Today started early as we packed up and hit the trail to begin our journey home. I am completely spent right now and so will only say that I am home. I am going to bed and will finish this in the next day or so.
It is now Tuesday morning and I figured I should try and finish this one.
I woke up Sunday morning around 4:45 and started packing. Actually, I was awake at 2 thinking I should get started but the plan with the group was 5 AM so I went back to sleep for a bit. I stocked up on my water for the trip, got the bag packed, mole-skinned up my big nasty blisters on the back of both feet - that was the first time in my life I'd used moleskin and I have to say, it was great. I didn't feel them for most of that hike. Anyhow, broke down the tent and packed that and then was ready to go. I helped with other needs in camp and by the time 6:20 rolled around we were on the trail.
We beat the sun on the hike between the campground and Supai. I was very grateful for that. It made that stretch much more pleasant. After a quick stop at the store in town, we were on the trail again. I want to say it was about 7:40 when we got back on the trail. I really didn't want to get caught in the sun. That is a long 8 miles though and by the time we got to the last mile and a half, the big ascend up the cliff, the sun was baking. I didn't look at the watch so I don't know what time it was when we got there. I just know that my pace slowed. No shade, major heat, uphill - that can take it out of you fast.
We were actually separated into two groups at that point. Todd and Heidi and myself while Vince, Tina and Amandalyn were behind. Todd kept pushing at a fast pace and Heidi was also clipping along. She stopped for a minute and then handed me one of her spray bottles. That was fantastic. I carried it up the trail for a while. There were others who were hurting on that stretch and I shared the spray bottle with them. Everyone loved that spray bottle. I hit a switch back on the trail that actually was well shaded. I had a Gatorade I had been saving in my pack and knew that was the spot. It was fantastic. I rested a bit more, offered the spray bottle to everyone else that also stopped in that sweet shade spot and was ready to press again when I saw Vince and the ladies come into view. I decided I would wait for them and hand off that spray bottle.
When they arrived I handed off and after a couple of minutes began the rest of the walk. Tina said Vince was going to take Amandalyns pack and double up the rest of the way. He did. I had started moving and felt like I was doing well, feeling strong and then Vince was right behind me and then he was passed me and then he was running up the trail with two packs. The guy is in incredible shape and just blazed up the trail.
Well, I made it. Got to the top and was so very happy to be there. Heidi handed me an ice cold water and that hit the spot. Todd had pulled the van up and I walked over to unload my pack. In doing so my walking poles were sinking into the asphalt parking lot. It was hot.
In the event that I do this particular hike again I would change my strategy and hike in and out much earlier. A 2 AM departure from camp would have put us at the climb at 6 AM or so and that would have been completely shaded still. I would definitely recommend that over the alternative. The sun and heat are relentless. Also, a spray bottle - worth the weight for sure.
Loved the experience. Happy to say I have done it. We'll see what the future holds and if I will do it again. Certainly I will look to make the trip lighter and I will try to figure out something better for my feet whilst hiking and playing around the waterfalls. Big thanks to Tina for the invite. Really happy to have spent a few days with some old friends and to have made new ones in the process.
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