This 50+ mile adventure across the Grand Canyon, and back, raised $2,500 for Lili’s fight against cancer!!! #R2R2R
Recently, I had the privilege of crossing the Grand Canyon from the south rim to the north rim and back. I covered over 50 miles of beautiful land held sacred by indigenous peoples.
Out of the 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States, 11 of those tribes are connected with the lands and resources of @grandcanyonnps.
Before I write about my experience at the Grand Canyon, I want to acknowledge those that were there before me:
🔹The Havasupai Tribe
🔹The Hualapai Tribe
🔹The Navajo Nation
🔹The Hopi
🔹The Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians
🔹The Las Vegas Band of Paiutes
🔹The Moapa Band of Paiute Indians
🔹The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah
🔹The San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe
🔹The Yavapai-Apache Nation
🔹The Pueblo of Zuni
Please take time to learn about the history and culture of the land that you recreate on. A great resource is https://native-land.ca.
I’m still at a loss for words over the incredible experience I had in the Grand Canyon. The people I met, the conversations we shared and the beautiful scenery will forever be etched into my memory.
Despite the pain and suffering, my smile never left my face. I had never felt more alive, more at peace, or more at home within my own body than I did that day on the trail.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I started off solo but I was never alone. From the moment I stepped foot on the Bright Angel Trail, stars twinkling above me, I knew my dad was with me. I asked him to protect me and keep me safe while I embarked on the biggest adventure of my life. Not knowing what would happen to me over the next 50 miles was scary but I knew I was going to be okay.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
My legs moved me across 50+ miles and up and down 14,000 feet of elevation gain. But it was my heart that carried me along.
I am so grateful for the support I received from friends and loved ones over the past 4 months of training. Grateful for the donations to Lili’s Fight Against Cancer. Grateful for @elementsofdaisy’s guidance, training and motivation. As well as the @wellnessonthetrails community of #TrailChicas. Being around these ambitious women, and their fearless dedication to pushing beyond boundaries, is contagious.
I’m still processing the experience but I don’t think I will ever truly come to terms with it. It’s experiences like these that keep me wanting to come back for more.
It was the most magical 24 hours of my life… and the fact it raised money for someone I love with cancer, in the memory of my dad, made it even more special.
Comments