Zion Traverse Part Duex

We keep arguing who gets to post first. This time Cody won. Now I am hesitant to post more photos since Cody did such a good job covering ground with his camera this run around. I just might have to get me a pair of trail running legs to get up to some of these places. I am kinda jealous...but lazy. Trail Running and laziness don't really meld well together.
So, for the lazy man's version of this adventure: here we go.

The crewing side of this run was actually quite an adventure this time around. We got up early and drove to Kolob for the drop off:

 The guys are running down that lower ridge, at this very moment. You just can't see them without a zoom....

After the drop off, we drove down around to the Kolob Terrace Road. Then we drove up said road in the midst of construction, mud, and the confused Spring Snowstorm that wouldn't quit. It got worse the higher we got. Fog, freezing snow, freezing mud- I will mention the mud a couple of more times before the end...I was grateful when we hit Hop Valley Trailhead but only in a minor way since we had further to go for the next aid.

AND. This was Hop Valley. To my surprise, there was already a trail running crew here. We weren't the only weekend warriors braving the storm. 

We weren't the only species confused by the change in weather either...

 The guys came in about two hours after we rolled up. They were nearly frozen and a little sluggish. Zippers were difficult, eating was a secondary concern to just moving and keeping the blood flowing. Hence, this aid ended up being shorter than I expected,

Next up was West Rim Trailhead. I was a bundle of nerves getting to this aid. I had been there before. And the LAST time I was there, I was thanking my lucky stars that the weather was dry as the road would be impassable wet. TODAY I was facing my fear. Get there I must. In a small Passat. With three children in tow. At least we had the runners rations in case something happened. They would have to deal.

I am kicking myself I did not stop and get pictures of the roads. All the cars ahead of me had turned around. But we braved on. So out of character for me. I am a major bad weather wuss and whiner (bet you couldnt tell that yet.)  At the time, adrenaline and survival fogged my photographer's drive. Photos?! What? I am just trying to live through the day.

Made it we did. Forget that we still had to get back out....but that was a worry for later. We made some sandwiches, and stretched our legs just in time for the guys to roll in. and the sun to come out!

As they ran on, they took the sun with them. So we put it in reverse and braved the hill climb in the mud and puddles and mud and snow and hills and MUD. 

And we got stuck, starved and died. 

Thankfully that was just a scenario that went through my mind but never came to fruition. We survived. Next stop, the GROTTO! Our favorite.

Watching their dad run behind the shuttle bus. It was great to be faster than him for a change.

 Last stop was the finish line at the East Rim. We were so glad to see these guys made it through the last obstacle. And were finally dry and warm.

 They were dry and warm, but not free of the ever loving mud.

 We were treated to a few last rays of sun as we left the park. The day was definitely an adventure.