The climb out

One has a choice to go down, but not a choice to go up.

We awoke at 4:25 and quickly got ready.  We shook out our shoes for scorpions; the place is crawling with 'em!

The cook in the mess hall had coffee available on the back porch.  Karen and I downed a cup and were ready for the hike.  As soon as we got on the trail, we saw a red tail fox about 5 yards from us. We were also told by the veterans at dinner, to be especially vigilent for rattlesnakes on the early morning trail. We crossed the "silver bridge" and were on our way.

4:50am river crossing

The hike started out fine.  We encountered Devil's Corkscrew (apparently each trail has its own version of this life-threatening exposed switchback section), but this time it was completely shady due to the early departure.   However, this section had an overzealous squirrel that tried to get into my backpack while I was photographing Holland and Karen.  It held its ground until I threatened it with wild gesticulations.  It later accosted Holland and Karen and chased them up the remainder of the corkscrew section.  We were finally making some good time!

Bats flying into and out of cave at our 5:30am visitation.

Unlike the arid South Kaibab trail, this trail had several stream crossings.  This was a welcome relief even before the sun found us.  We cruised into Indian Garden (half-way point) in good time and refilled our bottles.  4.7 miles remained.

The sun finally made its presence known during the next section.  The climbing and rising temperatures started to takes its toll on us.  We arrived at the 3-mile water stop in need of some relief.  We each dumped several water bottles on our heads to cool off.  This felt great and re-energized our campaign.

At the 1.5 mile (from the the top) mark, we repeated the head-drenching maneuvers.    Also the kids found an entertaining squirrel.  Several in the crowd were willing to break the law, and reward the animal.  The squirrel's girth suggested professional status.

Faces of perpetrators not shown

The trail was starting to get crowded.  Many visitors start down the Bright Angel trail for a short 1.5 mile hike, only to quickly return to the rim.  We finished the hike exhausted and sore.  The last segments resembled a shuffle.  But..... we finished in 6:10!  The ranger said it would take 6-10 hours, so we were thrilled with our effort.  I am proud of my speed-hikers!

Mission accomplished!

The payoff.  The rallying cry for our hike out of the Grand Canyon had been "pizza and milkshakes."  Our first stop off the trail was the pizza joint.  We went "braveheart" on two large pizzas, beers and sprites.  Mediocre pizza has never tasted better.  After sitting for an hour, our subsequent gait resembled that of renowned adventurer Fred Sanford.

 Or as the band LMFAO succinctly summed up:  "Every day I'm shufflin'"

After our hike, walking is a challenge.