All valid points. I am a bit like a cat in that I do not want to get my feet wet, but goretex shoes do get hot on the rim to rim, so there are some trade-offs. You are still wearing the Keens, but the hybrid shoes have merit. My last few rim to rim to rim hikes have been in Altra Olympus Mid GTX, although this year I think I will wear the Topo Trailventure 2 Mid WP. Unlike you, I do find the rocks impinge after a 12 hours on the trail, so the rock-plate in the Topos is useful to me. Are you planning to be on the trail this season? See you there.
Great tips Dr. Bill!! An outstanding shoe in the Canyon is the Vivo Barefoot Primus Trail FG, or the Merrell Trail or Vapor Glove. Wear 'em with Injinji smart wool toe socks, and no blisters. The round heel cup areas allow the feet to scoot to the side on off-camber rocks and logs, instead of being pitched around by the ankle, and being off balance, or worse, rolling the ankle, which occurs with a shoe that has a wide, flat, heel area. The wide toe box allows the foot and toes to function similar to a hand, creating great grip and great balance. Completely transforms the experience of hiking on the crazy terrain and 10,000 mule steps in the Canyon. My daughter and I backpack, and run there, in Vibram FiveFingers, and we DO get our feet and shoes wet in the creeks, which is heaven......but that's a completely different type of footwear. I'll be there in 3 weeks to run another Rim2River, and can't wait to be back!
@@ageingungracefullypushingt7135 Thank you. I went back to running at about 4-1/2mo post-op on the first HTO surgery and only 2-1/2mo post-op on the 2nd. Celebrated my 1yr anniversary (and 6 weeks after having the plates removed) by returning to downhill skiing on my big Atomic skis. Skied all season and had a blast, and a couple of really bad crashes. So now at roughly 1yr and 4mos post-op, more than 100% back to normal, running is no problem at all, and I'm looking forward to the run in the Canyon, which has been a tradition at the end of May.
Don't do this hike in the dark. It's one of the most beautiful hikes in the world, there's no reason to do it in the dark, there is plenty of daylight to complete it if you train.
Christopher, I think when you start depends on your age, training and stamina. On my first R2R I left at 4AM and it took me 14 hrs. finishing just before sunset, with extensive training throughout the summer. (Would have been somewhat shorter if I were not filming.) On my second, SK-NK I started at 3AM and it took me 15.5 hrs. again with extensive training. In fact, on my second, when I got up to the NK trailhead it was too dark for my wife to film my completion. However, I did hike in late Sept when the hours of sunlight were shorter than May -July.
Not nonsense, even if you happen to be the exceptional case. Most hikers can't average 2 mph on such a long hike; they will have to hike in the dark either at the beginning, at the end, or at both. And it's no accident that nearly all backpackers and hikers have abandoned boots for trail runners--not just for Grand Canyon hikers but for hikes elsewhere. Trail runners are notably lighter, they dry more quickly if they get wet, and the ankle-supporting properties of high-top boots are much overrated. Again, if you managed to go rim to rim quickly and in boots, good for you--but what Bill said isn't nonsense.
@@karlkeating2803 I never claimed to be an exceptional case. So you have to hike in the dark? Who hasn't at one time or another. That is why God invented headlamps. If see plenty of hikers wearing hiking boots. What an arrogant self right "person" you are. You must be a Kamala supporter.
Such excellent advice all 4.
Good to hear from you Bill. I'm sure I'll run into you soon as these trails clear up.
Agree on all four, very guilty of number one so it’s a good reminder 😂
One of professors at NAU did it routinely. Harvey Butchart was a legend.
All valid points. I am a bit like a cat in that I do not want to get my feet wet, but goretex shoes do get hot on the rim to rim, so there are some trade-offs. You are still wearing the Keens, but the hybrid shoes have merit. My last few rim to rim to rim hikes have been in Altra Olympus Mid GTX, although this year I think I will wear the Topo Trailventure 2 Mid WP. Unlike you, I do find the rocks impinge after a 12 hours on the trail, so the rock-plate in the Topos is useful to me. Are you planning to be on the trail this season? See you there.
Thanks very much Bill, really good advice.
Great tips Dr. Bill!! An outstanding shoe in the Canyon is the Vivo Barefoot Primus Trail FG, or the Merrell Trail or Vapor Glove. Wear 'em with Injinji smart wool toe socks, and no blisters. The round heel cup areas allow the feet to scoot to the side on off-camber rocks and logs, instead of being pitched around by the ankle, and being off balance, or worse, rolling the ankle, which occurs with a shoe that has a wide, flat, heel area. The wide toe box allows the foot and toes to function similar to a hand, creating great grip and great balance. Completely transforms the experience of hiking on the crazy terrain and 10,000 mule steps in the Canyon.
My daughter and I backpack, and run there, in Vibram FiveFingers, and we DO get our feet and shoes wet in the creeks, which is heaven......but that's a completely different type of footwear. I'll be there in 3 weeks to run another Rim2River, and can't wait to be back!
Good luck on the run, you are a BEAST!!!! A run like that so soon after such intrusive surgery, your recovery has been phenomenal!
@@ageingungracefullypushingt7135 Thank you. I went back to running at about 4-1/2mo post-op on the first HTO surgery and only 2-1/2mo post-op on the 2nd. Celebrated my 1yr anniversary (and 6 weeks after having the plates removed) by returning to downhill skiing on my big Atomic skis. Skied all season and had a blast, and a couple of really bad crashes. So now at roughly 1yr and 4mos post-op, more than 100% back to normal, running is no problem at all, and I'm looking forward to the run in the Canyon, which has been a tradition at the end of May.
Thanks for the tips - trying to get permits for September!!
Good luck with efforts!
Have a great adventure!
Don't do this hike in the dark. It's one of the most beautiful hikes in the world, there's no reason to do it in the dark, there is plenty of daylight to complete it if you train.
Christopher, I think when you start depends on your age, training and stamina. On my first R2R I left at 4AM and it took me 14 hrs. finishing just before sunset, with extensive training throughout the summer. (Would have been somewhat shorter if I were not filming.) On my second, SK-NK I started at 3AM and it took me 15.5 hrs. again with extensive training. In fact, on my second, when I got up to the NK trailhead it was too dark for my wife to film my completion. However, I did hike in late Sept when the hours of sunlight were shorter than May -July.
Nonsense. I hiked starting at 6:20 in the morning wearing my hiking boots. No problem.
Not nonsense, even if you happen to be the exceptional case. Most hikers can't average 2 mph on such a long hike; they will have to hike in the dark either at the beginning, at the end, or at both. And it's no accident that nearly all backpackers and hikers have abandoned boots for trail runners--not just for Grand Canyon hikers but for hikes elsewhere. Trail runners are notably lighter, they dry more quickly if they get wet, and the ankle-supporting properties of high-top boots are much overrated. Again, if you managed to go rim to rim quickly and in boots, good for you--but what Bill said isn't nonsense.
@@karlkeating2803 I never claimed to be an exceptional case. So you have to hike in the dark? Who hasn't at one time or another. That is why God invented headlamps. If see plenty of hikers wearing hiking boots. What an arrogant self right "person" you are. You must be a Kamala supporter.