Men's Grand Canyon South Rim Tour

Class Schedule: September 2008

Trip Description: To experience the sheer magnitude and quiet vastness of the Grand Canyon, one must travel by foot through the backcountry. We’ll travel back 2 billion years through geological time on this challenging adventure designed for experienced and fit backpackers. This somewhat "introductory" Grand Canyon trip takes you to the bottom of the Canyon via the famous South Kaibab Trail. This exceptionally scenic trail takes you over 7 miles straight down to the bottom passing vistas galore. Once at the bottom sites including the Colorado River, Ribbon Falls, Phantom Falls and Creek, Clear Creak and Phantom Ranch await. The hike out traverses, perhaps the most well known, Bright Angel Trail. The abundance of water and high traffic of this trail allow for a more relaxed trip up, but don't fool yourself. You are still hiking approximately 9 miles up and out! This is not a beginning backpack. We will hike on maintained but steep and rocky trails over challenging terrain with big elevation gains and losses on each day. Participants will carry 30-40 lbs of gear, including about 10 lbs of group gear (comprised mainly of food, tents, and cooking equipment) on their backs throughout the duration of the trip. Time spent in the wilderness below the rim of the Grand Canyon is an experience unlike any other in existence, and a self-supported and participatory journey on foot from the rim to the river and back constitutes a milestone accomplishment for a backpacker.

Accommodations: One night developed campsite, three nights backcountry camping.

Activity Level: Class 3 - Introductory Intermediate Tour. Class 3 tours are meant for those that have done some backpacking before. Participants must be prepared to do heavy physical activity in extremely diverse environments and terrain. The trails, although well traveled, are not easy. They involve extended descents and climbs (Almost all standard Grand Canyon tours are Class 3). We will hike between 7-10 miles a day with a backpacking pack weighing anywhere between 30-40 pounds (depending on how many personal items you bring). Class 3 tours tend to be a similar length (4 hiking days) to Class 2 tours, however, we may not utilize any base camps meaning we may be backpacking with packs every day. Age range tends to be 15-55. Please contact us if you are not in that age window, but still think you qualify.

Start Location: On the first night we meet at 6:00 p.m. at Mather Campground inside the South Entrance of Grand Canyon National Park.

End Location: We will exit at the Bright Angel Trailhead and return to our cars parked in the FREE shuttle parking area.

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