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There's going to be 35 of us, half children. Each family is taking their own camping gear and we've divided up all the communal food. We are hiking six hours to the bottom of the canyon, donkeys will be carrying our gear. I know - an unbelievable amount of work!
Some families dropped out after a warning that the nearby town - which is part of the Havasupai Indian Reservation - was dirty, unwelcoming and dangerous. The violent crime is apparently a result of issues with meth addiction and alcoholism. Also if anyone is injured, the only way out is helicopter or walking six hours back up.
I don't want to minimise those issues but that's something I can't control and we're not staying in the town.
My immediate concern has been there were no lattes down there. (We spent an inordinate amount of time in the food meetings discussing how the coffee would be made and what brand to buy)
Have you ever been warned not to go somewhere - but you went anyway?
Ok, totally can't wait to read your blog post about this trip. Sounds crazy adventurous.
ReplyDeleteWe just spent three hours doing the grocery shopping at Cosco today - two huge carts and that's only a sixth of it. There will be loads of choccy and nuts and nutella and more chocolate. They will have to roll me out.
DeleteI was warned not to go camping with a family who we knew through our children's school: because they are Nudist Campers! Eeesh! Well that was something I could control, I asked them to keep their knickers on (before we left) and they agreed to stay fully clothed on the trip.
ReplyDeleteWe had a great time though I was sick (freshly pregnant and didn't know it).
If you are not staying in the town and not planning to go in for supplies or anything I wouldn't worry about it. It sounds like any suspicious characters would have to trek pretty far to find you and why would they do that? They wouldn't.
I'd go too and I'm a total Nervous Nellie! It sounds amazing!!
Have a great time and please take pictures.
Funny how nudist campers are not always the ones you expect. Have you read David Sedaris' great story about working in a nudist camp back east. The owner kept yelling to people: "Use your towel!" before they sat down.
DeleteOK. Why???? That's all!
ReplyDeleteHa Ha, I've been thinking a bit of the same...looks very rocky and orangey and barreny. A friend just told me it was magical and when he was young he went there for a week(...to smoke dope with his friends...) Of course not sure if the haze clouded his judgement
DeleteJulie's daughter, Hanna just did this trip last week. I'll get the info for you. And yes, coffee will be essential. You are really brave. My idea of camping is the house in Healdsburg.
ReplyDeleteApparently the real dangerous thing is the descent down a waterfall, rusted wobbly handholds and slippery rocks - now that does worry me
DeleteCamping??? So long as there are 5star toileting facilities then all should be well.
ReplyDeleteI'm also looking forward to the posts and pictures regarding this holiday.
Sx
Yes I am very much the Glamper. Once when we lived in England we went to one glamping place near Kent which had pink flamingos. it was where the red haired girl from Eastenders vacationed. I def needed my fluffy mules there.
Deleteis she still on Eastenders, I used to be obsessed with that show, though Bianca was a bit of an annoying Gin-ger. I loved the dark haired one who was later in Love Actually still one of my fave movies.
DeleteThis is a dream trip, I would totally go! I'd go even with a bad knee (save my $ for the helicopter ride out lol!). Have fun!!!
ReplyDeleteDonkeys in, whirly bird out!
DeleteWow, I can't wait to read how this goes. I haven't gone anywhere where I have been warned not to, but I think I'd weigh my decision on the source and well, me.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a fun and safe time!
p.s. I'd worry about the coffee too!
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ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to go there. I will be fascinated to hear your story. Anytime you go into the back country, you have these issues of how would you get out. I have had some of the best times of my life hiking with large groups of adults and children. Once, someone's au pair sprained her ankle and two or more adults had to take her out. Granted, it was in the White Mountains, NH and we were staying in the AMC huts, and for three nights at the most.
ReplyDeleteHi Penny - the huts were not owned by AMC movies by any chance? oh no so luck I'm sure. yes once we get there it'll be fun, just the food planning though has been a lotta lotta stuff.
DeleteCam what? I can't believe you are actually contemplating real camping. That alone would give me the shivers.
ReplyDeleteI know. Cy actually did say: "But you hate camping MuM." It's very un-Kiwi but I do hate it. I only admitted it to myself a couple of years ago...
DeleteThe Shah once spent 8 days in Vegas at a "conference" and the closest he got to the Gran Canyon was a quick whizz in a helicopter. You have more sense of adventure!
ReplyDeleteThat is def one way to do it, maybe the Shah is the visionary! We are hoping to see Las Vegas for the first time after the blue falls. mIx it up a bit.
DeleteThis sounds like a real adventure. Hope it's fun. I don't usually go where I'm warned not to, but often find out that I have already been there. What I don't enjoy is when someone I know should warn me, but is too polite to do it.
ReplyDeleteThat sure sounds like quite the trip
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your camping dip
Don't fall in that great big hole
As you go out at night for a stroll
And yeah have been warned a time or two
But did it anyway at my zoo
Speaking of the Zoo,
DeleteIn the town we've been warned about dog poo,
So my eyes down and so should you
We saw a show about this on the History channel. Wow you really are brave! It looks like an awesome adventure though. Hope you take lots of picture to share with us. I pray your trip will be safe and lots of fun!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Now this is an adventure! Can't wait to hear about the adventures from the experience :)
ReplyDeleteI dislike camping but I can't wait to hear about this trip! I love your sense of adventure!
ReplyDeleteSuch a give it a go girl...well done. The trip sounds challenging but fun, looking forward to the post....but you didn't mention the important thing...what will you wear???
ReplyDeleteyes off to get those dorky shorts that zipper off!
DeleteWell, the event has pretty good potential I think. Bit of a hike, but not too bad. The donkeys will help.
ReplyDeleteAre you prepared to welcome any Bears which show up?
Blessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
No bears as they can't get into the canyon - apparently the squirrels are the little rascals that eat all your food.
DeleteAhhh...I want to gooooo...this looks amazing & just the place I would get myself into some kind of trouble, haha! Can't wait to read more :)) xx
ReplyDeleteFirst date with husband. But it all worked out!
ReplyDeleteYou are my heroine for doing this - I cannot wait to hear how it all goes. Just stay away from the meth - I hear it is addictive...
Somebody warned you not to go out with him? Too funny.
DeleteWMM!!! First date you did camping?? Now that really sorts out (wild mountain) sheep from goats!
DeleteAmazing! I hope and think you will have a great time.
ReplyDeleteIn this year's Banff Outdoor Film Fest, there was a good film about canyoning in the Grand Canyon.
Coffee is key when camping! I just got back from five days of camping and every morning it was all about the coffee. The water source at the site was frozen in the morning, so I made sure to stash enough water in the tent to be able to make coffee right away :)
Hi Abby, Now I just have to find a way to boil the milk for the latte....Interesting about the film festival.
DeleteDear God, sounds like torture! I'd wait it out with the meth addicts and alcoholics. I'd feel trapped, stuck in a canyon with no access to creature comforts. A 12 hour drive, followed by a 6 hour hike? I'm way too wimpy to even consider it. Hope it all goes great for you though, you adventure junkie!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure. Great memories for the kids.
ReplyDeleteCan I come?
ReplyDeleteYes leslie! but you have to wear those goober-y hiking shorts that zip off. I'm just about to go off now and get some. Gulp.
DeleteI'd do the driving, I'd do the camping, but I wouldn't do the group thing. The last time I camped with a group was when I was about 16, with a bunch of other teens and I hated every minute.
ReplyDeleteI've come to the conclusion I'm not a group holiday person. Immediate family only is as far as I'll go. :)
That photo is beautiful! I would go if someone asked me. The commitment of being the leader of a trip is the step I avoid. Once you're there ANY coffee is going to be great coffee!
ReplyDeleteThere are towns like that anywhere you go and out it the wilderness the good guys all carry firearms in case of wild animals - I would not stress about the crazy people.
Speaking of stress... I think the hiking and mental gymnastics of "how is this all going to proceed?" would cause me to loose the midlife middle I am rapidly developing. THAT would be my top reason for signing up!!!
Enjoy this step off your front porch. Just don't let anyone step off the trail. (I think I just dropped a pound in sympathy)
Cheers!
Linda_ I am def not the leader, I am a follower and a follower who doesn't always read the mountains of emails that this kind of thing involves. Yes i had free floating anxieties about it until we did the shopping yesterday. The trick is to do these things with really organised and efficient people - I am def the weak link...
DeleteIt sounds so adventurous, Jody. When I read about your trip I feel like going taking a drive to the mountains and taking a hike. I don't do this as often as I'd like.
ReplyDeleteAda
The mountains must be gorgeous around Bucharest! The white mountains? When we had Harley in London we were thinking about joining a trip through transylvania but then really thought through how much sleep we would not be getting...
DeleteHavasupai Falls looks AMAZING!! Yes I have often went somewhere where I didn't want to go and 77% of the time I ended up being glad I went :)
ReplyDeleteAnd its worth getting through the other 30-odd percent for that
DeleteThat looks like a fabulous place but 12 hours driving? Hope that went well!
ReplyDeleteI was told not to go snorkelling at Sharks Bay a few weeks after a shark ate some tourists; but we still went, didn't want to lose the deposit!
That's the attitude!
Deleteamazinggg waterfall!
ReplyDeletewww.thebeautyyoffashion.blogspot.com
You are a brave, brave lady! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHope you get out alive!
ReplyDeleteActually we just got instructions today about what to do when you get a snake bite!
DeleteIn this household even the mention of camping would be grounds for divorce, chipped nails and all that,hers not mine by the way!
ReplyDelete