WHAT ARE WE DOING?

If crossing one of the 7 wonders of the world is on your bucket list and you enjoy a good challenge of pushing yourself physically and mentally with feats that some would say are impossible.

Then you are our people.

JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL R2R OR R2R2R Grand Canyon Crossing.

This annual event started 35+ years ago by the Santa Monica Mountain Goat Running club. I took the summer program over in 2012 and even though my obligations to the running group ended in 2014, I still continued to organize the GC R2R event. I personally experienced the power of the canyon and the bond that it brought to the people I shared it with. This is meaningful and one of the best experiences of my life and I commit to organizing and introducing it to new outdoor enthusiasts every year .

I hope you'll join us.

YOUR GUIDES

Cyndi Wyatt

With a mantra of “Engage, Exert, Evolve”; Engage in Mother Nature, Exert yourself physically, and Evolve into a peaceful, complete, powerful being, Cyndi Wyatt intends to leave a legacy to women of empowerment in the outdoors. She has experienced the healing and strengthening powers the trails so freely give and devotes her life to sharing, teaching and celebrating the outdoors with others. Married to Elite Runner, Ricardo Ramirez (at the top of Mt. Whitney) and mother of Yasmine, Ely and Paris, Cyndi is an accomplished Ultra Runner with six Mountain 100 Mile finishes (four in the top ten), Outdoor Field Instructor for REI who developed two successful programs (REI Run Club and Endurance Hiking), Trail Run Ambassador for REI, and Sales Lead REI retail. Cyndi says "I started running for the physical benefits, but made it my lifestyle and career because of our awesome community. I look forward to sharing the canyon with you.

Nancy Shura - Dervin
Nancy has been a long distance runner since 1990 and has finished more than 100 races of distances from the marathon to 100+ miles. Nancy founded the UltraLadies in 1994 to develop a group of women to train together on remote mountain trails. In 2003, Nancy became the first person documented to qualify for and complete the two most prestigious foot races in the world, in the same year; the Boston Marathon and the Badwater 135 Mile Ultra Marathon. Nancy holds a CA nursing license where her career as a groundbreaking educator, coach and motivational speaker in the field of natural childbirth translated perfectly to helping runners combine physical, mental and emotional strategies to complete ultra marathons. Nancy is also owner/race director of Trail Run Events, LLC with a stellar reputation for bringing the very best trail running experiences to Southern California runners.

CROSSING OPTIONS

R2R – “South to North”
(5AM: Start down South Rim - South Kaibab - North Kaibab - Rainbow Falls - North Rim)
14 hours to complete / Miles: 21 / Elevation Gain: 6,000

R2R – “North to South”
5AM Drive to North Rim (4 hr drive)
9:30AM Start Hike
(North Rim Start - North Kaibab trail - Rainbow falls - Bright Angel Trail - South Rim)
24 hours to complete / Miles: 24 / Elevation Gain: 5,000

R2R2R – South to North to South
5AM Start
(South Rim - Bright Angel Trail - North Kaibab - North Rim - North Kaibab - Bright Angel - South Rim)

ITINERARY

*Subject to change. Visit the Facebook Page often for updates

Friday, Sept 29th -
7AM departure from Burbank Travel day
2PM - Arrive at South Village
2PM - 5PM Free time, shopping, photo opportunities and set up camp
4:30 Meet at Bright Angel for group picture
5pm - Dinner and meeting

Saturday, Sept 30 - Crossing day
5AM START
7PM South to North Finishers, after beverages and sunset at the North Rim Lodge, you'll start your drive back to South Rim. Van will be waiting with snacks and dry clothes.

Sunday, Oct 1nd - Travel day
Breakfast and travel
Breakfast: 9am
RP’s Stage Stop
400 Hwy 64
Grand Canyon
928-638-3115

Arrive LA estimated 5pm

GEAR LIST

* Consider what you will need if you have to sleep on the Rim of GC overnight for any number of reasons

(2) Headlamps w/ extra batteries
Emergency blanket
Rain Shell
Long pants
Sun hat
Sun block Hydration (3 liters of water)
Trekking poles (recommended)
Small First Aid kit / blister kit
Dry warm clothes for finish (either a drop bag in the van if you are finishing on the North Rim or in you pack if finishing on the South Rim)
Pain Killer / medicines (Headache, stomach, and Benadryl for bite or allergic reaction)
Toilet paper
Chap stick
Gloves
$$ Money for Dinner and drinks at North Rim
CAMERA
Persevering attitude
Map of canyon
Extra pair of dry socks
Nutrition: (12) 200 – 300 calorie snacks.
Phone numbers of other team members provided by Cyndi at dinner meeting

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Round trip transportation to Grand Canyon from LA area
Snacks and beverages in the 15 person van
Lodging - You either chose Maswik lodge or Camping
Transportation to trailhead and pick up at North Rim bringing you back to South Rim

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

* Meals
* Snacks during crossing
* Souvenirs

WEATHER

You need to look at all the elevations of weather when packing for this adventure

On the Rim
https://weather.com/weather/today/l/USAZ0412:1:US

On the Floor
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=36.1000&lon=-112.0900#.WUrbcVKZMdU

TRAINING RUN

Join us for the best training hike for the Grand Canyon in the LA area.

"Upside Down Mt. Wilson"

There are very few hikes that allows you to start at the top to give you the have the feeling of going down first before your summit. We'll start at the parking lot near the Cosmo Cafe at the top of Mt. Wilson.

See the Facebook page for event posting on the 2nd of September.

Highly encouraged to attend. It'll be great to get to know you team before dropping down in the canyon together.

September 2, 2017
7am
“Upside down Mt. Wilson”
14 miles / 5,000 feet of climb
Down 7 miles / Up 7 miles

OTHER RECOMMENDED HIKES:
* San Gorgonio
* Mt. Wilson
* Mt. Baldy

LODGING

OPTIONS:

Maswik Lodge ($450.00 for two nights per person)
http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging/maswik-lodge/

The room has two double beds and sleeps 2. I have 6 spots available for these accommodations.
The room is just a few minute walk to the south rim.

CAMPING:
This year I have reserved three camping spots at Mather Campground that will hold 18 people they are sites (#272, #274 and #276) We can get more camping if needed.

If you would like to drive and room on your own. Here are some hotels that may be able to accomediate you.

INSIDE THE PARK:
http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/

OUTSIDE THE PARK:

There are some hotels in Tusayan that are 5 miles from Rim

https://www.expedia.com/Hotel-Search?destination=Grand+Canyon+Village%2C+Grand+Canyon%2C+Arizona&latLong=36.052494%2C-112.155527®ionId=180153&startDate=09%2F29%2F2017&endDate=10%2F01%2F2017&_xpid=11905%7C1&adults=1&children=0

CAMPING

Mather Campground

https://www.recreation.gov/camping/mather-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70971

Camping supplies needed:
Tent
Sleeping pad
sleeping bag
headlamp / lantern
pillow
breakfast food for Saturday (something easy i.e. peanut butter sandwich it'll be 4:30am)

* If you need to rent a tent you can get one from REI in Arcadia
https://www.rei.com/stores/arcadia.html

The campsites have a nice shower building for $7 dollars. (bring quarters)

There are flush toilets and drinking water pumps throughout the campground.

SOUTH RIM VAN ONLY

Are you coming from a different area than LA or you'd just like to do your own lodging and driving yourself? BUT would still like to join us! We'd love to have you! You may need a ride from the North to the South Rim. If so we'll reserve a seat for you in the van. Please submit a non refundable $100 payment as an option.

The pick up is at the North Rim Lodge at 7pm Saturday.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE

This is NOT a race. You will not get t-shirts (unless you purchase one in the souvenir shop), or medals, or results on UltraSignUp.

We are just a group of friends doing the crossing.

You are responsible for yourself, if you need to be helicoptered out, the expense is on you. I'm going to do everything in my power to prepare you for this trek and care about your well being. But ultimately you have to be responsible for YOU getting out of this 1 mile deep canyon.

KNOW YOU LIMITS and don't be too proud to share with your trek mates.

Attend Training hike at "Upside Down Mt. Wilson"

ZERO TOLERANCE

ZERO TOLERANCE:
• No stashing food or clothing for double crossing.
• Do NOT leave one person hiking alone. “Buddy Up” Pass someone off.. make 100% sure they are with someone.
• NO NOT step on Indian burial ground. (YOU WILL BE ARRESTED it’s sacred ground) You may think that no one is watching but authorities will come out of nowhere and arrest you.
• LEAVE NO TRACE – if you drop something pick it up. If someone else drops something and you have space in pack. Pick it up.
• Make every attempt to use the public bathrooms in the canyon.
• Mules have the right of way.
Several recent encounters between hikers and mules resulted in injuries to packers and the death of some mules. To ensure safety for yourself, other trail users, and mule riders, when encountering mules on the trails:
• Step off the trail on the uphill side away from the edge.
• Follow the direction of the wrangler. Remain completely quiet and stand perfectly still.
• Do not return to the trail until the last mule is 50 feet (15 meters) past your position.
Thank you…

WATER ON TRAIL

WATER STOPS
Bright Angel Camp Ground
Cottonwood campground
Pumphouse Residence
Roaring Springs
Supai Tunnel
North Kaibab Trail head
NORTH RIM (if this is your finish)! You made it! Now what?
It’s a parking lot. And there is no view from the parking lot. The van will be waiting for you with your dry clothes, snacks and drinks. Wait for everyone then go to the North Rim Lodge for sunset, drinks (not the designated driver) and dinner. Don’t forget to bring $$.

REFUNDS

Full refunds, minus UltraSignUp fee, will be given until Friday, September 15. Any cancelations after that time will not be given.


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