[chris_quan]

I plan to solo night hike during winter doing the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim this Thanksgiving and New year Eve. Details is at http://www.outdoorsclub.org/Calendar/Tr ... ripID=4334 and

http://www.outdoorsclub.org/Calendar/Tr ... ripID=4139

I like to know about the snow condition on the North Kaibab trail during the Thanksgiving and New Year day. I have been GC many times including doing the Rim to Rim twice in the middle of Summer. I am a recent Sierra Club WTC 2003 grad (http://angeles.sierraclub.org/wtc/).

TIA

Chris
http://www.MountainNight.com

[Sredfield]

[Note: The location is the Grand Canyon, Utah, Not Los Angeles, CA!!!]


Something is wrong already!

[chris_quan]

[Note: The location is the Grand Canyon, Utah, Not Los Angeles, CA!!!]


Something is wrong already!

Hi,

Thanks for the note. This is something I can't change. There is no options to change it to the exact location. However, I make the note that the location is not in Los Angeles. Why is this? I think because the outdoorsclub.org needs more work on their website.

I just added [Note: The location is Grand Canyon National Park (SOUTH RIM) is located 60 miles north of Williams, Arizona, Not Los Angeles, CA!!! See http://www.nps.gov/grca/grandcanyon/sou ... reisit.htm Something make it sound like it's in Utah!] I can not change the rest.

Sorry if I offended anyone about the location mistake. No wonder it took a little longer time to get there. Now it should be faster.



Chris

[Sredfield]

No offense taken, and I hope I didn't offend you or anyone else. I just found it humorous that they had it in the wrong state.

R3 is a pretty ambitious trip, but unless there is serious snow on the ground, and that is unlikely except high on the north rim, it is not all that tough a trail. Over 100K people walk it every year, it's wide and well maintained. Check where water is available with the rangers, I believe they turn off a lot of it. The bottom of the canyon has weather similar to Phoenix, so don't over prepare. Weight is your enemy on a trip like that.

Good luck.

[chris_quan]

In response to Sredfield's reply:

I assume there is little or no snow on the North rim (on the North Kaibab trail towards the North rim) at this time? What's about New Year Eve? Do you anyone who hike to the North rim after the North rim is officially close? How bad is the trail?

I like to make sure I bring the right gear if the got really bad. Thanks.

Chris

P.S. I have been to the Phantom Ranch twice but has never been to the North rim during the Winter.

[Dschur]

We go to the south rim in the winter about one a month. Who can say what the weather will be we have had on the south rim 5 inches of snow on the first of May. The south rim trails as soon as the snow flies are always covered in ice for the first mile or so. We were there last weekend and there isn't any yet. But today is a chance of snow and rain in the northern part of AZ. We had about 2 inches of rain in the last week here in Payson so I am not sure what they got up there. Just take Crampons to be on the safe side definatly in Jan. In the next two weeks who is to say.

[chris_quan]

In response to Dschur's reply:



Thank you. I will be watching the live webcam and will call the rangers before I left for the hike.

Chris

P.S. Is this is only live webcam for the GC http://www2.nature.nps.gov/ard/parks/gr ... rcacam.htm ?

[Lennie]

Hi Chris, Good luck on the triple. I've hiked many times in canyon, tried the triple rim last June and only did south to north rim. Boonked out at north rim, due to not enough SALT or food. Drank plenty of water, etc, but SALT is super important. Now I take Succeeds caps on long hot hikes. I will do the triple next May or June. You shouldn't have any problems with snow, as if there is any, will be by the North rim, not on trail. I'm sure you know how COLD it will be at dusk and night. I hate the cold. Take care, and good luck!! Lennie

[Sredfield]

Lennie,

I've had that problem three times on the N rim. What are Succeeds caps? I tried a google search but didn't find anything.

thanks

[chris_quan]

In response to Lennie's reply:

Hi, I has been using Succeed cap as well. Good stuffs! I have been using adventurehiking.com and found it on the site ( http://adventurehiking.com/Hiker%20Notes/Sodium.htm ) a while ago. I still am looking something for the joint. The one that is simple to use like the Success Caps.

Chris

[pfredricks]

This thread has info about hyponatremia-

http://hikearizona.com/dex2/viewtopic.php?t=1632

The GC park people recommend salty snacks as being sufficient- Plus they have carbs!!!!

[chris_quan]

I just did a conditioning hike over the weekend. I did not do as well as I hope for. I just recovered from a bad cold (had been in bed for 3 days). I normally do 10,000' gain/loss hike going ups and downs a small peak before big hike like this.

I am not ready but will see. My body start to gain strength. I won't push it. I may do it but will take a "heavier and more slowly" approach. I like to finish the hike without muscle or joint pain. I'll take a nap. I'll stop 2 hours after big meal. Or whatever to let my body adjust and recover along the way.

Everyone I kow who did this took upto 2 weeks to fully recover. I like to see if I can do this without muscle or joint pain at all (that's still not a backpacking trip).

Chris

[chris_quan]

Here are the maps that I'll be using. They are at http://www.mountainnight.com/GRAND-CANYON/MAP/ I will create a page for the triple rim hike after I got back.

Chris

[azhiker96]

Chris, good luck on your RTRTR hike. There is a good chance you'll find snow on the north rim. 3 years ago I hiked into Grand Canyon on Thanksgiving day with my brother. There was snow on the South rim which extended down to about 1000 feet below the rim. We were on the Bright Angel trail and it was fine for travel. You should be okay on the North Kaibab trail even if there is snow. Check out the trail description on this site for Jacob Lake to South Rim.
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=556

[chris_quan]

In response to azhiker96's reply:

Thanks. I just got back with total disaster. I did not have a chance to do any hikings at all. I got a flu and stayed at Yavapai lodge the whole time! By the time, I got better, it's too late. What's a waste of time.

I'll be back on New Year Eve with possible 2 other solo hikers. This time, I will be there one day in advance.

For now, I'm off to see a few movies to get over the disappointment.

Chris

P.S. There is no snow on South rim on Thanksgiving (there was last year).

[chris_quan]

I have reserved a room at Maswik lodge from Dec, 30 - Jan 1. I will stay up all night on Dec, 30 and sleep all day on Dec, 31 (night acclimatization). I plan to start at Sunset and will be back to South rim before midnight on Jan, 1.

I'll go "heavy and slow" for safety reason. I will take 2-lb/15F down sleeping bag and a Bibler Big Wall Bivy sack with me (just in case). I'll bring enough winter gear including KTS crampon, -40F 2.2lb Salomon Snow Pro boot, The North Face XCR Parka and pant, 180°s® Edge gloves & Powerstretch glove, headgear, GPS, and 200-lumen headlamp with spare bulb (will last 16 hours).

There are 2 other solo hikers with me (they may be call bail out the last minute). With or without them, I'm going.

Worst comes to worst, I'll make a satellite call for warm pizza.

Chris

P.S. I'll write a letter to the Backcountry office to let them know that we will be doing this on the New Year Eve. This is to make sure they won't be surprised to see a few bright light (200-lumen) going towards the North rim. If they mind, I'll postpond the trip, not cancel. I can do it after the New Year Eve (well, the lodge is cheaper too!).

Any snow yet? The Live Web Cam (at http://www2.nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/ ... rcacam.htm )does not show much

[MaryPhyl]

In response to Sredfield's reply:


Something sure is wrong-- all of the canyon is in Arizona

[chris_quan]

In response to Sredfield's reply:


Something sure is wrong-- all of the canyon is in Arizona

Yes, I got it all wrong for a while. I have been to the canyon many times. I still ended up thinking it's in Utah! Even here at http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=516550 I was still thinking it's in Utah! And guess what, nobody mentioned it to me until now.

Thanks.

Chris

[chris_quan]

In response to Sredfield's reply:


Something sure is wrong-- all of the canyon is in Arizona

Yes, I got it all wrong for a while. I have been to the canyon many times. I still ended up thinking it's in Utah! Even here at http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=516550 I was still thinking it's in Utah! And guess what, nobody mentioned it to me until now.

Thanks.

Chris

[davis2001r6]

I hiked the S. Kaibab trial to Phantom Ranch and back today. Weather was great. There was a tiny bit of snow the first few switchbacks but it a packed down and not any sort of problem whatsoever. It was bit chilly hiking down at 4 AM but we started hiking back out at 9AM and I stripped down to shorts and a t-shirt and was fine. Hope your hike goes well. I plan on doing the same hike in a few months.