I’ve just landed in Phoenix and am waiting for my friend to arrive from Chicago (en route from Pittsburgh). The plan is to hike down tonight so that we see an amazing – repeat, AMAZING – sunset tonight as we begin our descent. Thanks to another friend, I have a headlamp for night hiking…something I’ve never done before, and now, in the freaking canyon. I’m guessing it is like 4 hours down and two hours or so, we’ll have light and the rest will be by moonlight.
It feels pretty exhilarating right now, I must say. I’ve been under so much stress already in 2011 that the 4.5 hour flight here from Baltimore to Phoenix gave me time to sleep and chill and read and listen to my favorite tunes…Spoon, Peter Bjorn & John, Lilly Allen…and I’m feeling pretty ready for this. I broke in my chacos last weekend and the blisters have healed, so I’m hoping any future blistering is minimal. My backpack is small and light and fits just enough for what I should need this weekend.
We are staying at the Phantom Ranch – the only place to stay overnight below the rim (that isn’t on-your-own camping, that is). My friend’s friend manages the ranch, so she is hiking in with us tonight and is going to be a great guide. We’ve got some cheesy DC shot glasses and whiskey as our gifts for her and the staff. I’ve got one of my favorite books ever, The Bluest Eye, for reading material since my summer school class, Toni Morrison’s love stories, totally rocks!
I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to move tomorrow, but that’s okay because we aren’t leaving the canyon until Sunday. Wish me luck out there!
Luck!
ReplyDelete