It’s been a little over a years since we completed this and this run has been on my mind lately as I start think about what to do after the pandemic is over and we return to whatever form of normalcy comes with that. This idea all started when a friend (almost jokingly) suggested that we do the Rim to Rim to Rim in the grand canyon. It started almost like a passing thought but for some reason stuck in my head for weeks. It had been a big year for me as far as racing goes so I figured why not add another event to the list and an amazing one at that. When would i get another chance to do something like this so I went back to my friend and we started planning.

The traditional Rim to Rim to Rim starts at the South side of the canyon and down the bright angel trail to the Colorado river it continues to the Phantom ranch following the Kaibab trail all the way across the canyon to the north side. Along the way it passes waterfalls, rivers, and several other camps. The landscape of the grand canyon is unlike anything I have ever seen and was also way greener than I was expecting. Once at the North Rim you turn around and do it all again in the opposite direction. One difference is that we headed up the South Kaibab Trail to finish on the South Rim a few miles from where you start.

There would be three of us on this adventure and it would only be a quick 4 day trip to Arizona and back. We arrived in Las Vegas on a Thursday night and made for our campsite just outside the city. Trying to fit as much as possible in we decided to also to hit up the Valley of Fire in Nevada where we would spend a few hours and check out a slot canyon before continuing onto the Grand Canyon for the main event.

We arrived at the grand canyon on Saturday afternoon and set up camp while prepping for our journey into the depths the next day. We gathered any supplies that we needed at the local grocery store and had a good dinner in the wilds of Arizona. We would be starting early the next day so we decided to call it an early night.

The day started at 3 am for us. As we groggily gathered our belonging that we had set out the day before while trying not to forget anything in the frosty 20 degree morning. After a short drive we arrived at the trailhead in the pitch dark. Unknowingly looking into the void that is the grand canyon in the distance. The run starts with a 5000 ft descent via the bright angel trail towards the Colorado river and we were the only ones out there besides the occasional donkey siting. The sun started to show itself as we were reaching the river showing the true magnificence of the canyon. The colors really surprised me as this was my first time in the desert. There were so many different shades of red, yellow, and green. Truly awe inspiring.

The middle of the canyon was relatively flat with some only some slight undulations to the path. Directly in the middle is a waterfall that we decided to check out called ribbon falls. This is an oasis in the middle of the desert. I was truly surprised by the amount of water and green in the canyon. On the way back we had to cross a stream in order to get back on the main trail. As we were crossing the stream and returning to the main trail I dropped my precious trekking pole in the water and in an instant it was swept down the stream. I didn’t give up though I rushed down the bank to try and beat it down the river. I came to an opening in the bank and stood in the center peering up stream in hopes of locating the pole. To my surprise I see the pole floating towards me and manage to grab it with the other pole. I got lucky. The rest of the run would have been horrific without the pole.

We continued on our way to the north side of the canyon about to start our 5000 ft ascent up to the rim. This side of the canyon is so drastically different from the south side. Way more colors and side canyons that I’m sure very few people had ventured into. Its a land lost in time and shaped over the eons. The history stored in the walls of the canyon goes back millions of years and are revealed by the constant onslaught of the Colorado river. This could be truly seen in the north rim of the canyon. Running through a place like this brought me back in time.

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Upon reaching the top of the North rim, which was closed at the time, we took a short break to resupply and refuel. It was time to start our way back down 5000 ft to the base of the canyon and head back towards the south rim. This is where it really started to fall apart for me. I had felt ok at the top of the north rim but by the time we reached the base the heat and sun was starting to beat me down. I was slowing down in a big way and my two friends were starting to gap me. We reached phantom ranch and after taking a quick break is where I started to dry heave. This continued on for probably like 5-10 min and I had a pretty good audience watching me die a slow death in the bushes. We still had 9 miles and 5000 ft of vert to go before we were finished. It was going to be a long few hours.

After I finished trying to vomit what seemed to be all of my organs, we started passed over the Colorado river for the second time and started the climb to the top of the south rim. We were racing the sun at this point and a race that we would inevitably lose.

It was dark and we were about half way up the climb. I was starting to feel better as I slowly nursed myself back to health snacking and nibbling on food as we climbed. Although I was feeling better, I seemed to have just switched places with one of my friends. The heat had finally taken its toll and he was feeling it. We told our friend to continue on and get the car to meet us as she was doing much better than the both of us. It was still a decent way to the top.

About a mile to go and we take a little break my friend decides to take a quick dirt nap as I try to eat some more food and drink water. After that it wasn’t long before we got to the top and we had finally made it. The canyon wasn’t quite done with either of us though and we both end up leaving our mark in the form of vomit on the south rim before we got in the car and decide to get a hotel room. All I could eat that night were ice chips.

This was definitely one of the hardest things I’ve ever done while being one of the most amazing. The grand canyon is truly one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It’s magnitude and magnificence is something that can only be witnessed in person. I feel grateful that I was able to do such a thing with some of my best friends.