Hiking 07 Jul 2006 08:10 am
A Hiking Trip In The Dry, Unforgiving Desert Of The Grand Canyon
If you are an avid hiker and are growing tired of the mountain trails that you usually frequent and are in the mood to be adventerous; try something else out, like the desert. The Grand Canyon of Arizona makes for a pleasent venue and is a change up from your usual routine with it’s spectacular views of the canyon in its desert background. Definitely something to try at least once, and who knows, you might even have a passion for desert hiking; but be warned that if you are considering a hiking trip up to ye old Grand Canyon, you will need to prepared for it as the desert can be a folly for someone who is not ready to meet it’s many arduous but rewarding challenges.
Unlike mountain trails, trails within the Grand Canyon are steeper. They hills can steeply rise and sharply fall much faster then typical mountain trails you might be used to frequenting. The average speed that a hiker must expect is at about one mile per hour. Most trails within the Grand Canyon take at least 8 hours round trip to complete. Plan accordingly and keep this in mind so that you won’t be stuck out in the desert all night long.
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One of the things to expect during a Grand Canyon hiking trip is the sometimes unforgiveable weather that the desert terrain brings forth unwillingly on hikers. During the summer, rains could be heavy, and nights could be extremely cold (another reason why you don’t necessarily want to be stuck out in the desert at night). During the daytime, the heat definitely will take a toll on any hiker and sap their enery, no matter what level of experience or endurance that hiker might bring with them. So if you are considering this adventure, be prepared for any type of weather. The night can be as bitterly cold as the heat can be overbearing during the long, sunny days.
One of the most obvious things you are taught when hiking anywhere. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and each nutrious food to stay nourished! This is especially important on your Grand Canyon hiking trip. Experts suggest you drink at least one gallon of water a day to balance out the water being lost in sweat and urination, and up to two quarts when hiking up hill in direct sunlight. Make sure you have multiple canteens and to keep them full until you set out on your desert hike. You should not wait until you are thirsty to drink water and fluid (gatorade), as it is important to prevent yourself from becoming dehydrated. Along with drinking water, you need to make sure that you replace lost electrolytes with food, to keep your body fueled properly.
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One of the more important factors to bare in mind before going on your Grand Canyon hiking expedition is that you need to let your friends, relatives and family know where exactly you are going and when you are expecting to be back. This is needed for any hiking excursion, but in the event that something happens to you and you don’t return in a timely manner, rescue crews and rangers will know where to start looking for you. Avoid hiking the Grand Canyon alone, especially if it’s your first time there. A compass will help you out as well as a GPS - just bare in mind a compass doesn’t have batteries that need replacing, so it’s good to play it safe and bring one along even if you have a GPS.
The Grand Canyon is one of the more breathetakingly beautiful places in the United States of America If you are an outdoors lover, then planning a trip to the Canyon is definitely something you should do at some point in your lifetime. But along with the canyon’s mystique, comes an equal amount of dangers. The best way to keep yourself safe is to take care of yourself health wise while on your hike, be conscious of any shifting weather patterns, and let people know approximately where you will be.