“We’re actually going to a canyon. I hear it’s pretty grand.”—Grand Canyon 2010 (Days 41-46) POST-TRIP

                After we reached the top, my mental and physical health sharply improved. It’s amazing what a bottle of pure, cold water can do to improve one’s mental outlook. I think we all felt better because of it. We sat around for nearly 2 hours, debriefing and talking about the trip, as well as listening to our guides’ feedback about our performance. Once we’d finished with the debriefing, it was time to get the bus. The school hadn’t arranged to pick us up, so we were expected to use the NPS buses to get us back to the main campground. Right as we were waiting at the bus stop, it started to rain. Most of my team members decided to take off their shirts and go running in the frigid rain—an interesting experience. Once they had had their fun, we got our stuff together and waited once more for the bus. 

                Riding on the buses was actually quite fun. Naturally, walking on with big packs and a slight eau de hiking is bound to cause attention, so we actually met quite a few people on the bus. Once we reached the campsite, we put away our packs and rested for a little while. When Tom arrived with the big bus, it was shower time!! (We had packed all of our shower bags on the big bus). Even though the showers were pretty primitive, I don’t think I’ve ever had a more satisfying, cleansing shower. I felt AMAZING after that shower. It was wonderful. I honestly can’t think of any more adjectives to describe it—the feeling it gave me is beyond words. 

                The school provides a cold meal to all of the Grand Canyon hikers, but what I really needed was something hot and filling. I still hadn’t had any proper food since our “breakfast” that morning. Along with a bunch of other UWC students, I walked over to the supermarket. It was wonderful to see that supermarket again (the last time I was there, I was with my family!!). In the adjoining café, I had a delicious bowl of chili and a sandwich. I don’t think I’ve had such a wonderful meal since coming to UWC—the value of a proper hot meal after wilderness is something that I shall never forget again. 

                We had a pretty quiet night, getting up at 4 AM to pack up and start our return trip back to campus. On the return journey I slept and read Nickel and Dimed, our assigned English reading. It was a pretty uneventful journey—we got back to campus around 4 PM, and went about cleaning up all the wilderness equipment. Thus, at 6 PM, on Sunday, our Grand Canyon Southwest Studies Trip came to an end once and for all.

                What did I learn from the trip? Well, this trip certainly tested both my physical and mental capabilities. There’s nothing quite like taking a 24 mile hike into one of the most unforgiving environments on earth to learn about yourself. I discovered that I do have limits, but that through teamwork, the side effects of these limits can be truncated. I learned about the importance of nutrition and hydration on wilderness—a lesson that will stick with me throughout the remainder of my time in Wilderness at UWC. Finally, I learned that nothing suffices better than working together as a team, creating an atmosphere of accepting each other’s physical limitations, and ensuring that everyone can do the trip, no matter how unfit they may be. I’ll be the first one to say that I should have been fitter and more realistic about my limits before the trip even began. Sadly, this didn’t happen, and it’s a lesson I’ll take away with me for future use. In sum, I actually went to a canyon, and I learned that it’s pretty grand. 

**End of Post-Trip. Link to Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/Harry.Lambert2/UWCAlbum02?authkey=Gv1sRgCLDKzaGfnMjc2AE&feat=directlink**