In June I assembled and led an amazing group of purpose-driven individuals on a challenging adventure – a 23.9-mile, 1-day hike from the Grand Canyon’s north rim to south rim. Each of us used the hike, which we dubbed Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim, to raise funds for a charity near and dear to our hearts. My efforts, and the efforts of my brother Joe, were on behalf of our niece Jenna, who was born with a rare neurological disorder called Sturge-Weber syndrome.
Over the years I have completed other adventures for this cause of much greater distance. Thus, I felt confident I could accomplish this, and assist the others if needed. Yet, this adventure proved to be exceedingly difficult. In fact, my day in the Grand Canyon was one of the hardest of my life.
The hike began just before dawn at the North Kaibab trailhead on the Grand Canyon’s north rim, 8,200+ feet above sea level. The first few hours were fun and exciting with gorgeous scenery to help keep our minds off the extreme challenge ahead us. During the course of those early miles, the trail descended on well-trodden switchbacks then meandered atop imposing cliffs of Redwall Limestone. The scale and beauty of the landscape was truly impressive.
The North Kaibab Trail then led us through the Inner Gorge, a narrow 7+ mile section that’s boxed in on each side by towering rock walls. The “Box” as it’s called, is famous, or rather infamous, for getting oven-like hot from late morning to mid-afternoon. At that point, the temperature was in the 90s and rising. Fortunately, we made it through without incident.
Around 10am we reached Phantom Ranch, a refuge with a canteen, cabins, and a ranger station. There, we enjoyed shade, rest, and ice-cold lemonade, the Ranch’s signature drink. I even carved out a little time to cool off in nearby Bright Angel Creek.
We resumed our journey via Bright Angel Trail and soon came to the Colorado River. By this time, the sun was almost directly overhead, and the temperature was over 100 degrees. Our group stayed together for the river crossing and for a while thereafter, but then split into smaller groups.
For the next couple of hours, we faced one arduous climb after another with little shade. It was a grueling and blistering hot stretch of trail. The only thing that made it bearable was the grandeur of our surroundings. The bottom of the Grand Canyon may be an unforgiving wilderness, but the scenery is spectacular.
It wasn’t until we reached Indian Garden Campground that most of our group came together again. By this point, we were about 19 miles in, and the heat had started to take its toll on me. A long break, safe from the afternoon sun, was definitely in order. Yet, not long after I arrived, the majority of our group wanted to press on. Despite my fatigue and the intense heat, I took to the trail with only a brief respite.
It didn’t take long for me to realize this was a colossal mistake. And before I knew it, I went from keeping pace with the group to trudging behind them with my head hanging low. I then started to feel nauseous and faltered. The last thing I wanted to do was burden the group or hold anyone up, but I knew I needed help. So, I called out to them, specifically to Dr. Jon (one of the doctors in our group), letting him know that “something” wasn’t right.
That “something” was heat exhaustion and dehydration, as Dr. Jon quickly determined. I had a good understanding of proper hydration and nutrition for this climate, having researched the topic in preparation for the adventure. Yet, in my efforts to ensure the group’s well-being, I had completely neglected my own.
My recollection of the rest of the day is hazy, but I do remember laying helpless on the side of the trail and feeling as though every last drop of energy had been drained out of me. It was like nothing I’d experienced before, and it had me very worried. I also remember Dr. Jon and Steve, another member of our group, pouring water over my head in an effort to get my body temperature down and urging me to eat and drink to replenish my depleted nutrients. After some time and a lot of uncertainty, they got me back on me feet and moving again, albeit cautiously.
It wasn’t until we reached the Three-Mile Resthouse that I was able to take shelter from the punishing heat. As I rested, park rangers examined me and assessed my condition. Though it was clear I was struggling, they didn’t think the situation was dire and, short of a medical evacuation, they could provide little more than advice and encouragement. It was up to me to get myself out of the Canyon, just as it should be.
Even after a lengthy break, the final three miles were onerous. At one critical juncture when my legs were especially unsteady, Dr. Jon and Steve asked me why I was there. Although I knew they were well aware of why I had taken on the adventure, telling them about Jenna and the adversity she and other Sturge-Weber patients face put my minor, temporary struggles into perspective. It also brought the cause to mind and helped me regain my strength and the determination to carry on.
After approximately 14 hours and 20 minutes, thanks in large part to the incredible support of my fellow-adventurers, I ascended the south rim and completed Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim. Joe had finished hours before. Still, my brother was there to congratulate me and delight in what we had achieved for Jenna. We soon joined the rest of the group and together we celebrated our remarkable accomplishment and savored the joy it brought us.
My hope was to assemble a supportive and encouraging group of purpose-driven individuals who help one another accomplish their goals: completing the adventure and raising funds for their charity. I am thrilled to say, my hope was realized. Through hard work, dedication, and teamwork, we made a difference for our charities! Our group was also blessed to experience something extraordinary. By giving of ourselves to help others, we not only benefitted the people our charities serve, we became a part of something bigger than ourselves and were rewarded with the happiness and fulfillment you receive when serving others.
Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim was the inaugural adventure of Difference Makers Global Community. To learn more about this purpose-driven community and to support the inspiring charities of our Difference Makers, visit http://differencemakers.org/grand-canyon/
