I agree...mid to high 90's on Sunday afternoon between the village and the campground. Doing that in the hottest part of the day was rough. DL made it though, to her credit. It just nearly killed both of us not to get down there before the hottest part of the day. Had I been on my own, I'd have gotten there with everyone else much earlier, but that's the way it goes.

I just had a major charley horse here at my desk a while ago. Almost made my eyes tear up! Finally worked it out. Hamstring.

I actually found it much easier to walk myself and keep my own pace than try to either stay caught up with someone else, or stay behind waiting for someone. I did the 9 miles from the village to the top in about 3 hours, 15 minutes. Not a bad pace by anyones standards, IMO. The switcbacks were slow, but steady, and man, did I sweat!!!

I'm proud of myself, and I will tell you, no one just walks up and down this at our age without being in reasonable shape.

Going by what the lady at the village said that it was 105 on Sunday for the high. All I know is it was hot. I still had a great time - even with the heat. Some people can take the heat, I can't. I know that and I try to take precautions. I didn't let it stop me from going and having fun.

quote:

Originally posted by Desert Rat:I just had a major charley horse here at my desk a while ago.

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http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0515body0515.html

You know, my co-worker Steve was down there from Sunday through Wednesday. They were at Havasu Falls where she was found on Tuesday.

He took some pictures right up the creek where her body was.

I'm sure it is hidden in the foilage but I'm sure she is in the pictures, just hidden.

Spooky.

That is spooky...

I was just glad they found her so none of us had to stumble upon her....that would have ruined my day.

quote:

Originally posted by Stone:
First of all Robert, how old were you when you hiked all the trails in the Grand Canyon? It's statements like the hike is easy that get a lot of peole down there in the shape some of our group were in. And it's nowhere near a 4000 foot drop.

It was mid 90's not 105. Maybe if you held your temp gauge in the sun...

I think someone was having a good time getting Davienas goat, kinda like the story that the helicopter didn't fly out on Tuesdays.

The first time was around 14, the second going to the Falls was when I was 16. Then when I was 19 I went down Bright Angel/South Kaibab Trail going down to Phantom Ranch. Then did it again when I was 21. Of all the poeple I have meet, They all say Havasupai is is the easiest. This is what I said in my first post. No trail into the canyon should be taken lightly, there are death do to sun stroke/dehydration at the canyon. Some just hike in with little to no water, others just don't drink enough. Anytime I planed on going I will start walking 2 miles a day 6 months in advance. Then I will increase as time gets closer. I am glad everyone made it out ok. As for the 4000ft diferance that was the number I was told as a kid and could find anything in a quick search to give real numbers. But from Phantom Ranch to the top it is a 6500ft difference. If you do know the closer number please post it up. I would hate to make poeple beleive that what you guys did isn't that special, because it is. Going into the canyon, no matter what trail you go in on is just a wonderful experience. If you do it again I am hoping to go, as it has been awhile sicne I have been at that side of the canyon.

It looked easy when the Brady Bunch did it.

Begin at 6,820' elevation at Bright Angel Trailhead, dropping steeply to the Colorado River at 2,760'

This is the biggest drop I know of. It is 4000 feet.

Ugh.

Whats the distance on that one?

quote:

Originally posted by Stone:
Begin at 6,820' elevation at Bright Angel Trailhead, dropping steeply to the Colorado River at 2,760'

This is the biggest drop I know of. It is 4000 feet.

Ugh.

you maybe right, the north to the bottom is 1000ft more. I may just have my number messed up. Climbing out of Bright angel makes you want to jump over the edge to kill yourself. But if you live you have to climb that much more to get out.

quote:

Originally posted by Desert Rat:
Whats the distance on that one?

10 miles on bright angel to the bottom or go 7.5 on South Kaibab to get to the bottom. but there is water on Bright angel at 5, 3, 1.5 miles in, so there is some help to get out. if you did Havasupai in 5 expect 7-10 hours for this. The last 4 miles are switchbacks The one good part of Phantom Ranch is the cabins/lodge and meals aready down there if you want to pay for them. Showers are also down there.

Marshall - Thank you for all your work and effort to organize and coordinate this adventure. It's no small feat hurding this motley crew.

Also, thank you for getting out to South Mountain and hiking with me before the trip. I would have never had the stamina on the switchbacks to blow the pants off that 19 year old college girl without that preparation.

Everyone who made any portion of that hike should be proud of their accomplishment and not worry about ranking it compared to someone else's accomplishments.

Marshall has a picture of my zen moment at Mooney Falls. He also has pictures of the French Canadian girls in bikini's who have a current starting position in the line up.

Keep in mind there is 220 feet of air beneath him...

Fun stuff, I had a whale of a time and enjoyed the water alot. I swam behind the falls around ten times. I liked climbing the shelf and diving into the impact zone, reminded me of surfing big waves and getting beefed. I did some rock diving too, very nice conditions, hot air and cool water. Of course now I am jonesing for more water, gonna have a trip to Baja this summer for some surf and all that jazz. See y'all next trip up there to the Grand Canyon.