I ran (ok, trotted) through The Narrows from the top last Sunday. Here is what I found:
1. I had never done The Narrows from the top in highish water. It was MUCH more difficult than I expected. There are many obstacles in the upper part of the Narrows (above Big Springs) that require quite a bit of hunting around to find a reasonable route. With water high, plunging into the river was not always an option.
2. There were maybe five required stream crossings that were thigh-waist high with strong current – ie, where being swept away was a real possibility.
3. I ended up taking about five swims. I would say two were mandatory. The water was nice and warm-ish, so shorts and (Sport Science) tee shirt was fine, and the air temps were high enough to not require stopping and warming up.
4. I was somewhat concerned about the other 11 hikers on the 6:30 am Chamberlain shuttle. But, I guess they do OK. It is a BIG DAY, I hope they all realize it.
I was hoping to match my time of 15 years ago, six hours. No way! About 15 minutes of breaks, moving reasonably well, 8 hours 9 minutes.
Tom
Randi
Given that you are you, it isn’t inconceivable that you might have had a weekday in mind. While the rest of go catch see “Captain America” or “X-men” after work, you might be doing Hammerhead and full left fork after work! ;0)  I can do September! Hope it works out! First w/e of Oct. I’m heading out to Escalante for a week. My one big vacation of the year!
— On Wed, 7/20/11, bshwakr09 jameskm1@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: bshwakr09 jameskm1@yahoo.com> Subject: [from Canyons Group] Re: Narrows Top-down report, July 10, 2011 To: Yahoo Canyons Group Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 4:40 PM
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I’m always partial to September which means I’ll be in line (which is ok once a year) or first week of October for reservations.
k
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “Dan” wrote:
what day kip?
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bshwakr09” wrote:
Which reminds me. Anybody feeling ready for a full LEFT Fork from the Hammerhead? I think it’s about time again.
K
>
utswell
I’d like to go, but my foot doesn’t. I’m healing a broken toe that is 3/4 of the way mended. This is a bad time of year to break things.
Kip, which is usually longer for you, Hammerhead Left Fork or full Imlay from lava point? -J
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bshwakr09” wrote:
Which reminds me. Anybody feeling ready for a full LEFT Fork from the Hammerhead? I think it’s about time again.
K
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “TomJones” wrote:
Awesome! That’s a pretty darn good time, but I expect no less from the Whacker of Bushes. My fastest time through the Subway is with Kip, and we did Russell Gulch on the way in, and certainly Kip was not hurrying, though I was.
T
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bshwakr09” wrote:
Since Randi wants to know…..I am in pretty good shape but I don’t think I will approach it ever again. I also did a full on sprint from Wall Street to Sinawava. We averaged almost 4 miles an hour. Total time: 4 hours 45 minutes.
k
bshwakr09
I’m always partial to September which means I’ll be in line (which is ok once a year) or first week of October for reservations.
k
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “Dan” wrote:
what day kip?
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bshwakr09” wrote:
Which reminds me. Anybody feeling ready for a full LEFT Fork from the Hammerhead? I think it’s about time again.
K
>
bshwakr09
What? Do you think I’m 35 and retired?
k
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, Randi wrote:
I’m a working stiff & weekend warrior Kip. > If it’s on a weekend I can make it – I’m totally IN! >  > Not much on the agenda til October w/the exception being this w/e > & the w/e of the 30/31 ~ but I can rearrange next w/e to Aug if I do it really soon as its a tentative trip awaiting my response.
Aug. 6/7 and Aug. 23/24 are planned – all others are open!
When are we going? ~
 >  > — On Wed, 7/20/11, bshwakr09 wrote:
> From: bshwakr09 To: Yahoo Canyons Group
Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 3:01 PM
> ÂÂ
That’s two so far…
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, Randi wrote:
I wanna go!
But I would just slow you down….c-o-n-s-i-d-e-r-a-b-l-y!!!!
Just like I did in Pandora’s!
I promise not to bury my headlamp at the bottom of my pack though ~
ÂÂÂ
— On Wed, 7/20/11, bshwakr09 wrote:
From: bshwakr09 Subject: [from Canyons Group] Re: Narrows Top-down report, July 10, 2011
To: Yahoo Canyons Group
> Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 1:42 PM
ÂÂÂ
Which reminds me. Anybody feeling ready for a full LEFT Fork from the Hammerhead? I think it’s about time again.
K
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “TomJones” wrote:
Awesome! That’s a pretty darn good time, but I expect no less from the Whacker of Bushes. My fastest time through the Subway is with Kip, and we did Russell Gulch on the way in, and certainly Kip was not hurrying, though I was.
T
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bshwakr09” wrote:
Since Randi wants to know…..I am in pretty good shape but I don’t think I will approach it ever again. I also did a full on sprint from Wall Street to Sinawava. We averaged almost 4 miles an hour. Total time: 4 hours 45 minutes.
k
>
>
Dan
what day kip?
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bshwakr09” wrote:
Which reminds me. Anybody feeling ready for a full LEFT Fork from the Hammerhead? I think it’s about time again.
K >
Randi
I’m a working stiff & weekend warrior Kip. If it’s on a weekend I can make it – I’m totally IN!  Not much on the agenda til October w/the exception being this w/e & the w/e of the 30/31 ~ but I can rearrange next w/e to Aug if I do it really soon as its a tentative trip awaiting my response.
Aug. 6/7 and Aug. 23/24 are planned – all others are open!
When are we going? ~
  — On Wed, 7/20/11, bshwakr09 jameskm1@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: bshwakr09 jameskm1@yahoo.com> Subject: [from Canyons Group] Re: Narrows Top-down report, July 10, 2011 To: Yahoo Canyons Group Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 3:01 PM
ÂÂ
That’s two so far…
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, Randi wrote:
I wanna go! > But I would just slow you down….c-o-n-s-i-d-e-r-a-b-l-y!!!! > Just like I did in Pandora’s! > I promise not to bury my headlamp at the bottom of my pack though ~ >  > — On Wed, 7/20/11, bshwakr09 wrote:
> From: bshwakr09 To: Yahoo Canyons Group
Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 1:42 PM
> ÂÂÂ
Which reminds me. Anybody feeling ready for a full LEFT Fork from the Hammerhead? I think it’s about time again.
K
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “TomJones” wrote:
Awesome! That’s a pretty darn good time, but I expect no less from the Whacker of Bushes. My fastest time through the Subway is with Kip, and we did Russell Gulch on the way in, and certainly Kip was not hurrying, though I was.
T
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bshwakr09” wrote:
Since Randi wants to know…..I am in pretty good shape but I don’t think I will approach it ever again. I also did a full on sprint from Wall Street to Sinawava. We averaged almost 4 miles an hour. Total time: 4 hours 45 minutes.
k
>
bshwakr09
That’s two so far…
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, Randi wrote:
I wanna go! > But I would just slow you down….c-o-n-s-i-d-e-r-a-b-l-y!!!! > Just like I did in Pandora’s! > I promise not to bury my headlamp at the bottom of my pack though ~ >  > — On Wed, 7/20/11, bshwakr09 wrote:
> From: bshwakr09 To: Yahoo Canyons Group
Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 1:42 PM
> ÂÂ
Which reminds me. Anybody feeling ready for a full LEFT Fork from the Hammerhead? I think it’s about time again.
K
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “TomJones” wrote:
Awesome! That’s a pretty darn good time, but I expect no less from the Whacker of Bushes. My fastest time through the Subway is with Kip, and we did Russell Gulch on the way in, and certainly Kip was not hurrying, though I was.
T
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bshwakr09” wrote:
Since Randi wants to know…..I am in pretty good shape but I don’t think I will approach it ever again. I also did a full on sprint from Wall Street to Sinawava. We averaged almost 4 miles an hour. Total time: 4 hours 45 minutes.
k
>
Randi
I wanna go! But I would just slow you down….c-o-n-s-i-d-e-r-a-b-l-y!!!! Just like I did in Pandora’s! I promise not to bury my headlamp at the bottom of my pack though ~  — On Wed, 7/20/11, bshwakr09 jameskm1@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: bshwakr09 jameskm1@yahoo.com> Subject: [from Canyons Group] Re: Narrows Top-down report, July 10, 2011 To: Yahoo Canyons Group Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 1:42 PM
ÂÂ
Which reminds me. Anybody feeling ready for a full LEFT Fork from the Hammerhead? I think it’s about time again.
K
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “TomJones” wrote:
Awesome! That’s a pretty darn good time, but I expect no less from the Whacker of Bushes. My fastest time through the Subway is with Kip, and we did Russell Gulch on the way in, and certainly Kip was not hurrying, though I was.
T
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bshwakr09” wrote:
Since Randi wants to know…..I am in pretty good shape but I don’t think I will approach it ever again. I also did a full on sprint from Wall Street to Sinawava. We averaged almost 4 miles an hour. Total time: 4 hours 45 minutes.
k
>
bshwakr09
Which reminds me. Anybody feeling ready for a full LEFT Fork from the Hammerhead? I think it’s about time again.
K
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “TomJones” wrote:
Awesome! That’s a pretty darn good time, but I expect no less from the Whacker of Bushes. My fastest time through the Subway is with Kip, and we did Russell Gulch on the way in, and certainly Kip was not hurrying, though I was.
T
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bshwakr09” wrote:
Since Randi wants to know…..I am in pretty good shape but I don’t think I will approach it ever again. I also did a full on sprint from Wall Street to Sinawava. We averaged almost 4 miles an hour. Total time: 4 hours 45 minutes.
k
>
Felicia
Sweet!
Sent from my iPhone
On Jul 20, 2011, at 12:27 PM, “bshwakr09” jameskm1@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Since Randi wants to know…..I am in pretty good shape but I don’t think I will approach it ever again. I also did a full on sprint from Wall Street to Sinawava. We averaged almost 4 miles an hour. Total time: 4 hours 45 minutes.
k
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, Randi wrote: >
> I would like to know what your record from 15 years ago was ~ >
> — On Wed, 7/20/11, bshwakr09 wrote: >
> From: bshwakr09 Subject: [from Canyons Group] Re: Narrows Top-down report, July 10, 2011 >> To: Yahoo Canyons Group
> Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 10:45 AM >
> Â >
> Nah, I think I will let the emperor enjoy his new clothes. >
> k >
> — In Yahoo Canyons Group, hank moon wrote: >>
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lN2yloEZg4
>
>> !!! >>
>> On Tue, Jul 19, 2011 at 4:38 PM, TomJones wrote: >>
>>> ** >>>
>>
>>> Sure, whatever, knock yourself out. >>>
>>> T >>>
>>
>>> — In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bshwakr09” wrote: >>>>
>>>> Should I tell you what my record is from 15 years ago? >>>>
>>>> k >>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>> >>
> >
—
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TomJones
Awesome! That’s a pretty darn good time, but I expect no less from the Whacker of Bushes. My fastest time through the Subway is with Kip, and we did Russell Gulch on the way in, and certainly Kip was not hurrying, though I was.
T
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bshwakr09” wrote:
Since Randi wants to know…..I am in pretty good shape but I don’t think I will approach it ever again. I also did a full on sprint from Wall Street to Sinawava. We averaged almost 4 miles an hour. Total time: 4 hours 45 minutes.
k >
bshwakr09
Since Randi wants to know…..I am in pretty good shape but I don’t think I will approach it ever again. I also did a full on sprint from Wall Street to Sinawava. We averaged almost 4 miles an hour. Total time: 4 hours 45 minutes.
k
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, Randi wrote:
I would like to know what your record from 15 years ago was ~
— On Wed, 7/20/11, bshwakr09 wrote:
> From: bshwakr09 To: Yahoo Canyons Group
Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 10:45 AM
> ÂÂ
Nah, I think I will let the emperor enjoy his new clothes.
k
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, hank moon wrote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lN2yloEZg4
> !!!
On Tue, Jul 19, 2011 at 4:38 PM, TomJones wrote:
> **
> Sure, whatever, knock yourself out.
T
> — In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bshwakr09” wrote:
Should I tell you what my record is from 15 years ago?
k
>
> >
Randi
I would like to know what your record from 15 years ago was ~
— On Wed, 7/20/11, bshwakr09 jameskm1@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: bshwakr09 jameskm1@yahoo.com> Subject: [from Canyons Group] Re: Narrows Top-down report, July 10, 2011 To: Yahoo Canyons Group Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 10:45 AM
ÂÂ
Nah, I think I will let the emperor enjoy his new clothes.
k
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, hank moon wrote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lN2yloEZg4
> !!!
On Tue, Jul 19, 2011 at 4:38 PM, TomJones wrote:
> **
Sure, whatever, knock yourself out.
T
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bshwakr09” wrote:
Should I tell you what my record is from 15 years ago?
k
>
bshwakr09
Nah, I think I will let the emperor enjoy his new clothes.
k
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, hank moon wrote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lN2yloEZg4
> !!!
On Tue, Jul 19, 2011 at 4:38 PM, TomJones wrote:
> **
Sure, whatever, knock yourself out.
T
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bshwakr09” wrote:
Should I tell you what my record is from 15 years ago?
k
>
hank moon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lN2yloEZg4
!!!
On Tue, Jul 19, 2011 at 4:38 PM, TomJones ratagonia@gmail.com> wrote:
> **
> Sure, whatever, knock yourself out.
T
> — In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bshwakr09” wrote:
Should I tell you what my record is from 15 years ago?
k
>
TomJones
Sure, whatever, knock yourself out.
T
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bshwakr09” wrote:
Should I tell you what my record is from 15 years ago?
k >
Mark Rosen
I hate to say it Tom but we are now of the age when we set a new PW every year or so instead of a PB. Know your limits. PW= personal worst
bshwakr09
Should I tell you what my record is from 15 years ago?
k
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “TomJones” wrote:
I ran (ok, trotted) through The Narrows from the top last Sunday. Here is what I found:
1. I had never done The Narrows from the top in highish water. It was MUCH more difficult than I expected. There are many obstacles in the upper part of the Narrows (above Big Springs) that require quite a bit of hunting around to find a reasonable route. With water high, plunging into the river was not always an option.
2. There were maybe five required stream crossings that were thigh-waist high with strong current – ie, where being swept away was a real > possibility.
3. I ended up taking about five swims. I would say two were mandatory. The water was nice and warm-ish, so shorts and (Sport Science) tee shirt was fine, and the air temps were high enough to not require stopping and warming up.
4. I was somewhat concerned about the other 11 hikers on the 6:30 am > Chamberlain shuttle. But, I guess they do OK. It is a BIG DAY, I hope they all realize it.
I was hoping to match my time of 15 years ago, six hours. No way! About 15 minutes of breaks, moving reasonably well, 8 hours 9 minutes.
Tom >
rich_rudow
LOL! Tom, I’ve tried chasing hiking times from 15 years ago around Grand Canyon. The only time I get close is when I had significant route finding 15 years ago and I remember the correct route today in my fading memory. Which means … I feel like an old greyhound at the track chasing that fake rabbit. I know I’ll never catch it. Getting old is a bitch
But that’s still a good time for a narrows thru-hike!
Rich
” I was hoping to match my time of 15 years ago, six hours. No way! About 15 minutes of breaks, moving reasonably well, 8 hours 9 minutes.”