Spontaneity... that's the best way to start an adventure. I got a call from Pat O'Neil on Friday afternoon about going to the Grand Canyon for a St Patty's Day run. In typical O'Neil fashion, the message was short and to the point. It basically said; Grand Canyon, St. Patrick's Day, leave Saturday at 1:00 PM, run Sunday, back in CB by Monday afternoon, are you in? Lets face it, I don't know how to say no to a run, especially when it includes crossing the Grand Canyon twice. Hell yes I'm in!
Pat picked Andy & I up around noon on Saturday and we were on our way. Fast forward about 4 hours, toss in the "Big Game Hunt's" truck, and we had ourselves a race along canyon roads heading east past the turn for Telluride. That's right, we got distracted while enjoying a friendly car race and about 45 minutes later Pat hit the breaks, nearly stopping in the middle of the road. "The La Sals!" "Why are we looking at the La Sals, and why are we going towards Canyonlands?!" That's when "Dad" got pissed...
Pat picked Andy & I up around noon on Saturday and we were on our way. Fast forward about 4 hours, toss in the "Big Game Hunt's" truck, and we had ourselves a race along canyon roads heading east past the turn for Telluride. That's right, we got distracted while enjoying a friendly car race and about 45 minutes later Pat hit the breaks, nearly stopping in the middle of the road. "The La Sals!" "Why are we looking at the La Sals, and why are we going towards Canyonlands?!" That's when "Dad" got pissed...
Pat - aka "Dad", is obviously... Pissed. We missed our turn towards Telluride, while mocking every other car besides us making the turn. That was followed by the drag race with "Big Hunts", so we probably got what we deserved. Regardless, we were only adding an hour at most to our 9+ hr road trip. In the end it worked out though, since we got to drive through Monument Valley and stopped for a photo where Forrest Gump stops running in the movie.
Click on the picture to make it larger ---->
We ended up rolling into the Campgrounds on the South Rim around 9:30 PM, and after a quick dinner, passed out for the night. Morning came quick, and after breakfast and a gear check, we were at the canyon rim in the early morning twilight. A group photo (the only one from the tip), and we were off, on our way down the Bright Angel Trail at 6:11 AM.
The early morning temperature was in the upper 30's at the rim with a brisk breeze. Once we got a couple miles into the Canyon though, we warmed up and quickly ditched our outer layer. The sun began to light up the drainage we were in, and by the time we got to Indian Gardens, we were warm and enjoying the new spring green of the Cottonwood trees. A pleasant change from the long Crested Butte winter. Not long after that, we were crossing the mighty Colorado and filling up our water bottles at Phantom Ranch. Nearly 10 miles and 1 hr 40 minutes in. We were in no rush, and just enjoyed the day at a mellow pace that everyone was happy with.
Click on the picture to make it larger ---->
We ended up rolling into the Campgrounds on the South Rim around 9:30 PM, and after a quick dinner, passed out for the night. Morning came quick, and after breakfast and a gear check, we were at the canyon rim in the early morning twilight. A group photo (the only one from the tip), and we were off, on our way down the Bright Angel Trail at 6:11 AM.
The early morning temperature was in the upper 30's at the rim with a brisk breeze. Once we got a couple miles into the Canyon though, we warmed up and quickly ditched our outer layer. The sun began to light up the drainage we were in, and by the time we got to Indian Gardens, we were warm and enjoying the new spring green of the Cottonwood trees. A pleasant change from the long Crested Butte winter. Not long after that, we were crossing the mighty Colorado and filling up our water bottles at Phantom Ranch. Nearly 10 miles and 1 hr 40 minutes in. We were in no rush, and just enjoyed the day at a mellow pace that everyone was happy with.
Pat & Jesse headed down North Kaibab As we began climbing up towards the north rim, the temperature continued to rise and soon we were into the sun. We stopped at the Ranger Station about 8 miles up from Phantom Ranch and approximately 5.5 miles from the rim to cap off our fluids once more. We would not have water again until we were back to that exact point in a few hours. The rest of the climb went by without a hitch, and near the end we all went at our own pace. Andy was the first to reach the top, followed by Jesse, Pat, & I with Chris coning in just minutes later. There was only a moderate amount of snow on the trail near the top of the rim, with the majority being in the final quarter mile. Everyone seemed to be feeling good and in high spirits with one crossing down, and one more still to do. Total time for the first half was just over 5 hours.
On the way down we started out as a group and even passed a couple other runners on their way up. It wasn't until we left the Ranger Station for the second time that we started to string out. Andy & Jesse were out front, Chris in the middle, and I sat back and ran with Pat for a bit. After a mile or so though, I decided to go catch up and within a couple miles was back with Jesse & Andy. The three of us cruised at a solid pace the last 5 miles or so down to Phantom Ranch. After waiting for about 10 minutes, Andy & Jesse were eager to keep moving and not let their legs tighten up, so they took off while I stayed behind to wait of the other guys. We must have ran the last section pretty quick, since it was nearly 30 minutes after we arrived that Pat & Chris showed up. And it was not the prettiest sight...
Pat had fallen on some ice and hurt his hip the day before we left, and that had started to bother him quite a bit. How did he put it..? "It feels like my hip is splitting in two" No big deal, I gave him the Advil that I had brought and he was ready to go. Chris also arrived about that time and he looked just as rough. His trouble though was the heat, probably some dehydration, no salt, and definitely a bit behind on his calorie intake. I made sure to fill up his bottle & bladder, handed him 5 of my S-Caps, and made sure he put down 15-20 oz and some food before starting the 7 mile climb back to the top. I stuck with them until the start of the climb after crossing the Bridge heading up the South Kaibab Tr, and once I knew they were feeling alright, set off to try and catch up to Andy & Jesse who had about a 30 minute head start.
The first 1.5 mile of the climb I ran, then realized that the heat was beginning to get to me as well. I felt slightly dizzy and decided to not push myself too hard. I'm sure my body was still feeling the effects of racing a week earlier, and after about 8+ hours in the canyon and 80 degree temps, I did not need to over do it. I decided to hike for a bit, and once I got up to some shady, more mellow pitches, began a slow trot once more. When I finally made it back to the south rim, the temperature was much cooler, but still pleasant and I felt refreshed once again. Andy & Jesse were sitting in the sun and had only been there waiting for about 10-15 minutes. I joined them and also enjoyed the feeling of completing our task. To our surprise, Chris and Pat were not that far behind and finished about 20 minutes later.
This was the second time I have ran R2R2R, the first on Thanksgiving week in 2011. This time though, I was much more prepared and felt fine afterwords. As for the other guys, it was their first time completing the double crossing, and they were stoked. We were all stoked, it was an awesome day. If felt great to run in warm and dry conditions. Now I can't wait for summer and the endless possibilities of adventure. Until next time, enjoy the photos below.
On the way down we started out as a group and even passed a couple other runners on their way up. It wasn't until we left the Ranger Station for the second time that we started to string out. Andy & Jesse were out front, Chris in the middle, and I sat back and ran with Pat for a bit. After a mile or so though, I decided to go catch up and within a couple miles was back with Jesse & Andy. The three of us cruised at a solid pace the last 5 miles or so down to Phantom Ranch. After waiting for about 10 minutes, Andy & Jesse were eager to keep moving and not let their legs tighten up, so they took off while I stayed behind to wait of the other guys. We must have ran the last section pretty quick, since it was nearly 30 minutes after we arrived that Pat & Chris showed up. And it was not the prettiest sight...
Pat had fallen on some ice and hurt his hip the day before we left, and that had started to bother him quite a bit. How did he put it..? "It feels like my hip is splitting in two" No big deal, I gave him the Advil that I had brought and he was ready to go. Chris also arrived about that time and he looked just as rough. His trouble though was the heat, probably some dehydration, no salt, and definitely a bit behind on his calorie intake. I made sure to fill up his bottle & bladder, handed him 5 of my S-Caps, and made sure he put down 15-20 oz and some food before starting the 7 mile climb back to the top. I stuck with them until the start of the climb after crossing the Bridge heading up the South Kaibab Tr, and once I knew they were feeling alright, set off to try and catch up to Andy & Jesse who had about a 30 minute head start.
The first 1.5 mile of the climb I ran, then realized that the heat was beginning to get to me as well. I felt slightly dizzy and decided to not push myself too hard. I'm sure my body was still feeling the effects of racing a week earlier, and after about 8+ hours in the canyon and 80 degree temps, I did not need to over do it. I decided to hike for a bit, and once I got up to some shady, more mellow pitches, began a slow trot once more. When I finally made it back to the south rim, the temperature was much cooler, but still pleasant and I felt refreshed once again. Andy & Jesse were sitting in the sun and had only been there waiting for about 10-15 minutes. I joined them and also enjoyed the feeling of completing our task. To our surprise, Chris and Pat were not that far behind and finished about 20 minutes later.
This was the second time I have ran R2R2R, the first on Thanksgiving week in 2011. This time though, I was much more prepared and felt fine afterwords. As for the other guys, it was their first time completing the double crossing, and they were stoked. We were all stoked, it was an awesome day. If felt great to run in warm and dry conditions. Now I can't wait for summer and the endless possibilities of adventure. Until next time, enjoy the photos below.
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