Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim

After enjoying our traditional cheese fondue with Ted and some friends on Thanksgiving, I flew to Salt Lake City to ride with Meghan to the Grand Canyon where we planned to run from the South Rim to the North Rim and back up the South Rim.  Meghan wanted to do this run and so I invited myself along.  I did a similar though shorter version (to Ribbon Falls and back) back in late January 2010 and was interested in experiencing the full meal deal. 

Meghan on the way down

We chose to run down the South Kaibab Trail, up and down the North Kaibab Trail and back up the Bright Angel Trail, which brings the distance to about 45 miles.  For those who are interested in these things, we hit Cottonwood Campground in about 3.5 hours and the North Rim in a little less than 6.5 hours.  We were back at Phantom Ranch in a bit under 10 hours and finished in approximately 14:03.  This included about an hour of stopping/sitting.  There is water at Phantom Ranch, creek water at the Roaring Springs (which we treated) and then water at Indian Gardens and possibly other resthouses on the Bright Angel Trail.  This was plenty.  I probably drank a total of 6 liters of water.  The temps were sunny and roughly 40-60s.

Meghan running into the sunrise

I have to confess that I woke up Saturday morning feeling sub par.  I was just plain tired.  This isn't the way I like to feel when about to embark on an arduous physical adventure, but you play the cards you're holding, right? 

photo credit: Meghan Hicks

The views were 100% spectacular.  What can I say.  The Grand Canyon is a popular destination for a reason.  Getting to spend a full day there is a privilege.

photo credit: Meghan Hicks

Speaking of privileges, it was evident that I was taking for granted my physical ability to do a run like this when I was feeling a little whiny inside.  Trudging up the North Rim I was sighing heavily and whining, which I didn't even realize until Meghan told me about it later.  She noted her concern that by the time we were headed up the South Rim I'd be on all fours.  Looking back on my 2010 trip, I feel extra bad for Cheryl who was not feeling her best but rallied nonetheless and made it out in one piece.  I remember feeling awesome that day, but I better appreciate how tough this trail is when feeling less than awesome.  I should try to not forget that I am privileged to have the fitness and health (not to mention opportunity) to be able to do this even when feeling a little off.  It was still an amazing experience that should never be taken for granted. 

photo credit: Meghan Hicks

It is an even greater privilege to have friends like Meghan with whom I can enjoy such a day and who tolerates my less than sparkly personality when I'm in my own hole inside the hole.  I thought often about my buddies from the 2010 trip and wish Cheryl could have felt better.  Perhaps I can convince her to go back someday...  Anyhow, I know I'm a broken record with my friend-worship but seriously -- how did I get so lucky?  I heart Meghan and I heart my friends and family.  Lucky lucky lucky girl I am.

Meghan still running

Back to the story -- despite feeling blah, the day was relatively uneventful (as in pleasant and unpunctuated by drama or terribleness).  I rolled my ankle at one point which made for a somewhat tenuous half hour or so but my ankle seemed to recover quickly.  I also took a tumble which bloodied my elbow and knee but nothing major.  I was extremely pleased with my roll down the trail which decreased the trauma of the fall -- but no one saw it to compliment me.  You will have to take my word for it.  I did begin joking about taking a mule out since I'd been dreading the hike up the South Rim since I woke up that morning.  Meghan was less than amused by that idea I think.  Because she is an extremely caring person, she spent a lot of time worrying about the mules and whether they were well cared for and happy.  I expect they are probably well cared for since they are very public and I would expect pretty valuable.   

Remarkably, the hike out the South Rim ended up being my favorite and best-feeling part of the day.  I like to preach to others learning to conquer long distances that you have to stay in the moment and not think ahead to all the miles left to go -- I did not adhere to this rule on Saturday.  I didn't fully realize this until I was trudging up the South Rim, realizing I had been dreading it all day and letting it affect my attitude.  Of course, the hike up ended up being fine and my worries were misguided.  It's not so bad really.

At the top of the North Rim

I'd like to do this again but take a significant chunk off my time.  Not that it's a race or anything, but it would be great to get to the beer and pizza more quickly.  After awhile one becomes canyoned out and the beer at the end of the tunnel beckons loudly.

Just a random observation I made Saturday: when I get tired to the point of just wanting to cry a little (or any other emotion that would typically cause a child to want her mommy) I think of and miss Ted.  It's exactly that feeling of wanting mommy -- which is either extremely weird and disturbing or means I really like him and he has grown on me :-) 

I think this was good training for Susitna though right now I feel pretty wrecked.  The combination of holiday eating, travel eating, Meghan + Danni food mayhem + strenuous effort bloating = not feeling my fittest right now.  It's totally worth it of course.

so glad to be done...

Thanks Meghan for the good times.  I have gotten to play with Meghan 3 times in the past 3 months, which is yet another thing to be thankful for.  Since it was Thanksgiving weekend and all I am being thankful.

Ski Season Soon

Dave and I investigated the snowpack Saturday and hiked up Big Mountain (at Whitefish Mountain Resort) to earn our very first turns of the season.  While it's definitely "not there" yet, there was enough snow to ski down one run (only the cattrack seemed adequately covered -- the rest of the mountain seemed insufficiently covered and quite grassy yet).  It was a great teaser though and got me excited about Season III of my skiing adventures.

Dave checks out grass levels for downhill route

I was worried I wouldn't remember how to ski and would have trouble getting down the mountain.  Granted, we were on the easiest route down from the summit, but it was fairly effortless and I felt pretty good about my form and am optimistic that this will be the year I kick my skiing up enough to have more fun in the backcountry than I often do due to skill issues.

downhill preparations

In the meantime, while I wait for more snow to grace the mountains with powdery goodness, I'll wrap up the running season with the Grand Canyon R2R2R next Saturday.  Whoooooop!

Run to Hot Springs, Montana

My friend Elisa, with whom I previously rode bikes to Hot Springs, decided she wanted to run to Hot Springs.  Just to see if she could do it.  She could obviously.  We ran from outside Kila to Hot Springs -- 38 miles total.  Next time we'll run from home which will make it closer to 60 miles :-)

My camera battery was uncooperative so I didn't get that many pictures.  It was a little dreary and cold -- windy at times -- but very pretty.

When we arrived in Hot Springs we enjoyed some soup and sandwiches at "Rainbow Zen Cafe" -- a cute little place run by a woman named LoHua (pr. lowa).  She also read my Tarot Cards.  Above all, we again soaked in the "second most healingest waters" which cured all that ails me.  I'm sure of it.

On the 26th I'm going to run Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim in the Grand Canyon with Meghan.  It was a last minute thing but sounds like good training for Susitna so I'm game.  I know it's going to hurt but I also know it will be a blast.  Maybe we can get Elisa to come.  Just to see if she can do it of course :-)

Just like that, it got dark

Up here in Northwestern Montana it gets pretty dark this time of year.  Particularly with the end of daylight savings time, it's dark when I go to work and dark when I leave work.  It's also gloomy on top of dark, which makes it even darker.  I lose all motivation to do anything other than lounge around in my pajamas and sleep.  And eat.  And drink red wine and scotch.  Working out seems like an overwhelming proposition, (though I am lucky to have friends that force me to meet up with them at 5:30 a.m. or 5:45 a.m. most days).  By springtime I am ready to plan fun things -- right now I don't even feel that excited about planning adventures.  They sound tiring.  I am exhausted just thinking about adventuring. . . . I just want to roll around in a giant fluffy bed of slothfulness.

Father Damian Karras and Regan Ewok