R2R2R across the Grand Canyon (Oct 2006)

Kim really wanted to try a rim-to-rim (R2R) in the Grand Canyon. I had done one back in 2003--actually a R2R2R in two days and one night. I suggested we do a R2R2R instead, and save the time and gas it takes to shuttle two cars back and forth between the rims. We trained by hiking some big hikes and mountains. We started at the North Rim and hiked down 14 miles and 6000' vertical to Phantom Ranch in about 5 hours, after stopping off at Ribbon Falls. After eating a bagel and drinking some lemonade, we hiked up a vertical mile in 7.5 miles to the South Rim in another 4 hours. We took the shuttle to the store to buy some snacks, then off to the lodge for dinner and sleep. It was nice to get a warm shower before getting up at 5AM and repeating the 22 mile hike back across the canyon in about 9 hours. Kim loved it so much that she wants to do it again!





Kim rehydrating on the South Kaibab trail.














The Kaibab suspension bridge across the Colorado River.















The sunset from the Bright Angel Lodge after a long day's hike. One more day of hiking to go!













Kim happy as ever on the second day.