Final onslaught

Around midnight when we woke up, decided to start our last day hike with the guys around 2. Once we had our paltry breakfast of oatmeal and some rice/beans we hit the road around 1:45, a few minutes before the guys. The day was going to be the toughest since we had to cover 6.9 miles with an elevation gain of 4421', from 4000' to 8421' at North Rim trailhead. We walked steadily with enough breaks to Roaring Springs which was at a 2 mile distance, where the guys caught up with us. The climb was going to be brutal since it was constantly uphill and the path was narrow. The colors of the North Rim were lost in our early morning walk, and we got to see the first shades when we hit the bridge around 6AM. We could see the top much clearly. So we continued our walks with more breaks. Got to the Supai Tunnel around 7AM, and enjoyed the magnificient view that nature had thrown at us. Few folks who were coming downhill gave us encouraging comments that the distance was not too far. We kept going though our energy levels were draining. However the end seemed to be nowhere in sight. The first sign of a credible distance was when we came by a ranger who gave us a water spray, and told us it was just 0.7 miles away to the trailhead. Came across two mule trains. Simple tricks of 100 yrs before a break, stretches etc were put into place. Walking with held hands felt like taking saat phere of the Canyons. An apt illustration to this grand tour! Came across a couple who said the trailhead was just 2 mins away...and with a few steps we were right there! Gave each other a hi-fi and threw water on our heads and faces.

Saw the guys who had changed and were all fresh. After a few pics, we hit the road to the Lodge for a sumptous breakfast. Sitting there and looking at the canyon we felt happy to have done this hike. Tired, but not beaten we enjoyed the drive to Vegas.

The dinner at Vegas at Tambe(Temple) was to be forgotten. Met up with Madhu/Bhanu and then hit the bed early enough for our 6AM flight back to San Jose. Vinod gave us a ride home, while narrating his stories of R2R2R run. It was yet another day, but I am thrilled at having finished this wonderful hike!