Another Trip to the Black Bridge

To the river and back in a day? Why oh why...

Nearly seven weeks ago I spent a great weekend with my uncle Eric and brother-in-law Blake hiking the Grand Canyon.  We walked down the South Kaibab Trail, stayed the night at Phantom Ranch,  and then went out on the Bright Angel Trail.   It was a great trip, and you can read all about it here.

That trip with Blake and Eric inspired me to hike the canyon again.  There would not be time in my schedule to take a proper trip and spend a night or two at the river.  So, I decided that a quick trip demanded a quick partner.  Right away I knew that I needed to recruit my friend Chris Tatum.

Chris is a local rock climbing guide and all around great guy.  Chris has climbed El Capitan in Yosemite in a day, Half Dome in a day, and multiple big walls in Zion.  Chris and I hiked Mt Elden here in Flagstaff about a month ago and it went well.  The Grand Canyon would be like hiking Elden two and a half times, but I felt that we were up for the challenge. 

Chris picked me up at 4:15am on Good Friday.  My house is on the way to the canyon and in a quick 90 minutes we were parking the car, putting on packs, and walking to the trailhead. 

Early morning light at the top of the Kaibab Trail.

Chris and I left the car just before 6am.  The air was crisp and cool, but felt so good.  We knew that we would warm up quickly and we were both excited to get moving.

Chris descending the first of many switchbacks.

The moon and Kaibab Limestone.

The trip down was great fun.  We stashed a few liters of water at the bathroom which is about a mile and a half below the rim.  The temps were already starting to warm up and we were sheding layers.  Normally I would be hiking down the canyon with a heavy pack (45-50 pounds) which makes the descent not fun.  Chris and I were carrying about ten pounds each and that allowed us to move quickly.  In just two hours we arrived at the river.

A river trip pulling in.  I have to say that I was jealous.

After a quick rest and snack we hit the trail for the top.  This was the only point in the hike where I questioned our sanity.  Faced with nearly 5000' of vertical relief to walk up I felt a little intimidated.  But, with Chris setting a nice pace right out of the gate, those feelings disappeared and we just focused on making good time.

Chris leading us out.

Near the top of the Inner Gorge Chris told me that his knee was hurting.  I thought, uh oh, this is trouble brewing.  I asked him if he wanted to pull over and rest it for a few minutes.  He said no, that it felt better just to keep walking.  Chris is a tough guy and didn't complain the rest of the way out even though I am pretty sure that he was hurting pretty bad.  Even with Chris hurting we approached the half way point, Skeleton Point, in just about one hour.

This difficult section of the Kaibab Trail leads to Skeleton Point. 

We found a little shade just off the trail and took a 5 minute break.  I was amazed at how many people there were on the trail.  It was Good Friday after all and all National Parks were free over the weekend.

After Skeleton Point the trail is generally flat for about a third of a mile.  This was a welcome break from the constant climbing we had been dealing with since the river.  Chris claimed that his knee was feeling better at this point and we kicked it into high gear.  The flat trail ended quickly and it was back to climbing, switchbacks, and eventually a flat spot where the NPS has installed a toilet.  I was surprised at how difficult this section of trail was.  It didn't pass through either the Red Wall Limestone or the Coconino Sandstone, which are traditionally the most difficult layers. 

Just another amazing view from the Kaibab Trail.

  After grabbing our water stash and a quick trip to the bathroom.  Chris and I tackled the last section of trail.  Chris really kicked it in during this last part of the trail, and I just hung on behind him.  I was blown away by the number of folks who were day hiking.   There were no less than fifty people at the bathroom and another fifty at "Oh Ah Point".  I love seeing folks out enjoying the canyon, but this was an amazing number of people.

Five hours after starting out, Chris and I topped out.  We had planned six hours of hiking plus breaks.  Being right at five hours blew us both away.

Victory, but our legs were tired.

Now I am thinking about a Rim to Rim to Rim attempt in the fall.  :)

Skiing in April!

So, for the first time in a year I didn't do what the doctor ordered.  I just could not contain my enthusiasm any longer and I went skiing.  Our local resort here in Flagstaff, Snowbowl, closed on Sunday after a good season.  The lifts are off and the crowds are gone, so it is really the perfect time to hike a lap.

Jason and James skinning up Lower Bowl.  Absolutely beautiful setting for a quick skin up and ski down.

Jason Boyd, or Boydo as he is known far and wide, met me at my house at 10:30am.  Dean was supposed to meet us, but was running late after working out at Paragon this morning.  Dean would ralley and we would see him on our way down.  Boydo and I met up with James Brooks in the parking lot, and after putting on my knee brace and ski boots, we started hiking up the hill. 

I often find myself in situations where I am the person with the least experience and skill.  This situation was no different. 

Jason enjoying the spring skinning.

Boydo is a great skier and a complete aerobic animal.  He runs, climbs, and flys during almost every minute of his time off.   I work with Jason in the ICU at Flagstaff Medical Center.  He is a great nurse and an all around good guy.

James cruising the way up.

James is probably one of the coolest all around people in Flagstaff.  He has a ton of skiing and triathlon experience.  James also owns and operates Floor Coverings International.  If you are going to do any flooring or kitchen work in your house talk to James first. 

Unlike my skiing partners I don't have an Alpine Touring set-up on my skis.  So, they were on my back.

A rare picture of me enjoying the hike up.

It took us about an hour to hike from the bottom parking lot, to where the upper catwalk spills out into a run called Logjam.  After layering up and putting on gloves, we started on down.

Now, I have not skiied for a little over a year.  I tore my ACL last March and I am almost exactly one year post repair.  (The repair was made on April 15th, 2010 for those who keep score at home.)  So I was a little nervous being my first time back out on the boards.  I did have my Don-Joy space age knee brace on and I made sure that if I did fall that I would not, under any circumstances, put my left arm out.

The very top is a little steep and I did crash almost right away.  I crashed while skiing through a snow berm that the CAT left.  I just got my weight a little too far forward.  I managed to keep all of my bones and ligaments intact, dusted myself off and kept going.  As we got down further and further my technique started to come back together.  James and Jason were both very positive and gave me great tips on how to ski better.  All in all we got in 1700' of hiking up and skiing down.  Not bad for being just 20 minutes from my front door.

James checking in at the top.  I hate to say it, but it is nice
to have cell service up there.

Me.  Head down, lungs burning, calves as tight as a rock, but having fun!
A great view looking down "Lower Bowl".

 Most people's ski season is pretty much done.  Mine may just be starting.  I just received an invitation to do some spring skiing on Independence Pass.  The pass doesn't usually open until June 1st.  My buddy Ryan Bradley invited me to head up and ski for a few days with him.  After today I would say that I would really like to go.  I hope that it will work out!

Now, I just need to get my hands on a pair of these-

And I need to go here-