Team Aubray : The National Parks: 08/21/12

There's a lot to say about the 2.5 days we spent in an around the Grand Canyon. First, it was much cooler and wetter than we expected. We are told that August is monsoon season -- a claim which appears to hold water. Fortunately, we placed our tent on high ground and averted a damp wake-up call on our first full day.

That first day we proceeded directly to the Bright Angel Transportation Desk where we were pleasantly surprised to find that due to a number of cancellations there were several cabins available at Phantom Ranch. Visitors to the canyon are CONSTANTLY warned that hiking down to the river at the bottom of the canyon and back on the same day is not a good idea (it's an intense 17mi round trip), so getting a place to stay at Phantom is a requirement.

With our accommodation secured we hoofed it down the picturesque 7mi South Kaibab trail in 3:21. We felt pretty good about that since the estimate is something like 6 hours. However, we must acknowledge the huge boost we got from the cool weather.

Phantom ranch itself was better than expected. We had a private cabin with air conditioning and were served a delicious meal of stew and cornbread. We attended a ranger talk on the geology of the canyon (Pre-cambrain to present) and learned that DUDE stands for {Deposition, Uplift, Down cutting and Erosion}. Alas, we didn't stay long -- the next morning we headed out at 5:30am to beat the heat.

The return hike up Bright Angel Trail was staggering in more was than one. The 10mi hike was certainly the most challenging single hike either Aubry or I have ever attempted (and this after completing the second-most challenging the day before). We hiked quickly but also took regular breaks downing 2+ liters of water each. At the mark of 4:51 we reached the south rim completing the round trip in just under 24 hours. The feeling in one's legs is not dissimilar from completing a marathon.

Since I doubt anyone is still reading at this point. Here be thar photos: