Backpacking into the Grand Canyon - 1980

[Aaron Zagrodnick]

@Steve Ancik details this retro hike into the Grand Canyon, read the full article at the links below:

Back in the Day at the Grand Canyon, 1980 in Issue 35

Back in the Day Backpacking at the Grand Canyon, 1980 - Republished on the TrailGroove Blog

Issue 35 Page 1

[ppine]

There is a famous guy in Arizona that has been hiking the Canyon for decades.  The year of his 80th birthday he decided to do 80 R2R trips in one year. 

I know a guy that used to pack mules in the canyon.  Not the dude string.  He packed the mail, food, fuel and trash in and out of Phantom Ranch.  On the Bright Angel Trail which is steeper than the Kaibab, he could get to PR in about 2 hours and 45 minutes.  Coming out he was lighter, but uphill and it took around an hour longer.  He packed their for around 20 years and was helicoptered out 3 times.  Finally he quit and moved southern AZ. 

For anyone that has never done it, taking a raft down the Grand Canyon is one of the best trips in the world.