Eugene Smith is a beast

I've talked with Eugene about meeting up for a R2R2R this Spring, though nothing concrete has been laid out yet. So far as I'm concerned, the more the merrier. As we don't know each other (pacing, fitness, etc.), I figure everyone could do their own thing, some could stick together, whatever. We could still look out for each other…impossible to get lost on South/North Kaibab.

I'd be driving out from Los Angeles. Anyone coming from the north or central CA that had to pass through here would be welcome to ride with me, stay at my place on the way, etc.

Something to think about. I'd certainly be up for running with a small group.

Damn being on the east coast

BPL R2R2R 2012 – get it going!

Some of us will have to wait 'til BPL R2R2R 2014 : )

How far is R2R? Or R down and back up same R? Thinking for 2013.

42 miles for the double using the South Kaibab, 45 using the Bright Angel. Down one and up the other going along the river is 16ish.

I've done the double both ways, and think that the extra mileage using the Bright Angel is compensated by the gentler trail (relatively speaking) and the ~350' less elevation gain. About a wash IMO. The views from the South Kaibab are much better.

It's been too long since I've done that. If I could score a cheap ticket and persuade someone to swing by Vegas I'd like to make it happen.

for the first r2r…

How many miles down?

Then across?

Then up?

Is second r2r the same path?

George
give yourself more credit.
nice hike down either South Kaibab or Bright Angel, to Phantom Ranch for a leisurely 2 hour lunch. Then back up Bright Angel (more water spots and closer to the beer at the top).
down South Kaibab-up Bright Angel = 17.3 miles
down Bright Angel-up Bright Angel = 19.8 miles
you can do it this year.

the chart below gives Bright Angel-North Kaibab-Bright Angel 47 miles and 400 ft less elevation gain than South Kaibab.

The thing about coming up Bright Angel back to the South Rim is that once on top its only a 100 yd walk to beer and restaurants.

I would not really recommend an R2R unless you have someone else planning to start at the opposite rim and trade car keys with you as you pass each other.
The logistics of doing an R2R are really complicated.
Better to do an R-R-R , or just do a Rim to Phantom back to same Rim.

here is some info from the GC Nat. Park site
trail distance chart

I might be up for a R2R- 20-ish miles, this spring I think I would be pushing things for 40-ish miles though :)

If there were enough folks interested in a R2R we could leave vehicles on each side and swap keys as we passed somewhere near the middle

Count me in.

@ Craig, busfare via Greyhound for me into Phx is dirt cheap ($45), easily the most budget sensitive option for me, I could tag along once you arrived in Phx. and pitch in for fuel and parking.

What do you think?

Anyone else interested in going down there at the same time this spring?

Looking at the routes, running down S. Kaibab in the morning when we're fresh and finishing the final ascent up the Bright Angel trail back to the S. Rim could be a good option, gives us the ability to access water from one of the four water stations along the BA trail.

I will be flying in from ATL and would go in either Phoenix or Flagstaff. What would be the best target date?

I would like to see Eugene and or Craig start a new thread for the "2012 BPL R2R2R", this would make it easier to track updates.

I'm very interested in joining this adventure and will be watching for the date and route to be confirmed.

Depending on the date I'm in for 2012. I bumped up my run this morning and feel can keep making gains through the winter.

Plan B for me: I will run as far as I can and then turn around and head back if necessary. But I will focus on rim to rim to rim.

Thom,

Great idea, I'll go ahead and do that now in the Trip Announcements/Partners forum.

Cool George, do it. There's still 20+ weeks to go…plenty of time to train.

Worst case, you (or I or anyone else) go rim to river and back if you're not feeling up to it. I had a group of friends go this fall; one turned back at Phantom Ranch because of knee trouble, making it a ~20 mile day instead.

I'm interested, there may be one too many R's in there for me though :)

Mike, discussion on a Grand Canyon double crossing has moved to Trip Announcements/ Hiking Partners forum.