Grand Canyon R2R2R Part 3

I ran into the Manzanita rest area and was pleasantly surprised to find small groups of hikers and bikers (!) relaxing in the shade. The water here was on! And more good news, there was water at the top of the rim as well. This was a huge relief that meant we wouldn’t need to rely on the Lifestraws that we packed. Normally, you can check at the backcountry office to find out which spigots are turned on throughout the canyon, but the office had closed for the day by the time we got there. I took my time to refill my pack and eat some food while Johanna and I waited for the others to come in. After a bit, I started to get anxious and ran back down the trail to try to spot the guys. Here they came! But slowly… I was officially concerned about how much slower we were moving than we initially planned for. This was still the “easy” part. We had about a 4,000 foot climb to the top of the North rim and then the return across the canyon still ahead.

All four of us were accomplished trail and ultra runners with experience in the backcountry. We all understood the risks of being in the wilderness for too long. It wasn’t about pace or trying to meet some random time goal, it was about food and water. It was about safely being able to get out of the canyon before headlamps died. It was about the ability to self-extract. Unfortunately, one of us wasn’t doing well. The conversation turned to, do we stick together, keep going and put the entire group in jeopardy? Or do we separate, forcing anyone lagging to turn around early.

We chose separation. Looking back, I wish I would have made a different decision. I wish I would have said, “I will turn around too, so no one will be alone.” But the selfish part of me won over. I was feeling the strongest, running ahead and frustrated by the long breaks. Why did it have to be me to turn around? Did we all eventually make it with no major issues? Yes, we did! But I still have that lingering guilt about leaving one of our own. A lesson learned for future adventures.

The three of us confidently started the climb, up the North rim. I passed that “6-hour” turn around mark, but could now feel the top. It was so close! 30 more minutes of climbing, then I might turn… We started passing crews working on the trail, getting it ready for the official open season. I couldn’t stop now! And then I was there… at the top of the North Rim in 7 hours and 20 minutes. There was no fanfare and no view. Just some cool water, patches of snow and a friendly ranger checking in, who just happened to be driving by. Once the three of us were all filled up, we snapped a selfie and started the run back to the South rim.