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