Why?

Five weeks ago today we embarked on our first R2R hike. Today we're headed back to do it again? Why?

The Monday before our first hike I received an email from a friend and former co-worker who had hiked the Canyon R2R annually for something like 15 years straight. She emailed to give yet more encouragement and make plans to see the pictures and hear the details of our adventure when we returned.

Two days later, she was dead. A blood clot formed after surgery for a broken leg, result of a very freakish bicycle accident two weeks prior, traveled to her lung and that was it.  Too young. Too active. Too sweet. Totally wrong.

I am driven to make her proud. The entire time that we were planning our first hike, she told me that we could do it R2R without staying at Phantom Ranch.  She said that South Kaibab was the better trail to go out instead of Bright Angel.  For you, Judy, we do this hike for you.

Last year Judy put together a long and much appreciated letter with tips, tricks and advice.  I'd like to share some of her thoughts that have guided us on both the previous hike and this one to come.

Stop at Jacob Lake and check out the cookies. My favorite flavor is Lemon Zucchini.

We did. We picked up four cookies on the last trip.

Before the sun sets, sit in the rocking chairs at the [north] lodge and look across the canyon to the south rim, you can see the lights from the buildings come on as it gets dark.

We did. We ordered "milk to go" and toasted you with the Lemon Zucchini cookie you recommended while we watched the sunset.

Get an early start. We liked to start down the trail as soon as there was sunlight...It will be cold as you start but as hot as Phoenix at the bottom. I couldn't do it without a light jacket. I hiked in shorts and that meant cold legs as we started out.

That's what we did. The early start was one of the best pieces of advice. This time, we're hiking at night so no "early" start.

Mentally I divide the hike in 3 parts. Down the N Kaibab is 1/3. Actual mileage is more than that but it is downhill and fast, you will make good time. You will expend 1/3 of your energy doing this part. The flat part across the bottom is another third and the up part of the trail will take another third of your energy although it is fewer miles.

We haven't hiked South Kaibab before but I think it's more like 1/2 of the energy to get up the 20% grades on that trail. We'll know more in a few days.

She described one time when they stayed at Phantom Ranch with young children and hiked out early...As we left Phantom walking on the trail while it was still dark we saw glowing eyes staring at us about the height of an adult. It was only deer but disconcerting because human eyes don't glow. You will also see the glowing eyes of nocturnal ring tail cats rustling around lower to the ground.

The nocturnal animals are one of the things we're looking forward to on this hike.

Personally I would rather take the S Kaibab out. The grade is steeper but the miles are fewer. I would rather get the torture over quickly.

I hate the ascent. I'm really hoping that your theory is true and the torture is over more quickly.

My favorite line that I will always remember.
I never took hiking the canyon for granted. I realized that each time I hiked it could be my last time and that time came. It is a beautiful experience but never easy no matter how much training I did. Enjoy and come back safe.

Judy, I won't take the canyon for granted.

More importantly, I will work hard not to take the people in my life for granted. I assumed you would be there to share the excitement of the hike when we returned and you weren't. How quickly things in life can change. Never take for granted that what we have this minute, the life we enjoy will be there the next.

Hope you all have an enjoyable and safe holiday weekend. Enjoy and come back safe.