FKT: Jason Hardrath, Nate Bender - Grand Canyon R2R2R-alt (AZ) - 2020-12-12

Jason wrote:

"It rained. It sleeted. It snowed.

What a memory...

But R2R2R.alt WENT!

Unsupported, into an unexpected snow storm on the North Rim, with Nate Bender.

It was a FULL VALUE ADVENTURE WEEKEND!....

drive 15 hrs to GCNP,
meet up with Nate,
pile into rental truck,
find hidden jeep trail forest road paralleling closed reservation road on forest land,
mtn biking to the trailhead,
sleeping in sub-20 degree Temps,
start 1hr before sunrise,
route finding (THERE IS A REASON SO MANY TEAMS HAVE GOTTEN LOST ON THIS ONE),
super brisk ? swim,
More route finding,
climbing into a snow storm on the north rim,
shivering uncontrollably in wet gear while running out of snow into rain,
fighting the heinous fatigue levels of being 55FKTS in this year already,
cramps, pain, shivering, barely getting warm,
then diving into a second cold swim to the waning light,
more cramps,
climbing like men possessed back into the snow on the south to stay on pace,
new record 13hr 44min 17sec
briefly resting in tent,
all wet gear freezing solid due to temps nearing single digits,
biking out in snow,
then driving the obstacles of the jeep trail (this time snow covered) to return to civilization.

20 hrs of go time from start of R2R2R.alt to return to civilization!

Sleep 3 hrs in car.

driving the 15 hrs back home. Wildest weekend trip ever!

BACK AT WORK MONDAY! (for Jason anyway)

If you haven't seen the Cowboy's Video of their supported record on this here you go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2sBC-r3mfo"

Nate Wrote:

"On Saturday, @jasonhardrath and I completed the rim-to-rim-to-rim crossing of the Grand Canyon, using the north and south Bass trails instead of the standard Kaibab trail. This R2R2R alternative, as it's getting to be known, is a fairly wild adventure. The trails range from smooth and very runnable, to rocky and rugged, to non-existent. The route is remote, especially in Dec: the N rim is closed for the winter, and the S rim can only currently be accessed by walking or biking several miles (to respect the Havasupai reservation covid closure). Add in December snow and rain, some route-finding, and two swims across the Colorado, and it becomes a full-value day in an incomparable place.

I think one of the ways I am most truly myself is moving fast through wild places. There's something about the interplay of hard effort and awe-inspiring scenery that engages my mind and soul in a way I've never found elsewhere. I think it has something to do with the satisfaction and happiness that comes from feeling your body moving well and doing what it was made to do. Somehow, moving fast with purpose through these places doesn't detract from my experience, but rather enhances it.

This day certainly fell into that sweet spot. Sharing it with a good guy like Jason just added another layer of happiness and camaraderie to the experience.

R2R2RALT unsupported FKT: 13h 44m
42 miles, 10.5k ascent"

it is an amazing adventure run

Who's Next?

we enjoyed some Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic IPAs as we drove out on the jeep trail.