Watch this BEFORE Attempting Grand Canyon Rim to Rim

[@gondwanalon]

Magnificent beard! Good advice. Thanks! My wife and I are both 71. Last week (October 26, 27 and 28, 2022) we hiked from the north rim to the south rim. EZPZ. No problems. Had a great time taking our ever loving sweet time. Noticed that all other hikers seemed like they were rushing to catch a bus. Quite a few joggers in a trance with that 1000 yard stare. Whatever rattles your cage. HA! We stopped a lot to look at the interesting historical geology and take pictures. There are cool fossils all over if you just stop and use your eyes to look.

[@JT_70]

I’m 71 and just got back from my first trip to the GC. We walked only a mile down Bright Angel but it made me want to get in shape and do a R2R. I had dinner with an 80 yr old friend this evening who has done it 8 times and is encouraging me to tackle it but insists that I do it in one day.

[@velomitrovich3425]

Thanks for that. I'm 69 and thinking about doing it next year. We did just a short walk this year in the Canyon; I know what you mean about that 1000 yard stare with the joggers.

[@austinado16]

I put a few suggestions on your R3 video, but I'll post a few here as well: -Wear a shade hat, not a baseball cap. A bb cap does nothing, and allows your face and neck to be in full sun at all times. That's a day ruiner in the GC. If you wear a vented shade hat, you don't have to put sun block on your face. -Wear long sleeve, breathable, vented, shirts, in white, to reflect the sun and keep you cool. Shirts made with drifit fabric, or similar, are ideal. Again, the goal being to keep the sun off your skin. -Get in the creeks! Soak your shirt, hair, and hat. Keeping your core temp low is key to having a good experience in the GC. Take your hat off when in the shade and let your head cool and cool your blood. -Train year round, and ramp up a few months before your trip in the GC. This allows for a solid fitness base that you can build on. -Cross-training makes a huge difference. We run in the GC, so our training is 100% trail running on steep mountain trails, but we also mountain bike those same trails. -Carry a bottle of 5hr energy drink for each person. It can save you. You don't have to drink it all at once. On a R2R, we'll have half at Phantom (14.5mi into the run) and the other half at Indian Garden, 5mi later. -Read the ingredient label on your choice of electrolyte mix, and compare it to other products. Use the product with the highest numbers for potassium, magnesium, and sodium. Supplement it with extra magnesium lysinate. It's also not a bad idea to put a vitamin B complex pill in your drink flask/bladder/bottle, one or more times per day. -Footwear is a huge deal. Hiking boots and hiking shoes will wreck your day, and your feet. Consider minimalist shoes, whether hiking type, or running type, and you want shoes with a large toe box. Every pound of weight taken off your feet is equivalent to 5lbs taken out of a backpack. It's a huge deal in the canyon! Vivo Primus Trails are fantastic. Alta's are fantastic. Merrell Trail or Vapor Gloves are fantastic. New Balance 10v1's (or whatever the current model is numbered) are also fantastic. We run our R2R, and back pack, in Vibram FiveFingers. Once you experience having a free ankle, a wide toe box that allows your toes to splay out like a hand, and your body's "preopreception" to map the ground and immediately adjust your balance before you even know it's happened, you won't hike in boots or other constrictive, supportive, isolative footwear, again. -Adjust your start time to compensate for current weather temps at the bottom, based on your travel speed. Stick to that start time. Don't get hung out on a limb because someone slept in, or forgot something, or had to take 4 more pre-event poops, and wind up missing buses, or not getting on the road on time. Figure this stuff out waaaaay in advance. Gear checks are done the night before, not in the panic of the 3am start time. And if someone needs to take 10 poops before something like this, then they need to own that, and get up an hour earlier so that they don't hang everyone else up. A late start time will absolutely leave you screwed at Phantom, or along the river, or on the Devil's Cork Screw. -Know you mileages. This is no place to be 2 miles down, not know where you actually are, think you're 7mi down because of how slow you're going, and then have the realization set in....."We're only 2mi down the S.Kaibab. There's no water, we're running low, we're really feeling this......and Phantom is 5mi and 4hrs away." Read the available maps, and know your land marks, and the mileage at them.

[@TheIndianaGeoff]

Great advice. I sat on the cooling my clothes in water until mid-afternoon and I wish I had started doing it as soon as the morning heated up. Also keep up on electrolytes and carbs the entire day. Drink before you are thirsty, eat before you are hungry but don't over do it. As long as you don't deplete electrolytes/hydration and don't bonk you can go for a long, long time. If you plan on living off the faucets do take at least one pack of water purification tabs. Then in an extreme case you can make water at the cost of a few grams and crappy taste.

[@ellenrosenberg1146]

Thanks for the update! It was needed! I am a frequent GC backpacker in the late fall and winter. The need for attentive hydration and more e-lytes is the norm for the desert. The park service always recommends carrying a water filter in the canyon. The trans canyon pipeline (Put in nearly 100 years ago) breaks frequently and so the spigots are unreliable. As I watched your R2R2R video, and the muscle cramps, I was suspicious that you got behind on your replenishment. You did a great job on your fast-pack. I take the opposite tact...I hike it over 5-6 days. In the winter the inner canyon is delightful and I enjoy spending a few hours crunching snow on the rims. If you have the time-slow packing the canyon is wonderful!

[@k8drtqrp]

I did the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim. North rim on Friday, camped and then drove around to the South Rim on Saturday and camped. You guys are crazy! Awesome but crazy. Keep up the good work.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

That is awesome!

[@I_Died_2_Weeks_Ago]

😂

[@stevebeschakis9775]

I did the R2R2R this weekend, and my training was sitting in front of screens and occasional weekend hikes. Just be in shape...you'll be fine.

[@phillipp1399]

All solid advice, based on my personal experience not fast packing as these guys were but going at a leisurely pace. Except that cards are usually accepted at the phantom ranch store. I even used my Apple Watch to pay in 12/2020. I live and hike in Colorado where lots of hikes are 3k+ feet up and/or down. That south kaibab descent freaked me out. It was not an extraordinarily difficult hike but how it affected my body and the /very/ different recovery I experienced were new and valuable lessons. Stairs and ramps are very different and these corridor trails are all about the stairs. Stairs with widely varied rise. Trekking poles are life!

[@JoeWilderness]

Did my rim to rim back in October. My group really held me back in terms of timing. I need to go back and do it again on my own to really test myself. We did BA to NK. I enjoyed this route. Love you guys!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

You can do it!

[@rainbowrunner1550]

This is something I've been wanting to do with my older brother for over a year now. Our plan is to merely do a one way R2R but spend the night at one of the campgrounds in the Canyon. The main hurdle we've encountered was getting backcounrty permits. We tried to get it for May and September this year (2022) but had no success. However, I hope we can strike gold for May 2023.

[@gigihenderson8567]

Because of the different foot and leg angulation needed for climbing and descending, I decided on an incline trainer for training when weather is bad. It helps simulate the angle of the trail. It has up to a 40 degree incline, I just wish it had more than a 6 degree decline, but that was the best I could get.

[@mikerobinson9504]

If you consider the topography of the canyon itself, it is necessary that the slope becomes more severe the closer you get to the rim. But, in the actual experience, "it's just a very-tough mile-and-a-half or so." Just knuckle down and do it. "Put one foot ... in front of ... the o-ther ..." It will be over sooner than you think. The rest of the course is actually much more manageable, and interesting.

[@TheIndianaGeoff]

@@mikerobinson9504 agree. The North Rim was closed last year so we didn't get to do a R2R, but we did down and back in one day. The last 2 miles were brutal, but you just push though. The reward was the best bad pizza of our life. And a limp for the next week as the muscles unknotted.

[@JimCamp-v7q]

Tayson: Good comments in your video and I enjoyed watching your fastpacking video too. I've been down to Phantom Ranch maybe twenty times over the past twenty years; and based on my experience, a few additions comments for viewers would be: - Throttle back on South Kaibab - go slower give yourself 30-60 minutes, sit and rest a couple times below the Tipoff; and hopefully cross the bridge with little to no pain. - Avoid overpacking - lugging bulky jackets around for miles after 30 minutes of use; use the canteen for food - bagels, cheese sticks, apples, jerky etc - Better to spend the night down in the canyon rather than on the rim. Check for last minute cancellations at Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground -they really do pop up.. -Jim

[@expatadventureturkey9324]

Really enjoyed your video content on the Vision Quest of the Rim 2 Rim challenge 🤙🏽 and your follow After Action Review of the trek, well done…

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Appreciate it!

[@marklandgraf7288]

Your videos are the absolute best marketing you could ever show the world regarding your products! The reason is very simply that you are a Legit hiker. I will buy and use your products for sure!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Wow, thank you!

[@ohkeydokeythen]

Its really nice to see a video that just right into it without a stupid intro saying "lets get into it" after what feels like 20 min of pointless talking.

[@rickwasmer89]

October 19th I completed my first rim2rim, Sout to North, at 66 years old. I did all my training in Ohio, mostly flat training, but I did work in some long hikes with hills. The last 5 miles were very tough bit I'm glad I did it!

[@NealAmmerman]

You are so right about elevation . I live in VA at about 800’ so the 5,000-8,000’ on the trails made a huge difference.

[@overwatchxrescue]

Definitely some great tips! Did the South Kaibab/along the river/up the Bright Angel, and that was pretty intense in and of itself. Another tip I'd add is to make use of the buses at the top if necessary and be aware of when you can last catch them at the end of the day.

[@dagnolia6004]

this was so thoughtful and generous of you to post

[@williamdamron4606]

Your beard is epic!! Great advice for all aspects of hiking this bad boy! Thank you for a great informative video.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Glad it was helpful!

[@markcrowell2727]

Good thoughts! all of those steps/logs on the SK were a KILLER going downhill. I much preferred camping overnight and enjoying the hike more, but I do want to do a R2R someday. I think I'll prefer to try to go from NR to BA/SR. I'm at a huge disadvantage living in FL - no elevation!!!

[@KarlRKaiser]

I climbed partway up Mt. Mitchell in the Smoky Mtns. park with no prior training, covering about 1800 up in two hours and then coming down in 90 minutes. Going down was hard on the thighs and ankles. If you descend slowly it wears on your thighs but if you go faster it batters your feet. When I got to the bottom, I felt like someone had beaten my feet with a hammer and my big toes were bruised. (I'm 63 years old, btw)

[@Etherealemi]

All super great advice. Didn’t do R2R, though it’s definitely a bucket list item. But even just sticking to Bright Angel, going back up with sciatica was a pain I’ve never experienced before. I come from mostly flatland, so really do not underestimate what hours of climbing uphill will do to you. And being “young” doesn’t matter either, because I am too haha.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Have fun!

[@24AheadDotCom]

I've never done R2R but I've hiked in hot weather a lot. A key thing to keep in mind is to cover your skin. Use a sun hoodie, long pants, sun gloves, and a hat. That has the beneficial side effect of minimizing how much sunscreen you need to use.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Good tip!

[@EthanFarang]

Since I was a child I dreamed of doing the Grand Canyon, I was always discourage from a lot of different physical things because I was nerdy and frail, now after being homeless for awhile I’ve made it a habit to try to walk 20 miles every day, averaging out at 15 to 17 miles. This goal in itself only started when I realize that I average daily about 12 miles without conscious effort towards a number, so it was just about making sure that I kept track of how much distance I covered before stopping to panhandle.

[@mikeydoggy]

Did this in May 2021. Took me 15 hrs. Very hard, and I consider myself extremely fit. I am 65.

[@collin6270]

15 hours for rim to rim? It has nothing to do with being hard, you’re just not as fit as you think.

[@EthanFarang]

I am currently a malnourished and homeless 25-year-old, I’m hoping to do this as soon as possible. The only thing that held me back in my life was the same thing that led me to homeless, doubt in myself and too much listening to the people who said that nothing can be done but that you can numb the disappointment. I would say your age is a mark of true strength, even if the others in society who don’t want to know how to maintain their bodies try to say that age means something bad.

[@lopezexplora]

Thank you for all the info

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Any time!

[@journeyman7189]

Great tips Tayson. Definitely lemonade for the win. Nate

[@rheenan300]

Great advice!!!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Glad you think so!

[@kkheinrich9224]

Loved the RRR video. Thanks for this tip one!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@mikerobinson9504]

Please let me simply say this: "TIME is your Friend." Try your very best to secure a permit-schedule which allows you to stop overnight at each point. North Rim, Cottonwood, Bright Angel, Indian Gardens. There is SO much to see at every stage. And, since you have already made so much sacrifice even to be here in the first place, don't be deprived of any of it by "being in a hurry." For many years, my wife and I have made it a practice to be at "Phantom" Ranch on Halloween weekend, whether we arrived there on an R2R or a simple one-day descent on the SK, to be followed by a leisurely(!) two-day hike up BA. (Yes, we know all the ghost stories by heart.) My point is very simply this: "Having come there, BE there." If your schedule is such that you can't stop to gaze at the amazing scenery for an hour or more without "running off schedule," then there is definitely something very wrong with your schedule. "Sunset at Plateau Point," for instance, is an experience NOT to be missed. (Heartily agree with Ellen's comments below about "electrolytes." Gookinaid makes ALL the difference in a desert hike. And, "fast pack" or know, I also entirely agree with her schedule. Although we do it a little earlier in the year - before any snow.)

[@millaninvestments4559]

This is a valuable point and I think sometimes missed by day hikers. I repeated the Rim to River hike in Nov 2023, 31 years after my first time. The first time took 12 hours. Second time, 14. I was surprised that we took longer because I came much more physically and mentally prepared. Our stop time was about 3-4 hours overall! on this second hike, two friends joined me, who have never hiked GC. We simply kept stopping to enjoy the views, take photos, waited 20minutes watching the mule train pass us and work on trail restoration, lunched at the river, rested again at Phantom, waded at Garden Creek, chatted with the ranger at Havasupai. We watched the sun set from inside the canyon. At the 1.5 mile rest area, we enjoyed the night sky with stars and found a group of 5 (younger than us) who misread/misinterpreted the trail distances using cellphone flashlights and had run out of gas and one injured her knee. So in the dark, we hiked up BA helping this group. While I would have loved to finish earlier so I can say I wasn’t that slow and also to better see the trail, it’s really ok to slow hike and enjoy the canyon at all hours. At one point, I stopped the group by a tall canyon wall to make shadow puppets, turn off all lights to stargaze.

[@184765637]

Confirming some of the other commenters: cards *are* usually accepted at the phantom ranch store (canteen). I was last there in May 2022.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Good to know!

[@ebchacon]

How did you train your epic beard for the hike? I did rim-2-rim 2 years ago, and keeping salt and sugar in your system is essential. I wan out of salt and my body started cramping, but the rangers helped me out. I'm going back this September. Great video!

[@st945k6]

Did rim to river and back in May, next day after completing hike to Angel's landing in Utah. I think this hike is a test of personal fitness level. No special training needed and I live in Florida. Worst part of the hike was a smell of mule's poop on the way back.

[@bdmenne]

I drank straight from the Colorado. It was beautiful and tasty!

[@gustavorestepov.1209]

Hi Tayson! I am Gustavo from Costa Rica. I have a question.... I want to do rim to rim trail on grand canyon from South to north, camping 1 night on north camping and then return to South rim, Do I need a permit to do Rim to Rim. Or only the general entrance? I have a reservation in North Rim to camping I appreciate your comments and guide Thank you.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

You will need a backcountry permit if you plan to hike in the canyon. www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/backcountry-permit.htm

[@WallhacksYT]

man i would love to do this but I'm only a rookie hiker, the only hill near me to hike is only 635' lol its going to take a full year of the stairmaster with a weight vest if i want to even consider something of this magnitude. Are you able to split it up into a 2 day hike?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Yes, you can do this over mutable days.

[@WallhacksYT]

@@TaysonWhittaker thanks for the reply 🙏🏼

[@lewismartinez5130]

Stairmaster doesn't cut it 'cause it only goes up. You need to practice going down too. You'd be better off going up and down your 600 foot mountain multiple times in a day. And/or find real stairs to go up and down.

[@bryansmith2824]

Whats harder? R2R or half dome?

[@enkheenatsag513]

I am so exiting to hiking

[@jhagen4850]

Pretty good video. I've done South Kaibab - North Kaibab - South Kaibab rim to rim to rim in one day. Plan for 14 to 18 hours if it's your first time. Here are some tips I would add: Best way to get ready for this is to run the entire route to know the terrain before you try it all at once. I did North rim down to the river and back (30 miles) and South rim to ribbon falls (approx 25 miles) and back. If you do the true rim to rim to rim on all Kaibab know that there is NO WATER on South Kaibab - so 7.6 miles from river to rim. I would not run with poles. This is a well-traveled trail and you are going to want to run as much as you can and poles are really going to slow you down. Electrolytes are critical I bought one can of gatorade mix and it wasn't enough. I'd say empty two into ziplock bags and carry that. That's the only thing you'll want in reserve - those electrolytes are critical. Don't take much food. Force yourself to eat a little, but you won't be hungry, especially if you're doing it in summer when temperatures are up. ALWAYS BE DRINKING. Skip the poles and carry one water bottle in your hand and constantly sip. I used 2 x 21 oz cycling water bottles and filled one with electrolytes and one with water at all stops. The guys that do this in like 10 hours carry one water bottle, but they're more efficient. Carry a chest of ice with Gatorade in your car for when you finish. I found that stores in the village close early and I couldn't get a cold drink until I drove back to Flagstaff...not fun following a 16 hour hike. I see lots of people with lights, which is good to have for safety but I ran down (5AM) and climbed up (arriving 10PM) in the dark. Moonlight provides sufficient light. I found your night vision becomes very good if you skip the light. Make sure you have a dry t-shirt for North rim because it's cold even in summer. Finally, watch out for snakes in the box. I had an afternoon shower while I was in the wider part of the box in the tall grass and ran into 3, nearly getting bit by one. And if you see them, please help the next guy by sending them to snake Valhalla.

[@gridirontrenches5010]

I have a pretty good place to train for right by me, palo duro canyon

[@adamreynoso6513]

No way did you say downhill is more physically straining then uphill

[@genuinsanity]

Paved , flat city walking and uneven " bush" terrain completely different animals !

[@justinpolley2490]

Anyone here ever gone down in January

[@ddolde]

You might trip over your beard and fall to your death

[@dsmith9572]

It doesn't sound like you had any fun, or even got a good look at the place.

[@wolvemaster1013]

What is rim to rim to rim? Excuse my ignorance. I understand rim to rim.

[@JT_70]

A round trip, returning back to your starting point. North rim to south rim and back to north rim, for example. For a bigger challenge some start on S Kaibab, hike to the North Rim, then return on Bright Angel to the South Rim. There is no water or shade on S Kaibab.

[@TRUUTAH60559]

Just watch Dan beckers failed attempt and do opposite of what he and other guy do and you’re fine

[@jokomo2833]

Long story short…. Have extreme hiking conditions

[@nickyl9040]

Why ? The Canyon has been there for 6 million years and some people think that they've accomplished something by rushing through it.

[@dlrunner]

So says the loser.

[@olathaetana1561]

Plz leave us alone leave us alone thank you

[@olathaetana1561]

Leave are lands alone thank you

[@optimisticallycynical.814]

Yeah , I live in Indiana and I have been to the river twice it's fucking brutal.