640am - At climb in Coconino

The morning has been fine so far and I am taking a long rest break here. I was up at 3am and had all of my gear assembled for packing by 330am. I had a nice breakfast of blueberry granola and a cup of mocha. I had the backpack packed and ready to go at 430am, right on schedule.

I got to the the Bill Hall Trail around 515am and took a short rest break there before starting up. The sky was just beginning to brighten. I took a few photos and then started up around 530am. I reached the bottom of the switchbacks around 6am. Those switchbacks quite literally take my breath away, they just go on and on. I am watching the sunrise light up the canyon from here and it is a beautiful sight. I am verry happy to be above those switchbacks before the sun hit them.

810am - Passing behind Bridger's Knoll

I am already past the camp for the first night. I have hit a little sun already as it starts to peek above the rim. I will be in it for good very shortly. My legs are already feeling very tired on the steeper uphill sections. Not much more to to though. I was above that little cliff in the Coconino around 730am.

945am - Back at my car

I topped out on the Bill Hall Trail around 9am and got back to the parking lot around 930am. It feels so good to have clean clothers on again as I had not changed at all in four days. I sent a text to my wife via GPS telling her that I was out. That last uphill section of the Bill Hall Trail is a killer, so much lose rock.