"16 mile hike thru the Narrows, no problemo!". That's me making this candid comment when my friend Lito first mentioned about an extended weekend trip to Zion National Park in Utah in August. I am a gym rat who constantly pushes myself to perform the best so "walking" 16 miles did not see out-of-reach. I mean, how hard can this be? Put on some shoes, apply some sunblock and start walking.
Being the newbie that I am to hiking, I did not really prepare for this trip until my better half explained what "Narrows" was all about. Flash floods, water boots, hiking poles. Huh??? Why would one need all this? Well, after I googled and learned more about this hike, I learned that the hike was thru the river bed for 16 miles and that flash floods are common on this route. Its the first time I had heard about "flash flood". People actually can die during flash floods? Now that caught my attention. Needless to say, and thanks to my better half, I equipped myself with the correct gear from REI and was better prepared.
August 24th, 2008, eight of us, namely Lito, Yipper, Alex, Thai, Matt, Jen, Amber, embarked on this remarkable hike through the Virgin river. We were lucky that the weather was co-operating with us and there was no signs of storms or flash floods. We started the hike from the top and slowly started descending the mountain and following the river at 7:30 am. I managed to NOT get my shoes wet for, erm, the first 2.5 hours but alas, that did not last too long. Lito coolly forgot to mention that the whole hike was through the river. Needless to say, my shoes were soaked at 9:30 am. BUT I am proud to admit that I was the last one to get the shoes wet! The best part of it was, I was wearing proper socks that left my feet warm and did not give blisters! Thanks boyfriend and REI!
The various terrain thru the hike was spectacular. For once my competitive side stayed in the back seat and I really took it easy while enjoying the view. Water levels rose as high as my waist but that is nothing compared to times when I heard that the water level can get to one's neck! I stopped many a times to take many pictures and capture the moment, carefully making sure that my camera was miles away from the water. Every time we came around to a switchback, I was curious to see what stored ahead of us. I cant seem to summarize my thoughts about my feelings as it simply will not do justice.
10 miles in, I hear people moan and groan. People are cursing! They want it to be over with. They are ready to strangle Lito. "Why did I sign up to do this hike??" sighed Tom! They all want it to be over with but Lito and I are different. I have more energy at mile 10 than mile 1. Why? Its nature and its energy. I absorb the energy of my surroundings. Something alcoholic about my surroundings -- I wanted more. While people were wishing for the end, I was yearning for more and letting it all soak in. 10 hours later, we were done! I still vividly remember the end and I was wishing for more. Sadistic or what?
It was definitely one of those memorable hikes I have ever done. Looking back, 16 mile seems like a lot but the truth was, it was not, especially the journey I endured to see nature at its raw. Would I do it again? Absolutely! The connection I felt with nature was incredible and it was the beginning of a new life for me -- a life of hiking!
Check out the following link that provides plethora of information on the actual hike. http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-narrows.htm
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