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Whether your goal is Rim-to-Rim, Rim-to-River, or any of the Canyon's iconic hikes, you'll no doubt find some useful information in this first-hand, from-the-trail account of my attempt at my first Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim—a double crossing of the Grand Canyon. Primarily the domain of trail and ultra runners—which I am not—I knew I wanted to do R3 as a hike. That made it somewhat difficult to plan, as I figured it would take me around 20 hours to complete, meaning I'd have to hike all the way through the night if I hoped to finish in daylight.
In this episode, you'll hear my struggles every step of the way, as they happened, and also my recollections for those times I was just too tired or hurting too badly to speak into a microphone.
This is part one of what the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim hike—43.9 miles with more than 22,000 feet of elevation change—is really like.
P.S. If I can do it, you can, too!
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The all-new Grand Canyon Shade Tracker is LIVE!! This incredible interactive tool lets you see when and where you'll have precious shade on your Grand Canyon hike—every hour of every day of the year. Check it out at gcshadetracker.com. Another free resource from Bright Angel Outfitters aimed at making your Grand Canyon adventure the best and safest it can be.
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Welcome to THE home of Grand Canyon hiking. If it happens below the rim—from short day hikes to Rim2Rims and beyond—you'll learn all the tips and tricks to have your safest and most memorable Grand Canyon experience.
Host Brian Speciale brings you stories of triumph, tragedy, and trail-won wisdom—told by first-timers, seasoned vets, and Canyon insiders alike.
But don't just take our word for it; here's what our listeners say:
“I am continually inspired by the guests and the vulnerability of everyone to share their story—so others can learn and make their own.”
Whether you're planning Rim2Rim or just dreaming of hiking the Grand Canyon, this is the podcast that prepares you—mind, body, and spirit.
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"Brian and the community he has curated is such a welcoming place and wealth of information."
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