Stories of PH

Race Report: Grand Canyon Rim to Rim

November 12,2024

Just more than 13 months ago a dear friend of mine, April Welch, told me about this thing called the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim. Definitely something a Spartan friend would recommend. Completely insane, definitely up my alley. I said, “Maybe someday,” and then was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. So my fiance, Tim, said “Hey maybe you should do that thing, who knows what the future holds.”

Just like that, a dream was set.

The year was filled with trials and setbacks. Injuries and flares. I was beginning to doubt myself. I reached out to some people who during marathon training said, “I won’t run with you, but let me know if you hike.” and then my friend Vicky Darnell said, “I want in, how do I do that?” She signed up and I swear it was that night that she had already read the whole book and listened to every episode of the podcasts – I knew it was kismet and we were destined to be on this journey.

All summer was hikes, runs, walks, and STAIRS. My daughter Paisley kept me honest and my friend Cathy joined in on the fun, too. I worked on fuel and hydration. I learned to carry a pack and use hiking poles. It was pretty cool.

About 10 days out from the trip my sweet son, Miles, gave me a gift…a stomach virus. I used all my nursing skills to keep myself on track untill six days out when I got a respiratory virus. I was doomed. Did it stop me? Never has, never will.

We headed to the airport and ran into some family and my friend Amanda and her family. Absolutely fate, as of course this hike is dedicated to my Let Me Be Your Lungs partners Steve Hartz (Amanda’s father) and my aunt Lynn Bastian for Team PHenomenal Hope. We had the best flight to Las Vegas. Shenanigans and laughs the whole way!

When we made it to Vegas we met up with our friend April and the whole group organized by Beth. I want to be Beth someday. She completed her R3 like it was a walk in the park! A rockstar and inspiration. This group was just AWESOME AWESOME HUMANS. We hopped on the BEST van and headed to UT, then to the North Rim.

We hit the trail at 3:52 am when it was pitch black dark to descend the north rim into the canyon. Prior to reaching mile two I had already rolled my ankle and fallen. I think that’s what they call foreshadowing.

We marched on that decline for seven to eight miles and watched the sun rise in the canyon. The views will live in my memories and heart for the rest of my life. From Manzanita to Cottonwood was delightfully uneventful. Vicky kept on April and I to make sure we stayed hydrated and got in our snacks. From Cottonwood to Phantom Ranch was supposedly only five to six miles. Lies. That stretch was like 53 miles and it got HOT, I read somewhere it was 106° that day. I drank my three liters of water and two liters of electrolytes before we found that phantom. We sat and ate our lunch and drank our $6 lemonade (my kids make better), then we did my favorite part – we sat in Bright Angel Creek. IT RESTORED MY SOUL. The water was so crisp, cool, and clear.

We headed to Havasupai Garden to make our ascent. We were warned that the helicopters were out making rescues and to be safe. Luckily we hit Devil’s Corkscrew in the shade. The views, again, were amazing. We kept pushing. We accidentally got separated for a little bit, finally reuniting at Havasupai Garden to rest, snack, and hydrate. One thing I did NOT expect was all the HEAVY MACHINERY and CONSTRUCTION at the bottom of the canyon! However, that’s how I met the Coca-Cola angel. I had been daydreaming about soft serve ice cream and a cold can of coke. This wonderful man came out of nowhere with one and it would have made me cry if I had any tears! After my coke I made the mistake of eating peanut butter.

We left Havasupai Garden and headed toward three mile rest house. Vicky was starting to have some issues and that peanut butter was sitting HARD. It was starting to get dark. We knew the switch backs going up South Rim were going to be tough. Victoria was sick first, and she rallied like a CHAMP! I actually told her I was jealous as I swallowed a Zofran in hopes of rallying myself. We lit our headlamps and emergency beacons and hoped for the best. It was somewhere between three mile rest house and 1.5 miles that I vomited. I was determined to act like it didn’t happen and move on. Then my headlamp died. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH DARKNESS. I shrieked for April, she had my backup, and the three of us sat and took a breather. It only got worse.

I was trying to take small sips of water. My body said NOPE to anything I tried to take in. If I wasn’t actually vomiting, I was retching or dry heaving the rest of the way up and out. Every time I was able to vomit, it gave me a burst of relief that I used to push a little further. All I could taste was peanut butter bile. I asked Vicky for a starburst and two chews in – nope! We took frequent breaks, turning off our headlamps to conserve battery, and kept one foot in front of the other. We were told to call when we hit the first tunnel. It was such a relief to get there. They said the second tunnel was another half a mile and then we were almost out. Honestly that crushed me. Every time I hear “you’re almost done,” it’s never almost done.

But that’s when I heard them! I heard shouts and cheers and saw two lights in the distance. Katherine and Jen, our van drivers, were there waiting for us. Not going to lie, I was pretty disoriented and confused which direction I needed to go. I thought I saw a wolf jump out of a bush. I just wanted out. I vomited again and really thought I was a goner. Vicky tried to shield me from a sweet older couple headed down. The woman stepped around to look me in the eye and tell me, “One more switch back, you can do it.”

I was on my feet and then I heard We are the Champions playing as I took those last steps out and into a giant hug. We did it! Finish time: 11:57 pm/ 20h and 5m /  27.13 miles as per my garmin.

We are not just part of the 1% that attempts R2R, WE CONQUERED IT! (or this is all a fever dream and I’m still passed out on the mountain)