This was my first hike in The Grand Canyon! A rim2rim SK-NK!! Listening to you here I felt like I was THERE all over again. I literally relived my journey listening to you!!! Just a perfect description of this rim2rim! Thank you so much for doing this!!!!❤❤

What are the heavy heavy pole tips that coach Arnie mentions? Black Diamond Tech Tips Carbide for Walking Poles?

I like the side stepping idea! I'm going to give it a try.

Another list of things not to do in GC. Starting SK at 8:15AM on the long days of late June is something nobody should try. What does heavy sweating mean? The after effects of last night's alcohol? At least it means he is rapidly dehydrating. As soon as Uncle Scott says he can't go back, he must go back. Down is hotter, up is cooler. Every stumble is a warning that the situation can only get worse. One must watch full length videos of SK descents until the terrain holds no surprises. Going down without knowing what's ahead is hoping for a miracle.

The teaser title "fit and prepared" led me to expect something unexpected could surprise even the most experienced fit hiker, but the reality was "not fit and not prepared"! How could a downhill start lead to falling behind the generous timing? Time to call it off and climb back, grab some ice cream and enjoy the view! NB The Ranger's request to seek shade was a polite way to say "Stay back, we're handling a death, you may be traumatized" How could '"finding water" near a running stream be a problem? The drama of not having water was a little overdone. I've found myself choosing to drink from a spring rather than have heat stroke. The reasoning was, "I may be sick tomorrow but I'll be safe and alive tomorrow" PS Great work, I'll be checking more of your tales.

Hey man, are you from around there?

Excellent podcast! Such a smart approach to training, crossing, hydration and nutrition, as well as mental. I learned a few things from it. Now, I must return to the Canyon and put them to practice😊👍

Terrific video and thank you! I've done North to South using BA and there were a few sections that I was uncomfortable but passed due to fear of expanses. Can you comment on the drops compared to BA for those of us with unrational fears?

Dang! What a journey through the Canyon, testing the heat and body performance and tolerance, for us all, to learn from. Thank you Brian. Great episode.

Such a dramatic and very sad story, but with much to learn from for anyone, young or old. It touched my heart and every sense in my body.

Man, I thought it was bad we got cancelled too for Phantom Ranch having come all the way from Texas, but to come all the way from England and get cancelled, that sucks! And the heat? OMG we almost froze solid on the N. Kaibab!! We need thermals when we come next year, anything under 50 is too cold for us. We didn't even make it to Supai the first morning because we were shivering and instead decided to hike in the afternoon in the sun, and it was much more pleasant. Y'all need to come to Texas, we will acclimate you to the heat :P

Hearing the hummingbirds at Jacob's Lake was cool during the interview!

They could take the Lakeshore Limited to Chicago. It arrives in late morning. Then jump on the Southwest Chief towards LA. It stops in the evening in Flagstaff, just an hour and a half or less from the Grand Canyon south rim. Perhaps they could rent a car there?

Brian: Thanks for providing this podcast - it is a great service; and a special thanks to Jessica and Greg for telling their story on this harrowing day. You read the short news articles and you wonder what happened and how bad it got. With 20 or so Phantom Ranch hikes under my belt, including a couple of 115 summertime slogs, I agree that things can spiral out of control rather fast and then the self doubt starts. Spending 8 hours on South Kaibab mid-day like they did is extremely dangerous - the rangers are correct that it could have been so much worse. For every tragedy, there are many close calls in the canyon on a regular basis. - Jim

What time of year were you there and do you remember what time you started? Planning to go early October and getting an early start...

The logistics of not having to figure out shuttles and cars and stuff makes this more appealing than Rim to Rim

Very sad for sure! I remember that part of the Book very well. Interested how that tied into Dr Myers writing the book. To bad the great uncle was so unaware I am sure a chance was missed to save his life.

This one had me in tears! How terrible. You know, I learned an interesting thing the other day that I did not know that could be applicable to people hiking in the heat. We've done keto for a long time because I have blood sugar issues (hypoglycemia) and I got into doing carnivore last year after my husband started it a couple years ago now for other health reasons. Long story short - we live in south Texas, and I noticed that I was tolerating the heat a lot better and not consuming as much water when walking in 90+ degree weather here. I walked four miles in 95-degree weather the other day and only consumed half a liter of water and felt perfectly fine during and after my walk. I didn't know why this was, I wasn't trying to drink less, I was just drinking when thirsty. So anyhoo, the other day I think I learned why this is - glucose binds water. Say you're consuming all these carbohydrates on a hike, all those gels and skittles and candy, and for every gram of glycogen you have in your blood stream, 3-4 grams of water are bound up, so you're consuming water but you can't use it, the glycogen is binding to some of it. Now this is wild - like I said I didn't know this, but when you get into burning fat because you have exhausted your glycogen stores (like on keto nearly all the time or if you were exercising a lot and fasting), when fat is metabolized, I read that it makes water and carbon dioxide. So, if you are keto or carnivore or fasting, you are making water out of burning your stored or consumed fat! Isn't that wild! Maybe lay off the carbs in the Canyon? An idea anyhow. We're about to see how it works for us, n=2! 😁 We leave in two days for our trip west and will be hiking next week! Thank you for your podcast, it's been a very big help.

Very sad. Sometimes a party has to split up to get help but this does seem like what happened.

Interesting podcast and I'm sure he has had some great adventures. Still, sacrificing one's marriage and family to a job is not the ideal.

My heart goes out to Jessica and Ryan. Insane story, I hope this couple can heal. Massive credit to NPS park rangers. Thank you all for the interview.

Glad you made it out "okay." I learn a little bit each show and enjoy them very much.

I can highly recommend Grayl for a filter. I used one when I went to Cuba, where the water is seriously unsafe. Grayl can filter sewage water and make it safe to drink. It can double as what you're drinking out of too and is pretty quick for filtering, about 15 seconds for 16 ounces. You should be able to filter 2 liters in one minute, not accounting for getting the water and pouring. It is the only filter I have found that is compact AND filters bacteria, protozoa, AND viruses. Most of the small compact filters I've seen don't filter viruses, and I have heard that there have been Norovirus outbreaks in the Canyon, so we are planning on using Grayls when we go next week... next week??!! OMG I can't believe this trip is almost here!! Really appreciate your podcast. It's been a big help planning and providing information to think about and prepare for.

Thank you for this video! It's crazy because the Colorado trail season is July august and September. It can still get pretty hot I have been told but before July there's still leftover snow. After September getting caught in a snowstorm is common. I met some through hikers and through bikers on my ride!

Great story. I had trouble going up the last couple miles when a squirrel ate my food and I ascended in late November. My brother came back to help me make it to the top.

I really appreciate your humility. You’re an accomplished hiker and expert in my book. I found myself over-confident around 13 miles in (NR to BA)… unfortunately, I put my hiking buddy in grave danger. We cut it close, but it was dangerous! Your advice helped tons!

Thank you! It is our dream to camp our way across the canyon. I loved hearing John's wisdom.

Loved this one! I picked up some great ideas!

Brian, you need to interview some carnivore peeps who have hiked the canyon rim to rim. All this talk of glucose and carbohydrates, I wanna hear from someone fat adapted and not consuming carbs. I would be curious if they find it easier. Dr. Shawn Baker has had interviews with people eating carnivore who have run marathons without eating or even drinking (which I find wild!). Surely someone has done this, or else is it going to be n=2 for us after we go here in just a few weeks? Haha! Thanks again for a wonderful and very helpful podcast!

Lauren and friends: Thank you for sharing your experience, I shed some tears listening to this for all of you! So thankful you are all healthy and well with grateful hearts today ❤

Altitude at Bright Angel trailhead 6860. Altitude at river at Phantom Ranch 2600. Altitude at Havasupai Gardens 3800. Plateau Point is 3789. So no way that Havasupai Gardens is anywhere half way up the canyon altitude wise. It's more like 1/4 of the way up from the river to Havasupai Gardens.

Love the Redmond Salt!! We use that like it's going out of style. I have two thoughts on this topic. The first is, when I told my MiL about how much the heat is a problem in the Canyon she laughed so hard. She grew up in central Texas before there was AC - typically over 100 degrees in the summer PLUS the humidity. "And we all somehow lived through it", to quote her. She went to UT in Austin and they would soak their sheets in water and sleep on the sheets wet (and they'd be dry by midnight). She told me that that when you are in the AC all the time, you can't deal with the heat, so you need to get out in the heat if you want to deal with the heat. And isn't that what Coach Arnie is saying? Yes! The other thing is, most people's diets are crap. They eat a bunch of processed crap and are metabolically deranged. This doesn't help with exertion. Look up Dr. Shawn Baker, he's interviewed several people who do a carnivore diet and managed to run marathons without any food or even water - which is freaking wild! I have noticed myself, a huge improvement of dealing with heat being on a ketogenic diet (speaking of Tim Noakes!) for over a decade, and even more so now being on a carnivore diet. Why is this? Not sure, and n=1, but people might consider seeing how something like that would check out for them. And we're about to find out how much it checks out for us - we've got reservations for Phantom Ranch for the end of August. I plan on playing in the creek a lot!

I always try to start my hikes fully hydrated, hiked across the Canyon 7 times and 5 to the river and back all spring or fall or at night if hot. all in my mid 70s. Personally I cannot tolerate the heat like Arnie can. I can usually tell by my pee color how hydrated I am. Arnie has a lot of hiking knowledge, I have picked his brain on 2 different visits to his gym. You have very interesting blogs be looking forward to future ones

Great video with loads of useful information. And I bought the Rim2Rim pack!

I first made this same hike back in 1987 when I was 29 years old. Looking back at it, it was so easy both hiking down and hiking back up. I had boundless energy and endurance. Fast forward 30 years (age 59) in 2017 I found myself standing in the same spot and was sad to think that I would not be able to make this same hike in another 30 years. Now at age 66 and active in a local hiking club, it is my aim to do this hike in another 23 years from now if I am physically able to. Time will tell.

Bad planning. They shouldn't go up South Kaibab because it is exposed to the sun, and there is no water available. Bringing a water filter would relieve the necessity to carry all their water for the entire trip. Also, if you are assuming an endurance challenge as opposed to a more leisurely hike, arrange for someone to monitor your progress either on the trail or constantly connected through radio.

Already a member, I’ll post there!

Jessica and Greg, my heart hurts for all the trauma you experienced and the loss of your uncle. Big hugs to you both during your healing journey that will bring you full circle next July 29! I’ll be waiting to hear the next chapter ❤

I am curious what parking garages John used in Dallas. I live in Dallas and plan to do R2R on October 3rd with my son. Would love to hear where he went. Love this podcast and it has been so helpful in our training and planning. Thank you

she's right, you should be in shape before you hike the grand canyon, also you should be recognize the signs of excess heat and take action to survive

A few thoughts - #1 - 95 degrees in Pennsylvania is not the same as 95 in a southwest environment. The high in Pennsylvania, or most other northern areas is only reached in the mid afternoon and only that hot for an hour or so. Whereas in the southwest, the high may be reached by 9am and stay there all day until the sun sets. And then it's still hot at night with a hot wind. #2 - low carb and ketogenic diets require extra salt. Biologically carbs cause you to conserve salt, whereas keto causes you to "waste" salt. The lack of electrolytes and low carb is a dangerous combination. The "health authorities" have vilified salt, which is necessary for a healthy cardiovascular system, so if his sodium is low, and that would not be solved by a couple of electrolyte packets, you wind up with arrythmia and he's already 69 years old - it's a recipe for disaster. #3 - they failed to recognize a medical emergency. From the description given, he was having heart issues 1 mile into the trail, the profuse sweating, the muscle weakness, the lack of coordination, etc. Someone who is having a medical emergency is typically not the one who should be making decisions. If something like this happens to you - you should tell the person, I am in charge, and we are going back and we are going back now, and you go get a ranger if you have to, to help talk the person into following your orders. Great interview, with good information. Remember, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

My heart goes out to you, Jessica and Greg. I'm sure doing this interview was extremely hard for you, but I'm glad you did it. You have probably saved some lives by sharing your experience. One comment I have, being 77 years old, is that it's hard for some people to fully realize what has happened to their physical condition as they age. I hiked the trail down to the brink of the lower falls of the Yellowstone River in 1964, and then again in 2006. In '06, I had forgotten all the switchbacks on that short but steep trail. They had had no effect at all back in '64, when I was 17. That's not much of a hike, but it wore me out the second time, at age 59. So, I'm glad you have issued this warning. As Brian has said many times, the canyon is surprisingly difficult if you're not prepared. Thank you, Brian, for doing this interview. Your podcast should be mandatory for anyone planning to hike the canyon.

I’ve do hot hiking in phx all the time. Did s mtn yesterday at 110+. But I wait till late in the day, sunset. Midday is insane. The angle of the sun matters more than air temp. 105 midday will kill much easier than 115 at sunset. Those rocks are 155 in direct sunlight at midday. Maybe hotter. I brought a laser thermometer once on camelback to get that measurement.

I did it in March a couple years ago. It was tough. And i do/did a lot of hiking vertical in hot weather 4-7x a week. Strenuous stuff and I was still struggling a bit the last 3K’ vertical back up. Made it okay. There were ppl in rougher shape than me though.

And if you are on antidepressants, you can do everything right and *still* overheat. I used to love hiking Big Bend, Canyonlands, etc in the heat. My body loved it. After being on anti-depressants, my body can do maybe 30 minutes before I start getting chills, even though I am fully hydrated, use sunscreen, etc. I got heat exhaustion on antidepressants from sitting outside at a restaurant for 2 hours in the evening in Austin, Texas, in August. Please let everyone know that it's *not* just about being hydrated, wet, etc. Common meds will put you in a possibly fatal situation in the heat

I lived in Phoenix for 4 years and will do my third Rim to Rim backpacking trip in late September 2024. The fact that "it's a DRY heat" only means you'll get broiled instead of baked. Don't put much faith in simple clean water, electrolytes matter. Stopping and refreshing and eating helps. Wait until the Bright Angel Trail is in the shade later in the day before beginning your climb. Please, people. Be careful.

Brian, great video! I worked with your brother and you at TPC back in the day and have bumped into you on Black Mtn a time or two. Your television experience really shows. Thanks for putting this series of videos together, I am getting curious about R2R2R so that’s how I came across your videos. Take care!

Thank you

I've been fortunate enough to do 4 trips of various itineraries into and across the Grand Canyon. I've been at Phantom Ranch in May, Fourth of July and October. I am NOT a professional hiker or Guide, I'm just a guy who loves the Canyon. My third Rim to Rim hike will step off this coming September. While I appreciate the challenge of doing a rim to rim trail run in a day, I'm a bit sad that so many people seem to tackle it as simply a personal test rather than an opportunity to experience the canyon. Carrying a 35 pound pack and taking 4-5 days to cross, I'm not making any speed and so I get passed by many trail runners as I go. Each to their own, I guess, but this is heartbreaking. Be careful people.

That time to Phantom Ranch from the North Rim is if you're fast! We are going to be there at the very end of August, and we decided that we didn't want to leave in the dark and miss the views and worry about hustling to get through the box before 10am. I think we could do it, but don't want to. So, we are going to leave the North Rim a little before sunrise (which is at 6am) and stop at Cottonwood for lunch and stay there until after there is some shade on the trail (thanks for your shade finding app!!). We might go to Ribbon Falls and play in the water, but we are planning to wait until after 3-4pm to do the rest of that trek to Phantom. Also, thanks for reminding me that I need to do some noon time exercise in the Texas heat 😁