprising….males that age feel invincible. They will live forever. Not if they take stupid chances near the edge of a 3,000 foot drop.
I had this feeling of panic throughout the walk. At one point on the hike, we encountered another couple in their 50s or so, and the wife was taking a photo of her husband. Bill asked if they would like a photo of both of them together and they said, “Sure”, and handed the camera to Bill. The two of them then proceeded out onto the EDGE of the canyon and Bill tried to hand the camera to me since I see better, but I couldn’t look. I had to leave. I was panicking. Why did they have to walk out there so close? What was the purpose? What if the wind blew? Was the photo worth it???
Midway through our ride on the shuttle, the driver asked over the loudspeaker if there was a “Mark Sheehan” aboard the bus. He asked several times in a very stern and serious voice. The feeling of panic started to set in. Who was Mark? Why was the driver asking for him?
We had to take a seven minute stop at the end of the loop and I saw the driver outside the bus. I asked him about Mark. Mark was a 13 year old boy who became separated from his parents. The driver said this happens all the time and usually they find the child either on the wrong bus or at the lounge drinking a soda. Can you imagine the feeling of panic that his parents were feeling?
The Grand Canyon has a whole alarm system and special emergency response team for the falls. I was just praying that I didn’t hear the alarms go off today. I was hoping that Mark was enjoying a soda.
Later in the hike we were at a gorgeous lookout point. There were a few rails but not on every section. That is where one 22 year old or so male was taking photos of his friend (also 22 or so) with the backdrop of the Canyon. Not a problem until they decided it would be really cool to go about 4 feet from the edge and do cartwheels for the photos. It was like they wanted to film each other defying death. The other problem was that they weren’t very good at cartwheels and so they would kind of wobble when they landed. FOR REAL! I could not look!! After I averted my eyes and tried some deep breathing techniques, Bill told me that one of them did an arial flip!! And almost lost it! WTH!! Listen, if they are going to do these stupid things, they should not involve me. I didn’t want to see it or be part of it but I was there. I think they ended up okay because I did not hear the alarms go off, but please….really. It reminded me of a few years ago when a father was filming his daughter climbing on a bike parking cart and the cart fell over on top of the little child, crushing her to death. And the father filmed it. His daughter’s death.
William put it well: he said it feels like there is a magnet pulling him off the edge when he gets too close. I think that is what I feel as well. Is that what all these other people feel? Or do they feel like they are completely safe?
We made it through the hike all in once piece. But if the Grand Canyon does not put your life into perspective by it’s sheer size and beauty, then it will by conduring up the feelings of insecurity we all have inside of ourselves.
Cool blog. If we go next year, I will not be doing cartwheels at the edge of the Grand Canyon. Promise.
My hands are sweating just reading this! I don’t think I want to visit the grand canyon. Take lots of photos so o can see!
What an amazing trip you’re having! I especially love it through your words and photos. It’s been a long time since we were there (pre-kids) and you’ve inspired me to plan a family vacation. Or maybe we should just re-trace your tracks. Can’t wait for the video you will undoubtedly edit when you return!!!