Grand Canyon- Double Crossing aka “Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim”- BPL Group Run

That is also on my trail running list. The next BPL Trail run?

Yeah, let's do it Greg. I've wanted to coax Eugene and others out for it. Chris Mills (also on BPL, though not much lately) and I were talking about doing it last year but both of us were having running issues when the time came around. It's still a big one on my list- it's absolutely beautiful country out there, I'm not sure trail running can get much better…though 45 miles at 9000-12000 feet is no small task. Maybe something to think about for September/October 2012?

Rae Lakes sounds great.

Craig, it wouldn't take much to coax me into doing something like running the Rae Lakes Loop.

Let's throw some ideas in the hat when we meet up in April.

*btw, that green Tachyon windshirt looks pretty punk rock from where I'm sitting.

"*btw, that green Tachyon windshirt looks pretty punk rock from where I'm sitting."

It's sold, shipped out today, no mas. In my hands is a beautiful black Houdini to replace it. I like the Houdini better; the Montbell is a great shirt, but I think the Houdini breathes better- just got back from running in it. I also like the full zip a bit better for venting. And it's better for lurking in the dark.
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I'm getting excited about this trip gentlemen. I initially thought this would be primarily a quick, down and dirty run, but I think the camping is going to be a blast too.

I wasn't clear- did everyone reserve the campsites for Thursday night as well or just Friday/Sat?

I'll be getting in Thursday, can sleep in the forest for free if I have to.

I reserved site #161 for Fri/Sat only, thought we would camp somewhere outside the park if we get in on Thursday. I heard from Eric Payne yesterday and he still is hoping to join us and should know soon.

I'll(hopefully)be there with one other(Joshua M) from Southern California. We'll arrive Friday evening and stay through Sunday afternoon/evening.

I say hopefully because I'm a little leery to full-on commit this far out. I'm heading to Alaska for the ITI in February and am going to hold off on committing to anything challenging until I get back:-)

On the Rae Lake Loop topic: Yes! Joshua and I ran it in September and it was absolutely perfect/awesome. Took about 11 hours with two shoes-off snack breaks and alot of socializing with other folks. It's the perfect loop. I hope to run it at least once per year until I'm rendered incapable!

Brian,

Hopefully things work out and we all get a chance to meet and run. Keep in touch here later on and we'll make the arrangements if you and Josh want to crash with the group at the campsites.

Are you competing in the Invitational? If so, best of luck to ya man, that's nuts!

I wouldn't say competing……more like "participating"!

Should be fun, I'm really looking forward to the trip.

Looking forward to meeting ya'll as well.

BB

Craig asked,"I wasn't clear- did everyone reserve the campsites for Thursday night as well or just Friday/Sat? I'll be getting in Thursday, can sleep in the forest for free if I have to."

I have site 162 on Thur. Plenty of room to share.

I just found this thread yesterday and I have to admit the first thing I thought was that it was crazy. As I read through it though my opinion changed quite a bit and all I can say is that by the end I am really excited. I know that I am late in the game, and unfortunately I can't commit 100%, but you can count me in the "probably" group. I also might have room in the car from the Denver/Colorado Springs area depending on if my wife/kids want to see the Grand Canyon or not.

Brent

I need a headlamp, which one do you guys use?

I'm sure everyone will swear by their favorite light.
I currently use both the Petzel Tikka Plus, and the Black Diamond Spot.
think they are both unregulated, which is what I want.

I'm using a Zebralight H31, runs on a single CR123- chose it over the H51 as I use a Steripen (that also uses CR123's)- there is good (long, but detailed) thread floating around here on the Zebralight

alright eugene, craig, and the punk rock windshirt crew.

as you can imagine i'm feeling pretty bummed about not getting out to the GC in april. So in my lame-ness i've been looking at this rae lakes loop. Looks pretty awesome from my computer desk!

I know you guys are all in mode for april, but Craig, do some coaxing….you could probably get me and Eugene to go.

September/this coming fall would be a great time for it Ben. You guys could either fly out to LA and go with me or fly into Fresno and get picked up…One way or another, let's do it.

Headlamps:
Adan, I'd go with a Petzl Tikka +2 or Zipka +2. It's a great little light, lots of burn time and I've always liked the red LED mode for in camp/in the tent- it won't blind your friends. I have my big old MYO RXP but that's overkill for the R2R2R, more for all-nighters. Unless the R2R2R turns into an all-nighter….but that's not the plan, right?

I would totally suggest the Petzl Tikka XP2, had the housing and diffuser not failed on me recently. I damaged the housing somehow, so may just be my fault and not the lamp in general which until recently has been solid. The design on the diffuser slides up and down to allow for spot or flood mode, but it kept sliding down on mine half way a little over a week a go-only took me a few bewildered night runs to figure out why my lighting wasnt up to snuff. It is still a good versatile lamp with the exception of that diffuser IMO. I think the Black Diamond storm offers more bang for less however.

Black Diamond Storm over Tikka XP2…. Why?

Regulated for the first 30% of battery life

100 lumen max vs 60 (xp2)

Flood/spot (ridicously bright!)/strobe

Fully dimmable so you can dial in exactly the amount of light you need from torch to super dim, whereas my XP2 has 3 settings

More weather resistant rating, submersible….not sure why this would even be necessary?

Cheaper! I picked up mine @ runningwarehouse.com and used code: MILD for a 15% off discount which brings it around $43 shipped.

Either are good, just throwing the Storm in the hat as I'm thoroughly pleased with mine so far and can see running at night/morning easier now than with my XP2.
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@ Craig,

That Rae loop has me thinking, I think i'll be in solid shape for a good run of that nature; looks challenge as hell and fun. What's the total elevation gain over the full loop? How many miles in total? If you set a date count me in. I have a 50K planned for Sept and a 50 miler in October, so this would align well with training around then.

Headlamp: I use the Black Diamond Sprinter – It's light weight, has a rechargeable battery, and is fairly bright. I never really have any problem with getting ahead of it, which happens with some lights. It also has a red LED on the back that blinks (w/ on/off) if you're out on the road and want to stand out a little more than the reflective elements of your clothes.

Lube: Also, I was fumbling through my running drawer and came across my body glide stick… Since I don't read much about hiking/backpacking practices, so I am not sure if this is typically used, but when running long distances you really want to slather this stuff on any place that may rub (thighs, groin, nips, underarms, toes and heels etc etc…) Chafing can end your day just as quickly as a bad stomach. I get the stick form (comes in gel too) w/ SPF protection for no particular reason other than I get both forms of protection in one application. You can also use Vaseline/duct tape etc to reduce chafing.

Thanks Dan, the lube is going on my list pronto! I'm checking the headlamps out today, thanks guys!

You might be a trailrunner if you've ever used the words 'lube' and 'headlamp' in the same sentence.

>"You might be a trailrunner if you've ever used the words 'lube' and 'headlamp' in the same sentence."

As a member of the National Speleological Society, I have to point out that there are numerous jokes to be made about spelunking as well, but maybe I better not go there.

January is dead and gone-10 weeks left folks!

I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready for the considerable warmth of spring and the long days.

I heard that, Eugene. Although if its still light out when I get off of work it will be tougher to change into my running skivies if there's still people walking around the park! Maybe I'll try Craig's trick for peeing on the trail and just yell "Wang Out!!". :)

Craig made a good point the other day. If we dont get some warm weather soon it will be tough to get conditioned for the weather we'll encounter across the bottom of the ditch. Some of you folks have it even tougher, like Mike, running in frigid conditions all the time!

… all of a sudden things don't seem far away.

I'm with you Adan. I change at the trailhead before work and on my short lunch runs, key is spreading everything out and making that transition from working man to running man smooth as a magician. If you're good no one will ever know what they witnessed. "Did he just…..!?"

What race are you running Art?