Len's Grand Canyon, solo Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim backpacking trip - April 2022

[Len Backus]

Only NPS purposes like rescues or hauling trail maintenace materials.

 

[pmiller45]

Awesome stuff Len! Thanks for sharing. I'm making some notes, this trip is on my list!

 

[Len Backus]

You will love it I predict.

 

[ickes123]

By the way, here are my two favorite shots from this SW trip.

Taken with my heavy'ish Nikon Z7 camera. Not with my phone.

Taken next door to Canyonlands National Park at Horseshoe Point State Park...right after sunrise when the lighting color is best.

Try viewing these on your computer's larger screen rather than phone screen.


View attachment 361574


View attachment 361573

WOW WHAT A PIC

 

[chindits]

Epic. I haven't been there in many years.

 

[ajkellerusmc]

Great post Len, thanks for sharing.

 

[mnoland30]

If you're planning to hike the Canyon, you should read Ray Jardin's book "Beyond Backpacking". A friend of mine hiked out with a 10 lb. pack. In 20 years of going, I only got rained on twice. In April, a 1 lb. down bag is enough under a small silnylon tarp.

Lots of water is essential, and a good gravity water filter makes life easy. Hiking with a Platypus wate bag with a hose helps you stay hydrated. Staying well hydrated makes hiking easier.

 

[Litehiker]

mnoland,
I'm all for lightweight backpacking WITH comfort. Ray Jardine is the acknowledged father of UL backpacking when all others thought 40 pounds was a light pack.

SINCE Ray's books were published the backpacking industry has revolutionized the gear we use. It is possible to have a good sleeping bag, full length mattress, floored tent, UL canister or ESBIT tablet stove and framed UL pack and stay around 20 to 25 pounds for a 6 day trip. Much less than that weight and you begin to not be comfortable in camp or the trail.
Frameless backpacks, floor-less tarps, 3/4 length sleep pads, one mug "cooking", strapless hiking poles, all these "SUL" fetishes are (IMHO) just more about making an "SUL statement" than backpacking in comfort.

BUT... HYOH, i.e. Hike Your Own Hike. If you really like all Ray Jardine's ideas then go for it.

If not then join "Backpacking Light" online and learn from others' successes and failures about backpacking light IN COMFORT. I did beginning in 2005 and it changed my backpacking experience for the better. I sold or gave away my heavy traditional gear and got UL gear.

->Recently I bought a Tarptent brand Notch Li Dyneema one person tent. It was expensive but double walled and weighed only one pound 4 oz. plus 2 oz. of 4 MSR Ground Hog stakes. That's truly SUL for a 3 season double walled tent. It uses my Cascade Mountaineering carbon fiber hiking poles for supports.
->SLEEP SYSTEM- REI 3 season insulated air mattress (16 oz.) Western Mountaineering MegaLite down mummy bag
-> PACK-> Osprey EXOS 58 Large (2 lbs. 10 oz.)
->COOK KIT-> Open Country 3 cup anodized aluminum pot & lid, plastic drinking/measuring cup, Zip Loc bowl, Lexan long handled spoon, Brunton CRUX foldable canister top burner and canister or Trail Designs titanium Sidewinder Caldera Cone ESBIT/alcohol/wood stove. (Most efficient wood burning backpack stove ever.)

Those are my UL and SUL choices made since 2005.

 

[cvixx]

Len…have you been down the Hermit Trail?

 

[Len Backus]

Len…have you been down the Hermit Trail?

Glad you asked.

Yes, this past February I went down Hermit and along Tonto and up Bright Angel.

I camped at Hermit Creek and Horn. Loved it.

Next February, 2023 I plan to go down Hermit, camp at three different spots on the river over three nights. Granite, Hermit and Bouchert rapids. Exit up Boucher and sleep fourth night at the ridge above the tough spot, forgot the name, and then walk out to Hermit TH on 5th day.

I am excited about the adventure aspect of this route, shown below.

 

[cvixx]

Last time I went down the Hermit was over a half century ago and the water in my canteen froze solid. Going back up Cathedral Stairs was a bitch back then, hate to think what it would be like now. You are a tougher man than I, Len

 

[epoletna]

I'd say he's a tougher man than almost all of us!

 

[Len Backus]

I'd say he's a tougher man than almost all of us!

I sure don't feel very tough at the end of a long hard hike!

 

[cvixx]

Got to thinking, my first trip down the Hermit was in 1965. Couple of friends and I were hiking down in February, when were passed by the NAU hiking club, being lead by Dr. Harvey Butchart, whom I had taken a class from. He was a fount of knowledge and had been the first person to walk the entire park length, although in bits and pieces. Good person and every time I think about the Canyon I remember him and his exploits.