After just 3 hours of sleep the night beforehand, we started our descent into the canyon on the South Bass trail just after 6am. We made decent time down to the river and prepared to swim across using dry suits and pfds. The first swim across was more challenging for us based on where we put-in and the eddy line, but we both made it and then stashed the gear we didn’t need for the North Rim ascent.
We then started up the North Bass route and enjoyed weaving in and out of Shinamu Creek and White Creek with stunning views. The route alternated some solid trail miles with slow-going drainage travel. It was generally overcast throughout the day, but the sun came out and heated things up for our final approach to the North Bass trailhead. Megan slammed two McDoubles at the top, and we regrouped before turning around.
The return trip entailed trying to move efficiently while still taking care of ourselves. The swim went smoothly, and we didn’t have to turn on headlamps until a couple miles up South Bass. Our final push was in the dark and we did our best to not lose the trail. We weren’t sure if we would hit the FKT until the very end, and it was such a reward to be done.
There is still a lot of time left on this route, and we are scheming all the ways we could have been faster. All of the information and advice from those before us was instrumental to having a good day. We hope to come back and do it again!