On Saturday May 19 I hiked the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim in a day. I’m 70 years old so it’s quite an accomplishment. In this post I’m going to try and figure why I like endurance hiking and at the same time share some of the great photos I (and Heidi) took on the hike.This isn’t the first time I have been on endurance hikes. In the 1980’s we used to hike the Glacier Point Trail in Yosemite, ten years ago we hiked the Hadrian’s Wall Trail in the UK and in the last five years I’ve hiked Mt Whitney twice and tried Mt Hood once.
Part of the reason is the scenery.
There is also a sense of camaraderie that happens on a long hike. On this hike it included not just camaraderie with my excellent hiking companions (Lillian, Rebecca and Heidi) but also the other thousand or so people who set off that morning to hike Rim to Rim.
Endurance hiking gives me a chance to do things with my adult children. I tried to get them interested in Scuba Diving but in both cases it didn’t take. Hiking is something we can do together.
To be honest part of the reason is the feeling of superiority to the people who can’t get more than a mile from their cars. This is Phantom Ranch about ten miles from the nearest car.
I also like the training and preparation for the hike. It gives me purpose and focus for at least a few months. A neighbor in my building has done the hike a few times and he sent me his beautifully written article on preparing. I hiked almost all of the trails in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. I saw enough sunrises to make my own slide show. Medium term goals work for me as a way to fight off ennui. Thanks to Neal, Mark, Steve, Mike, Bob, Larry, Peter and others who indulged my need to go on long hikes in stupid hot weather.
There is a point when you are physically exerting yourself when you cross over. Runners call it hitting the wall. For me it is like being mildly drunk or stoned. You see things differently, you laugh more, you feel one with the world, even your complaints feel like they are universal. I saw a rock shaped like a cello.
And there is the sense of accomplishment that you have done the near impossible. And in my case recorded it. Special thanks to Nurit for not complaining (too much) about the early starts, all the times I was out of range and for being the logistical support for the actual Rim to Rim hike.
Life is Good. What’s Next?
Great job, Simon!
Loved it… am jealous…
You are one courageous guy and becoming my new best friend.. I have hiked to Phantom Ranch twice (at age 50 and again at 67- only to eat their wonderful hot dinner– take a shower, sleep in their comfortable beds and eat their delicious hot breakfast before setting out for the rim at day break– and I thought that was hard– You, my friend may be borderline nuts
Great reflections, Simon, and great accomplishment. I was thinking about my own love for hiking just yesterday while traversing trails at Lake Louis, Canada. I first visited and hiked here when I was 14 years old, and it was an experience that set me on a life course that’s included many miles and memories in the outdoors. Nature, tranquility, exploration, discovery, camaraderie, exercise, time to think, accomplishment — these are all good things in my book. Glad we were able to share the experiences while you trained, and looking forward to more. Plus, I’ll be scuba diving in a few days, an underwater “hiking” activity I have you to thank for. Thanks for your great influences!
You sent me a post crossing post card of a hummingbird. I loved it but Simon you must make postcards of the beautiful scenery from your hikes! You are only 4 years older than I but I could not hike for that distance nor do it in a day. Kudos to you and all who assist!
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