Friday
12 December 2003
I got an early start had
breakfast over at Bright Angel. I geared
up and slapped on the crampons and was the
first one down the trail. It was peaceful and the only other tracks
on the trail were from a Gray Fox. At about 2 mile corner, I looked
down at 3-mile rest house and I could see him running down the middle
of the trail. The trail wasn’t too bad with the fresh snow and
there were very few areas that were slippery. The snow level ended
around 3-mile rest house and I took a break to take
the crampons off. They are a
definite help, but they can be punishing on the instep of your foot while on
rocks.
I continued down to Indian
Gardens where I was supposed to stay on night 2. Indian gardens was
basically empty – not a soul in camp. I had only passed two people
heading up so far this morning. I stopped and took a quick snack
break, refilled my water and headed east
over on the Tonto towards South Kaibab.
The Tonto was interesting and it
felt great to be in the sun. Buda and Zoroaster were shrouded in
clouds; the white capped peaks were in sharp contrast with the
redwall. I could see the Old BA trail on the beginning section of
the Tonto after going through the first drainage. The rolling
terrain of the Tonto was a nice relief from the constant downward
foot-pounder of the the BA. After passing
through Pipe Creek and Burro Spring (which were flowing nicely) –
Natural Arch could be seen. After rounding
O'NeilI, I could see the rest house on
the junction of the South Kaibab and Tonto. I took a little of a
break along this junction, drank some water and ate
a little snack. I started
down the trail. All the Mule trains were cancelled (for tourists)
due to trail maintenance. They were laying in new erosion breaks
with crushed rock and top soil. I made quick work going down the
Sout Kaibab
and instead of heading across Black Bridge I went down the River
trail to Silver Bridge (I
never did this section either).
By the time I got into camp
however my legs were starting to feel fatigued. I pulled into camp
and took site 2. It was a nice site except you can hear the thump,
thump, thump all night of people
crossing the bridge over Bright Angel Creek. I headed over to
the Cantina and they had a spot left for the Beef Stew that night.
Always a good meal and even better when you can
wash it down with a few beers.
That night while laying in my
tent I felt the distinct poke in the back. I jumped and
grabbed my headlamp when I heard the distinct sound of something in
the ammo cans. I didn’t see anything, but the guys in the next
camp said there were three ringtails over in my site that night.
I guess one got a little curious as to what maybe
under the tent!
It wasn't a bad day, but seemed
like a long 9.2 miles.
