The Grand Canyon is one of those hikes that you need to do once
in a lifetime. On April 2013 I had the opportunity. I was travelling around USA
and I thought that this side trip from Las Vegas deserves. As I didn't have
much time I look to do the called the South rim bottom and back. I saw a few
places that discourage people to do it as it could be too hard. In the other
hand many people achieve it. Just need a good physical condition, but not need
to be an ironman. It is a total of 16 miles,
7 down and 9 up. After think about it we
decide to for it well prepare: water, food, and clothing.
We start by 9.00 in the South Kaibab Trailhead with a very
windy and cold weather. We start going
down and son you really how beautiful and special is this place, the magnitude,
the colours, the lights. The way down is deep deep. Until you reach the
plateau. From here you can see the river at the end of the hole and start to
get warmer in this area.
We reach the Colorado River by 12.00, have a lunch and without
time to visit the Phanton ranch we start the climb up. On the way in nearly
step into a sneak, my biggest nightmare,
I could panic and jump into the cliff. The way up is a little bit more
smooth following a small creek. This is ok for the first miles but when the sun
appears uufff, it’s when you start to understand how dangerous is this. You are
in a oven, it is a trap. It is not like in a mountain that you can come the way
down. Here the exit is in the top. Sun and no win....ufff. Careful.
The Indian Garden Campground is a nice oasis to chill down,
do some snacking and relax the legs. The hardest part still is waiting for you.
You have to put everything that you get to reach the edges. Tourist start to
looking to you with weird as you approach the rim. Finally is done.
Rim to bottom and back it is possible but very carefully. I
did in April and I have clouds most part of the day. When the sun sows up that
is hell. If you choose a hot day in August you are Death!!!
Now we just have to drive back four hours to Las Vegas, time
to party!!!
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