Older Hiker: Rim to Rim at Grand Canyon
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- čas přidán 23. 10. 2023
- Join me on a rim-to-rim hike at Grand Canyon, from South Rim to North Rim on Bright Angel and North Kaibab Trails. At a distance of 23 map miles with a descent and climb of one mile, such a hike taxes my abilities, but is also a rewarding accomplishment when completed. This hike is complicated by back problems leading to doubt that I can finish it.
It’s 11:20 pm and I am getting up to attempt a rim-to-rim hike.
As a man, I have been trained to project confidence and competence, but I must admit this morning that I am full of self-doubt.
Any realist of my age acknowledges a degree of frailty. I have watched 20-year-olds on the trail tumble for thirty feet, then get up, laugh and move on. For me, a fall could mean the end of the hike or send me to the hospital. For years I have been acknowledging that I am not as young as I used to be, but this is the first year I acknowledge being old. I have to be slower and more careful now, and to some degree that erodes my masculine self-image. Doing the rim to rim forces me to confront this.
So why do I do the hike? I do it because I am going to die. Maybe I harp on mortality too much, but I think I do because so many people deny it. I want to be clear, I love my life, I do not want to leave it, but I am a realist and facing that my days are numbered makes those days all the more sweet. The other side of the coin to acknowledging mortality is celebrating being alive now. I am still alive, and I plan to hike as often as I can for as long as I can, as health, weather and finances allow.
Hiking rim to rim taxes me to my physical maximum. I have a list of diagnoses that read like a career criminal’s rap sheet. At one point in cancer treatment, I got a handicap parking placard. I don’t use it, but I think of it as my blue badge of courage, recognition for all I have been through.
I have always had a bad back, or at least that’s what I called it, but on one of my cancer CT scans, they gave it a more serious name, degenerative disease of the spine. And that is what concerns me today. My back is troubling me and I am not sure I will be able to complete the hike. Late hours and self-doubt. That sounds like a good title for a book or record album.
This hike is 23 map miles, about 30 miles on a fitness tracker, and if I make it, I would like to do it in 13 hours. There’s almost a mile of descent to the river and a mile climb to the North Rim. Then, if it goes well, I get to do it again on the return trip. If I make it, I will post this video. If I do not, the failure will go unrecorded.
This video, hopefully, will be a hybrid of tips, travelog, and maybe a bit of adventure. I like watching other people’s R3 videos, and usually they focus on themselves, failing to mention things that might help other hikers like times, water availability and trail conditions. I will try to include some of that information. But my top priority is the hike. This is the tail that wags my dog. Videos are time consuming and will take a back seat to completing the hike.
And, before I hit the trail, my first two tips. First, water availability has been unpredictable this year. Two weeks ago, I did a training hike and when I went through Phantom where they had posted unannounced that the water was off from Phantom to the North Kaibab Trail head. That is about 14 miles without a treated water source. It is important to have the ability to both filter and chemically treat water as livestock frequent these trails. I have not yet had to use these, but they are essential to have available.
Second, have fixed in your mind your turn-around decision points. One time I hiked to the River, before the sun was up it was 86 degrees, and I decided I could do the R3, but it just would not be any fun. I went back to the rim and drove in an air-conditioned car to North Rim instead.
The halfway point on the hike, for me at least, is at the end of the box, a few miles North of Phantom Ranch. At this point, it is actually more efficient to walk to the North Rim, rather than walk back. Especially if you would still need to drive the extra 4 hours to get to your non-refundable hotel room on the other rim.
So, with those first two tips covered, times a wasting and it time for me to hit the trail. Wish me luck (and good health)!
Thank you for your inspiration. Being an older hiker who fell on a trail today, was very humbling. I have hiking poles but wasn't using them and had my pharmacy at home. Both mistakes you addressed, and I am now inspired to plan differently. Thank you, kindred spirit
!
Thanks for your kind comment. The older I get, the more I realize the hiking poles are essentail to my safety. Sorry you had a fall and here's hoping there was no damage. Thanks for watching!
Being approx. your age, am impressed with not only your story, but your attitude and vision of "Being older" and "Getting out!" Keep it up, Wes
Thanks so much, and the same to you!
What an inspirational video this is. I have enjoyed it very much. Thank you for sharing your hiking experience with us. This video certainly gives me hope to hike at Grand Canyon rim to rim. Thank you so much for sharing. Excellent work on your hike. Congratulations to you.
Thank you. I hope you have the opportunity to make the hike! I appreciate your comment.
Thank you for your kind words on my channel. I watched this and applaud you for doing it. I too have advanced degenerative disk disease. Fortunately, my back generally doesn't hurt when I hike. My issues on the backpacking trip I did were sciatica (really severe), bone on bone in one knee, and vertigo when I lie down and flip over. But, I agree, I will keep going as long as I can. I just have to adapt based on the changes that come with aging. Keep on getting out there. Watching your video I would have never known you were having any issues. I've always said that you do have to do some training, but a lot of it is mental.
Ah, you are so kind. The physical issues are very real, and the reality is that one day it will end. But until that day my goal is to hike as often as I can for as long as I can. I do think that determination is probably my biggest asset hiking. Sciatica is a simple sounding name for a horrible condition, I suffer from at times too, and I have never felt such severe pain. I am impressed that you are able to go forward despite the challenges. See you on the trial!
At 85, you look great! Thanks for sharing your insights on tackling this iconic trail system.
LOL. Thanks for watching the full video. I can't wait to get out on the trail in the Spring and do it better.
Congratulations on pushing through. I am 71 and just did the Rim-to-Rom (North Kaibab trail down and Bright Angel trail up the south side) on June 2. It went well. Temps were close to 100 in the Furnace (Bright Angel from the river to Havasupai Gardens. Temps were 93 at Phantom ranch about 11:30 am and 91 at Havasupai Gardens at 3800 feet after the Furnace section. The keys were a lot of electrolytes and soaking my shirt regularly in the streams that are still running in June.
Congratulations on an incredible hike, I happened to be on the trail the same day on a rim to river hike. It was pretty darned hot, and I was probably up the trail a bit ahead of you. People underestimate the effects of the heat. Congratulations on surviving and thriving along the trail!
Great tips for hiking. Thank you and good job.
Thank you for watching!
This is my second time watching this video, I just love it. Thank you so much.
Glad you enjoy it!
Interesting video and thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it
Agree.
@@user-cc5of2il5l 😀
Thank you so much for this video. What an adventure! I know exactly what you're talking about when your back spasms and you can do nothing but lie there and moan. I hope you get relief and have many more hikes.
Thanks, I have been home for almost two weeks now, and I am still having back problems. But I have faith that I will be back on the trail--I have a hike scheduled in two weeks, so hopefully I will make it. Thank you for watching.
I think your philosophy and positive outlook are fantastic. The fact that you layout turnaround points shows the experience and trekking poles are a must in my book. They won't stop every fall, but they do stop most falls. Great hike, and thanks for sharing. New Subscriber.
Thanks for subscribing. I did use the turn-around points on my most recent hike. I used to think it was a failure when I did not complete a hike, now I accept it as an accomodation of the realities of life. Thanks for your comments.
You are inspirational to me. I love this video and good job hiking.
Thanks so much!
Wow, quite an adventure! Thank you for sharing it.
Thanks, it is always a great hike, no matter what the circumstances.
Great video, thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Hey GC 👋 I so agree with you! Knowing our time is coming makes each time out there more sweet. I know over the last decade I have done hikes that I won't be able to do at some point in the future. The 10 mile hike we did in Pictured Rocks this summer was one I practiced all spring for. It is probably one of the best hikes of my life, one I don't think I will get to do again.
I enjoyed your trek through the GC here, as someone who knows their limits, I would not ever be able to do this. So I enjoy watching those that can. The views and colors are beautiful, and what a nice waterfall. Your advice is always solid. I can't tell you how many falls trekking poles have saved me from over the last several years.
I'm so happy that you were able to push through and do the entire trek! Well Done 👏 ✔️ You don't look 10 years older, just a bit tanner.😊
LOL, flattery will get you everywhere. I do think I looked 20 years older, but it was worth it! I would bet you are younger than me, and I only started hiking Grand Canyon in my late 50's, so you never know what you may be able to do! I will eventually do a video entitled "hike to live," which explains how I got started.
It was tough for me to accept hiking poles, but they are a necessity now. It is one of the accommodations of aging.
The scenery in the Autumn on North Rim is the best. If you drive-in the Aspens are spectacular. I used to try to make it to the East Coast now and then for the colors, but they are just as good right here in the West!
I always appreciate your kind comments and your love of adventure. Thank you for watching!
I am the same way there's more sooner and not much later now; I hike the GC yearly now and love it.
Some people visit once and never return. I return again and again. There is something addictive about the Canyon. Thanks for your comment.
Loved this.
Thanks so much! (and no background music!)
Congratulations you did a great job. I did it at 64 I said if I make to seventy and have my health I will do it again have a year to go
Thank you. Hopefully I will see you on the trail!
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
Very admirable. I am impressed. Good job and great video. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for watching.
Thank you for taking us along on this hybrid of a trail guide and adventure video. Congratulations on your success and best of luck next year.
There is a competition between motivation and the realities of aging for me. I will hopefully try at least two rim to rim to rim hikes this season, but I also acknowledge that this could be the last year I do them. Thank so much for watching and for your encouraging words.
My husband and I did r2r north to south . It was beautiful and a strenuous hike. We want to do it again but in 2 days to enjoy more time in the bottom of the canyon. Thank you for sharing your hike
Agreed, it is a beautiful hike, and some more time sounds like just the right strategy for pausing and enjoying it more!
Amazing views.
Thank you!
I really enjoyed this video very much. Great tips and thank you for sharing. Good job.
Thank you!
SSSssooo incredible and inspirational! I plan to spend quite a bit of time in the Grand Canyon over the next couple years and hope to do at least one rim to rim.
Congratulations, I hope you make the hike, it does give an enormous feeling of accomplishment, and the Canyon is spectacular! Best of luck to you!
In the words of Janice Joplin,' Do it while you can.'
The only way to have no regrets is to do what you are doing all the very best and keep up the good work. I spent a few hours at Grand Canyon, but arrived in a car and only walked a short way down from the rim.... But if I get the chance to come back I'll stay and explore on foot... 56 years a type one diabetic and haven't looked back since I was a very ill 16 year old, have been on medication that didn't suit for the previous 8 years👍
Hope you're able to keep walking for even longer that you hope 👍
I think a road trip is the perfect way to see the Grand Canyon and the Western US. Good for you. If you ever pass through again, staying a night makes the Canyon that much more dynamic. Keep on trucking (as the Grateful Dead would say).😉
@@RationalTalk Lol and Sounds wonderful,
I bet it would be great on a Starry, Starry Night, though if walking rather than driving I would have to loosen my load, though it would be good to Take it easy. Guess I need to see the East too possibly a Sweet Home (in) Alabama.
All the very best Johnny 👍
@@johnnywarnerperfectroad66 Oh boy, the hit songs of our youth!
I talked with you last spring 6 months ago I'm still training for GC maybe but I got a distill bicep repair last month took 2 weeks off, back on the trail now 👍
Hopefully the training will go well!
Sure is a spectacular hike! Kudos for doing this in a day! Am around your age (a little older) but not sure about using poles; the only place I use them is when going up or down steep scree slopes, when they are extremely helpful. But I agree with watching every step, especially when tired.
Thanks, we are all built differently, I never had great balance and the poles keep me from falling, but I am glad you do not need them. But the damage possible from a fall seems to me to increase with age. Glad to hear you are still hiking successfully, and as for me, I think I will skip the scree slopes. I did it when I was younger, but packed trails are the best way for me now. Thanks for your comment.
The men in our family all 3 generations of us did the hike in 2015. My dad would have been 65, I was 39, my brother was 34, my oldest son was 17, my youngest son was 16, and my nephew was 9. We did well until we got to the bottom, and then my dads knees started to fail him as he had been taking statins due to a mild heart attack he had at 60. We were all in shape too, but getting to the bottom of that basin was all we could do. Good thing we were able to rent a cabin and start out in the morning. We started out early the next day and made it back up. Great experience that should be done in 2 days.
Wow, that must have been quite a memorable hike for all involved! Having a cabin at Phantom definately helps, thank goodness one opened up! I am probably hard-headed, but I will be on the trail again if all goes well in 2024. Thanks so much for sharing your experience!
Good job and excellent video. Thank you.
Thanks for watching! I appreciate your comments.
Wow, that's really a tough hike you did. Very inspirational and I am looking forward to seeing more of your videos. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, although I only made it halfway to my rim to rim to rim goal. Hopefully I will do better in 2024. Thanks for watching!
Great video.
Thank you.
You are amazing!! I'm 48 and hoping to be able to get through the canyon half as good as you do it! I have a permit for thanksgiving. Dealing with a torn rotator cuff and hoping I don't have to cancel.
Thanks. The weather should be great around Thanksgiving, so I hope your health will allow the hike! The Canyon is spectacular any time of year, but it will likely be pretty cold when you start the hike. Good luck!
The Grand Canyon is truly spectacular. ❤
Agreed. I never tire of it.
Excellent video. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for watching!
I’m wondering about a pack. Never saw you with one on this trek except sitting next to you.
Perceptive question. I share carrying the pack with my hiking companion, the microphone works much better when there is no pack noise involved. But on this hike, the deal was if I could make the hike, I would have to do very little pack carrying. That is probably One of the biggest reasons I did not make the hike back. Hopefully, next year, my back will be much better.
와. 이렇게 멋진 곳을 걸어가시나요. 정말 멋진 곳이군요. 20:43
I agree, it truly is a wonderful place!
Great video! Five days before your hike I completed my first R2R, I'm 66 and I am so glad I did it! I'm from Ohio and when we got there I was still on the fence, not sure if I should give it a go, and the lady at the info center strongly discouraged the idea, lol. But I decided to go and it went pretty well. The last 5 miles were tough but I learned a lot and would love to try a R2R2R. I went down south Kaibab and up north Kaibab. Thanks for the video, brings back some great and some not so great memories :).
Congratulations on your success! On every R2R, I swear it will be my last until I get home and start planning the next one, you may find yourself in the same boat. For your first R3, you might consider a night in the hotel on the opposite rim, which is what I do. The return trip, after you have done it one way, is not so much of a challenge, and I generally do it a bit more slowly and savor the Canyon more. See you on the trail!
Loved this. Thanks for sharing. I hiked about a mile down Bright Angel a few years ago with my husband. Can’t do it anymore.
It is a lovely hike and there are still so many remaining nice hikes along the paved rim trail. I know some day my hiking days will end, but I will enjoy them while I can. Thank you for your comment.
My wife and I, both over 70, hiked a mile on Bright Angel earlier this month. I want to go back and do a R2R or R2river2R but I’ll need at least 6 months to get in shape and prepare.
Congrats! You’re an inspiration. If you were solo hiking, who was handling the camera?
Not a solo hike, the cameraperson prefers to stay off camera and be unindentified!
❤
Thank you!
You did great! Good luck for your Rim-Rim--Rim hike. What was total timing on this hike??
Thanks, I think with the challenges, it ran about 13;45, but I am working from memory. I was just happy to make it. Only three months to the next hike, so I need to start getting in shape! Thank you for watching.
how old are you?
65