Backpacking Grand Canyon - Mon, Mar 9 2009

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page. This is a paid event with payment managed through the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for details; you will be given payment instructions after you sign up. Late payments are NOT accepted for this event, in any circumstance.



Backpacking Grand Canyon


The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Grand Canyon National Park
Date(s) & Time:Mon, Mar 9 2009  7:00 pm >> N/A
Registration Opens: Tue, Dec 30 2008 9:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Jan 9 2009 9:00 pm
Event Duration:Per Itinerary
Difficulty Rating:D6: Advanced
Trip Leader(s):
Bob Bunner
Michelle Spence
Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
Member Cost:$40.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:6
Minimum Group Size:6
Number Registered So Far: 6 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
***YOU WILL NEED TO BE IN GREAT CONDITION TO HIKE BELOW THE GRAND CANYON RIM. CONTACT ONE OF THE TRIP LEADERS IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.***


The Grand Canyon is truly one of the Seven Wonders of the World. You don’t need to be a geologist to appreciate the magnificent layers of rocks that we have been exposed by the source of the Grand Canyon, the Colorado River.

Below is our itinerary:
3/10/09-Meet at Phoenix Airport to drive to Mathers Campground
3/11/09-Hike to Bright Angel Campground
3/12/09-Day hikes around Bright Angel Campground
3/13/09-Hike to Indian Garden Campground
3/14/09-Hike out. Stay at La Quinta Inn near the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport North
3/15/09-Fly back home

Please make sure to arrive into the Phoenix Airport on 3/10 and meet at the rental car office (specified location will be determined later) by noon. We will all meet there and rent a van to drive about 5 hrs to the campground near the Grand Canyon. We will stay at Mathers campground near the start of the trail on Tuesday, March 10th night. You will cover your portion of the costs for a rental van to and from the airport. You will also pay for your last night's hotel portion, two to a room at La Quinta Inn near the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport North. Rountrip ticket should be around $250-300. Some are not getting their ticket until mid-January. Hotel location for the last night (3/14) is being discussed, will most likely be near the Phoenix airport.

We will explore Canyon from the South Rim, where we will hike down the steeper and more direct South Kaibab trail and return on the Bright Angel Trail. The South Kaibab trail descends 4,740 feet over about 6.0 miles to the Colorado River. There are continuous views into the Canyon as we make our descent. You will become familiar with broad semi-circular rock faces known as “amphitheaters” and pinnacle rock formations known as “temples.” We will pass many day hike overlooks that have been named “Ohh-Ahh” Point, Cedar Ridge, Skeleton Point, and Panorama Point. There is no water source between the South Rim and the Colorado River, so be prepared to carry your own water. As we snake our way down the trail, we will eventually view the emerald green Colorado River. After passing through a tunnel, and then over a foot bridge across the river (yes, you may stop and take pictures), we will hike about .8 mile to our campsite located in the Bright Angel Campground. This will be our home for the next two nights. The Campground is adjacent to the signature lodging located at the bottom of the Canyon, known as Phantom Ranch. Here, although we are primitive camping, you will find plenty of water and flush toilets (yeah!). In the afternoon and the evenings at Phantom Ranch, the cantina opens up to the public and you can enjoy a cool and refreshing lemonade or quench your thirst with a Tecate. While you’re at the campground, feel free to splash around in Bright Angel Creek, which runs through the campground. Look for rafters as most of the outfitters put in here for a few hours while their patrons enjoy the amenities at Phantom Ranch. If you want to do some hiking, you can explore the Bright Angel trail up to the North Rim. Or try the Clear Creek Trail, which meanders about 500 feet above the Colorado River and ends at the base of the Ottoman Amphitheatre. On our third day, we will hike up the Bright Angel Trail about 4.7 miles and gain about 1,400 feet in elevation to our next campsite at Indian Garden. Again, very civilized primitive camping with restrooms and water available. On our final evening, we will hike out onto Plateau Point, about 1.5 miles from our campsite, for an extraordinary view of the Colorado River at sunset. On our final day, it’s 4.6 miles and 3,000 feet in elevation gain to the South Rim.

Things To Know:
- Travel as light as possible. The heaviest items in your pack should be food and water.
- Use hiking sticks to take stress off your legs.
- Wear well-fitting and broken-in hiking boots.
- Bring a small lightweight flashlight or headlamp with new batteries. Bring spare batteries, just in case.
- Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
- Bring water purification tablets, just in case.
- Eat and drink more than you normally do. Eat before, during, and after your hike. Eat before you are hungry. Drink before you are thirsty. No matter what the temperature, you need water and energy to keep going. For every hour hiking in the canyon, you should drink ½ to 1 quart (liter) of water or sports drink.
Keeping yourself cool and hiking the canyon takes a large amount of energy (food). Salty snacks and water or sports drinks should be consumed on any hike lasting longer than 30 minutes.
- Fires are prohibited throughout the backcountry.
- Your best defense against illness and exhaustion is to eat a healthy breakfast, a full lunch, a snack every time you take a drink, and a rewarding full dinner at the end of the day. This is not a time to diet.
Keep in mind that all trash (including biodegradable) needs to be carried out of the canyon.
- When you make camp, or any time you leave your pack unattended, be sure to hang your food and trash in nylon stuff sacks or place in food storage containers when provided. There are many small animals that will damage your pack and eat your supplies if not secured properly. Do not feed wildlife! Improper food storage and feeding harms wildlife.
- The canyon is home to a variety of snakes and scorpions, some of which are poisonous. A good rule to follow is to always be aware of where you place your hands and feet.
- Scorpions are common in the canyon and stings occur with regularity. While scorpion stings are painful, they rarely cause serious health problems. Scorpions are small and their tan color makes them difficult to see. Avoid stings by shaking out your boots and clothing before dressing, wear shoes (even in camp), and shake out your bedding before climbing into it.

Food and Water:
- It is recommended to carry and drink about a gallon (4 liters) of water per day. We will specify as to how much once the total mileage per day is posted.
- Eating adequate amounts of food will help you replace the electrolytes (salts) that you are sweating.
- Bring plenty of food. Carry high-energy, salty snacks as well as meals. The hike out is much easier when you provide your body with enough calories to support the extreme physical activity you are engaged in.

Training:
- Everyone should be training for a few months before the trip date.
- Some good training tips (from the Grand Canyon Park Rangers) are to start doing hikes or go up and down bleachers with full backpacks on.

Sunrise 6:44a.m. Sunset 6:32p.m.

A pre-trip meeting will be mandatory. It will be at 6:00 pm on Jan. 13th at the location of the next AOC social.


Required Items to Bring:
*Hikers need to be prepared. Always carry a method to treat water when traveling below the rim.*
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

How to Get There:
Event Directions:Fly into Phoenix Airport.

Notes:
No dogs.
Important information for paid events in which payment is managed through the AOC:

     - Payment must be received by the payment due date and prior to participation in the event.

     - Some paid events require a minimum number of registered participants. If that number is not met, the event will be canceled and refunds will be issued to those who have already paid.

     - Third-party vendors often require damage deposits. Each registrant agrees to be liable for and required to reimburse the Atlanta Outdoor Club for any withheld deposits due to the actions of or damages caused by that registrant.

     - No partial payments. All registrants must pay the posted Member Cost regardless of any agreement you may have with any party involved in the event.

     - Read the event description carefully for additional information, and contact the trip leader(s) with any questions.

* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost & Payment:
Member Cost:$40.00/Person
Non-Member Cost:$40.00/Person
Cost Includes:Backcountry permit and 1st night's (3/10) campground fees. Full payment due at time of registration. No refunds unless replaced. Please make sure to put a note indicating the name of the trip when paying via PayPal or sending a check.
Payment Cut Off:Payment must be received by the AOC on Fri, Jan 9 2009.
Make a Payment:Click here for the details. PLEASE PAY AFTER YOU HAVE SIGNED UP BELOW.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note: Full payment due at time of registration. No refunds unless replaced.