Over the course of the last handful of months, I’ve doctored this silly little design a couple of times to reflect updates in exciting news.

Getting a permit.
Adding team members.
And now, actually going.

This journey is several years in the making in our hearts, and almost a year in the making in actuality.

Recruiting, praying, planning, saving, applying, training, meeting.

And if you can’t guess, this isn’t just an ordinary visit to the Grand Canyon. My first time in Arizona (and thus, the canyon), and I’ll spend no more than a night and morning in Phoenix and an afternoon and evening at the South Rim before joining alongside Cliff and seven of our friends to venture into the canyon. Four days below the rim starting with 7.1 miles down the South Kaibab Trail and an elevation drop of 4,780 feet. Then a day to explore the bottom. And two days to ease our return to the South Rim up Bright Angel Trail, gaining 4,380 feet over 9.6 miles. My hamstrings shudder at the thought…

I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t nervous, if only for the fact that this will be the most physically challenging thing I have ever done. But overshadowing that nervousness, of course, is the sheer excitement – anticipation – and expectation for that constant (and slightly painful) state of wonder which comes from an experience like this.

Can’t wait to tell you about it!