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Day 2: Sore and blistered feet and extreme heat present challenges

Jacqueline Windh / 06.06.2010

As expected, at 5am there was a bit of limping and hobbling up at the North Rim as we finished breakfast, filled our water containers, and chose which foods to pack in order to carry the 2000-2500 calories we’d need to get us back across the canyon. But once we started hiking, the stiff muscles warmed up and the blister-pain somehow subsided, and it was all smiles and chatter as we started our descent.

One of our group had had a rough night, throwing up, and made the wise decision not to risk things for herself or for our group by setting out on such a committed route, and stayed behind for the day with the support crews.

In the shade, we made quick progress down the first steep part of Roaring Springs Canyon, and then continued at a steady pace in the canyon’s lower, more open and flatter section, by now in the full soon. A long stop at Phantom Ranch, at the bottom, was used for foot care (popping and taping up blisters as necessary), making sure everyone was eating and hydrating well, and loading up on more water.

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