How to safely hike into the Grand Canyon

How to Stay Safe While Hiking into the Grand Canyon
By Brian Lane

The Grand Canyon is an inverted mountain sinking over 5,000 vertical feet in depth. It is 18 miles wide, 277 river miles long, and the remote North Rim is nearly 1,200 feet higher than the popular South Rim.
The first time you approach the rim you’re surprised as the flat plateau you were just strolling on drops away and you gaze down into the various multi-colored, multi-layered rock formations. On a partly cloudy day as shadows undulate in and around the diverse geology of the canyon it is incomparable in its beauty.
To venture below the rim of the canyon is to gain a perspective that very few of the estimated 5 million annual visitors realize, but hikers and backpackers should be aware that there are over 240 rescues inside the canyon each year. All trails into the canyon are relentlessly steep and blisters, ankle sprains, and dehydration are common problems that hikers could face any time they enter the hot desert environment of the canyon.
The top three tips for hiking into the canyon include, 1) drinking plenty of fluids, 2) resting often, and 3) taking your time. You should carry a minimum of one quart of water and/or sport drink for every hour you plan to hike. Take a break every hour for ten or fifteen minutes, take your pack off and rest. And try and pace yourself so you are not consistently out of breath when hiking or your chances of suffering the effects of exhaustion or leg fatigue increase.
For any and all hikes into the canyon you should have a small pack containing the following items: ample water (at least a quart for every hour of hiking), food (salty snacks/trail mix, energy bars), first-aid supplies (blister treatments, ibuprofen), compass, map, trail description, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, small flashlight, whistle, and extra clothing (appropriate for the season). When day hiking the canyon it is also important to remember to turn around before you get tired— since it is climbing back up to the rim when the work really begins. Also, permits are required for all overnight hikers—if you are day hiking no permit is required.
A few of the problems hikers should try and avoid include:
Blisters-Make sure your shoes are well broken in, and stop and treat any hotspots immediately. Dehydration-Drink plenty of fluids and mix in sport drinks too!
Lightning-When storms are prevalent stay away from exposed cliffs and isolated tall objects, if you feel the hair rise on the back of your neck, squat down quickly!
Snake & Insect Bites-Include a Sawyer Extractor as part of your first-aid kit and know how to use it.
Water Intoxication-Do not drink only water, you must also eat meals and salty snacks. The effects of water intoxication are similar to that of dehydration.
For more information—buy the essential guide for hiking into Grand Canyon: Hikernut’s Grand Canyon Companion by local author Brian Lane (96 pages, softcover, $9.95) at www.aSenseofNature.com or visit Amazon.com and search ‘Hikernut.’

Award-winning author Brian Lane published Hikernut’s Grand Canyon Companion, A Guide to Hiking and Backpacking the Most Popular Trails Into the Canyon in 2007. Chosen by USA Book News as a Best Book Award Finalist, the book offers practical advice honed from over fifteen years of experience hiking in and around the Grand Canyon and throughout the United States.

Brian hikes the Canyon at least twice/year and has quickly emerged as the spokesperson and face of the Canyon. He provides accurate and up-to-date information on Canyon hiking conditions and other helpful tips on his blog at http://blog.asenseofnature.com/.

In addition to writing and publishing, Brian showcased his artistic and photographic skills by creating all of the images and maps in his first book. His academic studies include Clark University (fine art/photography) and Massachusetts College of Art (illustration/2-D design).

A member of the American Hiking Society, lifetime member of the Sierra Club, and a certified NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School -- the only school that focuses on wilderness skills, leadership, and environmental ethics) Wilderness First Aid alumnus, the author is also a horticulturist, forestry and wildlife conservationist, and master watershed steward, advocating for sustainable resource management. Born and raised in North Brookfield, Massachusetts, he now resides on a four-acre ranch in Sedona, Arizona.

Contact Brian at 928.282.9525, info@asenseofnature.com or www.asenseofnature.com. Purchase his book at www.asenseofnature.com or at www.amazon.com.