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Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Grand Canyon Bound!
On our way!
Decisions Decisions...
Fully Loaded!
So happy she grabbed a map once we had lost signal!
We're here!
Muddy River Grill.. haven seen a workng one of these in years.
Tent set.. Final preperations for morningSunday, May 18, 2014
"Downhill" Training
So as I sit here talking to my family, my daughter says I should get used to being up late because of the time change.. Then I start doing the math.. 4a.m. wakeup means 2 a.m. wake-up our time... Ugh.. Didnt think of that one.. Oh well......
One last walk this afternoon on the beach with a few Fort repeats to check in on our knees for the extended downhill climbing.. A few last minute additions include dental floss (for the beef jerky) and Tweezers for the unexpected cactus encounter!
One last walk this afternoon on the beach with a few Fort repeats to check in on our knees for the extended downhill climbing.. A few last minute additions include dental floss (for the beef jerky) and Tweezers for the unexpected cactus encounter!
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
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!
WeatherUntil 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
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
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
7 days and counting...Clothing and Sundries
"How much clothing should I bring" is a last minute call. First of all, there are variations in temperature from the Rims to the bottom of the canyon. Right now, the South Rim temperatures are perfect; highs in the 60's, lows in the 30's. Temperatures in the North Rim are currently highs in the 50's and lows in the upper 20's-30's. (Brrrrr) Phantom Ranch temperatures are typically 10' warmer than the rims. However, this week the temps have been even higher than normal.
Since we are staying overnight at the South Rim, we also need to consider the amount, and type, of clothing needed for the South Rim. And, should we need to stay overnight somewhere in the canyon, we need to ensure we have enough clothes to stay warm.
Clothing List for the Hike |
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(Top to Bottom) |
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South Rim Clothing |
Other items to carry |
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Ankle brace [figure eight] (x2)
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Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Bucket List
One week from today I will check off another one of my bucket list items and attempt the second hardest thing I have ever done.. Raising children being the first.. I completed my first half marathon back in February and compared that to be a close second to actual child birth.. Ha Ha.. So this being twice the distance, with elevation and heat added in I am very conscious of making sure I am training for ALL facets of this trip. Long walks 7+ miles long, lots of stair stepper, staying outside all day, finding something to do to force myself mentally to keep going even when I'm tired.. We'll see..
This adventure creates lots of mixed emotions for me personally..
This adventure creates lots of mixed emotions for me personally..
- I look forward to feeling small in the open space and being reminded of how insignificant our problems really are..
- I have always considered myself a strong person and continuously feel the need to prove that over and over to myself.. Gonna do some soul searching on that one for this trip...
- Its rare in our lives that we are able to be alone and not responsible for anyone else's needs/wants/desires.. Lisa and I are a great fit because we are both so independent and reliable yet, are able to look out for one another mutually for food/hydration more as a check in than incompetency.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
11 days and counting... the equipment list
Equipment List |
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Deciding what equipment to bring on the hike is vitally important. Our packs alone weigh 1.5 pounds. Adding another 7 pounds for water, as well as the clothing we need for the variations in temperature, and to be prepared for an emergency (sprain, lack of water, dehydration etc)
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For starters, we reviewed our options for daypacks, and both decided to use a 20L pack that has an internal compartment for our water, food and clothing
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Fluid containers: We will use 100 ounce bladders, with an extra 32 ounce container for extra water. If water is still unavailable, we will need to carry 2 100 ounce bladders. The bladder will be held internally in the pack, and we plan to place the extra container(s) in a compartment outside the pack, or on a water belt around the waist. I plan to use the bladder for a 75/25 gatorade mixture; and the extra container for plain water.
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Water filtration- We will also carry a hand-pump water filter or aquamarina water drops with us in case water is unavailable. The aquamaria drops are made with chlorine, rather than iodine. (I am senstive to iodine, and would hate to have a reaction on the trail!) There are 7 water stations on the trail. Water is currently turned OFF at the North Rim trailhead and Supai Tunnel, but should be available after May 15th. (The North Rim officially closes between Oct 31 and May 15th). We will need to check back after http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/trail-closures.htm#CP_JUMP_140503
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Carabiners- Although most of our clothing etc will fit inside the pack, we will ues carabiners to clip on wet clothing, flip flops (for use at the South Rim), dirty laundry, and any other items which do not fit into the pack.
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Head lamps A few years ago, when my night vision started to fail, I decided to look into head lamps that provided more light, without adding alot of weight. I came across this princeton tec headlamp. Wow, what a difference! It will be dark when we first start the hike (4am), and we may need them again when we ascend either rim. Besides, they are alot of fun to use when camping and cooking over the fire!
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Emergency Personal Locator Beacon- Yes, I know this is extreme, and we don't plan to use it, but to keep Dave Wilsey and Michael Bardecki from freaking out, we will carry this ACR personal locator beacon. Luv ya guys :)
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