Well, it’s been 6 weeks since Sophi and I did the Tanner and I’ve had a bit of time to reflect on that adventure. Hiking these past weekends in Government Canyon has given me a chance to think about this last hike and future planned hikes.
I realize that I have been extremely fortunate in my hiking this past few years. This year, partnering with Sophi, maximized our chances for success. Neither of us really realized what a difficult 5 days we were getting into and without a good partner we would not have completed the hike, which would have been devastating for me. We encountered two groups on the hike where one of the partners wasn’t up for the long haul and they either quit or changed their destination plans.
Sophi is very tough and she is experienced. She knows what she is in for when she goes with me and is the perfect hiking companion. It is great to hike with your daughter. Sophi has done the Royal Arch Route with me and now the Tanner-Beamer. Those are probably the two toughest trails on the South Rim. Sophi is the first person I hiked with into the Grand Canyon when we hiked down the Bright Angel to Phantom Ranch-just exploring the possibilities of the canyon.
I have been fortunate that Vivian will partner with me as well. She is equally tough and experienced. Vivian has done the Cheyava Falls hike and the New Hance Trail-Grandview Trail loop. Vivian is going to do the Escalante Route with me next March. That will be a tough test and I jumped at the chance to have Vivi join me for that upcoming adventure. This will probably be my last Grand Canyon hike at this level of difficulty.
So, I have been blessed with having some tough daughters who are willing to explore the canyon. Nataly is in line for Spring break 2014 and I have tentatively planned a Boucher-Hermit Trail loop with explorations to the Boucher Rapids, Hermit Rapids and Granite Rapids. It is possible that Josh will be joining us for that hike.
And I can’t ever forget Vivian’s husband Jesse hiking with me when we did the Royal Arch Route. This guy was a trailblazer, and our last 2 tenths of a mile out he was breaking a path for us through crusted snow up to his thighs. I will never forget that.
So, the Tanner has made me reflect on the Grand Canyon hiking and my luck with hiking partners. I am already looking forward to the Escalante Route with Vivian.
