| The Havasupai Chief & Friend,
Climbing The Canyon Wall At Mooney Falls After a brisk start from the top of the falls, we slowed considerably after another ten minutes or so of hiking, our guide still had not divulged the way we would take to the pool below. As the heat intensified, our already depleted physical resources withered, we felt like we were going to melt at any minute. Finally, we began a somewhat steep climb down jagged rocks. Shifting my backpack for better weight distribution, I began to feel more confident as climbing was my specialty in Hawaii. Our guide finally explained we would be crawling through an opening in the rocks ahead which had been built years ago by miners in the area. Sure enough, we came to a small, damp, dark opening inside of a rock formation and hunched down to enter. It twisted through the rocks for quite a ways. Crouching with backpacks, we pressed on, bumping into the walls from time to time. There is something both comforting and terrifying about being in such a tight place in the middle of the earth. The light ahead was a welcome sight. When we emerged, we were looking straight down the sheer rocky canyon wall. A chain was attached for some help and guidance, but it was certainly going to require strength, caution and skill to maneuver our way to the bottom. It was a thrilling experience even for me as an experienced climber. We were ecstatic to reach the bottom. Once there, our enthusiastic guide, still as chipper as the moment we left the village, encouraged us to press on to see more sights but we were ready to rest, take in some nourishment and HIT THE WATER! A few moments after we began settling in, we watched in earnest as a Havasupai couple appeared from down stream and began the journey back up the side of the canyon. Our guide informed us this was the Chief himself and his lady. Knowing this land is a part of their spirit, we watched with great interest inspecting the difficulty of the climb and in thoughts of how many times these people and their ancestors have made this and similar journeys in this most unique territory. The Havasu tribe is after all, the people of the blue/green water, and getting anywhere near those lovely pools was a task that indicated these people were a steadfastly strong and invincible group. I asked the guide if it would be okay to take this picture and he approved. I hope it will bring pleasure to the Chief if he ever discovers it here. We were truly in a sacred place and it was an honor and privilege to be there. |