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| Hiking | 44.50 Miles |
11,000 AEG |
| | Hiking | 44.50 Miles | 18 Hrs 27 Mns | | 2.41 mph |
| 11,000 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | BA-NK-SK
Did Rim Cubed Friday evening/Saturday. I was somewhat intimidated as I have never done that type of mileage in one day, along with the fact that most my summer has been spent doing flat creekside hikes and drinking 6 packs with the a/c on indoors. Either way, I'm always down for a bit of a challenge, so I decided to go through with it.
Started down Bright Angel a little before 8pm. Was pretty excited as this would be my first hike on any of these trails. I was planning on using the South Kaibab but I didn't have my own transportation and the buses don't head out there that late. Passed 2 people from Minnesota around the 2 mile mark. They were also doing the cubed hike. Got to phantom ranch around 11pm and started north through the box. I was definitely excited to see this area of the hike on my way back when the sun was out. Was around 2am when I reached Cottonwood. I took a nice half-hour break here before proceeding forward. Had to slow down on the switchbacks up. The moonlight was gone at around 430 and it was extremely dark. Started hitting rocks with my feet which eventually took quite the toll on my two big toes. Topped out at 535am. Took 15 (cold as hell up there!), and headed back.
Started jogging down toward Cottonwood, making pretty good time. After taking a break at Cottonwood though, things turned tough. So far the hike had been pleasant, but now blisters were starting to form and my two big toes hated me for the rock impacts. The box area that I had been looking forward to see wasn't that great through my eyes unfortunately. I was feeling the pain and was ready for the ascent. Lots of traffic here! I tried to free my mind from the fact that I had 11 miles to go still.
Got to Phantom Ranch around 11am. I opted to take the South Kaibab up. I got a second wind on the first half, but ran out of gas on the last 3.5 miles, taking numerous breaks. I was very happy that I took the time to dip my shirt in Bright Angel Creek before ascending as it was HOT on the way up. It's been said before, but take the South Kaibab ascent seriously and bring a lot of H20! I rationed my water just enough to make it to the top with a bit to spare. It was a long bus ride back to the campground as I kept on passing out on the bus missing my stop! All in all, it was a good experience. I'll learn from this and take every precaution for my feet on my next long trip! |
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