by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — While trekking through the Grand Canyon, two young local women were frequently asked by other trekkers, “Are you all by yourselves?”
The answer was also the same: yes.
Shelbey Chaput and Ali (Alex) Hennessy, both 19, have been friends for about two years. Shelbey decided one day she’d like to see the Grand Canyon and asked Ali.
“At first she said she wasn’t sure, so I asked my cousin and she said yes,” Shelbey recalled. “And then Alex changed her mind.”
Ali is the daughter of Mike and Julie Hennessey and Shelbey is the daughter of Charlene and Eric Chaput.
The two checked out various Internet blogs about trips through the Grand Canyon and decided to do the three night trip. But, they needed permits and it was six months before they were able to get them. They looked at a guided trip, but reviewing their funds, decided going alone would be less expensive.
Ali said knowing she was going to be walking 40 kilometres with 35 pounds on her back, she best be prepared, so began walking in various areas of North Bay, where she was attending Canadore College.
On Friday, May 20 at 2 a.m., they flew out of Ottawa, to Detroit and then Phoenix and returned about 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 25.
Once they arrived in Arizona, they took two shuttles before their arrival at the north rim, where they were to begin their back-packing adventure. They met many people who were doing overnight or even day trips, but none who were doing the three nights like they were.
There was some trepidation on both their parts when they realized for the whole time they would be in the Grand Canyon, there would be no cell service, something they were not aware of until they almost arrived at the north rim.
The Walk Begins
Recalling Day 1, Shelbey said it was scary. The trail was only three feet wide and there were people going in both directions.
“The wind was blowing about 40 kilometres an hour,” she recalled. “Alex slipped and was super-close to falling off.”
Ali added, “I didn’t hurt myself.”
That’s when they realized the no cell service was much worse than anticipated. But, they got through it.
Upon arrival at the first campground, called Cottonwood, Shelbey said they were both homesick. But, upon awaking Day 2, the homesickness was gone. There are 11 campsites at this camping area.
Shelbey said they would walk for 20 minutes and take a break, drinking water and relaxing their legs.
“Our calves were really sore,” she recalled.
Ali said even though she thought she was prepared for the trip, “My muscles got sore quite easily.”
While Shelbey was wearing hiking boots that Ali bought her as a Christmas gift, Ali was only in running shoes.
They also discovered blisters on their shoulders and rashes on their hips due to where the backpacks were sitting and rubbing.
On Day 2, the girls found walking the next 14 kilometres a bit easier, since they were now at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. They arrived at their next destination, Bright Angel Campground, around 2 p.m. It was a nice campground with a stream running through it, Shelbey recalled.
“We woke up on Day 3 and there were deer in the stream,” she said.
They met a couple at the camp’s lodge and for two hours sat and chatted.
“They were from Kansas and were in their mid-to-late 50s,” Shelbey said. “When they left they hugged us and said they were so happy to meet us.”
Day 3 was harder, as it was eight kilometres uphill, she said. There were mule-trains going in and out on this side of the canyon. She noted they passed each other as they walked towards the south rim.
They arrived at Indian Gardens campground about 1 p.m.
“We met a 72-year-old man who left his wife at the rim,” Shelbey said. “He wanted us to take his picture on his phone so he could show his wife.”
Shelbey said they were both very tired at the end of this day.
But, she admitted, they hadn’t really eaten much food, even thought they brought it with them. They weren’t used to eating a lot of pre-packaged and dehydrated foods, which is about the only thing they could eat while hiking. They were also too tired, too sore and had too much anxiety to eat a lot, she added.
However, the night of Day 3, they ate soup, potatoes and all their canned and dried food.
“It was like our appetites kicked in,” she said.
On Day 4, the girls left around 5 a.m. and were out of the canyon by 1 p.m.
Ali said most days they were up and hiking by 7 a.m. because they didn’t want to be hiking in the afternoon heat. The idea was to arrive at the campground by 1 or 2 p.m., she said.
While they were told it was great to hike during the night when there was a full moon – they did not try, Shelbey said.
“If you were to fall off, there’s a 200 to 300-foot drop,” she said.
Wildlife Encounters
Shelbey recalled a “mean ranger” they met while at one of the campgrounds. One of the rules is no feeding the animals, she said.
“We were fined because a squirrel got in our backpack,” she said with a laugh.
While the girls’ food was well packaged inside their backpacks, the garbage they had to carry out with them wasn’t. Upon returning to their campsite after visiting with a couple, they found their bags had been torn open by squirrels. A ranger had been at the campsite while they were away and saw the squirrel feasting away.
“He fined us $75. And that’s American dollars,” she said.
Shelbey noted the backpacks each weighed about 35 pounds, because along with their food, there were other necessities, like clothing, tents and bedding.
Shelbey noted while they were afraid of the rattlesnakes they’d heard about, they never encountered any. But, they did encounter elk, deer and little lizards.
Meeting a variety of people throughout the trip proved to be a great joy for the two women, as they met many, talking to some for a while, others for just a few minutes.
There were also many scenic views, including the sunrises, which were reds and greens, Shelbey said. She did note that they weren’t able to enjoy the scenery on Day 1 because of the attention they had to pay while navigating the narrow trail. However, once they reached the bottom of the Grand Canyon, it was easier walking. She said if she went again, and they both admitted they want to, it would be a shorter trip starting from the south rim and back.
Shelbey said if she goes back it would be with a larger group of people, while Ali said she’d even go alone.
“It was an adventure, but you can only hang out with the same person for so long,” Shelbey said with a laugh.
She believes they saw different sides of each other they hadn’t seen before, but know each other is capable of being strong.
Ali said, “I would go again, but do it in two days. Four days is too long.”
While returning home, they ended up sleeping in an airport. Instead of sleeping in a chair, the girls rolled out their pads and sleeping bags. They knew people were staring at them, but they were too tired to care, Shelbey said.
Cell Phone Not Needed
Both girls say they have no regrets going on this trip. What they did discover is they don’t have to be as attached to their cell phones as they are. But, did admit, as soon as they had service, they called their mothers.
If they had cell service, Shelbey believes they would not have gotten to know each other better, because instead of talking to each other, they would have been on their phones talking to people back home.
Shelbey noted many of the people they saw hiking who were the same age as them were usually with parents.
“One lady called us her heroes because we were on our own,” she said.
What they both really enjoyed once out of the canyon was fresh food.
When asked what their parents thought of them taking the trip, each had different reactions.
“Mom thought I was foolish,” said Shelbey. “Dad was like, do you want to go? It’s dangerous. Stay away from the cliffs.
“He was nervous,” she said, adding, “When I spoke to him on the phone, he said, I can breathe again.”
Ali said her mother didn’t want her to go, but her father didn’t say much. Laughing, she said her mom watched a television show about two girls who were hitch-hiking and it wasn’t a good ending.
She admitted since she talks to her mom each day, it was difficult knowing there would be no cell service. But, like Shelbey, she agreed, it was a good thing there was no service.
Both women know what they experienced is something that will remain with them for a long time.
“Many people don’t do rim to rim,” Ali said. “It was a great accomplishment.”
