Rim to Rim: How Alexis Ressler Took On the Grand Canyon, An Incredible Story About Resilience
When most people think of the Grand Canyon, they picture the sweeping views from the rim. But Alexis Ressler and her husband, Arnie Kozak, took it several thousand feet further. On a warm May morning, 5:30 AM, the couple stepped onto the South Kaibab Trail and began one of North America's most challenging hikes: a full Rim-to-Rim traverse.
It was more than just a trek. For Alexis, it was a major milestone—her first big test since undergoing a partial knee replacement.
Alexis and her husband timed the hike for late May, one of the only safe windows to attempt a Rim-to-Rim. “You really only have two viable options each year: May 15–30 or October 1–15,” Alexis explained. “It’s too hot otherwise, and the North Rim is only open for about six months due to snow. Hard to believe there was still snow there on May 15!”
Sunrise, Switchbacks, and a Smooth Start
The early descent gave them stunning sunrise views and some relief from the desert heat. Seven miles and 5,500 feet of descent later, Alexis was feeling strong. "Despite the significant descent, I didn't have any issues with my knees," she shared. Their first major stop was Phantom Ranch, where they topped off their water, sipped lemonade, and mailed a postcard stamped with, "Sent by mule from the bottom of the Grand Canyon."
Into the Furnace
The next stretch was the most brutal. Known ominously as "the Frying Pan," the trail offered no shade and blistering sun. Her watch read 102°F. "The heat really wiped out our energy," she said. Despite carrying and refilling a total of 9 liters of water throughout the day, dehydration started creeping in around mile 18. "I started to get mildly nauseated. I was expecting the hike to be 21 miles, but it was actually 22."
Digging Deep on the Ascent
From Cottonwood Camp, the climb grew steeper. They gained over 4,500 feet in the final section, pushing hard with minimal rest. Frog Tog cooling towels helped, as did a steady rhythm of snacks and electrolyte tabs, though Alexis suspects she needed more sodium. "As usual, I didn't want to eat or take salt tabs toward the end, which is never good," she noted.
They passed Roaring Springs without refilling water, thinking it was too close to the previous stop—a decision that caused some anxiety later when they realized there was no water available. "The only other thing we would’ve done differently is stopping to refill at Manzanita," she added. "We assumed Roaring Springs was a better stop, but it was closed, so that created some extra stress on the final stretch."
A Quiet Finish and a Quiet Triumph
Finally, they reached the North Rim. The trail was quieter and more peaceful than the bustling South Rim. After walking a couple of extra miles to their hotel (unsuccessfully trying to hitch a ride), Alexis reflected on the achievement: 23.9 miles in 12 hours and 14 minutes.
"Our training program was ideal. I really felt fine in terms of my legs and feet," she said. More importantly, the hike was a personal triumph: a testament to her resilience, preparation, and the power of functional training.
"This was my first significant test since my knee replacement, and it was a huge success. We're excited to be part of the 1% of Grand Canyon visitors who actually descend into the Canyon and don’t just look out from the rims."
