Unknowns and Possibilities

“Down the Great Unknown” by Edward Dolnick is the story of John Wesley Powell and his infamous expedition down the Green River and Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.  In 1869, this area was full of mystery and what was known was not readily shared.  Powell and his nine crew were more lucky than skilled but managed to make it down this amazing river run and live to tell the tales.  

I read this book after I joined a group of people to hike down from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.  The eleven hour round trip was both amazing and challenging in scope and scale.  It is difficult to communicate the scale of the Grand Canyon as you stand looking down from the South Rim.  It hardly seems real.  You see the vast scene and know what you are seeing but your brain can’t totally appreciate the depth and expanse of the canyon.  

The next day as I hiked with the group, I was focused on the trail which is well traveled but not technically difficult.  But the scope of the trail goes on and on.  You see endless rock walls and are aware that you are descending deeper and deeper into the earth but the scale means it is not claustrophobic, it just keeps going.  Down and down you go.  (The whole time I am thinking, how much longer, I will have to go back up later).    

At the bottom is the Colorado River.  But the scale of the cliffs makes the river seem small, which it is not.  Crossing a suspension bridge to go to Phantom Ranch, you realize the river is quite wide.  The stopping point before you start your ascent is Phantom Ranch.  You can look up and see the canyon walls but again the scale is deceiving.  You feel open and you could be anywhere.  

As we started the ascent I wondered how that would go.  But as we walked, it was more of the total time we had been walking, the scope of the trip that was the challenge.  There were places where you were walking up but it was pretty gradual.  We stopped halfway up and finally you could actually make out the top, even though we were told it was about a three hour hike up to the South Rim.  I decided to head on up as others rested a bit more.  

Four and half miles to go.  Then three miles to go.  Darkness now, headlamp on.  Finally one and half miles to go.  Step after step I could see a few feet in front of me.  The path is wide and well marked.  But as I continued to walk time started to move differently for me.  I knew about how long the last stretch should take me.  I could the see the occasional headlamp above me to remind me I was not finished but I really couldn’t tell how far I had to go.  It was my GREAT UNKNOWN.  I walked and every few steps I looked at the time.  It was moving so slowly.  I knew I had to be close.  But the steps grew more and more difficult.  It was not physical fatigue but mental fatigue that was overwhelming me.  How much longer could I go?  How far was left?  One more step, one more step!  

And then I made it!  I was at the top.  Yes, I was exhausted but I felt a real sense of accomplishment and gratitude.  I had been challenged in a variety of ways but persevered.  My real danger was minimal compared to John Wesley Powell but my sense of joy was still real and it grows as I continue to think about that day in the Grand Canyon.  Most of the time we avoid “unknowns.”  It is even a wise decision to try to manage around unknowns as much as possible.  Yet, they can be moments of learning and opportunity.  They can become moments of great joy as the moment is met and becomes known!  They can be Possibilities Unlimited!