Grand Canyon: Rim to Rim!! 5/31

We got to camp at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon with enough daylight to set up camp and make dinner. The next day, we loaded up our packs with heavy gear and did a ten minute hike up and down the Kaibab trail of the North Rim leading into the Grand Canyon. This was a preliminary hike to prepare us for the real deal. Five students stayed back at camp so they could enjoy other activities the North Rim had to offer and to watch over camp. Because of camping permits, we had to split up into three groups. Two groups did the Rim to Rim in two days, one night and one group did it in three days, two nights.
We woke up at three in the morning to start the hike and get to our first campsite before nine. The heat in the Canyon makes it almost impossible to hike past 11 am. During the heat of the day, we dipped into the Bright Angel and Colorado River and took naps. It was important to keep hydrated and eat salty snacks. Hyponatremia is the loss of electrolytes because of sweating and heat. One doctor recommended 500 mg of salt an hour. Every sip of water had to be followed up by a handful of junk food. A typical dinner consisted of cheez whiz with chips, crackers, beef jerky, and tuna. We discovered that cheez whiz + bacon ranch Pringles = baked potato.
Going up the South Rim was probably the hardest part of the hike. But the immense accomplishment felt at the top of the South Rim made every step of the 23.9 miles worth it. We definitely earned bragging rights and other hikers on the trail were quite surprised we came from the North Rim.
We were all so happy to be reunited!!!
Next stop… Yellowstone!

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