Had every intention of completing the rim to rim hike over 2 days (had a night booked at Phantom Ranch) in September 2005. Upon arriving at the South Rim Visitor Center we were greeted by a number of signs stating that due to a number of forest fires burning round the rim, it was highly recommended that asthmatics (one of which I unfortunately am) don’t attempt the hike as breathing would prove difficult upon reaching the inner canyon. Since I’d rather not die trying to complete one of my 43 things, we took the frustrating decision not to do the rim to rim.
We did hike about 3 miles down the Bright Angel trail however, which was fantastic – a taster of what’s to come when we return for a 2nd attempt. We’d done a considerable amount of training which made it all the more annoying, as after doing the 3 miles down and 3 back up again, we felt absolutely fine – so I’m pretty confident we would’ve coped ok if not for the fires (I know it would’ve got harder a few miles on though).
Seeing as we now had a couple of unplanned spare days, we also did a helicopter flight over the canyon and drove to the far less touristy North rim. We took in a v. interesting Ranger walk there and went and saw the end of the trail we should’ve come up had things gone differently… Oh well, hopefully next time.
We did intend to have another crack at it this year, but unfortunately left it too late and everything was booked up – so it’s been pushed back again to next year! But we’ll certainly check the forest fire situation nearer the time!
