Trekking to the Havasupai Falls is no dainty feat! We ended up camping overnight on the Hualapai Hilltop (we were situated grossly and conveniently next to the portapotties…not THAT close, but close enough that when the wind blew, you knew what direction the potties were) so we could begin trekking the 11 miles down to the falls. The trek itself wasn’t so bad. You end up thinking. A lot…and just enjoying the quiet space, the mule droppings, and the occasional horse with her foal trotting along. Most of all, you realize you’re really honestly just…a speck in the canyon, or a speck in the cosmos.

When I went, I went with a group for a field study. My prof had made the same trek and interacted with the locals for 30+ years so we got a lot of insight into the culture of the Havasupai tribe. We got to visit the “local” Head Start as well as learn about some of the issues the locals face down there such as diabetes, children’s and adolescents’ rebellion/acceptance of their identities, tourism, etc.

While it’s beautiful down there, it was pressed upon us to be respectful of our resources and to be responsible tourists. We had the opportunity to experience a sweatlodge-where you endure different levels of “cleansing” via being packed into a little mud/stick hut with hot stones and water’s splashed on to create more steam…you feel as if everything’s burning off your body by the end if you can get to the end-your hair, your CONTACTS (which I forgot to take out), your skin—but it’s such a spiritual experience.

We also visited the nearby Mooney Falls (now that’s a slippery place to maneuver to with lots of chains and footholds to help…but you might fear death for a split second or 10 million—not advisable to go climb down at night), camped out, had smores, told stories…but most of all, we enjoyed the peace, the people, the isolation, the beauty. It all seemed just…untouched. It’s kinda sad when you know there are folks down there on the verge of relying on your tourism, but it’s just as important to be aware of that too and to do your part.

So did this place really change my life? Well. I’m more sensitive about environmental tourism but I can’t say I’m a saint. I can also say I’ve seen a portapotty being helicoptered out of a canyon on some rope for emptying . . . what if the pilot accidentally swerved and the potty smashed onto the canyon walls? yum.

now that’s a first.