I got a walk up permit. I started the next day. 42 lbs pack. Resupply in 7 days.
Hermits Rest, down Boucher, out to Slate, dry camp for 2 nights, then East to Hance Rapids by way of supply at Phantom Ranch (shower). Dry at Cremation, a little water at Lone Pine. Up New Hance staying half way up after leaving Red Canyon. I was really slow going up New Hance, I remember that 'trudging' pace well.
2 weeks solo. A highlight of my life.
Grand Canyon is a place one has to experience to understand.
A small taste can be had by reading Colin Fletcher's book "The Man Who Walked Through Time". He claimed to be the first to walk the length of the Grand canyon national Apark, at the time. But, Harvey had already been there.
Or the writings of Harvey Butchart, such as "Grand Obsession: Harvey Butchart and the Exploration of Grand Canyon "
And, John Wesley Powell "The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons". A fascinating story of a one armed civil war veteran, and a few chosen people, riding boats down the Colorado river for the first time ever. Unknown territory at the time.
Hammock or not, one really should go and get "Into the ditch". At least once. Summer in the ditch can be really really hot. I have always liked November/December. I turned around 2 days into a 7 day trip the first week of May one year because it was soooo hot. Wake at 3 AM, hike at 5 AM, stop and find shade, or make shade with a tarp, until 5-6 PM. We could not carry enough water for one day. 12 liters total, for 2 of us. A dry camp, Cremation on the Tonto trail, was coming in a few days. So, we turned around, and said "Another day". And we were not even on the bottom, but half way down.
I say that to caution you to learn about desert travel, what water really means in the desert, and the Grand Canyon BEFORE you go.
And, when you understand that better, you can understand this video post as it is. An awesome undertaking.
Ken in NC
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Originally Posted by TiedUp
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