When I took up running shortly after turning 50, one of my
goals was to get in shape for when I was 75. I used to say that I did not want
to drive to a scenic spot on the top of a mountain but hike to it. Take it from
me, the view from the mountain top is better if you get there by using your own
two feet rather than a car.
As I was walking around the south rim of the Grand Canyon
there were throngs of people taking in the awesome views. It was spectacular.
They were taking photos of each other using the Grand Canyon as a backdrop to
make their photos even more impressive.
I, however, wanted more. I wanted to experience the canyon,
not just look at it from the top. So, at the age of 65 I decided to run the
Grand Canyon rim to rim to rim (Also referred to as rim2rim2rim) a distance of
over 43 miles. I had trained for this run and felt confident but knew that it
would not be easy at all. Yet the anticipation and anxiety that I described in
a previous blog was gone when I got out of my friend Ed’s car at 3:55 a.m. and
ran down the road about half a mile to the South Kaibab trailhead. It was a
cold night, but I knew I could remove my jacket and go in a t-shirt once I
reached the bottom. I have never been on this trail and had only read about it.
Yet I was excited to head into the dark with only my headlamp showing me where
to go. Even though I was going downhill my pace was slower than usual. It was
dark and that made me slow down to make sure I did not fall. Plus, it was a
difficult path to run. I found that the downhill steps on the trail were at
unusual distances apart, so my gait was slower than normal. I usually am very
good at the downhills but this time I found my pace slower.
Even when the sun began to rise, I did not quicken the pace.
Part of that was because I was taking pictures and videos with my cell phone.
For some reason the GoPro camera was not working. I was annoyed because I had
counted on that for most of my videos. Even without taking pictures I would
stop and take in the views. The coloring of the canyon walls kept changing as
the sun rose.
After crossing the famed Black Bridge over the Colorado
River, I headed towards Phantom Ranch. I had read so much about Phantom Ranch
that somehow in my head I pictured it to be a rather modern facility. But I
found they were comfortable cabins but rather rustic. It was not to be confused
with the celebrated and elegant El Tovar hotel at the top of the south rim. I
filled my one water flask that I had used on the way down, took off my jacket
and ate a snack. I was disappointed in my time; I was running about 30 minutes
behind what I anticipated. I hoped I
could pick up the pace on the rather flat stretch ahead of me along Bright
Angel Creek.
I loved this section of the run. The roar of rushing water from the creek accompanied me for the next six miles or so. I also ran through what they call the “box” which is a section where the canyon narrows and it is basically the Bright Angel Creek, the North Kaibab Trail, and the canyon walls. While I was warned about the heat in the “box,” I found it shady, cool and very pleasant. Even though it was enjoyable my pace was still lagging behind my normal trail pace. I was not sure why. I had been very sick the week before so maybe I was not at 100%. I also had lingering symptoms of the cold, including a stuffy head that required me to stop and blow my nose several times.
I really liked the North Kaibab Trail. The “box” was
pleasant and hearing the creek flow was lovely. Then the trail opened up and
the walls of the canyon were farther apart and it was a different run. But I
still was running slower than usual. I arrived at Cottonwood campground before
9 a.m. and was hoping that I could refill my water flask, but the water was
off. I had read that it was off but hoped that by some miracle they had turned
it on and forgot to post it. It was a nice campground although the lack of
water made it very rustic. The signs said “be quiet” which I obeyed. Then again
there was no one to talk to. I headed to Manzanita where I knew that there
would be water. While I had plenty of water at the moment, I was going through
it fast.
It was a steady but not steep climb to Manzanita. Again
after reading about it I expected something larger because of its importance to
runners and hikers. It is a vital stop because it has water and port-a-potties.
It also had a picnic table. I had passed a few hikers along the way but no
runners. I was beginning to suspect I was the last rim2rim2rim runner that day. This would be my last water stop until I
returned on my way back so it was about six miles of a steep climb to the North
Kaibab Trailhead at the north rim of the Grand Canyon. The north rim was closed
for the season and the water was turned off at the top so I would have to make
my water last. I had more than two liters of water, so I thought I would be
okay.
The climb up to the top of the north rim was difficult. Not
only was it steep but there were sections in which the trail was only about
four or five feet wide and there was a cliff drop on one side that kept me from
looking out across the canyon walls. The top of the North Rim is over 8,000
feet of elevation so my climb was about 6,000 feet. I was definitely
struggling. I was also going through my water at an alarming rate. I was
contemplating turning back about a mile from the rim to save time because I could
see that it was going to take me 8 hours to get to the rim, which meant
probably at least a nine-hour timeframe to return.
I, however, did make it to the north rim and rested a bit.
There was some snow on the north rim which was why it is not open until May 15th.
As I was sitting two runners appeared also doing the rim2rim2rim. They were
from Texas and Virginia. We talked a bit and I found that they had left at 5:30
a.m. so they were moving faster than I. I had limited water but enough to get
back to Manzanita if I was smart. I did have the option of running a mile to a
ranger station and then returning. But adding the mileage and time was not
appealing to me. Plus going downhill, I probably would not be exerting as much
energy as going uphill.
I said goodbye to my fellow rim2rim2rim runners and headed
back down the North Kaibab trail. As I headed down the trail, I quickly came
upon two runners a short distance from the rim and a little while later two
more runners. So there were seven of us rim2rim2rim runners. I was the only
solo. It was obvious to me that very few do this journey solo.
I enjoyed the run down to Manzanita. I felt fairly strong
and took in the views and took some videos. I also encountered a man who I
passed on the way up who was hiking the Arizona Trail from Mexico to Utah. We
encouraged each other on our own separate journeys. I was also passed as I
suspected by four of the rim2rim2rim runners. The other two runners never
passed me.
When I came into Manzanita all four were there taking a
break. I quickly used the bathroom facilities and filled my water bladders. I
had another long leg without access to water and it would be sunnier and hotter
on my way to Phantom Ranch. As we chatted, we all realized that this run was
taking us longer than we anticipated. I had anticipated 14-15 hours but would
end up over 17 hours.
I was the first to leave Manzanita because I knew that it
would take me a lot longer than the four younger runners. As I left I said “I
will see you later when you pass me.”
Both sets of runners did pass me a few miles down the trail. I also was
hoping that I could get to Phantom Ranch before 4 p.m. so that I could grab
their world-famous lemonade and a snack before my last big push up the South
Kaibab Trail. It would be a long shot, but it gave me a goal to push myself
harder. It ended up being a mistake. I was starving and should have eaten more
at Manzanita instead of pushing myself.
I soon realized that Phantom Ranch before 4 p.m. was a
dream. I was now both physically and emotionally spent. Despite my fatigue and
being a bit despondent about my time I enjoyed the moments of shade in the “box.”
As I entered Phantom Ranch, I was very tired. That big push to get there had
drained me. I tried to see if I could find a snack but to no avail.
I was contemplating my options. I had my credit card with
me. Maybe I could see if there was a cabin available and get a good meal and
sleep and head out early in the morning. No, I thought I needed to finish this.
So, what if it takes me until the wee hours of the night. I headed to the water
station for the last but most difficult leg of the journey.
I was fully experiencing the Grand Canyon –not only its
beauty and awe but its difficulties and harshness. Sometimes those qualities of
beauty, awe, harshness and difficulty all coexist in one place.
Next Blog The Last Grueling Leg Out of the Canyon
An exciting, thrilling adventure. You are a brave man going alone. Your descriptions of the sights are awesome. Can't wait for part two!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Part two was harder than part one.
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