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Firefighters hike Canyon in one-day trip
Training, team building exercise covers 18 miles

Submitted photo<b><br /><br /><!-- 1upcrlf2 -->Pictured are Robert Meza, Lawrence Barela and Michael Vessey as they ascend Bright Angel Trail at the conclusion of their recent 18-mile hike.

Submitted photo<b><br /><br /><!-- 1upcrlf2 -->Pictured are Robert Meza, Lawrence Barela and Michael Vessey as they ascend Bright Angel Trail at the conclusion of their recent 18-mile hike.

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. - Hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up again in a single day is not a feat to take lightly. Even the heartiest of souls can find the task a daunting one.

Three firefighters recently found that out when they hiked 18-miles roundtrip into the Canyon and out again in one day. Robert Meza, Lawrence Barela and Michael Vessey, firefighters with the Grand Canyon Airport, made the hike May 25 in order to be prepared for any eventuality that could come with their jobs as first responders. It also worked as a good team building exercise for the group.

The three started at the South Kaibab trailhead at about 5:30 a.m., according to Vessey, then traveled to Phantom Ranch and back up the Bright Angel trailhead to Indian Gardens. The group then continued up the Canyon to the 3 Mile House, then 1.5 Mile House, then clearing the Bright Angel trailhead. Vessey said the three made it to the top at about 5:30 p.m.

"We made several stops along the way to rest and hydrate and take photos. We were very excited as we neared the top of the Bright Angel trailhead, knowing that we were done," Vessey said. "To celebrate we all went to Canyon Pizza and enjoyed some pizza and a cold beer. To say the least we were a little sore. It took us about 3 days to fully recover from the tight muscles and leg cramps and stiffness."

In order to train for the 18-mile hike, the three participated in a number of hikes, carrying backpacks weighing over 35 pounds. The firefighters trained since March, first with a three-mile hike, then a six-mile hike, an eight-mile, 10-mile and ended with a 15-mile hike about two weeks prior to their Canyon trip.

"We all have lived here for many years and none of us have ever completed a trip like this, but we were all very motivated to give it a try," Vessey said. "We knew that this was something we needed to train for and not to take a one day hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon too lightly. So, for the last two and a half months we conducted many hikes to help prepare us, and much of this training coordination was put together by Lawrence Barela."

Vessey said he was proud of the group for their hard work.

"I would just like to say how very proud I am these airport firefighters that I work with, they have truly accomplished something that they will remember for the rest of their lives," Vessey said.

Barela said the trip was for team building skills, training and exercise.

"I hadn't been down in the canyon since I was about 15, so I thought it was time to go again," Barela said.

Barela has been a firefighter at the airport for the last seven years.

Meza said the team wore packs between 35 to 45 pounds.

"For training we kept the packs a little heavier," Meza said. "We tried to keep it light on the actual hike."

The three said they're considering another hike, possibly once a year.

"I think it went great. We made it and that was a good thing," Meza said. "Even before the actual trip we did a lot of training."


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