Sold and Paid.
Thanks Tyrkon.
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Have fun this summer! - Two GORGEOUS parts of this world!!!
I imagine you can make either of those trips as hardcore as you want.
I have some long interesting stories about the Grand Canyon - too long to type. But, when I first went there I thought it was funny / rediculous that the Rangers office had me fill out in depth forms prior to being able to hike down one of the non-mule trails along the eastern portion of the South rim.
They wanted to know brand and color of things like: backpacks, shoes or boots, tents, etc.
I asked why and they told me it helped to identify missing people!
That was the first and only time I had dealt with that type of form, information, requirements, etc.
But, they have good reason for it.
They heli-lift people (bodies) out of the canyon fairly regularly.
I went about 12 years ago and didn't do much research prior to going. I didn't even have internet at that time. I picked up a map when I got there, etc.
I was working long hours for a few years prior to going and wasn't in the best hiking condition. I just needed a vacation and had been dying to go to the Canyon.
When we left the rim, it had been about 40 degrees the night before.
I had hiked many mountains and was more accustomed to hiking up to where it got colder. That night it must have been 80 degrees in our tent (on hard rocks!) down lower in the canyon. We had carried way too much gear including a lot of gear we thought we would need to stay warm. As much as we thought we were prepared with plenty of water, we burned through it VERY fast. Most of the first day we were in shade. All of the second day we were in scorching sunlight and had to get out. We were intending to stay 2 nights, but improper preperation can kill out in that invironment or at least take some fun out of the experience especially if you have kids.
Some parts of the trails were fairly simple hiking, other parts were Extremely dangerous especially with 40 - 50 lb backpacks. Backpacks severly affect balance when you need it.
Some of the trails were also very steep and/or narrow.
Some areas with steps had my thighs parallel to the steps on a regular basis. I am 6'2", that equates to about 15" - 18" steps or 2 households steps at a time on a regular basis. This type of hiking can wear on you quickly. Especially, if you have a heavy backpack load. And if you have bad knees like I do, going down starts getting painfull - lots of jolting to the joints with load.
Other areas you had to hug huge boulders cropping out onto the trail as you had to go sideways along the trail with your backpack trying to flip you over and pull you off of the trail - which equated to drops of hundreds of feet to unknown / unseeable distance drop offs. If you dropped off of these trails it was usually one of two options: straight drop (self explanatory) or slide down a loose gravel drop at about 45 degrees with nothing to grap hold of except rock slide marble-like debris (ie - slide off with no realistic hope of stopping yourself).
Along the trail we were on, we came across 2 deserted backpacks in different areas and one other area with a fair amount of deserted gear.
On those parts were we found the deserted gear and on most parts of the upper areas of the trail we were on, you could not deviate from the trail. Not because of some rule, but becuase it wasn't possible unless you had climbing gear.
The interesting part about the deserted gear was that it was probably worth hundreds of dollars, but nobody else probably had any interest in carrying it out!
I am a reasonably experienced camper and hiker. I won't call myself an expert survivalist, but I am not an inexperienced city-boy either.
The Grand Canyon "can" be TOUGH!
I am under the impression that some trails are much easier than the one we were on.
When I went there, I asked the ranger to direct us to a trail that wasn't so heavily "touristy" and heavily traveled. I don't remember which trail it was, but it was a challenge!
I am not trying to scare people. I think it is WAY worth the trip. It is amazing and gorgeous. But, if you plan on hiking the trails, you need to be prepared and know what you are getting into.
I haven't personally been on the mules - not my thing. But, I have heard the mules seem to get a kick out of walking next to the edge of the trails!
For some people this is apparently quite disturbing as when you are sitting on a mule you can't see the mules feet around their fat bellies. You just get to see the drop off! - Again, not my thing.
After having hiked some of the Canyon, my thoughts are:
Camp at or near the rim where the conditions are much more condusive to camping.
Hike down to points were you can turn around and hike back up within the same day.
I personally prefer the higher parts of the canyon. The views are amazing up closer to the rim and become much more desert like as you go down.
I personally prefer moutain views over desert.
Do plenty of research prior to going.
I hope this helps.
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