gc rim to river to rim in one day
Dec 3rd, 2005, 06:35 AM
#3
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I was tired riding the mules one way down. Do NOT underestimate the heat in the summer, nor the steepness of this hike.
Unless you are in super-excellent physical condition and not doing this in the heat of the summer, I think it would be foolish to even attempt. I am not exaggerating when I say that people have died in the summer on those trails. There's an intereting book called Death in the Grand Canyon that I'm glad I didn't read until after I got back!
Unless you are in super-excellent physical condition and not doing this in the heat of the summer, I think it would be foolish to even attempt. I am not exaggerating when I say that people have died in the summer on those trails. There's an intereting book called Death in the Grand Canyon that I'm glad I didn't read until after I got back!
Dec 3rd, 2005, 08:18 AM
#4
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I know of one teen-ager who did it in one day years ago, and a middle aged couple that walked down to spend the night at the bottom and started back up in the middle of the night because they could not stand the heat. But I would not recommend it.
Dec 3rd, 2005, 01:06 PM
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Let's get the advice from the people who have to rescue the hundreds of people who (each year) underestimate the dangers of hiking in the Canyon:
www.nps.gov/grca/backcountry/tips.htm
"do not attempt to go to the river and back in one day!"
www.nps.gov/grca/backcountry/corridor_hikes.htm
"DO NOT attempt to hike from the rim to the river and back in one day, especially during the months of May to September."
And here's the word from someone who did exactly that, without major health difficulties:
www.kaibab.org/gc/happy/gctr0306.htm
"you feel a bit rushed and don’t have the proper time to take in the beauty that nature has blessed the canyon with."
So it can be done, but doing so (1) risks severe injury and even death, (2) could waste taxpayers' money for a rescue, and (3) ruins the only reason for going to the Canyon. In other words, you risk a lot, get nothing in return, and could end up costing others. Definitely not worth it.
www.nps.gov/grca/backcountry/tips.htm
"do not attempt to go to the river and back in one day!"
www.nps.gov/grca/backcountry/corridor_hikes.htm
"DO NOT attempt to hike from the rim to the river and back in one day, especially during the months of May to September."
And here's the word from someone who did exactly that, without major health difficulties:
www.kaibab.org/gc/happy/gctr0306.htm
"you feel a bit rushed and don’t have the proper time to take in the beauty that nature has blessed the canyon with."
So it can be done, but doing so (1) risks severe injury and even death, (2) could waste taxpayers' money for a rescue, and (3) ruins the only reason for going to the Canyon. In other words, you risk a lot, get nothing in return, and could end up costing others. Definitely not worth it.
Dec 4th, 2005, 08:28 AM
#6
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jilkovina: I see you have posted another question regarding travel in the West, coming from Florida. This question leads me to believe that you are not familiar with an aspect of the West that can be quite dangerous: i.e. the danger of dehydration -- in other words, your body runs too low on water and you can be subject to collapse, severe injury, and even death. In saying this, I am not being an alarmist, just one whose experiences confirm this danger.
Dehydration is extremely dangerous for children; you indicate a 5-year-old is in your group. Having lived in the Southwest most of my life, I can tell you I have seen numerous instances where parents from elsewhere have been completely unaware that their children were in this danger. Their kids looked like little red tomatoes, sweating had stopped, and their eyes were beginning to close from dryness.
You ask about hiking all the way down, into and out of the Grand Canyon. Beware! This is not a good idea, no matter the age of those who make this trek.
Dehydration is extremely dangerous for children; you indicate a 5-year-old is in your group. Having lived in the Southwest most of my life, I can tell you I have seen numerous instances where parents from elsewhere have been completely unaware that their children were in this danger. Their kids looked like little red tomatoes, sweating had stopped, and their eyes were beginning to close from dryness.
You ask about hiking all the way down, into and out of the Grand Canyon. Beware! This is not a good idea, no matter the age of those who make this trek.
Dec 4th, 2005, 12:39 PM
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USNR noted what I did not bother to check; namely, that you are from Florida and are traveling with two seniors and a five-year-old. I can only say I am completely serious when I say that to attempt this with a five-year-old is clearly child abuse. And for ANYONE, even in the best of shape, to attempt it with no experience in desert canyon hiking is close to suicide. I hate to sound so harsh, but I just don't want to pick up the paper one day and read "Two Floridians Die in Grand Canyon."
I myself have hiked from rim to river and back in a two-day hike (without any health problems at all), and I don't recommend even that unless you are THOROUGHLY prepared, which would include starting a training regimen six months in advance.
I myself have hiked from rim to river and back in a two-day hike (without any health problems at all), and I don't recommend even that unless you are THOROUGHLY prepared, which would include starting a training regimen six months in advance.
Dec 4th, 2005, 06:47 PM
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I don't care where you trained. The heat can kill you. The sun will scorch you, and dehydrate you something fierce.
I have done 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado. They are much less formidable than that ascent of more than 5,000 feet out of the canyon with temperatures over 100 degrees.
I remember coming up toward the North Rim and having delusions about leaving my light pack and going back for it the next day.
One aspect of the hike out of the canyon that many people do not take into account is the fact that sections of the trail is well worn and sandy. The sand takes much more energy out of you than does walking on solid rock. It is like walking up a steep sand dune for hours in the heat! Or slogging up a steep scree slope.
Also, most people underestimate how much water they need! I went through over 3 quarts and was very thirsty when I got to the top. I think 5 quarts might have been enough, but 3 was insufficient.
At the time I weighed 160 at 6-1. So I was not exactly a fat guy and I played tennis regularly.
I have done 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado. They are much less formidable than that ascent of more than 5,000 feet out of the canyon with temperatures over 100 degrees.
I remember coming up toward the North Rim and having delusions about leaving my light pack and going back for it the next day.
One aspect of the hike out of the canyon that many people do not take into account is the fact that sections of the trail is well worn and sandy. The sand takes much more energy out of you than does walking on solid rock. It is like walking up a steep sand dune for hours in the heat! Or slogging up a steep scree slope.
Also, most people underestimate how much water they need! I went through over 3 quarts and was very thirsty when I got to the top. I think 5 quarts might have been enough, but 3 was insufficient.
At the time I weighed 160 at 6-1. So I was not exactly a fat guy and I played tennis regularly.
Dec 5th, 2005, 03:15 AM
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As someone else suggested, read Over the Rim - Death in the Grand Canyon - which details various means of death of people visiting Grand Canyon over the past century. While some of those killed were merely unlucky, most were doing stupid things or attempting to do things well beyond the physical limits of anyone.
Dec 5th, 2005, 12:05 PM
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Well, it CAN be done, but you have to be VERY well trained and careful.
My husband and I have gone down the S. Kaibab and up the Bright Angel 3 times in the past 10 years, the last time just last September, and we are 50 and 54. DH is a VERY experienced distance trail runner, he runs 20 miles every weekend just for fun. I used to be a better runner, but have gotten middle-aged and gimpy!
It takes us about 2 hrs. to run the 7 miles down the Kaibab to the river, then we cross over to Phantom,(there are 2 kinda scary suspension bridges to cross) get water, and then head up the Bright Angel, about 9 miles to the rim. It usually take us about 5-1/2 or 6 hours total, and that is running downhill and walking uphill. We don't go in the middle of summer, we start at dawn (by the way, dawn from the Kaibab trail is wonderful), we carry lots of water and food/fuel and make sure we consume it, and tank up on water at Phantom and Indian Gardens.
DH has actually twice run S. rim to N. rim back to S. rim again, 44 miles total, I think in about 12-13 hrs. But, he is a mountain goat and can run for hours.
Climbing up from the river is incredibly tiring, parts of the trail are like climbing stairs. Can you hike uphill for 9 miles on legs rubbery from hiking downhill for 7?
My husband and I have gone down the S. Kaibab and up the Bright Angel 3 times in the past 10 years, the last time just last September, and we are 50 and 54. DH is a VERY experienced distance trail runner, he runs 20 miles every weekend just for fun. I used to be a better runner, but have gotten middle-aged and gimpy!
It takes us about 2 hrs. to run the 7 miles down the Kaibab to the river, then we cross over to Phantom,(there are 2 kinda scary suspension bridges to cross) get water, and then head up the Bright Angel, about 9 miles to the rim. It usually take us about 5-1/2 or 6 hours total, and that is running downhill and walking uphill. We don't go in the middle of summer, we start at dawn (by the way, dawn from the Kaibab trail is wonderful), we carry lots of water and food/fuel and make sure we consume it, and tank up on water at Phantom and Indian Gardens.
DH has actually twice run S. rim to N. rim back to S. rim again, 44 miles total, I think in about 12-13 hrs. But, he is a mountain goat and can run for hours.
Climbing up from the river is incredibly tiring, parts of the trail are like climbing stairs. Can you hike uphill for 9 miles on legs rubbery from hiking downhill for 7?
Dec 6th, 2005, 12:09 PM
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gigib, did it 3 times not 2 and except for the last time did the rim to rim to rim in a little over 10 hours.
rim to rim is tough but if your fairly fit and start at 6:00am or earlier is very doable.
rim to rim to rim is very very tough and you have to be very fit and used to running in heat. Most who do it are ultrarunners.
rim to rim is tough but if your fairly fit and start at 6:00am or earlier is very doable.
rim to rim to rim is very very tough and you have to be very fit and used to running in heat. Most who do it are ultrarunners.
Dec 13th, 2005, 05:36 AM
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I don't think anyone is saying "it can't be done", but rather "should it be done". And I still think the answer is No.
I think this is being asked as sightseeing type question, not an ultra-marathon training question. Even so, I work in a gym, and I can't think of more than a handful of members who could do rim to river and back in a day without totally destroying themselves.
Trying to do this in a day destroys the wonder of the canyon. You cannot truly appreciate it if all you are doing is struggling up and down.
I am a type A personality - don't like to sit still for too long - but I was utterly content and at peace just hanging out in the bottom of the canyon. I'm so glad I had this opportunity and had not rushed it. I remember actually being jealous of our mule leader. He lived in a dorm like room a bit from the south rim, had to eat all meals out b/c he did not have a kitchen and spent all this time with mules. But, I rationalized, he got to spend his days INSIDE THE GRAND CANYON.
I read a quote that says something like.. you can get over a great sorrow by spending some time in Grand Canyon. I agree with that.
I think this is being asked as sightseeing type question, not an ultra-marathon training question. Even so, I work in a gym, and I can't think of more than a handful of members who could do rim to river and back in a day without totally destroying themselves.
Trying to do this in a day destroys the wonder of the canyon. You cannot truly appreciate it if all you are doing is struggling up and down.
I am a type A personality - don't like to sit still for too long - but I was utterly content and at peace just hanging out in the bottom of the canyon. I'm so glad I had this opportunity and had not rushed it. I remember actually being jealous of our mule leader. He lived in a dorm like room a bit from the south rim, had to eat all meals out b/c he did not have a kitchen and spent all this time with mules. But, I rationalized, he got to spend his days INSIDE THE GRAND CANYON.
I read a quote that says something like.. you can get over a great sorrow by spending some time in Grand Canyon. I agree with that.
Dec 13th, 2005, 06:48 AM
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If you really want to see the canyon from the bottom, another option is to take a guided jeep tour with the Hualapai Indian Tribe. The only road (I believe) that actually goes down to the river is located on their reservation. GC West is the western end of the canyon outside of the national park boundary. It's about an hour or so west of the s. rim.
I took a tour out of Las Vegas several years ago and it included driving down the road to the river. It was truly amazing. I'll never hike or mule down to the bottom, so this was a great option for me. You could do it as a short side trip from the s. rim and the whole family could go!
Have fun!
I took a tour out of Las Vegas several years ago and it included driving down the road to the river. It was truly amazing. I'll never hike or mule down to the bottom, so this was a great option for me. You could do it as a short side trip from the s. rim and the whole family could go!
Have fun!
Dec 14th, 2005, 08:29 AM
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Ditto what everybody else said about NOT hiking rim to river and back in a day from the South Rim. I've done it in two days (North to South) and would NEVER try to do it in one. Physically it's no fun, and you won't have time to enjoy the scenery, which is the whole point of going, isn't it? "BuffaloGirl's" suggestion about maybe going to Grand Canyon West and the Hualapai Indian Reservation instead is a good one. There you can get to the bottom via a short helicopter flight and even include a little river float. I was just there and it was fun! The only "strenuous" part was having to climb three flights of stairs up to the helipad.
