OTHER Trip Report 10/21/2014

Peak(s):	Grand Canyon
Date Posted:	10/21/2014
Date Climbed:	10/18/2014
Author:	pbakwin

Grand Canyon R2R2R on Bass Trails
'Tis the season for the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim (R2R2R). We wanted to avoid the "corridor" trails (Kaibab, Bright Angel) and get into the real GC backcountry, so we did a R2R2R on the North and South Bass trails. These are about 20 miles NW (down river) from the usual Kaibab trails. But, the profiles are remarkably similar: R2R2R on Bass trails is 42.0 miles with 10700' of elevation gain, while on Kaibab trails it is 42.2 miles with 10500' of gain. The tricky part, of course, is that (unlike Kaibab) the North and South Bass trails are not linked by a bridge. While backpackers do this by waiting for a friendly rafter to ferry them across, we were doing this in a day and just swam it. Another way would be to lie on an inflatable pad (NeoAir, etc.) and paddle across. Anyway, we had a fun outing and sure didn't see very many people! Here's our report http://blog.ultimatedirection.com/r2r2r-alt/ And a few additional photos: South Bass TH Charles happy to have survived the swim Buzz ascending the Redwall Looking down North Bass (White Creek drainage) My GPS Tracks on Google Maps (made from a .GPX file upload): Login required to view this map... Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Grand Canyon R2R2R on Bass Trails

'Tis the season for the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim (R2R2R). We wanted to avoid the "corridor" trails (Kaibab, Bright Angel) and get into the real GC backcountry, so we did a R2R2R on the North and South Bass trails. These are about 20 miles NW (down river) from the usual Kaibab trails. But, the profiles are remarkably similar: R2R2R on Bass trails is 42.0 miles with 10700' of elevation gain, while on Kaibab trails it is 42.2 miles with 10500' of gain. The tricky part, of course, is that (unlike Kaibab) the North and South Bass trails are not linked by a bridge. While backpackers do this by waiting for a friendly rafter to ferry them across, we were doing this in a day and just swam it. Another way would be to lie on an inflatable pad (NeoAir, etc.) and paddle across. Anyway, we had a fun outing and sure didn't see very many people! Here's our report
http://blog.ultimatedirection.com/r2r2r-alt/

And a few additional photos:

Looking down North Bass (White Creek drainage)

My GPS Tracks on Google Maps (made from a .GPX file upload):

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

goingup	If you just added a bike ride somewhere in there.. 10/21/2014 4:48pm GREAT STUFF!
MtnHub	Wow! 10/21/2014 11:29pm Amazing, guys! Haven't heard of this route before but have always wanted to do the Kaibab/Bright Angel route as I've done those individually but never in tandem. And then to swim across! Yeah, like goingup says, put a bike in there and you have a regular triathlon. Great job!!
Oman	Very cool 10/22/2014 1:24am This is a great report on an inspiring idea, but there's something about highly specialized endurance athletes that cracks me up. You can run >40 miles and climb >10,000 vertical feet rim to rim to rim through the Earth's greatest chasm, but need fins and webbed mitts to swim 100 yards? Here's betting you've got the cardio to swim.
pbakwin	Re: Very cool 10/22/2014 2:42am I'm a crappy swimmer. But, the main thing is that the water is damned COLD. It comes out of the bottom of Lake Powell at 46 degrees, and by the time it's down to Bass the temp might be 50. I'm terrible in cold water. So, the point of the fins was to be in the water for the shortest amount of time possible. Maybe overkill, but in this case there wasn't a huge penalty for carrying the fins (1.5lbs) since we knew we would be hiking back up S Bass, not running (of course we didn't carry the swim gear up and down N Bass).
mtn_nut	Love it 10/23/2014 7:44pm might be lighter if you use some water wings next time :-P
currovivorideo	Thanks 1/18/2016 8:43pm Just had to say thanks for the Beta. I did this route twice last year solo and I only dared because you guys blazed the trail.

Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.

Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.

14ers.com

Social

Mobile App