My Rim to Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon
Why do we do hard things? I got to dive deep into this question recently in pursuit of a Rim to Rim to Rim run in the Grand Canyon. Also called an R3, the Rim to Rim to Rim is a one day, double crossing of the Grand Canyon. My GPS watch tells me it was 48.8 miles and 11,047 feet of elevation gain and just as much elevation loss.
My journey started at 4 am (under a full moon) on the South Rim at the South Kaibab Trailhead. Most runners head down the Bright Angel Trail and come back up the South Kaibab Trail but the Bright Angel is closed this spring for construction. So our route (my husband ran with me) was limited to the steeper South Kaibab Trail for both the initial descent and our eventual return trip back up.
6.5 miles and 4700 feet later, we crossed the Colorado River and began the long ascent up the North Kaibab Trail to the North Rim. The climb starts off gradually with 9ish easy miles snaking along Bright Angel Creek, and then at about 16 miles, begins the steady climb to the North Rim. Climbing a total of 5,740 feet from the Colorado River to the North Rim, the trail passes through every ecosystem to be found between Canada and Mexico. The pungent spice of desert vegetation turns to red limestone cliffs and eventually gives way to fir trees and aspen. After a brief (and cold) respite at the top, we turned around, and I found myself headed back down the trail with the same seemingly unfathomable burst of fresh energy that I marveled at in the runners who had passed me earlier on their return trip.
Manzanita Campground marks the end of the steep downhill and provides the first water since leaving there before heading up the North Rim. Runners collect at Manzanita, fill water bottles, refuel, patch blisters, and banter about the miles remaining. A runner I met there described the R3 as ‘life in a day’. All the ups and downs of a life well-lived fit into one single day. Hitting the trail again from Manzanita was a low point for me, knowing that I still had some miles to cover and a really big climb coming up. My energy was getting low, and my stomach was tired of the trail food in my bag. I wanted chips, pretzels, and an avocado. The tube from my hydration pack was leaking, and I found this really irritating! The only way out, though, was forward, so on we went.
Phantom Ranch was the next pit stop and the beginning of the final climb. Only another 4700 feet to the top! The sun was setting as we started up the South Rim. I kept my headlamp off as long as possible to preserve my night vision. The string of headlamps spread out on the trail below was a reassuring reminder of the community in the Canyon.
The climb out was a slog, for sure. But it was also an amazing reminder of what the human body is capable of. Narrowed to the beam of a headlamp, there was only breathing, stepping from foot to foot, the steady sipping of water, and just one scorpion. By now, my stomach was done with food. I reminded myself that if I slowed down, my metabolism could run on stored fat and sustain me for however long it would take me to climb out of the Canyon. I knew I would get there if I kept sipping water, putting one foot in front of the other, trusting in my body.
It was a sweet relief to turn the final switch back and climb out of the Canyon. The trail turned to pavement and we were done. Just like that. After months of preparation and hours of toil, it was over.
What do I take away after doing this hard thing? Mostly, I feel myself walking a little taller. This accomplishment makes me feel more grounded in my feet and more solid on the earth. This is why I do hard things. To feel capable and sure, but mostly to feel grounded, solid in who I am and what I can do. There is great confidence to be found in declaring your goals, preparing, planning, training, asking questions, and then daring to go out and follow through! Follow through on the hard work and find out that you have what it takes to do hard things. So get out there and do your own hard thing. And if you want some help preparing for your own R3, reach out. I learned a few things on this adventure!