(By the way, this sign is only referring to half the hike I am taking)
The count down has begun...
We are now within a mere 3 weeks from what I am sure will prove to be the longest day of my life. I have agreed to attempt a grueling 48 mile day-hike in the Grand Canyon. No, I did not mistype the last sentence. It will be a D-A-Y-I-E, day-hike. The idea is that broken up over a few days most people could complete the hike, but how many can do it in 24 hours? Some suggest it's a 5-7 day strenuous hike. Then there are these people who are either complete lunatics or complete liars. These times are ridiculous for the distance and terrain covered.
All I know is that we are going to do it in under 24 hours. If you feel like learning more, Google "rim to rim to rim Grand Canyon" or "Grand Canyon Death March."
10 comments:
How are you planning on doing it? I mean, is it going to be a hike, or will there be some running involved? Are there any special plans other than pack-a-bunch-of-crap-in-a-backpack-and-roll-out? What time of day do you start?
I was at the Grand Canyon once, and I remember seeing a sign, on the south rim I believe, that you shouldn't try to make it to the river and back in one day. I thought to myself that's for out-of-shape people; I could do it. I was fourteen then, and I still haven't changed my mind. R2R2R would be a little more difficult.
Oh, great. The sign is so comforting to a dad. And when I think how worried I was about you and you managing diabetes during the Baltimore Marathon - well you can imagine that there is a little bit of concern after reading that sign! But, I learned that you can do amazing things when you put your mind to it. Have a great time Andy.
!!!WARNING!!! !!!WARNING!!! Unnecessary Parental Palaver Below:
Er, um,could I just slip in a little reminder here about making sure you have plenty of snacks and insulin?!?!
Brian- I think the plan is to do some running on the down hills to pick up some time, and mix it up on the flats and inclines when feasible. Two of the people I'm doing this with are in their 50s, but they are in great shape. I think it will come down to hydration and nutrition mostly. We are going to shoot for 20 hours. I feel like we could beat that, but I don't want to risk anyone being beat into the ground with too tough a pace in the beginning. We are going to have to solidify the plans in the next week, but the idea is that we are starting at 12 am and finishing before 12 am the next day.
Dad- !!!!WARNING EXTREME SARCASM BELOW!!!!
Really? Pack snacks? That hadn't occurred to me. How would I ever had made it without such invaluable insight? I was actually planning on doing the hike on my hands, butt-naked, after three weeks of fasting. Please respond with additional information regarding your thoughts on my hike plan.
are you gonna do one cross, or the double cross, it looks like some old woman named elisa did rim to rim in under 14 hrs, do the double cross in under 24, then i'll give you some props, btw where do i sign up? double crossing = 4 miles per hour....thats cake bring it
congratulations.
Elisa
rim to rim May 16th 08
13 hrs 15 min
age 54yrs
http://www.nationaloutdoors.net/state/arizona/death-march-epic-grand-canyon-hike-rim-rim-rim
!!!Warning!!!!Warning!!!!Another parental extremely deep and profound comment.
On your hands and buck naked? That would make 60 Minutes, not just the local Fox news telecast.
Now for the profound thought. Packing a flashlight?
Definitely doing rim-rim-rim
All I can say is WOW.......
btw.....Bisquick1 is Aunt Nancy.....didn't know Google would use that one......chuckle.....
Ran across your blog... done it 7 times, best time was under 12 hrs and worst was under 18. I'm doing it again with a big group May 21st. Kiss the brass donkey and it's a full 50. Take a head lamp so if it's dusty you can wrap it around your hand. Take an extra pair of socks to change into fresh ones on the NR. Also recommend dropping food at IG, Phantom and Cotton so you don't carry so much up (just little zip lock bags). If you can take 2 water containers, great: one for water and one for electrolytes. Grand Canyon on the floor is about the same temp as Phoenix. I live in Mesa, AZ and it's dang hot right now (105 yesterday)... so it could be very hot... let me know when you're going (if you haven't already) and you're more than welcome to go with our group. we have plenty of hotel room... it's the only way to see the canyon. mridgway@cox.net
oh yea, run bleachers to get your legs ready... and be careful of North Rim Knee. Occurs while running down steep grades as your quad kind of slips into your knee cap -stresses your IT band. We have 10 in our group going so far and more the merrier! Take a camera and good luck!
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