Anderson reflects:

July 4, 2008 we departed down the South Kaibab trail at 5 AM. While witnessing a stunning canyon sunrise and majestic scenery around every corner and switchback, we progressively lost our cooler breeze and occassional shade. By late morning we were all feeling the effects of the relentless sun and 100+ degree (and rising) heat. We were warned in adavnce the Kaibab has no place to get water from the top to the bottom, so we hydrated well, but not excessively.

We were all in awe at the sights, but we had to pay attention to our steps and our "sticks" and watch where were walking. There are no guard rails along the Kaibab and the trail is quite narrow in places. A few people passed us going down. Mostly small teams or couples and most were from other countries. I think we only saw three people attempting to climb up this extra-steep route and they all looked like someone had puched them in the gut.

I'd been doing good at first, stopping for breaks every 45 minutes or so, but after five hours of hiking, within sight of the Colorado river, I began to feel initial symtoms of heat exhaustion. I think I recognized what it was, but I didn't believe it could come on that quickly. We had stopped for a break and I was the last to arrive. I quietly mentioned to Gerard, "I'm not feeling so good."

"Your body's not producing electrolytes fast enough," commented Gerard. "You missed taking adequate salt at the last rest stop and you're feeling the sinking effects." Gerard gave me some of his fruit and Gatorade and that seemed to help.

It took awhile for my internal body engine to turn it around as we continued our hike to the river. Gerard stayed behind me and would occassionaly ask  "You doin' OK, Mikey?" If I replied "doin' fine. She's real fine my 4-0-9", then he knew I was hanging in there." If I ever sung out "I'm Mike Fink, King of the River" (song from an old Davy Crockett movie), the  other guys knew I was OK too.

We crossed the Colorado via a long suspension-type bridge but then still had a mile to go before we could rest. When we arrived at the Phantom Ranch registration and dining hut, their outdoor  thermometer read 118 degrees - in the shade of a scrubby tree. I couldn't wait for a shower, frosty lemonade, and a nap.

After our stew supper and an outdoor caution lecture by a Park Ranger warning us about scorpions and poisenous wasps, we hit the bunks early -before dark- in our un-airconditioned cabin (nice fan though, and 95 felt downright frigid in comparison to what we had experienced earlier).

When we awoke at set out hiking at 3:50 AM, we really appreciated the "headlights" some of had. It was really dark - canyon dark - and we were returning via the Bright Angel Trail, thus we did not know our way for sure. We crossed the Colorado on a different bridge (still in the dark) and rejoiced as the daylight finally came. It was overcast. Thank you Lord! No sun to contend with. I was the happiest of all, as I felt "just fine. She's real fine my 4-0-9" and climbing up didn't hurt as bad as climbing down.

More on day 2 reflections "The Climb Out" in a future week. Stay tuned.