The Descent...dun, dun, DUNNNNNN!

Team Lightning took off down the South Kaibab trail...well...rather like lightning.  The tiny little figures in this picture represent the closest Team Thunder was to them for pretty much the rest of the trip down to the river.

Tiny specks named Austin, Zach, and Andrew

Traveling with the 3-person Team Thunder was rather like traveling with three tour guides.  In other words, we were easily distracted.  "Oh look at these flowers!"  "Over here is a very interesting rock formation."  "Hey, this is a great place for a photo - smile!"

Oneill Butte...heh, heh, "Butte"

Team THUNDER!!!!!!!

OOO!  Pretty!

Keep in mind that at the South Kaibab trailhead the elevation is right around 7,200 feet.  Phantom Ranch is at a measly 2,500 feet.  So over the course of the next 7 miles, our teams descended about 4,700 feet.  Plus, since we were hiking in July it was a good thing that we started early in the morning because it gets hotter and hotter the farther down you go into the canyon.  Why do I mention this?  Mostly to make excuses why the old people took 5 hours to get to the bottom while the young people made it in 3 and a half.  OK, so we did see Team Lightning up close at a rest stop where they had been lounging for quite some time waiting for us.

Team Lightning waiting for the old folks

"Jeeves, where is my tea?"

"Good Lord!  There's a river at the bottom of this thing!"

So huge, it is almost unbelievable!

 

Despite the sign, we didn't see any.

That teeny-tiny patch of trees?  The campground

The tunnel...at the end of the light?

 

 

 

 

Bliss!  Bright Angel creek and campground!

The Black Bridge! (complete with mule crap.)

Arrival - Yes, we're "there"

On July 4th after an incredibly early flight and a drive from Phoenix through Flagstaff and on to the south rim of the Grand Canyon, we arrived at Maswick Lodge late in the day.

This was to be our base of operations throughout the trip in the sense that we would sleep there the night before trekking and the night before our return flight.  One room also served as a place to stow gear while we were hiking.

We were pretty tired upon arrival, but we had to organize the snacks we had purchased during our stop in Flagstaff.  Plus we had to pack our backpacks to be ready for a shuttle ride the next morning that would take us to the South Kaibab trail head.

The South Kaibab is a fairly steep trail with potable water at the trail head and ... well ...no where else until you arrive at Bright Angel Campground at the very bottom of the canyon.

Here's the start of the journey:

Austin demonstrating his training technique

At the South Kaibab Trail head

Yes it is that hazy, but what a view!