So, last Sept at the age of 71, I completed the R2R, NK to BA, SOLO, in 14hrs. I have been training in N Utah all summer and in two weeks am going back to complete the SK to NK, again SOLO. I saw how you advised people not to do this hike solo, but I have been hiking solo for decades. It's hard to know how to advise people on how to prepare for this hike, but one thing is certain: w/o training for this hike you are courting disaster. The relentless sun, heat and altitude are formidable tasks to overcome w/o adding the rigors of the trail itself. I think I should also add that I may be a freak with regard to my ability to take on this type of exercise and I do not use that term unkindly. As I prepare for this hike, I cannot say I am confident in my ultimate success in completing this hike, you never know what the canyon or fate will put in your path. I can say, however, that I am confident I have trained very hard all summer on distance and steepness hikes. Onward and Upward!

Speaking as someone who has hiked the corridor trails more than twenty times now (and counting ...), I can simply say two things: (1) Pick the right time of year; and (2) Take your time. Our most common R2R itinerary includes a stop at every campground: North Rim, Cottonwood, Bright Angel, Indian Gardens. There's something amazing(!) to see at every stop, and it's still amazing no matter how many times you've seen it. Now that you've made all this effort to get here, "make it count." Relax. Enjoy. If you'd just made a "bucket list" trip to visit The Lourve museum in France, you certainly would not run through it . . . Cottonwood = Ribbon Falls and Roaring Springs. Bright Angel = the steep trail to the north Tonto. Indian Gardens = sunset at Plateau Point. (Bring your flashlight.) For many years we've done a South Rim loop (down SK, up BA, overnight, Rim) to be at "Phantom" Ranch for Halloween. Yeah, we've memorized all the ghost stories ... and it's a really great time of year to do it. Highly recommended. (Also early spring - watch for ice, use crampons if needed.) (For weather-profile purposes: "South Rim = Flagstaff; Bottom = Phoenix; North Rim = Jacob Lake." Plan accordingly and plan carefully. After all, your purpose is to ENJOY this trip.) One year, we did a midsummer hike back up the SK by full-moon light, accompanied more-or-less by a ranger who was taking the same route, after having spent the entire day relaxing in the creek before chowing down on dinner. That was quite the experience, although it should not be your FIRST experience. We knew exactly what we were doing. Maybe the very best part of this experience is "mealtime at Phantom Ranch." Steak or stew, it never tasted so good. But, after dinner, the real moment is when you and many other intrepid souls from around the world remind yourself how good "box wine" and canned beer tastes like - as you share together what less than 5% of all of the visitors to Grand Canyon will ever experience even once. Then you head back to your tent and look up at more stars than you ever knew existed ... "Priceless."

Nice job Mike! Looking forward to seeing the other 2 installments. I'm one of those solo R2R and R2River runners. I'm 59 in 2 months, train year round, and run there twice a year. I'll be doing another R2River this weekend. We have some vids posted to the channel, but started backpacking there in 2007. Started running R2R in 2015 with my then 15yr old daughter, to celebrate a year for me, after walking out of the chemo lab for the last time, and both of our birthdays, which are 1 day apart, mid-Aug. Love it there. Extremely dangerous place, I/we typically have at least one save (rescuing a hiker, or hikers) time we are in the canyon. Blows my mind the "condition" of people who somehow think it's a good idea to be down in the canyon, and then get themselves down in. Your story of the large group that fractured, split again, and had some people literally stranded in the canyon for 29hrs just blows my mind, and that the same time I think, "Oh, well of course that happened." I see it literally every time I'm there.

I did South Kaibab to Bright Angel in one day, and it was as difficult as you have stated. Number one thing to keep in mind are your levels! Salt & Sugar, I sweat a lot, and I ran out of salt tablets, and began to cramp pretty badly as I was going up Bright Angel. Rangers came to the rescue and fellow hikers, I was given ramen noodle soup by the ranger and salt tablets by some hikers, and that helped me finish. Total 13 hours, at the time of the hike I was 46 years old.

spectacular video and so much good info... Roxana and i do all kinds of uphill hiking mtns desert hot weather/ rim 2 rim would be incredibly difficult, probably wouldnt make it. We enjoyed going about 2000ft down and back up when it was hot and that was plenty. Amazing you made it, tough training schedule!! we hike up the hill here about 1000 feet up a bunch of stairway paths 5 miles rd trip, Every week that we are in town so that we stay in shape for those couple of big mtn hikes a year that are nothing compared to the r2r... you're not kidding about how much training you need // so glad you take all of this so seriously and send out these important messages about safety, group size / everything.. just awesome.

I'm going South to North with an overnight at Cottonwood, in 12 days. I think I have watched every R2R video on KZfaq and this one is among the best.

AWESOME video!! I'm from Alabama I like it here but MAN YOU ARE SOOO BLESSED to like there the scenery is UNBELIEVABLE.

Excellent

Just found your page. Great advise and I loved your statement about parks that they are not amuzement parks. I agree training is a must and I use our elliptical and outdoor hikes/walks. Only thing for living in Ohio is the lack of huge elevation changes. I live close to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and there are good elevation changes but nothing compared to out there however it's better than nothing. Look forward to checking out more videos.

Fantastic !!! :-)

Awesome vid

Well done. Great information & video. I did it this year in the heat of the summer ( end of July - max temp of 120°F on my calibrated thermometer on my back on our way out/up) - not recommended. And almost stepped on a Rattle Snake. I took double the electrolytes I thought we would use and used it all.

This was a fantastic overview! I plan to hike rim to rim with a friend in early November and this information, especially the training section, was extremely helpful!

Do you have any backpacking Grand Canyon videos? Helpful tips? One day is not an option for me and want to enjoy the canyon. Thank you for your other videos. They are wonderful! 🥾

Doing this hike in a couple weeks. Have only watched your 1st installment was amazing. Loved that you showed so much of the trail AND the bathrooms. Lol.

I'm definitely interested in the whole series. Doing my first crossing the last week of September 2022 (NK - BA). I'll be 60 and will be hiking with my oldest (35), his GF, and another couple around 30. Have already started getting miles on my legs, have trips planned at elevation to get some altitude training in, and am finding what foods/drinks I can tolerate while on the move. So far, love the visuals and the information.

Unbelievably crisp footage and production. Initially I watched because I’m getting ready to do my 2nd R2R in two weeks and I binge all things Grand Canyon. But after watching, I’m curious what camera you’re using and video editing tool you use..? Thank you for sharing!

9:50 If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to got far, got with many... African Proverb

I have to admit - I have respect for someone that can make a rim-to-rim trip. Sounds like good advice. I'm a mule type canyon explorer at best and I have nothing to prove. Thank you for reminding people that a NP isn't a theme park. I've done the North Rim and have no urge to visit the South Rim. Just a Q: is there cell service in the canyon? How do you signal an emergency?

Excellent comments about preparation and warnings. I was a little disappointed in your emphasis on a single rim to rim day hike. I would NEVER attempt that. (A man's got to know his limitations.) I did rim to rim in 4 days camping at Cottonwood, Bright Angel, and Havasupai Gardens. Side hike to the Plateau Point is a must. But this is the most popular itinerary, permits are required, and damn are they hard to get. As you said, "Do your research before you go."

My mom and I are planning to hike rim to rim, and we’re super excited. I have two questions that anyone can reply to if they’ve hiked this trail before. When is the best time to hike, and how much water should you pack for this?

How would you compare the difficulty of this trail to the half dome hike?

You’re right, this wasn’t the first video on hiking rim to rim, but it was the first to point out the risks involved. I’m not in any kind of shape to make this hike. I didn’t realize there were so many rescues and calls. I’m going in August, but I’ll wait till next time to attempt a rim to rim hike.

Do you have to do it in one day?

😕 𝐩𝓻Ỗ𝓂Ø𝓈Ｍ

People are crazy stupid. You can sprain a knee or trip going down the canyon. I brought more than 2 gallons of water halfway down in March and I thought I was gonna die. I don't think anyone should attempt this even if fit. Rest is vitally important. Climbing back up is twice as long. It's a shame most people who attempt this will not see these videos.

Way too much talking-down to the viewer in this video. Guy acts like he is the "expert" when really is he just another hiker (out of thousands) that do this hike every month. In the end this is simply a strenuous hike-- it is not technical canyoneering route with no climbing or rappelling involved-- it's just hiking! You aren't going to die here-- but he tries to make it sound like you are climbing Everest or something... Too preachy. Too didactic. No thanks-- I'll pass on watching future videos from this guy. I came away super annoyed after watching this (although the video footage was amazing-- I will give him that-- if he could just stop talking...)