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November 30, 2007
Part One: Into The Dark
(T's photo.)
The next several blog entries will serve as the story of my 2007 Grand Canyon double crossing. T and I completed the same run last Thanksgiving, and apparently we're attempting to make it a tradition. I consider myself unduly thankful to accomplish this two years running (Sadly, the pun was intended.).
I began this journey feeling somewhat cautious about my two big toes. The nails on these toes were sporting significant residual damage from recent events and training runs. Let's put it this way: portions of each of the nails were attached, and other portions were detached. As I slid each toe into my Injinji socks and Montrail shoes that morning, I begged each of them to fairly behave. Most of them behaved quite well, as nine toes would return to the South Rim that night unscathed.
Without particular warning, we were standing on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at 6 am last Saturday morning. The Big Ditch was in front of us; I knew this to be true. However, our late night arrival the evening prior and this day's early morning start provided nary a glimpse of the Big Hole in the Ground. However, as we stood there, a frozen wind carrying fine dirt pelted our faces from an odd angle, from below, thus confirming the presence of an abyssmal space before us. Because running 48 miles from the South Rim to the North Rim and back to the South RIm again seemed more comfortable than standing there unmoving in the 18 degree Fahrenheit and God-knows-what windchill, we started running down the Bright Angel Trail.
Posted by Meghan at November 30, 2007 6:15 PM
Comments
and??? A serial cliff hanger...
Posted by: backofpack at November 30, 2007 8:20 PM
"The Big Ditch" - love it!! ;)
Posted by: Beth at December 1, 2007 5:09 AM
.. you guys so cute, the immense darkness behind, the knowledge of what is going on, what you are going to do,... it is all very fascinating and casual at the same time... you guys thought of doing toothpaste commercials...??
Posted by: corrado giambalvo at December 1, 2007 9:14 AM
ummmm I need more report & PICSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS :-( this journey better not go on into 2008' I am not a patient man--haha
Let's go ToeNailLESS PIC_K it up :-) and yes the pun was intended .
Posted by: Bob Gentile at December 1, 2007 10:35 AM
The clenched teeth are a giveaway...you guys look COLD!
That weird invisible presence of the canyon in the darkness sticks with me from last year. It really is a tangible void, even if you can't see it.
Posted by: chelle at December 1, 2007 11:12 AM
Michelle- And? And?
Beth- I was silently using another phrase that rhymes with The Big Ditch during the run. You might imagine what that was? :)
Corrado- Thanks! But I can't help but think that at least my expression is a cross between, "I'm frozen solid!" and "I'm entirely frightened!"
Bob- Have you no patience? :)
Chelle- You know exactly what I'm talking about.
Posted by: Meghan at December 1, 2007 7:56 PM
Oh, cool! I recognize the darkness in the background. I think I've been in that exact spot!
Posted by: JeffO at December 3, 2007 10:31 AM