Grand Canyon Hike - September 2006

Now I know this is February 2007 but I have been really busy away on courses since the beginning of January learning the wonders of blood and how to search for it. I have been looking through the travel stories and saw that there was no mention of The Grand Canyon which was our first destination of our 2006 US Tour.

Psycho and Weeman had been there before but this was a first for Rico and I. We got to the campsite in the dead of night and naturally I needed the sleep. The others went off to the South Rim to have a look at the canyon by moonlight, luckily they didnt fall in!

I knew that the Grand Canyon was big but I didnt realise that it would be so vast. There is not one TV programme on the planet that can prepare you for that!! We went on a hike down the Bright Angel Trail to the Colorado River and then up the Kaibab Trail back to the South Rim. We filled our 3 litre Camel Backs up and also carried an extra 2 1.5 litre bottles each. We left at 08:50 and got to the Colorado River at 11:30. The reason it took so long was because we were stuck behind a load of mules being made to take lazy people down to Indian Gardens plus we had to constantly wait for Rico who seemed to be taking a photo every two seconds. Whilst going down we saw a large number of people in trainers, why do you do it?? It takes one tiny rock to make you trip and you could so easily do your ankle in. At least with hiking boots you reduce that risk. Plus there was one idiot with a tiny drinking bottle, mate if you want to kill yourself then that is the way to do it. This place is hot and isolated, there are some taps but you cant assume that these are going to work. Dehydration and heat stroke are not the things that you want to be getting in a place like this, the lizards and snakes appear as though they are very hungry!!

The temperature next to the Colorado river was amazing. Check out the watch in the picture, it shows 53degrees C (this was in the direct sun though) I managed to find a small branch to get some shade and the watch said 41degrees C. It was hottttttttttt....

After a short rest bite and the obligitory 'feet' dip in the Colorado, we headed to a little oasis by the river about 1km from Phantom Ranch. En route we crossed a cool suspension foot bridge and was greeted with some quality banter by a few lasses on a rafting trip, really made our day. The bottom of the canyon is amazing, a full on step back to the time of creation. Now one of wanted to leave. We just wanted to live there forever and get crisp in the arid head, it was amazing. After about 15mins break, we were fully revatalised and refreshed, so we plodded ever onwards up the South Kaibab Trail.

The hike out was excellent. Its fairly steep but the swichbacks make the going really easy which in turn enabled us to develop a cracking rhythm. The only problem was the fumes from the horses (and notably the poo) which seemed to absorb every oxygen molocule within the vicinity. We just kept going and going and going, taking the odd breather to soak in the awe inspiring views and to cool off in a rain/thunderstorm that was whipping through the canyon. Before we knew it the job was done and it was time to head back to the village for a chilled Powerade and an ice-cream..

Great day, good hike and views to die for. Its a must for anyone visiting the canyon (but please consider all the factors before you attempt to do it in 1 day).