Go with the Flow...the Ultimate 'Gumby's'

Gina and I are making final plans for the Grand Canyon hike. We text each other daily asking: 'Are we there yet?" (This will be the same question we ask ourselves as we ascend up the rims...)

The Hike and Gear
We are scurrying around today to pick up the last minute gear. We are meeting this afternoon (Sunday May 18) to look at the  maps, set up the tent, and to take our last walk together in Fort DeSoto to try out our packs. (Click the link to view the trail on Google Maps. https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?gl=US&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=204716147159773576757.0004ce2a0efc0947a06a9&dg=feature

Water supplies..It appears there was a pipe that burst on the North Kaibab trail, which is the northern part of the trail leading to the North Rim. According to the report "A portion of a steel pipe that runs up to the North Rim burst Tuesday when a rock fell on it. ... water was unavailable near Supai Tunnel until the pipe was fixed Thursday."


We will have more details when we arrive on Tuesday night. However, we should be prepared to carry an extra 160 ounces of fluid, which is equivalent to 10 extra pounds! This may not seem like much, but it will really impact the hike on the return trip as we ascend from the bottom of the canyon to 8,000 feet!

Weather
Until yesterday, the weather report was PERFECT! At the rims, the report called for sunny skies, lows in the 30's and highs around 65. Phantom ranch temps were dropping from 99 (this week) to mid 80's. 

Today, the weather report has changed. The reports are now calling for (slight chance of) Thunderstorms late Wed, Thursday and Friday. Thunderstorms in the Grand Canyon typically occur in the late afternoons, and have potential for severe flooding, hail and frequent lightening. Here are links to see the conditions on the South Rim, North Rim, and Phantom Ranch. 

New Plans-- so we think...
I love traveling with Gina! She and I are the ultimately 'Gumbies' when it comes to traveling; in other words we are changing our plans! 

We will now be hiking on Wednesday from North Rim to South Rim; and Thursday from South Rim to North Rim.

After talking to Gina, I went online and was able to make reservations at the Bright Angel Lodge. (We

currently have reservations for Thursday and Friday at the same lodge... just covering all bases! I also reserved a tent site for Thursday night at the North Rim. 

The lodge is located on the South Rim, at the entrance to Bright Angel Trail. It is called the 'hikers' lodge due to the 'lack of amenities' (LOL). The Thursday/Friday night reservations were in the 'standard rooms' which meant we are sharing a double-bed [no funny stuff!] AND the toilets and showers are in the hallway! However, if we decided to hike on Wednesday, we will be staying on one of the cabins! Cabins come equipped with a coffee maker (which is extremely important when you are leaving at 4am in the morning), a queen-sized bed, and an indoor 3/4 bath! 

We will keep you posted as we keep an eye out on the weather. We will be following the weather alerts, which are posted in the government website. Feel free to follow along with us.. http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/weather-condition.htm