Anyone hiked the Grand Canyon? - update: I survived! (2 Viewers)

[krista4]

The Ten Essentials! Can't believe I didn't mention that in my first post. If you don't have them, get them. Even for a day hike (and this is a helluva "day hike"), you need them.

1. Map
2. Compass (optionally supplemented with a GPS receiver)
3. Sunglasses and sunscreen
4. Extra clothing
5. Headlamp (or flashlight)
6. First-aid supplies
7. Powdered alcohol
8. Matches
9. Knife
10. Extra food

Hmmm, I think one of these is different than I remembered...

 

[Fennis]

The Ten Essentials! Can't believe I didn't mention that in my first post. If you don't have them, get them. Even for a day hike (and this is a helluva "day hike"), you need them.

1. Map
2. Compass (optionally supplemented with a GPS receiver)
3. Sunglasses and sunscreen
4. Extra clothing
5. Headlamp (or flashlight)
6. First-aid supplies
7. Powdered alcohol
8. Matches
9. Knife
10. Extra food

Hmmm, I think one of these is different than I remembered...

its an upgrade

 

[bigbottom]

Did a North Kaibab trail to Bright Angel trail loop last year. Camped overnight at the Bright Angel campground. I have no idea what the trail is like from the North rim.

Make sure your boots fit extremely well, and clip your toenails. Me and two other guys on the trip ended up losing our big toenails.

Water water water and lots of carbs. I always eat light on trips like this and payed for it on this trip.

One of the guys on the trip had a hat with a cooling band that you could soak in water. He really liked it.

Re boots: I hope what you got were 1/2-1 size larger than your usual size. That will help with the toenails. Also, I agree with everyone that breaking them in is important, but don't use them too much or you'll wear off too much of the tread, which won't be fun on the down parts.

On socks, and again with your toes in mind, this is going to sound silly but toe socks have changed our hiking lives. Mr. krista and I both wear Injinji socks almost exclusively now, and while it takes a second to get used to, the comfort and lack of rubbing on the toes is beautiful. If you can't get into the toe socks (but you should), my favorite regular sock brand is Thorlo.

In addition to the hat with cooling band, I'd also recommend having a buff with you because they can be used in so many different ways and are so light it doesn't affect your pack weight. You could use it as a headband to assist with sweat issues and also you might like it as a half-mask if it is dusty out there. Can't say enough good things about a buff.

Do you have your trekking poles or would you like recommendations?

Do you need a water filter there for water you pick up along the trail? If so, the Sawyer gets my highest recommendation, though it won't work for you if you're not carrying a Nalgene.

Yes, boots are a full size larger than my normal shoes. The socks I have now are smartwool merinos. They seem to work well, but I haven't done any research and haven't tried anything else for comparison. Since you feel so strongly about the toe socks, I'll give them a try. I'm all about listening to people with experience. Is there a trick to determining the right size or style?

Will definitely pick up a buff. Thanks.

I have trekking poles but haven't used them yet. They are Leki brand. Thoughts?

I don't think we need a water filter as there are water stations at various points on the trail.

Thanks so much for the input. This is extremely helpful.

 

[krista4]

Did a North Kaibab trail to Bright Angel trail loop last year. Camped overnight at the Bright Angel campground. I have no idea what the trail is like from the North rim.

Make sure your boots fit extremely well, and clip your toenails. Me and two other guys on the trip ended up losing our big toenails.

Water water water and lots of carbs. I always eat light on trips like this and payed for it on this trip.

One of the guys on the trip had a hat with a cooling band that you could soak in water. He really liked it.

Re boots: I hope what you got were 1/2-1 size larger than your usual size. That will help with the toenails. Also, I agree with everyone that breaking them in is important, but don't use them too much or you'll wear off too much of the tread, which won't be fun on the down parts.

On socks, and again with your toes in mind, this is going to sound silly but toe socks have changed our hiking lives. Mr. krista and I both wear Injinji socks almost exclusively now, and while it takes a second to get used to, the comfort and lack of rubbing on the toes is beautiful. If you can't get into the toe socks (but you should), my favorite regular sock brand is Thorlo.

In addition to the hat with cooling band, I'd also recommend having a buff with you because they can be used in so many different ways and are so light it doesn't affect your pack weight. You could use it as a headband to assist with sweat issues and also you might like it as a half-mask if it is dusty out there. Can't say enough good things about a buff.

Do you have your trekking poles or would you like recommendations?

Do you need a water filter there for water you pick up along the trail? If so, the Sawyer gets my highest recommendation, though it won't work for you if you're not carrying a Nalgene.

Yes, boots are a full size larger than my normal shoes. The socks I have now are smartwool merinos. They seem to work well, but I haven't done any research and haven't tried anything else for comparison. Since you feel so strongly about the toe socks, I'll give them a try. I'm all about listening to people with experience. Is there a trick to determining the right size or style?

Will definitely pick up a buff. Thanks.

I have trekking poles but haven't used them yet. They are Leki brand. Thoughts?

I don't think we need a water filter as there are water stations at various points on the trail.

Thanks so much for the input. This is extremely helpful.

The Smartwoold merinos are great socks, too. For regular (non-"toe") socks, I think they're up there with Thorlo--I prefer the Thorlo but it's a close call. If you don't like the toe socks, those are a great choice instead. Socks to me are somewhat just trying things until you find what you like in terms of thickness, for instance. Merino is a great fabric for a lot of reasons, and Smartwool is terrific.

Leki is a great brand of poles. Generally I prefer the lighter the better on poles so go with carbon fiber rather than aluminum. Another big decision on poles is what kind of lock: people have strong opinions on twist locks v external flip locks. I like the latter, but there are arguments in favor of the former. The other big decision point on poles is whether you want shock absorption; some people like it and others don't. A lot of personal preference involved in poles, but with Leki you probably have the best brand (that and Black Diamond are usual favorites) so have some good quality there. Have one of your friends who's experienced with them make sure you have them extended to the right height--for some reason people have a tendency to extend them too high--and that you use them properly (not that there's any magic to that).

 

[bigbottom]

The Ten Essentials! Can't believe I didn't mention that in my first post. If you don't have them, get them. Even for a day hike (and this is a helluva "day hike"), you need them.

Done!

 

[bigbottom]

Big Bottom- I hate to say it but I think you are asking for trouble. This is not the right hike to do if you are not much of a hiker.

Having said that if you are determined to do it you had better get to training. I had a few hikes around where I live that have good inclines and I did them religiously for months. If you dont have hills to climb I would continue with climbing the stairs a lot.

Make sure your wife is training as well. Dragging someone through the canyon is not fun and dangerous. Have you considered just doing the bright angel down and back to get a feel for it before attempting rim to rim to rim?

I believe the poster was cactus who had the Grand Canyon thread. I will try to dig it up later today.

Get fit for some good hiking boots NOW and wear them for training.

I also think there are better mixes then gatorade out there. Do you have any hiking stores near by? They would have lots of info from boots to nutrition.

Dont forget the basic safety stuff-Whistle,signal mirror,basic first aid

I gotta head out now but I will try to add to this later. You better be hiking something today

Yep, I know this is a bad idea. But I'm pot committed now. All I can do is get myself as prepared as possible. I've studied the trails and been given a detailed overview from friends who have done it multiple times. From a technical standpoint, it's not a difficult hike. Maximum grade during the ascent is like 17%. The trick will be the distance (21 miles), the heat (100+) and the ascent (just under 6,000 ft). It's going to be hell, I know it. But it's something I need to do. Something I will do.When you say you were doing hikes religiously for six months, what does that mean? Once a week? Twice a week? Every day? How long were the hikes either in distance or time? I'm basically training about 5-6 days a week right now. Did stairs for two hours yesterday (actual stairs in a stairwell). Other incline training involves stair mills at about 100 floors a pop, and treadmill work that varies from 10% incline for longer periods to 30% incline for only about 40 minutes or so (there's a 24-hour fitness by my house that has a machine that can go to 30%). Then I'm doing a long hike once a week from 12-16 miles, and will work up to longer distances as we get closer. Today was 12 miles and then I'll do incline training later this afternoon. Other days I'll just jog a 5k for cardio purposes.

As for my wife, she's been training for months now. She has several friends who have done this every year for the last five or so years. So she's training with them.

I know this is going to be difficult. I know it's going to kick my ### and be the hardest thing I've ever done. But I know I can do it. I know I will do it. The group I'm going with has been doing this for years. And they have newbies that do it with them every year. There is another couple who are first timers as well. I did a training session with the group already and was more than able to hold my own. So I know this is doable from a physical standpoint. Mental may be a different story.

The hiking boots I have now are working great so far. I've put a 100+ miles on them and will break them in a bunch more in the next 2+ months. Will definitely look more into the electrolyte mixes for the water bottle. We have plenty of hiking and outdoor stores in the area. Thanks for the advice.

Had first aid kit on my pack list, but didn't think about safety whistle or signal mirror. Will add those as well.

Please keep the advice coming. I really appreciate it. My goal is to be back here posting in June, so I'll take whatever advice I can to survive the trip and make it out alive.

Excellent--I see you did get larger-than-usual-size shoes. On the down side, please be careful with the tread. Given that you're not doing a lot of elevation gain/loss outdoors, maybe you're not wearing them out too much. On the types of hikes we do here, I'm going through shoes about every 250-300 miles, but that's with some really tough wear.

Regarding the elevation gain/distance, are you saying it gains 6000 ft in elevation over 21 miles? If so, you're right--that's not tough at all in terms of steepness, but the 21 miles will be a grind (twice!). I'm not as worried about your ability to do it as others are. If it were steeper, I'd be more concerned given that you don't have much opportunity for elevation hikes where you are. Incline training/stairmasters just aren't the same. But on an average grade that gentle, you should be OK.

Get the best fitting and wicking socks you can find. It will be very hot at and near the bottom. Your feet need to be ready. Get the boots broken in , deal with any weird fits on heels and toes pay attention to the bottom of toes as well

Since you won't be carrying a pack you should be able to do it. Try to get an early start and cool down at phantom dry the feet and change socks. Going up north in middle of day is nuts with southern sun on you. I would take time and make last parts in the late afternoon and dusk.

Step off is scheduled for 6:30am. I'll be hiking with the "leisurely" part of the group and will be targeting a 12-hour crossing. That would put us at late afternoon for the toughest part of the ascent.Am trying out some wool socks at the moment which seem to work real well. Plan to carry three extra pairs with me to change them out as they get wet. Am advised that cotton is a no-no. In that regard, if anyone has any tips on clothing, please let me know. In particular, I'm debating what I should wear under my shorts.

Boots will be plenty broken in. Well, they're more like hiking boot/cross trainer hybrids. North Face Vibram Storm Hiking Shoes.

Again, thanks for the advice and keep it coming.

The three things that changed our hiking lives, in the order we discovered them: (1) good trekking poles, (2) non-cotton, moisture-wicking underwear, and (3) toe socks. So as to the question above about cotton, absolutely stay away in anything you're wearing. For every bit of clothing you take, there are some great materials that are not only moisture wicking but are anti-microbial and contain sunscreen. Make sure your shirts and shorts/pants have a high SPF in them as well.

For pants, instead of shorts I'd suggest convertible pants for which you can unzip the bottoms and use them as shorts. As I haven't done this hike, others who have could advise better, but I'd think those would be preferable because (1) it could be cold in the mornings, and (2) you might have brushy areas where you'd appreciate having the longer pants rather than bloodying your calves.

It's rim to rim, so the first four hours is a descent. The ascent is from 2560 to 8250 over 14 miles, with the bulk of the ascent (4000 to 8250) over the last 6.8 miles. Maximum incline during the ascent is 16%.Underwear is a big consideration. Do you or Mr. Krista have recs?

I don't think there will be much in the way of brush, but the start of the day will be pretty cold. Will look into the zip off pants. I know at least a couple people in the group use them. What ideas do you have for shirts? Also, I'll need a lightweight fleece for the start of the hike. Thoughts? How about hats?

 

[bigbottom]

Leki is a great brand of poles. Generally I prefer the lighter the better on poles so go with carbon fiber rather than aluminum. Another big decision on poles is what kind of lock: people have strong opinions on twist locks v external flip locks. I like the latter, but there are arguments in favor of the former. The other big decision point on poles is whether you want shock absorption; some people like it and others don't. A lot of personal preference involved in poles, but with Leki you probably have the best brand (that and Black Diamond are usual favorites) so have some good quality there. Have one of your friends who's experienced with them make sure you have them extended to the right height--for some reason people have a tendency to extend them too high--and that you use them properly (not that there's any magic to that).

Mine have flip locks. No shock absorption. I presume I'll need to make adjustments during the hike as we change from descent to flat to ascent?Thanks again for all the great info.

 

[bigbottom]

The Ten Essentials! Can't believe I didn't mention that in my first post. If you don't have them, get them. Even for a day hike (and this is a helluva "day hike"), you need them.

• Map
• Compass (optionally supplemented with a GPS receiver)
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Extra clothing
• Headlamp (or flashlight)
• First-aid supplies
• Powdered alcohol
• Matches
• Knife
• Extra food

Hmmm, I think one of these is different than I remembered...

its an upgrade

Can you snort that?

 

[krista4]

Big Bottom- I hate to say it but I think you are asking for trouble. This is not the right hike to do if you are not much of a hiker.

Having said that if you are determined to do it you had better get to training. I had a few hikes around where I live that have good inclines and I did them religiously for months. If you dont have hills to climb I would continue with climbing the stairs a lot.

Make sure your wife is training as well. Dragging someone through the canyon is not fun and dangerous. Have you considered just doing the bright angel down and back to get a feel for it before attempting rim to rim to rim?

I believe the poster was cactus who had the Grand Canyon thread. I will try to dig it up later today.

Get fit for some good hiking boots NOW and wear them for training.

I also think there are better mixes then gatorade out there. Do you have any hiking stores near by? They would have lots of info from boots to nutrition.

Dont forget the basic safety stuff-Whistle,signal mirror,basic first aid

I gotta head out now but I will try to add to this later. You better be hiking something today

Yep, I know this is a bad idea. But I'm pot committed now. All I can do is get myself as prepared as possible. I've studied the trails and been given a detailed overview from friends who have done it multiple times. From a technical standpoint, it's not a difficult hike. Maximum grade during the ascent is like 17%. The trick will be the distance (21 miles), the heat (100+) and the ascent (just under 6,000 ft). It's going to be hell, I know it. But it's something I need to do. Something I will do.When you say you were doing hikes religiously for six months, what does that mean? Once a week? Twice a week? Every day? How long were the hikes either in distance or time? I'm basically training about 5-6 days a week right now. Did stairs for two hours yesterday (actual stairs in a stairwell). Other incline training involves stair mills at about 100 floors a pop, and treadmill work that varies from 10% incline for longer periods to 30% incline for only about 40 minutes or so (there's a 24-hour fitness by my house that has a machine that can go to 30%). Then I'm doing a long hike once a week from 12-16 miles, and will work up to longer distances as we get closer. Today was 12 miles and then I'll do incline training later this afternoon. Other days I'll just jog a 5k for cardio purposes.

As for my wife, she's been training for months now. She has several friends who have done this every year for the last five or so years. So she's training with them.

I know this is going to be difficult. I know it's going to kick my ### and be the hardest thing I've ever done. But I know I can do it. I know I will do it. The group I'm going with has been doing this for years. And they have newbies that do it with them every year. There is another couple who are first timers as well. I did a training session with the group already and was more than able to hold my own. So I know this is doable from a physical standpoint. Mental may be a different story.

The hiking boots I have now are working great so far. I've put a 100+ miles on them and will break them in a bunch more in the next 2+ months. Will definitely look more into the electrolyte mixes for the water bottle. We have plenty of hiking and outdoor stores in the area. Thanks for the advice.

Had first aid kit on my pack list, but didn't think about safety whistle or signal mirror. Will add those as well.

Please keep the advice coming. I really appreciate it. My goal is to be back here posting in June, so I'll take whatever advice I can to survive the trip and make it out alive.

Excellent--I see you did get larger-than-usual-size shoes. On the down side, please be careful with the tread. Given that you're not doing a lot of elevation gain/loss outdoors, maybe you're not wearing them out too much. On the types of hikes we do here, I'm going through shoes about every 250-300 miles, but that's with some really tough wear.

Regarding the elevation gain/distance, are you saying it gains 6000 ft in elevation over 21 miles? If so, you're right--that's not tough at all in terms of steepness, but the 21 miles will be a grind (twice!). I'm not as worried about your ability to do it as others are. If it were steeper, I'd be more concerned given that you don't have much opportunity for elevation hikes where you are. Incline training/stairmasters just aren't the same. But on an average grade that gentle, you should be OK.

Get the best fitting and wicking socks you can find. It will be very hot at and near the bottom. Your feet need to be ready. Get the boots broken in , deal with any weird fits on heels and toes pay attention to the bottom of toes as well

Since you won't be carrying a pack you should be able to do it. Try to get an early start and cool down at phantom dry the feet and change socks. Going up north in middle of day is nuts with southern sun on you. I would take time and make last parts in the late afternoon and dusk.

Step off is scheduled for 6:30am. I'll be hiking with the "leisurely" part of the group and will be targeting a 12-hour crossing. That would put us at late afternoon for the toughest part of the ascent.Am trying out some wool socks at the moment which seem to work real well. Plan to carry three extra pairs with me to change them out as they get wet. Am advised that cotton is a no-no. In that regard, if anyone has any tips on clothing, please let me know. In particular, I'm debating what I should wear under my shorts.

Boots will be plenty broken in. Well, they're more like hiking boot/cross trainer hybrids. North Face Vibram Storm Hiking Shoes.

Again, thanks for the advice and keep it coming.

The three things that changed our hiking lives, in the order we discovered them: (1) good trekking poles, (2) non-cotton, moisture-wicking underwear, and (3) toe socks. So as to the question above about cotton, absolutely stay away in anything you're wearing. For every bit of clothing you take, there are some great materials that are not only moisture wicking but are anti-microbial and contain sunscreen. Make sure your shirts and shorts/pants have a high SPF in them as well.

For pants, instead of shorts I'd suggest convertible pants for which you can unzip the bottoms and use them as shorts. As I haven't done this hike, others who have could advise better, but I'd think those would be preferable because (1) it could be cold in the mornings, and (2) you might have brushy areas where you'd appreciate having the longer pants rather than bloodying your calves.

It's rim to rim, so the first four hours is a descent. The ascent is from 2560 to 8250 over 14 miles, with the bulk of the ascent (4000 to 8250) over the last 6.8 miles. Maximum incline during the ascent is 16%.Underwear is a big consideration. Do you or Mr. Krista have recs?

I don't think there will be much in the way of brush, but the start of the day will be pretty cold. Will look into the zip off pants. I know at least a couple people in the group use them. What ideas do you have for shirts? Also, I'll need a lightweight fleece for the start of the hike. Thoughts? How about hats?

I'd suggest looking at the ExOfficio brand of underwear. If you want merino in the underwear instead of synthetic (i.e., you want antimicrobial), Icebreaker gets across-the-board raves, though I haven't tried them for underwear. Icebreaker also makes fantastic merino shirts.

For shirts...ehhhh, so many choices. I always, even in the heat of summer, wear long sleeves because it is easier than having to protect even more of my Casper-like skin. So I go with really thin, breathable stuff, which I guess is what you're going to want in any case. There are just so many ways to go with shirts. Just make sure you're getting good moisture-wicking stuff with a high SPF, considering where you'll be.

For a lightweight fleece...I'm not sure of the conditions you'll face, so am not sure if there's a chance of it being windy? If wind is not a concern, then I'd think breathability will be a key factor for you, but you give up breathability if you want wind-resistance, so there might be a balance you need to hit. I think Patagonia still makes the best fleeces in terms of having the most cutting-edge and adaptable materials. I'd suggest looking at something like the Patagonia R1. I also like the Mountain Hardwear brand for this sort of thing.

I have absolutely no good ideas on hats. The suggestion for one with a cooling band seemed like a good idea.

ETA: Yeah, those last 6.8 miles will be tough considering you are doing it after already hiking 15 miles. Definitely not saying this won't be grueling, especially to do it twice in three days, but I'm confident you'll make it.

 

[krista4]

Leki is a great brand of poles. Generally I prefer the lighter the better on poles so go with carbon fiber rather than aluminum. Another big decision on poles is what kind of lock: people have strong opinions on twist locks v external flip locks. I like the latter, but there are arguments in favor of the former. The other big decision point on poles is whether you want shock absorption; some people like it and others don't. A lot of personal preference involved in poles, but with Leki you probably have the best brand (that and Black Diamond are usual favorites) so have some good quality there. Have one of your friends who's experienced with them make sure you have them extended to the right height--for some reason people have a tendency to extend them too high--and that you use them properly (not that there's any magic to that).

Mine have flip locks. No shock absorption. I presume I'll need to make adjustments during the hike as we change from descent to flat to ascent?Thanks again for all the great info.

This is exactly what I have--flip locks and no absorption. Mr. krista's newer set have shock absorption but it's been an adjustment for him. I generally don't use the poles while ascending or on flat ground, so I don't make adjustments during a hike.

 

[Niles Standish]

It's really hot.

Have shade (hat), a lot lot of water.

Having a bandana/shirt you can dip in the water to cool off is really nice.

It's steep out, but just take it slow if you need to.,

Are you backpacking it or staying in the lodge? If you're backpacking make sure your pack is adjusted to fit you correctly (outdoor shop can help). Wear it with all your gear on some training hikes. Make sure everything feels right.

Thanks for the tips. Given your interests, looks like you are well-versed in this area. On the hat, I'm thinking I'll need a 360-brim, lightweight with a sweatband. Do you have any recs?

As for water, I have a Camelbak with a three liter reservoir and have the water stops mapped out.

Haven't thought about having the backpack professionally adjusted. Will do that. Wore the pack for the first time on yesterday's training session and will wear it often from here on out. Thankfully, I only need to carry water, food and a few supplies, so it should be fairly light.

For the hat IMO the only thing you need is a wide brim. Keeping the sun off you will make it feel 20 degrees lighter. Plus sunscreen doesn't last all day so it will limit your sun exposure if you forget to reapply during the day. I wear an outback type hat when I'm outdoors, it's not as light as some but it also doesn't look as geeky as the standard outdoor hats. But any will do as long as they keep the sun away.

 

[krista4]

Also, super-excited for you! This is going to be an amazing trip.

 

[Niles Standish]

Get the best fitting and wicking socks you can find. It will be very hot at and near the bottom. Your feet need to be ready. Get the boots broken in , deal with any weird fits on heels and toes pay attention to the bottom of toes as well

Since you won't be carrying a pack you should be able to do it. Try to get an early start and cool down at phantom dry the feet and change socks. Going up north in middle of day is nuts with southern sun on you. I would take time and make last parts in the late afternoon and dusk.

Step off is scheduled for 6:30am. I'll be hiking with the "leisurely" part of the group and will be targeting a 12-hour crossing. That would put us at late afternoon for the toughest part of the ascent. Am trying out some wool socks at the moment which seem to work real well. Plan to carry three extra pairs with me to change them out as they get wet. Am advised that cotton is a no-no. In that regard, if anyone has any tips on clothing, please let me know. In particular, I'm debating what I should wear under my shorts.

Boots will be plenty broken in. Well, they're more like hiking boot/cross trainer hybrids. North Face Vibram Storm Hiking Shoes.

Again, thanks for the advice and keep it coming.

The deal with wool is it retains heat when wet. Cotton kills because it doesn't. I wear wool socks in any conditions. It will get cold at night in May.

The trick here (Colorado) for clothing is to layer. Base layer (thermal) mid layer (down or fleece) outer layer (water and wind proof). You really won't need to go that far with your clothing, but there is a big temperature change in the Grand Canyon so have some extra (light) clothing. It never hurts to have the 10 essentials. Being that you'll be surrounded by people since it's such a popular place things for extra days can pretty safely be ignored. http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html

 

[chauncey]

Tons of great advice above. A few thoughts that haven’t been mentioned already:

Physical prep: Try to complete a 15-20 mile hike on back to back days or with a day in between to get the practice while your body is sore, as it will be on day 3. Also, maybe sandwich your long hikes with a heavy cardio/stair workout the day before/after.

Gear: A dri-fit or wicking undershirt (I wore a dri-fit shirt each day and it kept me cool), long sleeve white button up (it keeps your upper body protected from the sun and can be soaked for extra cooling), glide (deodorant like stick of lube for your thighs/sack). Also good to take a headlamp in case you don’t reach the rim before dusk. Detachable pants are a great idea as it will probably be cool at dawn and dusk on the North Rim.

Hydration/Nutrition: You don’t need to worry about purification, there are plenty of water stops along the trail. Be sure to get a lemonade and/or beer at Phantom Ranch. Salty nuts/mix, dried fruit/berries, and jerky are great snacks.

Random: Take lots of pics. Take notes of the experience when you are relaxing on the North Rim and when the trip is over. Hike at your own pace, enjoy the physical and mental challenge. Soak in all of the rock formations, wildlife, and plants/cacti/flowers, the scenery is truly spectacular. Send a postcard from Phantom Ranch to friends, family and yourself, a cheesy but cool memento.

The most dangerous parts will be hiking through the Box, north of Phantom Ranch, during the hottest part of day 1 (stay wet and hope for shade/clouds), and descending from the North Rim on day 3 when your muscles and joints will be exhausted (go slow and steady). The hardest part will be climbing those switchbacks on day 3 between Indian Gardens and the South Rim but by this point adrenaline and sense of accomplishment will power you through. As long as you are hydrated.

What a great experience for you and your wife. A R2R hike is an incredible achievement and a lifetime memory. Drink lots of water. Take lots of pictures. Enjoy the challenge and simplicity of the trail. And give us a great write-up when you get back!

 

[krista4]

glide (deodorant like stick of lube for your thighs/sack).

On a very long hike there will be potential for chafing. I just use my regular Secret deodorant on the key chafing points, which works fine but I'm going to check out glide.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

BOBBY!?!

CINDY!?!

 

[Niles Standish]

Big Bottom- I hate to say it but I think you are asking for trouble. This is not the right hike to do if you are not much of a hiker.

Having said that if you are determined to do it you had better get to training. I had a few hikes around where I live that have good inclines and I did them religiously for months. If you dont have hills to climb I would continue with climbing the stairs a lot.

Make sure your wife is training as well. Dragging someone through the canyon is not fun and dangerous. Have you considered just doing the bright angel down and back to get a feel for it before attempting rim to rim to rim?

I believe the poster was cactus who had the Grand Canyon thread. I will try to dig it up later today.

Get fit for some good hiking boots NOW and wear them for training.

I also think there are better mixes then gatorade out there. Do you have any hiking stores near by? They would have lots of info from boots to nutrition.

Dont forget the basic safety stuff-Whistle,signal mirror,basic first aid

I gotta head out now but I will try to add to this later. You better be hiking something today

Yep, I know this is a bad idea. But I'm pot committed now. All I can do is get myself as prepared as possible. I've studied the trails and been given a detailed overview from friends who have done it multiple times. From a technical standpoint, it's not a difficult hike. Maximum grade during the ascent is like 17%. The trick will be the distance (21 miles), the heat (100+) and the ascent (just under 6,000 ft). It's going to be hell, I know it. But it's something I need to do. Something I will do.When you say you were doing hikes religiously for six months, what does that mean? Once a week? Twice a week? Every day? How long were the hikes either in distance or time? I'm basically training about 5-6 days a week right now. Did stairs for two hours yesterday (actual stairs in a stairwell). Other incline training involves stair mills at about 100 floors a pop, and treadmill work that varies from 10% incline for longer periods to 30% incline for only about 40 minutes or so (there's a 24-hour fitness by my house that has a machine that can go to 30%). Then I'm doing a long hike once a week from 12-16 miles, and will work up to longer distances as we get closer. Today was 12 miles and then I'll do incline training later this afternoon. Other days I'll just jog a 5k for cardio purposes.

As for my wife, she's been training for months now. She has several friends who have done this every year for the last five or so years. So she's training with them.

I know this is going to be difficult. I know it's going to kick my ### and be the hardest thing I've ever done. But I know I can do it. I know I will do it. The group I'm going with has been doing this for years. And they have newbies that do it with them every year. There is another couple who are first timers as well. I did a training session with the group already and was more than able to hold my own. So I know this is doable from a physical standpoint. Mental may be a different story.

The hiking boots I have now are working great so far. I've put a 100+ miles on them and will break them in a bunch more in the next 2+ months. Will definitely look more into the electrolyte mixes for the water bottle. We have plenty of hiking and outdoor stores in the area. Thanks for the advice.

Had first aid kit on my pack list, but didn't think about safety whistle or signal mirror. Will add those as well.

Please keep the advice coming. I really appreciate it. My goal is to be back here posting in June, so I'll take whatever advice I can to survive the trip and make it out alive.

Excellent--I see you did get larger-than-usual-size shoes. On the down side, please be careful with the tread. Given that you're not doing a lot of elevation gain/loss outdoors, maybe you're not wearing them out too much. On the types of hikes we do here, I'm going through shoes about every 250-300 miles, but that's with some really tough wear.

Regarding the elevation gain/distance, are you saying it gains 6000 ft in elevation over 21 miles? If so, you're right--that's not tough at all in terms of steepness, but the 21 miles will be a grind (twice!). I'm not as worried about your ability to do it as others are. If it were steeper, I'd be more concerned given that you don't have much opportunity for elevation hikes where you are. Incline training/stairmasters just aren't the same. But on an average grade that gentle, you should be OK.

Get the best fitting and wicking socks you can find. It will be very hot at and near the bottom. Your feet need to be ready. Get the boots broken in , deal with any weird fits on heels and toes pay attention to the bottom of toes as well

Since you won't be carrying a pack you should be able to do it. Try to get an early start and cool down at phantom dry the feet and change socks. Going up north in middle of day is nuts with southern sun on you. I would take time and make last parts in the late afternoon and dusk.

Step off is scheduled for 6:30am. I'll be hiking with the "leisurely" part of the group and will be targeting a 12-hour crossing. That would put us at late afternoon for the toughest part of the ascent.Am trying out some wool socks at the moment which seem to work real well. Plan to carry three extra pairs with me to change them out as they get wet. Am advised that cotton is a no-no. In that regard, if anyone has any tips on clothing, please let me know. In particular, I'm debating what I should wear under my shorts.

Boots will be plenty broken in. Well, they're more like hiking boot/cross trainer hybrids. North Face Vibram Storm Hiking Shoes.

Again, thanks for the advice and keep it coming.

The three things that changed our hiking lives, in the order we discovered them: (1) good trekking poles, (2) non-cotton, moisture-wicking underwear, and (3) toe socks. So as to the question above about cotton, absolutely stay away in anything you're wearing. For every bit of clothing you take, there are some great materials that are not only moisture wicking but are anti-microbial and contain sunscreen. Make sure your shirts and shorts/pants have a high SPF in them as well.

For pants, instead of shorts I'd suggest convertible pants for which you can unzip the bottoms and use them as shorts. As I haven't done this hike, others who have could advise better, but I'd think those would be preferable because (1) it could be cold in the mornings, and (2) you might have brushy areas where you'd appreciate having the longer pants rather than bloodying your calves.

It's rim to rim, so the first four hours is a descent. The ascent is from 2560 to 8250 over 14 miles, with the bulk of the ascent (4000 to 8250) over the last 6.8 miles. Maximum incline during the ascent is 16%.Underwear is a big consideration. Do you or Mr. Krista have recs?

I don't think there will be much in the way of brush, but the start of the day will be pretty cold. Will look into the zip off pants. I know at least a couple people in the group use them. What ideas do you have for shirts? Also, I'll need a lightweight fleece for the start of the hike. Thoughts? How about hats?

I'd suggest looking at the ExOfficio brand of underwear. If you want merino in the underwear instead of synthetic (i.e., you want antimicrobial), Icebreaker gets across-the-board raves, though I haven't tried them for underwear. Icebreaker also makes fantastic merino shirts.

For shirts...ehhhh, so many choices. I always, even in the heat of summer, wear long sleeves because it is easier than having to protect even more of my Casper-like skin. So I go with really thin, breathable stuff, which I guess is what you're going to want in any case. There are just so many ways to go with shirts. Just make sure you're getting good moisture-wicking stuff with a high SPF, considering where you'll be.

For a lightweight fleece...I'm not sure of the conditions you'll face, so am not sure if there's a chance of it being windy? If wind is not a concern, then I'd think breathability will be a key factor for you, but you give up breathability if you want wind-resistance, so there might be a balance you need to hit. I think Patagonia still makes the best fleeces in terms of having the most cutting-edge and adaptable materials. I'd suggest looking at something like the Patagonia R1. I also like the Mountain Hardwear brand for this sort of thing.

I have absolutely no good ideas on hats. The suggestion for one with a cooling band seemed like a good idea.

ETA: Yeah, those last 6.8 miles will be tough considering you are doing it after already hiking 15 miles. Definitely not saying this won't be grueling, especially to do it twice in three days, but I'm confident you'll make it.

Very steep hike, but anyone in good shape can make it and it sounds like you're taking training seriously. The question is how painful it will be and how long it will take. If it were me I'd take up some running for training too. If you don't run then one of those couch to 5K programs will make the cardio on those big climbs feel a lot easier.

Take the downhill slow. That's where people get hurt and the steep crap will wear out your knees.

 

[chauncey]

Chauncey's Top 10 Essentials:

1. Doo-rag

2. Shades

3. Chapstick/sunscreen

4. Dri-fit shirt

5. Running shoes

6. Joints for Ribbon Falls

7. Boxed wine, minus the box

8. Cash for rounds of beer at Phantom Ranch

9. Glide, to prevent chafing

10. Camera

(for a 3 night R2R backpacking trip)

 

[bigbottom]

It's really hot.

Have shade (hat), a lot lot of water.

Having a bandana/shirt you can dip in the water to cool off is really nice.

It's steep out, but just take it slow if you need to.,

Are you backpacking it or staying in the lodge? If you're backpacking make sure your pack is adjusted to fit you correctly (outdoor shop can help). Wear it with all your gear on some training hikes. Make sure everything feels right.

Thanks for the tips. Given your interests, looks like you are well-versed in this area. On the hat, I'm thinking I'll need a 360-brim, lightweight with a sweatband. Do you have any recs?As for water, I have a Camelbak with a three liter reservoir and have the water stops mapped out.

Haven't thought about having the backpack professionally adjusted. Will do that. Wore the pack for the first time on yesterday's training session and will wear it often from here on out. Thankfully, I only need to carry water, food and a few supplies, so it should be fairly light.

For the hat IMO the only thing you need is a wide brim. Keeping the sun off you will make it feel 20 degrees lighter. Plus sunscreen doesn't last all day so it will limit your sun exposure if you forget to reapply during the day. I wear an outback type hat when I'm outdoors, it's not as light as some but it also doesn't look as geeky as the standard outdoor hats. But any will do as long as they keep the sun away.

I'm totally okay with getting my geek on.

 

[bigbottom]

Big Bottom- I hate to say it but I think you are asking for trouble. This is not the right hike to do if you are not much of a hiker.

Having said that if you are determined to do it you had better get to training. I had a few hikes around where I live that have good inclines and I did them religiously for months. If you dont have hills to climb I would continue with climbing the stairs a lot.

Make sure your wife is training as well. Dragging someone through the canyon is not fun and dangerous. Have you considered just doing the bright angel down and back to get a feel for it before attempting rim to rim to rim?

I believe the poster was cactus who had the Grand Canyon thread. I will try to dig it up later today.

Get fit for some good hiking boots NOW and wear them for training.

I also think there are better mixes then gatorade out there. Do you have any hiking stores near by? They would have lots of info from boots to nutrition.

Dont forget the basic safety stuff-Whistle,signal mirror,basic first aid

I gotta head out now but I will try to add to this later. You better be hiking something today

Yep, I know this is a bad idea. But I'm pot committed now. All I can do is get myself as prepared as possible. I've studied the trails and been given a detailed overview from friends who have done it multiple times. From a technical standpoint, it's not a difficult hike. Maximum grade during the ascent is like 17%. The trick will be the distance (21 miles), the heat (100+) and the ascent (just under 6,000 ft). It's going to be hell, I know it. But it's something I need to do. Something I will do.When you say you were doing hikes religiously for six months, what does that mean? Once a week? Twice a week? Every day? How long were the hikes either in distance or time? I'm basically training about 5-6 days a week right now. Did stairs for two hours yesterday (actual stairs in a stairwell). Other incline training involves stair mills at about 100 floors a pop, and treadmill work that varies from 10% incline for longer periods to 30% incline for only about 40 minutes or so (there's a 24-hour fitness by my house that has a machine that can go to 30%). Then I'm doing a long hike once a week from 12-16 miles, and will work up to longer distances as we get closer. Today was 12 miles and then I'll do incline training later this afternoon. Other days I'll just jog a 5k for cardio purposes.

As for my wife, she's been training for months now. She has several friends who have done this every year for the last five or so years. So she's training with them.

I know this is going to be difficult. I know it's going to kick my ### and be the hardest thing I've ever done. But I know I can do it. I know I will do it. The group I'm going with has been doing this for years. And they have newbies that do it with them every year. There is another couple who are first timers as well. I did a training session with the group already and was more than able to hold my own. So I know this is doable from a physical standpoint. Mental may be a different story.

The hiking boots I have now are working great so far. I've put a 100+ miles on them and will break them in a bunch more in the next 2+ months. Will definitely look more into the electrolyte mixes for the water bottle. We have plenty of hiking and outdoor stores in the area. Thanks for the advice.

Had first aid kit on my pack list, but didn't think about safety whistle or signal mirror. Will add those as well.

Please keep the advice coming. I really appreciate it. My goal is to be back here posting in June, so I'll take whatever advice I can to survive the trip and make it out alive.

Excellent--I see you did get larger-than-usual-size shoes. On the down side, please be careful with the tread. Given that you're not doing a lot of elevation gain/loss outdoors, maybe you're not wearing them out too much. On the types of hikes we do here, I'm going through shoes about every 250-300 miles, but that's with some really tough wear.

Regarding the elevation gain/distance, are you saying it gains 6000 ft in elevation over 21 miles? If so, you're right--that's not tough at all in terms of steepness, but the 21 miles will be a grind (twice!). I'm not as worried about your ability to do it as others are. If it were steeper, I'd be more concerned given that you don't have much opportunity for elevation hikes where you are. Incline training/stairmasters just aren't the same. But on an average grade that gentle, you should be OK.

Get the best fitting and wicking socks you can find. It will be very hot at and near the bottom. Your feet need to be ready. Get the boots broken in , deal with any weird fits on heels and toes pay attention to the bottom of toes as well

Since you won't be carrying a pack you should be able to do it. Try to get an early start and cool down at phantom dry the feet and change socks. Going up north in middle of day is nuts with southern sun on you. I would take time and make last parts in the late afternoon and dusk.

Step off is scheduled for 6:30am. I'll be hiking with the "leisurely" part of the group and will be targeting a 12-hour crossing. That would put us at late afternoon for the toughest part of the ascent.Am trying out some wool socks at the moment which seem to work real well. Plan to carry three extra pairs with me to change them out as they get wet. Am advised that cotton is a no-no. In that regard, if anyone has any tips on clothing, please let me know. In particular, I'm debating what I should wear under my shorts.

Boots will be plenty broken in. Well, they're more like hiking boot/cross trainer hybrids. North Face Vibram Storm Hiking Shoes.

Again, thanks for the advice and keep it coming.

The three things that changed our hiking lives, in the order we discovered them: (1) good trekking poles, (2) non-cotton, moisture-wicking underwear, and (3) toe socks. So as to the question above about cotton, absolutely stay away in anything you're wearing. For every bit of clothing you take, there are some great materials that are not only moisture wicking but are anti-microbial and contain sunscreen. Make sure your shirts and shorts/pants have a high SPF in them as well.

For pants, instead of shorts I'd suggest convertible pants for which you can unzip the bottoms and use them as shorts. As I haven't done this hike, others who have could advise better, but I'd think those would be preferable because (1) it could be cold in the mornings, and (2) you might have brushy areas where you'd appreciate having the longer pants rather than bloodying your calves.

It's rim to rim, so the first four hours is a descent. The ascent is from 2560 to 8250 over 14 miles, with the bulk of the ascent (4000 to 8250) over the last 6.8 miles. Maximum incline during the ascent is 16%.Underwear is a big consideration. Do you or Mr. Krista have recs?

I don't think there will be much in the way of brush, but the start of the day will be pretty cold. Will look into the zip off pants. I know at least a couple people in the group use them. What ideas do you have for shirts? Also, I'll need a lightweight fleece for the start of the hike. Thoughts? How about hats?

I'd suggest looking at the ExOfficio brand of underwear. If you want merino in the underwear instead of synthetic (i.e., you want antimicrobial), Icebreaker gets across-the-board raves, though I haven't tried them for underwear. Icebreaker also makes fantastic merino shirts.

For shirts...ehhhh, so many choices. I always, even in the heat of summer, wear long sleeves because it is easier than having to protect even more of my Casper-like skin. So I go with really thin, breathable stuff, which I guess is what you're going to want in any case. There are just so many ways to go with shirts. Just make sure you're getting good moisture-wicking stuff with a high SPF, considering where you'll be.

For a lightweight fleece...I'm not sure of the conditions you'll face, so am not sure if there's a chance of it being windy? If wind is not a concern, then I'd think breathability will be a key factor for you, but you give up breathability if you want wind-resistance, so there might be a balance you need to hit. I think Patagonia still makes the best fleeces in terms of having the most cutting-edge and adaptable materials. I'd suggest looking at something like the Patagonia R1. I also like the Mountain Hardwear brand for this sort of thing.

I have absolutely no good ideas on hats. The suggestion for one with a cooling band seemed like a good idea.

ETA: Yeah, those last 6.8 miles will be tough considering you are doing it after already hiking 15 miles. Definitely not saying this won't be grueling, especially to do it twice in three days, but I'm confident you'll make it.

Thanks again. Already ordered some toe socks to try out and with Amazon Prime, I'll have them by Wednesday. These are the trail version, so I believe they are synthetic rather than merino/nuwool.

Will start trying the underwear too. Really want to find something that I'm comfortable with. I'm a boxers guy, so it will take some getting used to.

On the fleece, I think I'll only be wearing it during the first couple few hours of the hike. One thing I'll want to focus on is keepin it light as I'll have to carry it in/on my pack the balance of the day.

Thanks again for all the helpful advice and encouragement!

 

[bigbottom]

Also, super-excited for you! This is going to be an amazing trip.

I'm thinking/hoping it will be a bit cathartic/life-changing for my wife and me.

 

[bigbottom]

Get the best fitting and wicking socks you can find. It will be very hot at and near the bottom. Your feet need to be ready. Get the boots broken in , deal with any weird fits on heels and toes pay attention to the bottom of toes as well

Since you won't be carrying a pack you should be able to do it. Try to get an early start and cool down at phantom dry the feet and change socks. Going up north in middle of day is nuts with southern sun on you. I would take time and make last parts in the late afternoon and dusk.

Step off is scheduled for 6:30am. I'll be hiking with the "leisurely" part of the group and will be targeting a 12-hour crossing. That would put us at late afternoon for the toughest part of the ascent. Am trying out some wool socks at the moment which seem to work real well. Plan to carry three extra pairs with me to change them out as they get wet. Am advised that cotton is a no-no. In that regard, if anyone has any tips on clothing, please let me know. In particular, I'm debating what I should wear under my shorts.

Boots will be plenty broken in. Well, they're more like hiking boot/cross trainer hybrids. North Face Vibram Storm Hiking Shoes.

Again, thanks for the advice and keep it coming.

The deal with wool is it retains heat when wet. Cotton kills because it doesn't. I wear wool socks in any conditions. It will get cold at night in May.The trick here (Colorado) for clothing is to layer. Base layer (thermal) mid layer (down or fleece) outer layer (water and wind proof). You really won't need to go that far with your clothing, but there is a big temperature change in the Grand Canyon so have some extra (light) clothing. It never hurts to have the 10 essentials. Being that you'll be surrounded by people since it's such a popular place things for extra days can pretty safely be ignored. http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html

Good advice. And thanks for the link. Reminds me that I need to get a headlamp. We step off in the dark. Any thoughts on head lamps? Are they pretty standard?

 

[bigbottom]

Tons of great advice above. A few thoughts that havent been mentioned already:

Physical prep: Try to complete a 15-20 mile hike on back to back days or with a day in between to get the practice while your body is sore, as it will be on day 3. Also, maybe sandwich your long hikes with a heavy cardio/stair workout the day before/after.

Gear: A dri-fit or wicking undershirt (I wore a dri-fit shirt each day and it kept me cool), long sleeve white button up (it keeps your upper body protected from the sun and can be soaked for extra cooling), glide (deodorant like stick of lube for your thighs/sack). Also good to take a headlamp in case you dont reach the rim before dusk. Detachable pants are a great idea as it will probably be cool at dawn and dusk on the North Rim.

Hydration/Nutrition: You dont need to worry about purification, there are plenty of water stops along the trail. Be sure to get a lemonade and/or beer at Phantom Ranch. Salty nuts/mix, dried fruit/berries, and jerky are great snacks.

Random: Take lots of pics. Take notes of the experience when you are relaxing on the North Rim and when the trip is over. Hike at your own pace, enjoy the physical and mental challenge. Soak in all of the rock formations, wildlife, and plants/cacti/flowers, the scenery is truly spectacular. Send a postcard from Phantom Ranch to friends, family and yourself, a cheesy but cool memento.

The most dangerous parts will be hiking through the Box, north of Phantom Ranch, during the hottest part of day 1 (stay wet and hope for shade/clouds), and descending from the North Rim on day 3 when your muscles and joints will be exhausted (go slow and steady). The hardest part will be climbing those switchbacks on day 3 between Indian Gardens and the South Rim but by this point adrenaline and sense of accomplishment will power you through. As long as you are hydrated.

What a great experience for you and your wife. A R2R hike is an incredible achievement and a lifetime memory. Drink lots of water. Take lots of pictures. Enjoy the challenge and simplicity of the trail. And give us a great write-up when you get back!

Holy crap, every bit of this is gold. Thank you so much. I definitely think I'm going to go long sleeve on the shirt, and this is the second vote for zip off pants.

Good idea on the work out as well. Did two hours of stairs yesterday and followed up with a twelve-mile trek this morning. Calves were killing me at the start, but loosened up after about 30 minutes. Will need to keep doing stuff like that, but extending the distance.

 

[bigbottom]

Big Bottom- I hate to say it but I think you are asking for trouble. This is not the right hike to do if you are not much of a hiker.

Having said that if you are determined to do it you had better get to training. I had a few hikes around where I live that have good inclines and I did them religiously for months. If you dont have hills to climb I would continue with climbing the stairs a lot.

Make sure your wife is training as well. Dragging someone through the canyon is not fun and dangerous. Have you considered just doing the bright angel down and back to get a feel for it before attempting rim to rim to rim?

I believe the poster was cactus who had the Grand Canyon thread. I will try to dig it up later today.

Get fit for some good hiking boots NOW and wear them for training.

I also think there are better mixes then gatorade out there. Do you have any hiking stores near by? They would have lots of info from boots to nutrition.

Dont forget the basic safety stuff-Whistle,signal mirror,basic first aid

I gotta head out now but I will try to add to this later. You better be hiking something today

Yep, I know this is a bad idea. But I'm pot committed now. All I can do is get myself as prepared as possible. I've studied the trails and been given a detailed overview from friends who have done it multiple times. From a technical standpoint, it's not a difficult hike. Maximum grade during the ascent is like 17%. The trick will be the distance (21 miles), the heat (100+) and the ascent (just under 6,000 ft). It's going to be hell, I know it. But it's something I need to do. Something I will do.When you say you were doing hikes religiously for six months, what does that mean? Once a week? Twice a week? Every day? How long were the hikes either in distance or time? I'm basically training about 5-6 days a week right now. Did stairs for two hours yesterday (actual stairs in a stairwell). Other incline training involves stair mills at about 100 floors a pop, and treadmill work that varies from 10% incline for longer periods to 30% incline for only about 40 minutes or so (there's a 24-hour fitness by my house that has a machine that can go to 30%). Then I'm doing a long hike once a week from 12-16 miles, and will work up to longer distances as we get closer. Today was 12 miles and then I'll do incline training later this afternoon. Other days I'll just jog a 5k for cardio purposes.

As for my wife, she's been training for months now. She has several friends who have done this every year for the last five or so years. So she's training with them.

I know this is going to be difficult. I know it's going to kick my ### and be the hardest thing I've ever done. But I know I can do it. I know I will do it. The group I'm going with has been doing this for years. And they have newbies that do it with them every year. There is another couple who are first timers as well. I did a training session with the group already and was more than able to hold my own. So I know this is doable from a physical standpoint. Mental may be a different story.

The hiking boots I have now are working great so far. I've put a 100+ miles on them and will break them in a bunch more in the next 2+ months. Will definitely look more into the electrolyte mixes for the water bottle. We have plenty of hiking and outdoor stores in the area. Thanks for the advice.

Had first aid kit on my pack list, but didn't think about safety whistle or signal mirror. Will add those as well.

Please keep the advice coming. I really appreciate it. My goal is to be back here posting in June, so I'll take whatever advice I can to survive the trip and make it out alive.

Excellent--I see you did get larger-than-usual-size shoes. On the down side, please be careful with the tread. Given that you're not doing a lot of elevation gain/loss outdoors, maybe you're not wearing them out too much. On the types of hikes we do here, I'm going through shoes about every 250-300 miles, but that's with some really tough wear.

Regarding the elevation gain/distance, are you saying it gains 6000 ft in elevation over 21 miles? If so, you're right--that's not tough at all in terms of steepness, but the 21 miles will be a grind (twice!). I'm not as worried about your ability to do it as others are. If it were steeper, I'd be more concerned given that you don't have much opportunity for elevation hikes where you are. Incline training/stairmasters just aren't the same. But on an average grade that gentle, you should be OK.

Get the best fitting and wicking socks you can find. It will be very hot at and near the bottom. Your feet need to be ready. Get the boots broken in , deal with any weird fits on heels and toes pay attention to the bottom of toes as well

Since you won't be carrying a pack you should be able to do it. Try to get an early start and cool down at phantom dry the feet and change socks. Going up north in middle of day is nuts with southern sun on you. I would take time and make last parts in the late afternoon and dusk.

Step off is scheduled for 6:30am. I'll be hiking with the "leisurely" part of the group and will be targeting a 12-hour crossing. That would put us at late afternoon for the toughest part of the ascent.Am trying out some wool socks at the moment which seem to work real well. Plan to carry three extra pairs with me to change them out as they get wet. Am advised that cotton is a no-no. In that regard, if anyone has any tips on clothing, please let me know. In particular, I'm debating what I should wear under my shorts.

Boots will be plenty broken in. Well, they're more like hiking boot/cross trainer hybrids. North Face Vibram Storm Hiking Shoes.

Again, thanks for the advice and keep it coming.

The three things that changed our hiking lives, in the order we discovered them: (1) good trekking poles, (2) non-cotton, moisture-wicking underwear, and (3) toe socks. So as to the question above about cotton, absolutely stay away in anything you're wearing. For every bit of clothing you take, there are some great materials that are not only moisture wicking but are anti-microbial and contain sunscreen. Make sure your shirts and shorts/pants have a high SPF in them as well.

For pants, instead of shorts I'd suggest convertible pants for which you can unzip the bottoms and use them as shorts. As I haven't done this hike, others who have could advise better, but I'd think those would be preferable because (1) it could be cold in the mornings, and (2) you might have brushy areas where you'd appreciate having the longer pants rather than bloodying your calves.

It's rim to rim, so the first four hours is a descent. The ascent is from 2560 to 8250 over 14 miles, with the bulk of the ascent (4000 to 8250) over the last 6.8 miles. Maximum incline during the ascent is 16%.Underwear is a big consideration. Do you or Mr. Krista have recs?

I don't think there will be much in the way of brush, but the start of the day will be pretty cold. Will look into the zip off pants. I know at least a couple people in the group use them. What ideas do you have for shirts? Also, I'll need a lightweight fleece for the start of the hike. Thoughts? How about hats?

I'd suggest looking at the ExOfficio brand of underwear. If you want merino in the underwear instead of synthetic (i.e., you want antimicrobial), Icebreaker gets across-the-board raves, though I haven't tried them for underwear. Icebreaker also makes fantastic merino shirts.

For shirts...ehhhh, so many choices. I always, even in the heat of summer, wear long sleeves because it is easier than having to protect even more of my Casper-like skin. So I go with really thin, breathable stuff, which I guess is what you're going to want in any case. There are just so many ways to go with shirts. Just make sure you're getting good moisture-wicking stuff with a high SPF, considering where you'll be.

For a lightweight fleece...I'm not sure of the conditions you'll face, so am not sure if there's a chance of it being windy? If wind is not a concern, then I'd think breathability will be a key factor for you, but you give up breathability if you want wind-resistance, so there might be a balance you need to hit. I think Patagonia still makes the best fleeces in terms of having the most cutting-edge and adaptable materials. I'd suggest looking at something like the Patagonia R1. I also like the Mountain Hardwear brand for this sort of thing.

I have absolutely no good ideas on hats. The suggestion for one with a cooling band seemed like a good idea.

ETA: Yeah, those last 6.8 miles will be tough considering you are doing it after already hiking 15 miles. Definitely not saying this won't be grueling, especially to do it twice in three days, but I'm confident you'll make it.

Very steep hike, but anyone in good shape can make it and it sounds like you're taking training seriously. The question is how painful it will be and how long it will take. If it were me I'd take up some running for training too. If you don't run then one of those couch to 5K programs will make the cardio on those big climbs feel a lot easier.Take the downhill slow. That's where people get hurt and the steep crap will wear out your knees.

I've been doing cardio off and on for a couple years now. Nothing too major, usually between two and a half and three and a half miles before work. The descent is worrying me some because it's not something that is easy to train for around here. She i did the 200 flights of stairs yesterday, that also included going down 200 flights of stairs. Hopefully that is somewhat similar. Right knee was admittedly a little sore afterwards, but it was very temporary.

Thanks again, and hippling complete.

 

[prosopis]

Sounds like you are doing some good training. I live in Southern Arizona so I had similar landscape to train in which helped me.

I guess it is all relative but I would disagree with people saying it will be cold in May. I would not recommend the pants that turn into shorts. In my opinion even if it is cold you will be working yourself pretty warm quickly and I would not want to carry pant legs in my pack regardless of what they weigh. Every oz counts. Again the temp thing is relative to what you are used to or what you can tolerate for a short time. I rarely if ever wear pants hiking.

I have never hiked with poles so I have no advice there. Do you hike with them now? If not I see no reason to start in May. Again it is just more stuff to carry.

I wear two pears of socks. One pair of very thin wicking type and a pair of wool. This has worked well for me. I know some folks talk about changing socks at the bottom. You need to be careful doing that as your feet can swell and I have heard tales of folks who could not get their boots back on.

I did bring a head lamp. I think I just bought the cheapest thing I could find.

When I did the rim to rim I wore a back pack. In hind sight I would not do that. I would get one of those fanny pack type hiking packs and work with that. You can get the ones that carry water bottles on the hips and have a hand held water bottle as well.

You are getting some really good advice in here. Next time I do this hike I will travel as light as possible and carry zero "frills"

Sounds like you are in good hands with the folks you are going with as well. That is very helpful.

For me this hike was a life changing event. I am about 4-5 hours from the canyon and every time I go up there and look across I have a hard time believing I did it. I know you guys have been through hell. This trip could be very healing. Have fun and get lost in the enormity of the whole event. You will feel small.

Have fun and spend some time at the rim when you are done. We stayed another two days on the rim drinking beer and walking around feeling like bad asses.

Next year I am doing the Havasu falls hike with my 13 year old daughter. i am already stoked for that.

 

[prosopis]

This shows average lows in the 30s at the rim during May. I personally would suck it up and hike in shorts knowing I would not have to carry pants when the temps rise.

http://www.grandcanyontreks.org/preciptemps.htm

 

[Niles Standish]

Get the best fitting and wicking socks you can find. It will be very hot at and near the bottom. Your feet need to be ready. Get the boots broken in , deal with any weird fits on heels and toes pay attention to the bottom of toes as well

Since you won't be carrying a pack you should be able to do it. Try to get an early start and cool down at phantom dry the feet and change socks. Going up north in middle of day is nuts with southern sun on you. I would take time and make last parts in the late afternoon and dusk.

Step off is scheduled for 6:30am. I'll be hiking with the "leisurely" part of the group and will be targeting a 12-hour crossing. That would put us at late afternoon for the toughest part of the ascent. Am trying out some wool socks at the moment which seem to work real well. Plan to carry three extra pairs with me to change them out as they get wet. Am advised that cotton is a no-no. In that regard, if anyone has any tips on clothing, please let me know. In particular, I'm debating what I should wear under my shorts.

Boots will be plenty broken in. Well, they're more like hiking boot/cross trainer hybrids. North Face Vibram Storm Hiking Shoes.

Again, thanks for the advice and keep it coming.

The deal with wool is it retains heat when wet. Cotton kills because it doesn't. I wear wool socks in any conditions. It will get cold at night in May.The trick here (Colorado) for clothing is to layer. Base layer (thermal) mid layer (down or fleece) outer layer (water and wind proof). You really won't need to go that far with your clothing, but there is a big temperature change in the Grand Canyon so have some extra (light) clothing. It never hurts to have the 10 essentials. Being that you'll be surrounded by people since it's such a popular place things for extra days can pretty safely be ignored. http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html

Good advice. And thanks for the link. Reminds me that I need to get a headlamp. We step off in the dark. Any thoughts on head lamps? Are they pretty standard?

I buy my headlamps at Home Depot. A $20 one there will give better light than a $50 cheap one at REI. I usually flip the batteries when I'm not using. Those suckers will turn on in your pack without you knowing. Either that or just have some extra batteries. But they're all fine when you're hiking since you'll have some ambient light to supplement them.

 

[Niles Standish]

Big Bottom- I hate to say it but I think you are asking for trouble. This is not the right hike to do if you are not much of a hiker.

Having said that if you are determined to do it you had better get to training. I had a few hikes around where I live that have good inclines and I did them religiously for months. If you dont have hills to climb I would continue with climbing the stairs a lot.

Make sure your wife is training as well. Dragging someone through the canyon is not fun and dangerous. Have you considered just doing the bright angel down and back to get a feel for it before attempting rim to rim to rim?

I believe the poster was cactus who had the Grand Canyon thread. I will try to dig it up later today.

Get fit for some good hiking boots NOW and wear them for training.

I also think there are better mixes then gatorade out there. Do you have any hiking stores near by? They would have lots of info from boots to nutrition.

Dont forget the basic safety stuff-Whistle,signal mirror,basic first aid

I gotta head out now but I will try to add to this later. You better be hiking something today

Yep, I know this is a bad idea. But I'm pot committed now. All I can do is get myself as prepared as possible. I've studied the trails and been given a detailed overview from friends who have done it multiple times. From a technical standpoint, it's not a difficult hike. Maximum grade during the ascent is like 17%. The trick will be the distance (21 miles), the heat (100+) and the ascent (just under 6,000 ft). It's going to be hell, I know it. But it's something I need to do. Something I will do.When you say you were doing hikes religiously for six months, what does that mean? Once a week? Twice a week? Every day? How long were the hikes either in distance or time? I'm basically training about 5-6 days a week right now. Did stairs for two hours yesterday (actual stairs in a stairwell). Other incline training involves stair mills at about 100 floors a pop, and treadmill work that varies from 10% incline for longer periods to 30% incline for only about 40 minutes or so (there's a 24-hour fitness by my house that has a machine that can go to 30%). Then I'm doing a long hike once a week from 12-16 miles, and will work up to longer distances as we get closer. Today was 12 miles and then I'll do incline training later this afternoon. Other days I'll just jog a 5k for cardio purposes.

As for my wife, she's been training for months now. She has several friends who have done this every year for the last five or so years. So she's training with them.

I know this is going to be difficult. I know it's going to kick my ### and be the hardest thing I've ever done. But I know I can do it. I know I will do it. The group I'm going with has been doing this for years. And they have newbies that do it with them every year. There is another couple who are first timers as well. I did a training session with the group already and was more than able to hold my own. So I know this is doable from a physical standpoint. Mental may be a different story.

The hiking boots I have now are working great so far. I've put a 100+ miles on them and will break them in a bunch more in the next 2+ months. Will definitely look more into the electrolyte mixes for the water bottle. We have plenty of hiking and outdoor stores in the area. Thanks for the advice.

Had first aid kit on my pack list, but didn't think about safety whistle or signal mirror. Will add those as well.

Please keep the advice coming. I really appreciate it. My goal is to be back here posting in June, so I'll take whatever advice I can to survive the trip and make it out alive.

Excellent--I see you did get larger-than-usual-size shoes. On the down side, please be careful with the tread. Given that you're not doing a lot of elevation gain/loss outdoors, maybe you're not wearing them out too much. On the types of hikes we do here, I'm going through shoes about every 250-300 miles, but that's with some really tough wear.

Regarding the elevation gain/distance, are you saying it gains 6000 ft in elevation over 21 miles? If so, you're right--that's not tough at all in terms of steepness, but the 21 miles will be a grind (twice!). I'm not as worried about your ability to do it as others are. If it were steeper, I'd be more concerned given that you don't have much opportunity for elevation hikes where you are. Incline training/stairmasters just aren't the same. But on an average grade that gentle, you should be OK.

Get the best fitting and wicking socks you can find. It will be very hot at and near the bottom. Your feet need to be ready. Get the boots broken in , deal with any weird fits on heels and toes pay attention to the bottom of toes as well

Since you won't be carrying a pack you should be able to do it. Try to get an early start and cool down at phantom dry the feet and change socks. Going up north in middle of day is nuts with southern sun on you. I would take time and make last parts in the late afternoon and dusk.

Step off is scheduled for 6:30am. I'll be hiking with the "leisurely" part of the group and will be targeting a 12-hour crossing. That would put us at late afternoon for the toughest part of the ascent.Am trying out some wool socks at the moment which seem to work real well. Plan to carry three extra pairs with me to change them out as they get wet. Am advised that cotton is a no-no. In that regard, if anyone has any tips on clothing, please let me know. In particular, I'm debating what I should wear under my shorts.

Boots will be plenty broken in. Well, they're more like hiking boot/cross trainer hybrids. North Face Vibram Storm Hiking Shoes.

Again, thanks for the advice and keep it coming.

The three things that changed our hiking lives, in the order we discovered them: (1) good trekking poles, (2) non-cotton, moisture-wicking underwear, and (3) toe socks. So as to the question above about cotton, absolutely stay away in anything you're wearing. For every bit of clothing you take, there are some great materials that are not only moisture wicking but are anti-microbial and contain sunscreen. Make sure your shirts and shorts/pants have a high SPF in them as well.

For pants, instead of shorts I'd suggest convertible pants for which you can unzip the bottoms and use them as shorts. As I haven't done this hike, others who have could advise better, but I'd think those would be preferable because (1) it could be cold in the mornings, and (2) you might have brushy areas where you'd appreciate having the longer pants rather than bloodying your calves.

It's rim to rim, so the first four hours is a descent. The ascent is from 2560 to 8250 over 14 miles, with the bulk of the ascent (4000 to 8250) over the last 6.8 miles. Maximum incline during the ascent is 16%.Underwear is a big consideration. Do you or Mr. Krista have recs?

I don't think there will be much in the way of brush, but the start of the day will be pretty cold. Will look into the zip off pants. I know at least a couple people in the group use them. What ideas do you have for shirts? Also, I'll need a lightweight fleece for the start of the hike. Thoughts? How about hats?

I'd suggest looking at the ExOfficio brand of underwear. If you want merino in the underwear instead of synthetic (i.e., you want antimicrobial), Icebreaker gets across-the-board raves, though I haven't tried them for underwear. Icebreaker also makes fantastic merino shirts.

For shirts...ehhhh, so many choices. I always, even in the heat of summer, wear long sleeves because it is easier than having to protect even more of my Casper-like skin. So I go with really thin, breathable stuff, which I guess is what you're going to want in any case. There are just so many ways to go with shirts. Just make sure you're getting good moisture-wicking stuff with a high SPF, considering where you'll be.

For a lightweight fleece...I'm not sure of the conditions you'll face, so am not sure if there's a chance of it being windy? If wind is not a concern, then I'd think breathability will be a key factor for you, but you give up breathability if you want wind-resistance, so there might be a balance you need to hit. I think Patagonia still makes the best fleeces in terms of having the most cutting-edge and adaptable materials. I'd suggest looking at something like the Patagonia R1. I also like the Mountain Hardwear brand for this sort of thing.

I have absolutely no good ideas on hats. The suggestion for one with a cooling band seemed like a good idea.

ETA: Yeah, those last 6.8 miles will be tough considering you are doing it after already hiking 15 miles. Definitely not saying this won't be grueling, especially to do it twice in three days, but I'm confident you'll make it.

Very steep hike, but anyone in good shape can make it and it sounds like you're taking training seriously. The question is how painful it will be and how long it will take. If it were me I'd take up some running for training too. If you don't run then one of those couch to 5K programs will make the cardio on those big climbs feel a lot easier.Take the downhill slow. That's where people get hurt and the steep crap will wear out your knees.

I've been doing cardio off and on for a couple years now. Nothing too major, usually between two and a half and three and a half miles before work. The descent is worrying me some because it's not something that is easy to train for around here. She i did the 200 flights of stairs yesterday, that also included going down 200 flights of stairs. Hopefully that is somewhat similar. Right knee was admittedly a little sore afterwards, but it was very temporary.

Thanks again, and hippling complete.

The hiking poles will protect your knees decently so you'll be alright. Just remember you set them at different heights for uphill and downhill.

 

[ffldrew]

Sunrise should be around 6 or earlier by May there. I'd forget the pants and headlamp unless you feel like you will need it on return. It will be near 100 at the bottom. Wind really picks up before sunrise in morning and late afternoons before sunset

One thing I remember is being pretty jacked up early in morning so make sure to fuel your body well because you will be burning a lot of nervous energy.

Not sure you will need compass or GPS unless you decide to go way off trail. It is a pretty busy trail. Parts near the south rim are like the 405 during rush hour with hikers and mule trains

Take a lot of photos. You will feel really good especially when you see that millions visit that place and less than half percent ever do what you are doing.

 

[Guest]

Is the purpose of larger boots to accommodate heavier socks/cushion? Very good point about the tread. I had all kinds of trouble on the decent because my boots were old and the tread was warn out. I think the constant sliding contributed to my toenail issue.

 

[sbonomo]

I have never understood the poles, do they really help? I can see if an elderly person used the as crutch of sorts to not fall. Larger boots are for the feet swelling. It happens to everyone.

 

[Guest]

I have never understood the poles, do they really help? I can see if an elderly person used the as crutch of sorts to not fall. Larger boots are for the feet swelling. It happens to everyone.

The first time I went into the canyon was just a day trip and I laughed at people with poles. Decided to try them on the trip last year and they made a huge difference especially on the decent.

 

[Random]

 

[bigbottom]

Sounds like you are doing some good training. I live in Southern Arizona so I had similar landscape to train in which helped me.

I guess it is all relative but I would disagree with people saying it will be cold in May. I would not recommend the pants that turn into shorts. In my opinion even if it is cold you will be working yourself pretty warm quickly and I would not want to carry pant legs in my pack regardless of what they weigh. Every oz counts. Again the temp thing is relative to what you are used to or what you can tolerate for a short time. I rarely if ever wear pants hiking.

I have never hiked with poles so I have no advice there. Do you hike with them now? If not I see no reason to start in May. Again it is just more stuff to carry.

I wear two pears of socks. One pair of very thin wicking type and a pair of wool. This has worked well for me. I know some folks talk about changing socks at the bottom. You need to be careful doing that as your feet can swell and I have heard tales of folks who could not get their boots back on.

I did bring a head lamp. I think I just bought the cheapest thing I could find.

When I did the rim to rim I wore a back pack. In hind sight I would not do that. I would get one of those fanny pack type hiking packs and work with that. You can get the ones that carry water bottles on the hips and have a hand held water bottle as well.

You are getting some really good advice in here. Next time I do this hike I will travel as light as possible and carry zero "frills"

Sounds like you are in good hands with the folks you are going with as well. That is very helpful.

For me this hike was a life changing event. I am about 4-5 hours from the canyon and every time I go up there and look across I have a hard time believing I did it. I know you guys have been through hell. This trip could be very healing. Have fun and get lost in the enormity of the whole event. You will feel small.

Have fun and spend some time at the rim when you are done. We stayed another two days on the rim drinking beer and walking around feeling like bad asses.

Next year I am doing the Havasu falls hike with my 13 year old daughter. i am already stoked for that.

Thanks. Depending on what kind of underwear/undershorts I'm wearing, I may be able to get away with just wearing the shorts. I've heard it's pretty darn cold at step off (in the 40s typically), but warms up relatively quickly. The fleece jacket will be a requirement, however.

I don't hike with poles now. Not sure whether it's something that takes a bunch of practice. That said, I'm told they are extremely helpful for the descent (both for stability and to help minimize wear and tear on the knees).

I'm hoping that because my boots are a full size large that I'll be able to switch out socks during the hike.

Looks like going cheap on the headlamp is sufficient, as you suggest.

Yeah, my pack is a Camelbak that carries a flat 3-liter water reservoir across the lumbar area of your back. The weight is held at your hips, as opposed to over the shoulder. There is a water hose that comes out of the pack and clips to your shoulder strap. It's easy to pop the mouthpiece in for a drink without having to stop.

I'm glad to hear about the effect the hike had on you. I'm scared and nervous. But also excited.

Have fun on the hike with your daughter. I hope at some point that I'll be able to do something like that with my son.

 

[bigbottom]

The hiking poles will protect your knees decently so you'll be alright. Just remember you set them at different heights for uphill and downhill.

Roger that.

 

[bigbottom]

Sunrise should be around 6 or earlier by May there. I'd forget the pants and headlamp unless you feel like you will need it on return. It will be near 100 at the bottom. Wind really picks up before sunrise in morning and late afternoons before sunset

One thing I remember is being pretty jacked up early in morning so make sure to fuel your body well because you will be burning a lot of nervous energy.

Not sure you will need compass or GPS unless you decide to go way off trail. It is a pretty busy trail. Parts near the south rim are like the 405 during rush hour with hikers and mule trains

Take a lot of photos. You will feel really good especially when you see that millions visit that place and less than half percent ever do what you are doing.

GREAT point about the nervous energy. What I need to pack for nutrition purposes is something I really need to focus on. As for GPS/Compass, I just ordered a Garmin GPS watch on eBay. It also has an altimeter. This is really more for curiosity than anything, as we will be staying on the established trail.

Don't plan to bring a dedicated camera (one of the guys brings both a camera and a GoPro, but he's in way better shape than I am). I plan to have my iPhone, however, and will take a bunch of pictures with that. Recently stumbled across this product. It's not available until April 15, but it seems pretty handy.

 

[bigbottom]

Is the purpose of larger boots to accommodate heavier socks/cushion? Very good point about the tread. I had all kinds of trouble on the decent because my boots were old and the tread was warn out. I think the constant sliding contributed to my toenail issue.

In addition to the swelling issue, I'm told you don't want your toes hitting the front of the shoe on descents.

 

[Fennis]

Sounds like you already have a pack, but this is a great day pack: http://www.rei.com/product/864675/osprey-stratos-24-pack

The bag is designed to sit off your back so it keeps you cool, which for summer hikes is bery helpful, especially if you are sweat a lot. it is also spacey and super comfortable

 

[bigbottom]

Sounds like you already have a pack, but this is a great day pack: http://www.rei.com/product/864675/osprey-stratos-24-pack

The bag is designed to sit off your back so it keeps you cool, which for summer hikes is bery helpful, especially if you are sweat a lot. it is also spacey and super comfortable

Looks nice. Probably bigger than what I need though since all our overnight supplies will be driven to the North Rim. Here is what I have - http://www.rei.com/product/847865/camelbak-volt-13-lr-hydration-pack-100-fl-oz

 

[Chaos Commish]

Sunrise should be around 6 or earlier by May there. I'd forget the pants and headlamp unless you feel like you will need it on return. It will be near 100 at the bottom.

I guess it is all relative but I would disagree with people saying it will be cold in May. I would not recommend the pants that turn into shorts. In my opinion even if it is cold you will be working yourself pretty warm quickly and I would not want to carry pant legs in my pack regardless of what they weigh. Every oz counts.

I'll third avoiding pants and pretty much agree with everything those two said. You're going to be hot more than cold. Every ounce counts. It will be in the 30s (maybe) from 4am to sunrise. It will warm up quickly, as will you. It will be in the high 80s for most of the day, possibly going over 100 by mid-afternoon. Keeping cool is more important than keeping warm in May in the desert.

I put a chilly pad around my neck for daily hikes. Keep it dry until it gets warm. The cooling they provide is sweet. I'm also prone to heal and toe blister so along with toe socks, I use a strip of duct tape around the back of my foot above my heal below my achilles. When it comes to blisters prevention is the only medicine. Duct tape works great in that spot but marathoners prefer Leukotape if you want to be fancy. Body Glide isn't just for your crotch - toes and feet, under arms, back pack straps, anywhere there's friction. Great stuff. It's all I came in here to mention but saw others had it covered.

 

[FBG26]

Wish I had seen a thread like this a couple years ago before I hiked all the way up & down in one day. I did without any specific hiking training (but was in the middle of marathon training) while wearing tennis shoes. Oops! Fortunately I was with some other people and was smart enough to bring a Camelback with plenty of water.

I did it in mid-May and was fine with shorts and a light jacket. It is brisk when you start, but it gets hot quickly. Hopefully you have a shaded path on the way back up - that is a life saver (perhaps literally). I'd also skip the pants and headlamp for a day trip, but if you camp overnight you might want them.

I had some awesome blisters and my legs were sore at the end, but the experience was worth it! Follow the advice and you'll be set.

 

[Chaos Commish]

This shows average lows in the 30s at the rim during May. I personally would suck it up and hike in shorts knowing I would not have to carry pants when the temps rise.

http://www.grandcanyontreks.org/preciptemps.htm

The coldest place on those charts is the north rim, avg lo 34 hi 62. Hah. At 9 this morning it was 50 degrees and sunny. It will be 75 by late afternoon. It's still March.

 

[krista4]

Sounds like you already have a pack, but this is a great day pack: http://www.rei.com/product/864675/osprey-stratos-24-pack

The bag is designed to sit off your back so it keeps you cool, which for summer hikes is bery helpful, especially if you are sweat a lot. it is also spacey and super comfortable

I love my Osprey packs. I have...a lot of them. I can't seem to stop buying packs; it's a mental illness. Osprey also has a new line of "anti-gravity" packs coming out right about now.

 

[Niles Standish]

You should probably have a dedicated first aid kit. But if not make sure you at least have some moleskin/scissors to sort your feet out if you blister.

You can get away with duct tape and wrap it around your poles to save weight/space. But moleskin will be more comfortable if things go wrong. PS it's not very intuitive how you use it. You cut a hole where the blister is and the moleskin is around it. Nothing touches the blister. If duct tape, then you put the non sticky side as the contact for the blister and wrap the sticky side to keep things in place.

Everything will be better if you take care of your feet when a hotspot develops instead of waiting for an actual blister. Pretreatment like suggested above can help too. But if your boots are worn in your chances are pretty good of not getting blisters anyway.

 

[Random]

Sounds like you already have a pack, but this is a great day pack: http://www.rei.com/product/864675/osprey-stratos-24-pack

The bag is designed to sit off your back so it keeps you cool, which for summer hikes is bery helpful, especially if you are sweat a lot. it is also spacey and super comfortable

I love my Osprey packs. I have...a lot of them. I can't seem to stop buying packs; it's a mental illness. Osprey also has a new line of "anti-gravity" packs coming out right about now.

I have this pack and am seriously considering getting that new AG pack.

http://www.rei.com/product/846406/osprey-aether-60-pack

And I've never even gone on a hike yet.

What your input on the one I have vs this new one?

http://www.rei.com/product/878452/osprey-atmos-65-ag-ex-pack

 

[krista4]

Sounds like you already have a pack, but this is a great day pack: http://www.rei.com/product/864675/osprey-stratos-24-pack

The bag is designed to sit off your back so it keeps you cool, which for summer hikes is bery helpful, especially if you are sweat a lot. it is also spacey and super comfortable

I love my Osprey packs. I have...a lot of them. I can't seem to stop buying packs; it's a mental illness. Osprey also has a new line of "anti-gravity" packs coming out right about now.

I have this pack and am seriously considering getting that new AG pack.

http://www.rei.com/product/846406/osprey-aether-60-pack

And I've never even gone on a hike yet.

What your input on the one I have vs this new one?

http://www.rei.com/product/878452/osprey-atmos-65-ag-ex-pack

I the pack you have. Haven't tried the new anti-gravity packs yet personally but have heard feedback from those who have. I'd say 80-90% of the feedback was along the "this is a game-changer" lines, basically that the way it distributes weight makes the pack feel significantly lighter than the same weight in other packs, well more than making up for the extra weight of the pack itself. Also, people love the fit itself and feel like the pack is more stable.

I've heard a few people who don't see the benefit balancing out the pack weight, and from a few that don't like the shoulder straps thinking that they are too close to their neck--this is problem for a small % people with other Osprey packs and is allegedly worse in these models in terms of "pinch". Overall the feedback I've heard has been overwhelmingly positive. I'd suggest trying it on and seeing how it feels on you. If you're an REI buyer, by the way, the annual 20% off coupon comes out this Friday so it's a good time to buy anything you've been eying in the higher price ranges.

 

[Random]

Sounds like you already have a pack, but this is a great day pack: http://www.rei.com/product/864675/osprey-stratos-24-pack

The bag is designed to sit off your back so it keeps you cool, which for summer hikes is bery helpful, especially if you are sweat a lot. it is also spacey and super comfortable

I love my Osprey packs. I have...a lot of them. I can't seem to stop buying packs; it's a mental illness. Osprey also has a new line of "anti-gravity" packs coming out right about now.

I have this pack and am seriously considering getting that new AG pack.

http://www.rei.com/product/846406/osprey-aether-60-pack

And I've never even gone on a hike yet.

What your input on the one I have vs this new one?

http://www.rei.com/product/878452/osprey-atmos-65-ag-ex-pack

I the pack you have. Haven't tried the new anti-gravity packs yet personally but have heard feedback from those who have. I'd say 80-90% of the feedback was along the "this is a game-changer" lines, basically that the way it distributes weight makes the pack feel significantly lighter than the same weight in other packs, well more than making up for the extra weight of the pack itself. Also, people love the fit itself and feel like the pack is more stable.

I've heard a few people who don't see the benefit balancing out the pack weight, and from a few that don't like the shoulder straps thinking that they are too close to their neck--this is problem for a small % people with other Osprey packs and is allegedly worse in these models in terms of "pinch". Overall the feedback I've heard has been overwhelmingly positive. I'd suggest trying it on and seeing how it feels on you. If you're an REI buyer, by the way, the annual 20% off coupon comes out this Friday so it's a good time to buy anything you've been eying in the higher price ranges.

Wow, thanks. Now I'm even more tempted than before.

 

[General Malaise]

Never hiked it but the 3 day rafting trip I did was a highlight of my life. Such an amazing place and good for you for exploring it instead of just looking at it from a perch.

Also, when I start a rock band, it will be named Vishnu Schist.

 

[Battles]

Sounds like you already have a pack, but this is a great day pack: http://www.rei.com/product/864675/osprey-stratos-24-pack

The bag is designed to sit off your back so it keeps you cool, which for summer hikes is bery helpful, especially if you are sweat a lot. it is also spacey and super comfortable

I love my Osprey packs. I have...a lot of them. I can't seem to stop buying packs; it's a mental illness. Osprey also has a new line of "anti-gravity" packs coming out right about now.

I have this pack and am seriously considering getting that new AG pack.

http://www.rei.com/product/846406/osprey-aether-60-pack

And I've never even gone on a hike yet.

What your input on the one I have vs this new one?

http://www.rei.com/product/878452/osprey-atmos-65-ag-ex-pack

I the pack you have. Haven't tried the new anti-gravity packs yet personally but have heard feedback from those who have. I'd say 80-90% of the feedback was along the "this is a game-changer" lines, basically that the way it distributes weight makes the pack feel significantly lighter than the same weight in other packs, well more than making up for the extra weight of the pack itself. Also, people love the fit itself and feel like the pack is more stable.

I've heard a few people who don't see the benefit balancing out the pack weight, and from a few that don't like the shoulder straps thinking that they are too close to their neck--this is problem for a small % people with other Osprey packs and is allegedly worse in these models in terms of "pinch". Overall the feedback I've heard has been overwhelmingly positive. I'd suggest trying it on and seeing how it feels on you. If you're an REI buyer, by the way, the annual 20% off coupon comes out this Friday so it's a good time to buy anything you've been eying in the higher price ranges.

Wow, thanks. Now I'm even more tempted than before.

Steap and Cheap has Osprey packs often. They have the Aura 50 on right now for $115 for 5 more minutes.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Sounds like you already have a pack, but this is a great day pack: http://www.rei.com/product/864675/osprey-stratos-24-pack

The bag is designed to sit off your back so it keeps you cool, which for summer hikes is bery helpful, especially if you are sweat a lot. it is also spacey and super comfortable

I love my Osprey packs. I have...a lot of them. I can't seem to stop buying packs; it's a mental illness. Osprey also has a new line of "anti-gravity" packs coming out right about now.

I have this pack and am seriously considering getting that new AG pack.

http://www.rei.com/product/846406/osprey-aether-60-pack

And I've never even gone on a hike yet.

What your input on the one I have vs this new one?

http://www.rei.com/product/878452/osprey-atmos-65-ag-ex-pack

I the pack you have. Haven't tried the new anti-gravity packs yet personally but have heard feedback from those who have. I'd say 80-90% of the feedback was along the "this is a game-changer" lines, basically that the way it distributes weight makes the pack feel significantly lighter than the same weight in other packs, well more than making up for the extra weight of the pack itself. Also, people love the fit itself and feel like the pack is more stable.

I've heard a few people who don't see the benefit balancing out the pack weight, and from a few that don't like the shoulder straps thinking that they are too close to their neck--this is problem for a small % people with other Osprey packs and is allegedly worse in these models in terms of "pinch". Overall the feedback I've heard has been overwhelmingly positive. I'd suggest trying it on and seeing how it feels on you. If you're an REI buyer, by the way, the annual 20% off coupon comes out this Friday so it's a good time to buy anything you've been eying in the higher price ranges.

Wow, thanks. Now I'm even more tempted than before.

Steap and Cheap has Osprey packs often. They have the Aura 50 on right now for $115 for 5 more minutes.

I know nothing about the world of backpacks but what makes this a woman's pack. I almost ordered it in green, but... it's for a girl.