Prepping for the North Rim

 As I'm typing this (11-14-20) my fifth Grand Canyon hike is less than a month away. I have only done three prep hikes, none longer than four miles, so I'm feeling a bit underprepared to say the least. That's especially true since this hike isn't just going to Phantom Ranch and back up to the South Rim. This time I'm camping for five nights with the intention of seeing how far I can get up the North Kaibab trail before the snow stops me. 

I don't think there's even a remote chance I can make it to the North Rim trailhead, and if I do then it's 100% certain I will be returning to Cottonwood Campground in darkness. Cottonwood is the only place you can camp on the North Kaibab so I have to make it back there on the day I climb north. It's kind of like "summit day" for people climbing Everest.

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