Last couple weeks just flew by...

Man, so much adventuring has happened the last couple weeks that I haven't had a moment to put energy into this blog. That's probably a good thing as it probably means I'm getting out instead of nerding out on the computer!

Well, here is a quickly update on the most interesting adventures from the last two weeks...

A couple weeks ago, Susan and I went to the Saint George, Utah area to climb for 5 days. We (in standard fashion) forgot to take photos. I'm not sure why this happens...we mean to bring the camera and take some photos but we always get to distracted with the actual climbing and then the next thing you know the day is over and we got nuthin! Crap.

We climbed at some really nice areas we had been to before like the Black and Tan Wall but we also got to sample some new (for us) areas too. Always fun.

Our favorite areas of the trip were the Turtle Wall, a steep sandstone crag, and the Prophesy Wall, a multi pitch, vertical sandstone wall. These walls are great "vacation" areas as they are sunny crags with short approaches complimented by super juggy, friendly to the skin sport climbing. Super fun routes and soaking up some sun...perfect.

Our least favorite crag of the trip was The Solstice, located near the Black and Tan area. This crag sucked! I had heard great things about the interesting climbing on chert knobs on long routes in the sun. Sounded great...but not so great to climb on for us. I really did not like the chossy nature of the rock. It was crumbling choss even on the best lines. At first it wasn't so bad as my head was fresh but as we climbed more routes my psych and focus tired and the routes became scarier and scarier to lead. By the time we left the crag I was over it and vowed to never climb there again. Honestly, with so much unbelievable rock around that area I couldn't believe that they wasted so much time and money bolting these lines. Especially with some other amazing walls around there that are steep and beautiful just waiting for new lines. I even hiked up to a beautiful wall near there that had some bolts on it with red tags that hadn't been finished that was as good as anything in the area. And saw other walls that hadn't even been touched yet. Hopefully, these walls will see the attention they deserve and the chossy walls like The Solstice will get passed by...what a waste. That being said, I'm sure there are people that like The Solstice. They must have mutant brains to keep cool in all that choss. My mind is weak now that I am an old rickety 36. Har.

Big highlight of the trip was going to the Patempe Hot Springs, on the Virgin River, near the town of Hurricane. This was a birthday present for me from Susan and even though I'm usually not into people making a big deal about my birthday this was a great present!

As seen in the photos below, the hot springs were very scenic, perched on the edge of the Virgin River in a deep canyon. Best part of the whole thing is that it is a pay hot spring and it is private reservation only, meaning Susan and I had it reserved for three hours just to ourselves! Sweet!






Photo above shows the hottest pool (about 107 degrees). Upper picture shows middle and lower pools that were about 104 and 101 degrees.

We spend the evening exploring the pools and enjoying the different temperatures. Oh man, do I love hot springs!

Great hot springs. Very unique.

The next week went by quickly... I had to work a ton after our trip to Saint George and then was reving up for another super busy week of work when I found out that my Grandma died on my fathers side. I had a bit of adjusting of the schedule to do but with the help of friends at work and my family in Washington I was able to get work figured out and get a plane ticket to Portland, Oregon (the closest place I could get a ticket to Morton, Washington-my destination) on such short notice.

The next thing I knew I was in Morton hanging out with family I hadn't seen in a long time. Great visit as I don't get to hang out with my dad's side of the family and I got to visit with just about all of them during the trip.

They had a "Celebration of Life" for my grandma, Hellen and I was glad I could make it. Being there with the family and hearing them share their stories and memories was wonderful. I was happy to be apart of a family that could come so close on this day even though we don't see each other much the rest of the time.

I also squeezed in some nice runs in the beautiful scenery that is western Washington. Pretty much all the running was on old logging roads but they were plenty scenic for a desert dweller like me. Below are some photos that show the typical scenery along the runs. Thanks to my parents for riding their bikes with my on my first run there. What a beautiful area it was!

After working my buns off again when I got back I was finally able to get back in the Grand Canyon for a run. Full report coming soon...

Winter Storm Warning

Running in the Grand Canyon during a winter storm warning...maybe not such a good idea? Tell that to the hordes of backpackers, mule trains and trail workers I met on the rim and throughout the canyon yesterday. I guess when it comes to the Grand Canyon, it's business as usual no matter the weather.

This gave me a bit of confidence that all would go well on my planned run for the day; down the S. Kaibab to Phantom Ranch, across the River Trail, up the Bright Angel Trail to Indian Garden, back across the Tonto Trail to the S. Kaibab Trail and then back to the rim along the .S. Kaibab. All would go well or we were all in for a really epic day...

Oops... did I say epic? Sorry to disappoint but no epics here. There was certainly the potential for it but with good planning I was able to (for the most part) enjoy the run and the crazy weather.

(map of the run)

It all started well with a blizzard on the rim. The conditions looked menacing but after seeing a hoard of backpackers going down the initial switchbacks I was comforted that I would not be the only one suffering in the weather today.

(initial switchbacks)

It was snowing all the way down to Cedar Ridge making for some exciting sections on the more exposed and windy switchbacks.

Just below Cedar Ridge (looking back up at Cedar Ridge in above photo) the snow stopped and the trail was pretty much a muck pile for the next mile or so. Muck or not, it was nice to have the snow stop.

As I neared Skeleton Point I got some amazing views as the sun poked out a bit. There were rain showers all around me and snow showers above but on this section of the S. Kaibab I enjoyed shirt and shorts running (I stripped down at Cedar Ridge). After a bit the trail started drying out and made for some excellent running down to Phantom Ranch.

(I got this lucky photo on the way to Skeleton Point)

When I reached Phantom Ranch it was down right beautiful out. The trail was in great shape (again, thanks to the trail crews-they are working like crazy on the S. Kaibab right now) and the temperatures were in the 50's and it was sunny. Wonderful. Hard to believe it was snowing on the rim while here in this fine weather.

That great weather didn't last long. No more than a 1/2 mile along the River Trail the storm came back in force and stayed for the rest of the day. A massive black cloud came rushing into the canyon like a tsunami hitting land. One minute I was running along enjoying myself in shirt and shorts in the sun and the next minute I was hiding behind a rock throwing on my rain jacket as sheets of rain and hail pelted me. (In the above photo, I had just started up the Bright Angel Trail and was officially soaked!)

Pouring rain accompanied me on the whole section up to Indian Gardens. Luckily, it wasn't that cold out and I was able to keep warm by moving. I did notice that with each step up the Bright Angel Trail the temperature was dropping and soon I would be in freezing temperatures again. For now, one shirt layer, rain jacket and shorts were doing it but I would have to change into more layers sooner than later.

Note: I brought a couple plastic bags with extra dry layers for when the precipitation changed from rain to snow...very useful later in the run.

Once I got to Indian Gardens I got some water and added a long sleeve layer under my rain jacket and put on my hat. The temperature had dropped to 35 degrees and I was noticing the cold as the rain started to mix with snow. I seemed to be fine as I started across the Tonto trail with what I was wearing, I didn't want to add my dry layers that were hiding in plastic bags until it started snowing out right. I really didn't want to have to get all my layers soaked in the rain and then have to go up into the snow soaked to the bone. That was a sure way to get hypothermia. (Above photo was taken along the Tonto Trail-it was lightly snowing on the Tonto at this point).

When I got to the end of the Tonto, where it meets the S. Kaibab, the precipitation had stopped and I took advantage to cram into the bathrooms there with the other 15 or so backpackers to protect myself from the weather. I changed into my dry layers (pair of running pants, a couple of long sleeve layers and gloves) and crammed myself back out of the pile of backpackers to continue back up the S. Kaibab to the rim. Ahh...it was really nice to be out of those soaked cloths and in warm dry layers for the final section.

About three quarters of the way up the burly switchbacks to Skeleton Point it started to snow again. From this point on to the rim it proceeded to snow harder and harder and the wind did the same. It got gnarly. (The above photo is taken looking back down to Skeleton Point. If you look closely, you can see the switchbacks below Skeleton Point where it first started snowing on me.)

Note: Remember the ranger that was a grump last time I ran in the canyon? I ran into him again in this section and he was much more pleasant. He didn't even try to bump me off the trail!

Nearing Cedar Ridge, the trail turned into a muddy creek with slush mixed in for good measure.

Even higher, at Cedar Ridge, the wind started howling and pelted me with sideways blowing snow, creating drifts along the trail that I had to post hole through. By this point, I had given up on running sections. It was a big enough ordeal to just hike in this stuff. Luckily, I was keeping warm and near the end so I wasn't worried. It was more of a snow spectacle than anything else. What a show the canyon was putting on.

(above photo shows me near the finish of the S. Kaibab Trail. You can see the final switchbacks just left of my head in the photo)

The final switchbacks proved to be pretty un-fun. They are are very short section but I was wiped out and the wind was blowing huge drifts. One section near the end, the park service had workers out jackhammering and shoveling part of the trail because of snow drifts and trail damage from the day. I had to climb up onto and then off of the pile of snow that had accumulated there during my run in the canyon. Crazy, because when I went in that morning there was no drift or damage at all.

(view from the rim after finishing)

(me on the rim after finishing the run)

The wild thing about running in the canyon on a day like this is that it is possible! Not only was it possible but it wasn't that bad. With the proper clothing, food and decision making it is just another day out in the canyon. I will admit that I can't wait for the sun to come back out. Running in shorts on dry trails in the canyon is where it's at. Soon enough...

At the end of the day it was a 5 hour adventure covering about 22 miles with the added bonus of running on the section of the Tonto Trail between Kaibab and Bright Angel. I have never run that section before and really enjoyed it. The Tonto was pretty flat with great views. Good running.

A comment about Flagstaff weather this winter...it has been tough. It has been snowing all winter in Flagstaff and raining in all the southwest desert areas. The above photo was taken on the way home from the Grand Canyon yesterday. Crazy. This has been going on all winter. Yes, we live in Arizona...but you wouldn't know it. Yesterday I felt like I was in the arctic. Can't wait for winter to be over!

Grand Canyon Running Season is on!

I am so happy! Yesterday, I did my first run in the canyon in 2010, R2R on the S. Kaibab Trail.

The Trail Conditions:
There was a bit of ice and snow on the top mile or so but nothing to worry about. The rest of the trail was in great shape thanks to the hard work of the trail crews. Many sections on the S. Kaibab that were rough are now super smooth (we'll see how long that lasts when the mules have their way with it). For now, what a great trail! Thank you Grand Canyon Trail Crews!!!

The Run:
I had a fast run (for me) moving without much effort down to Phantom Ranch and then surprised my self by running a lot more of the trip back to the rim than usual and feeling pretty darn good at that. Maybe the last few years of running are starting to pay off. I finished with a time of 3 hours even, maybe my best time ever on that trail (1 hr down and 2 hours up). This gives me a lot of motivation because I definitely think I can do it faster as I didn't really push to my limit on the way up. I have had a dream in the back of my head of doing the S. Kaibab in less than 2:30 R2R for a few years now and never really thought that I could attain it...maybe I can this year, maybe next year or maybe the one after. Reaching the time of 2:30 doesn't really matter in the end but it gives me a fun challenge while enjoying one of my most favorite trails anywhere and it helps gauge my improvement in my running. What an amazing place to run, inspiring to say the least!

Can't wait to get back in there! The canyon is starting to feel like it's my place of worship. Every time I take my first step off the rim and into the canyon I feel like I am stepping into another world. I feel very lucky to be able to enjoy the wild experience of running in this fantastic place and having it only 1:15 from my front door!

Wonder why I want to keep going down into the canyon? Watch the video below and you will understand. The season is on!



Want to watch this on youtube? Go here.

Final thought/runners behaving well in the canyon:
I generally have a great experience running in the canyon. The run yesterday was probably the first time I have had a negative interaction with someone on the trail there and with a Park Ranger no less.

Basically, he had an issue with me running down hill past him as he was hiking up hill. The general rule of hiking on trails is for the person traveling downhill to break for the person traveling up hill. This I know. Although the usual scenario in the canyon is that when I am running downhill most hikers can see me coming from quite a distance and they usually stop and make some room (well before I have a chance to get near them) on the trail for me. I then pass and we change pleasantries and encourage each other. The trail is often wide so when I do come upon up hill hikers that don't step to the side I give them lots of room by slowing down and running around them. I have never had hikers angered by this method, instead we, as usual, exchange pleasantries and encourage each other. There is usually plenty of space for all on the trails.

I had a different experience with the ranger. As I neared him, I picked out my path to jog around his right side and give him space to continue hiking up hill without interruption. I smiled at him and was going to say hi and then noticed that he had his Ipod plugged in and he was head down working hard and moving quickly up hill, not interested in hello's. As I started to pass him he made himself as wide as possible and a trail with lots of room suddenly became a trail with only enough room for him. I jumped up on the rocks on the side of the trail to pass (my original plan anyway to give him lots of room) and barely missed getting clipped by him. I took a few more steps before he pulled the earphones from his ears and proceeded to give me an ear full about how not to not be so rude and run down on people that are hiking up hill. He surprised me with being so confrontational about it and I explained that I meant no harm and always try to give plenty of room when I do meet up with up hill hikers. I tried to express that I don't want to cause harm and try to follow the rules and that I was sorry for making him feel that I was running down on him. He wasn't having any of it.

I later ran into two more rangers on the trail that day that I had a completely different experience with. Both were very nice and I ran right by them with no issues.

Then, on the way back up the trail I caught up with the original ranger again and he told me that usually when people run past him he tries to bump them off the trail!!! I told him that I would keep an eye out for him and keep my distance...hopefully I never see him again.

After reaching the rim, I got to have a lengthy conversation with a friend that does trail work there and he said that they definitely have issues with runners not being courteous in the canyon. He said that the local runners are fine but there are so many runners that come from other places that don't have any idea how busy the trails are or how to deal with the mule trains and trail crews working that they end up pissing a lot of people off that work at the park.

Runners have been known to try to run past mule trains (baddddd, because they can spook the mules and get kicked off a cliff) and yell at hikers to get out of their way and storming through them. For some reason some runners that visit the canyon have an attitude that they are more important because they run and they should have everyone move around them and give them the proper respect to do their run through the canyon.

This is not the way to be a runner in the canyon. Obviously runners want to keep moving quickly but not at the cost other user happiness and the park service having employees so mad that they want to bump us off the trails when we go by!

Runners please be respectful to other park users. Give up hill hikers lots of room, be nice when running past people and stop for mule trains.

I am being selfish in writing this because I want to keep running in the canyon! Let's all do our part to give runners in the canyon a good name.

Lime Kiln Trail Run

(Lime Kiln Trail Map. Go here to see larger image)

Last week, the day after a big storm, I was lucky to get in a good long run on the Lime Kiln Trail. I found out about the Lime Kiln Trail a few weeks ago after running a really great trail, The Sheurman Mountain Trail. While on the Sheurman Mountain Trail I came to an intersection with a trail that wasn't on the map. The trail marker said Lime Kiln Trail on it and I was very confused as it wasn't on my trail map. What was this trail that was well marked but not on my map?

After a bit of nerding out on google I found out that the Lime Kiln Trail was only about 4 years old and follows a historic route from Cottonwood to Sedona. The modern trail travels between Red Rock State Park in Sedona and Dead Horse State Park in Cottonwood and is about 15 miles one way. Find out more about the trail and it's history here.

My first thought when I saw the info about the trail was that it would be cool to do the whole thing out and back for a 30 mile run. Thus, not having to shuttle cars and also get a little more mileage out of it then going one way only.

A few days later, I ran into a friend of mine and we talked about maybe doing it together in a few weeks. I didn't do a very good job of waiting for him...last week I was looking for a long trail that I could knock off the list of new trails I haven't run. I realized that I was out off long trails in the Sedona area. I was going to have to start mixing short trails I haven't run with ones I had to create linkups. That was fine and all but for anyone that knows me, if there is a long trail I haven't run and I have the chance to do it, I'm going to go for that trail first.

My plan was to not run the whole thing. This way, I could still save the last few "unrun" miles for a later run with my friend, Matt. I would have felt a bit shifty if I had just done the whole thing without trying to do it with him first.

I decided to start at Lower Red Rock Road (near Red Rock State Park). There is an intersection with the Lime Kiln Trail there cutting off some mileage of the trail. I guessed that starting at this point and going to Dead Horse and back would be about 20 miles, giving me a whole 10 miles to add to it at a later date.

Boy did I get the mileage wrong! What I didn't realize when I started the run was that where I was parked was really close to Red Rock State Park. When it was all said and done and I finished the run, I ended up clocking about 26-28 miles. Whoops. I paid for it a little too...I only brought enough food and water for 20 miles so the last couple miles back to the car were pretty slow and I finished the run pretty wiped out. What a dork.

Below are a few shots along the trail.

(This is early on in the run, after finishing many miles of super muddy trail. For anyone that hasn't tried to hike or run on trails in N. AZ just after a heavy rain, it is important to know that if it is still muddy then it is usually better to just stay home and wait for the trails to dry. For about 3 miles of this section I had at least an inch of mud sticking to the bottom of my shoes. The mud sticks like slimy glue. Nasty. )


(Typical gate along fence lines in the area. I went through about 5 or 6 of these on the run.)

(Closer to Cottonwood. From here to Dead Horse State Park the trail shaped up and was dry, fun running. I really liked this section.)

(Great trail, closing in on the end of the trail at Dead Horse State Park)

My vote...Great trail. Wonderful addition to the trails in the Sedona area. I am excited to add this to my list of great winter runs to repeat, especially because I need to tack on the last couple miles that I missed out on and complete the whole thing.