Of those who have visited the Grand Canyon, almost all marvel at its incredible beauty. However, there are far fewer who have the discipline, motivation and fortitude to explore its rugged depths on foot.
Today Wayland [Massachusetts] resident Jeremy Dexter-Smith, 24, a lymphoma survivor, will do just that.
Dexter-Smith is one of 40 participants in the Hike for Discovery, a three-day Grand Canyon hike organized by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in order to raise money for the battle against cancer. There are 23 chapters in states all over the country, but this is the first time Massachusetts has been involved.
In return for raising funds for the society, the hikers receive 15 weeks of professional training and are promised an unforgettable experience.
The group has been training every Saturday at the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton, Mass. Most hikes have been around three hours, although as the big day has approached, they have gotten to be as long as six or seven. The group tried to move up and down the faces of the hills as much as possible, to prepare for climbing down into and then back out of the canyon.
Through this experience, Dexter-Smith has found that he has grown close to the other hikers. Although he entered into the project without knowing anyone, he says the group is now “pretty tight.” Some of them have lost relatives and family members to cancer, and others, like Dexter-Smith, have gone through it themselves.
“It’s just nice to be with other people who you know have felt the same things as you,” he said. “You feel like you know people right away.”
By Natasha Haradhvala/ Correspondent for TownOnline.com Thursday, April 27, 2006
Check out thecanyon.com for more information about seeing the Grand Canyon by Land, Air or River and making your own discovery.
