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| Hiking | 23.02 Miles |
8,592 AEG |
| | Hiking | 23.02 Miles | 13 Hrs 38 Mns | | 1.90 mph |
| 8,592 ft AEG | 1 Hour 30 Mns Break | | | |
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[ show ]
| partners | | I wanted to get in one more nice little hike/climb before the coaching season starts up for me again and Dallin had become very intrigued about doing a canyon summit. So naturally, this one and the possibility of the coveted double came up, as we exchanged a few messages. We drove up on Friday with a plus one (Alex) and started our adventure at 0458 the next day.
South Kaibab was fast as usual and particularly beautiful, with perhaps one of the best sunrises I have seen from the inner gorge. After topping off water, it was the climb to Utah Flats, which has always seemed to kick my butt a little. No different this time, but it did seem to go by quicker than usual. I took us up a different ridgeline to the contour point on this run, but I am not sure if it really made any difference. Then it was a nice break at the saddle to collect our thoughts and strength before the fun part. We were a little methodical going up the spine, but that was the plan, with Dallin and Alex being new to the class four world. The crux slowed us down for a minute, however, there were really no issues there for anyone, as Dallin and Alex proved very coach-able and trusted me to get them through. Small fact, the handle on the back of a day pack provides an immense sense of security for someone, (whether false, or not) if you grab it and give them a little hoist while they are negotiating a class four maneuver with a couple hundred feet of exposure. We spent a considerable amount of time on the plateau, checked out the pyramid and had a nice break. It was very nice to witness a couple of first timers take in the views from this unique summit and marvel at their accomplishments. The trip back down the spine and the crux went smooth. However, we all agreed the grassy slope decline back to Utah Flats sucked. Despite having plenty of time and probably enough energy, we all agreed that the pyramid would have to wait and just headed back to Phantom Ranch for another nice long break.
I think we must have found a little second wind somewhere and made the climb out SK in just over three hours.
I could not have asked for a better hike and climb in the canyon and the company was great! Its not so bad doing these things with people after all I guess. Despite the big miles and AEG, we kept the day very manageable with several longer breaks to take in some of the scenes and to just to generally enjoy the experience more. And finally, it was kind of nice to shed the solo label and do one of these summits with people and it felt good helping Dallin knock out a challenging summit in the canyon and expand his horizon a little.
A little Trail Humor
First there was the slightly awkward conversation of potential sleeping arrangements for the three of us in the Xterra after it started raining when we reached the canyon, as Dallin and Alex had anticipated cowboy camping and had left the tents at home. Then there was the incident right before we hit the trail. I had taken a couple of Tylenol, but then became slightly worried when I discovered my Tylenol was still in my pocket. So then what two pills did I take? I spent most of the morning trying to figure out where this extra baggy of pills in my day pack came from and then it hit me at Phantom Ranch. I had taken two of Cup's last three doggy pain killers that Kyle had given me before I left on my fall break trip, oops. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
