@jackiegannon9179 thank you! I feel very lucky to have walked out and to be recovering. Now it's just training and conditioning, but not overdoing it! You're so right. I get caught up wanting to be in the same shape sometimes, as opposed to seeing how far I've come, and what I was able to accomplish. Happy trails to you! Thanks for tunning in and for your supportive message :)
When I was 20, in 1960, 64 years ago I did the RtoRtoR north to south to north ribbon to south back to the north. I was coming off four years of high school and college track in cross country and so was in very very good condition. Nevertheless it was absolutely as as difficult thing as I ever attempted and coming up right angel Trail the last mile was on my hands. These took me 16 hours, and I finished in the dark without a headlamp so it was pretty damn scary at times wondering if I fall off the edge of the trail as I was hiking by starlight. So I admire your attempt and believe me respect anybody who takes this on. It is quite the challenge. It may be one of the most difficult I took though I think I did a couple ones in death Valley in my 40s that may have ranked in there with the same degree of insanity. 23:54 Thanks for the UA-cam video. It brought back a lot of memories.❤😊 23:54
Thanks Gabe! It's been an adventure. I feel pretty lucky to be in one piece, and for the beautiful hike I got. Sounds like I'll be back in hiking shape this fall.
Went there 22 years ago and did the same thing. Had the body of a powerbuilder because thats the workout I was in at that time. Needless to say physically I was not ready and started cramping up on my way back up. Took 2 extra hours to climb. The crand canyon is one of those places you need to start preparing physically 6 months before if you plan to go all the way down and then back up.
Totally agree with the need to prepare! I has a conditioning routine I started 5.5 months before the canyon. I had originally planned to hike it in October 2023, but by August 2023 I knew I wouldn't be in shape, so pushed the hike back. I'm glad you got to enjoy the canyon and made it out safely even with the cramps.
@debraherring-fallert5784 thank you! Deciding I wantedva "safe hike" before I got on the trail made the decision easier in the moment. When I talked with the SAR coordinator on the phone, she was surprised I'd turned around, and said she'd only heard that a handful of times in her career at the park...most people push on, and things get even worse. I feel lucky my body gave me signs and I listened. Thanks for watching and your supportive comment!
@Starfish2145 I plan to do it as a multi-day trip in the future, too. Different experiences, based on time and goals. Sometimes I go fast because I don't have the time, the permits, or want to carry a heavy pack, or many other reasons. Different strokes for different folks.
I’ve wanted to do that for a couple years now. I’d like to backpack it over 3 days, though. Just rim to rim in one day looks rough. Closest I’ve gotten to that was 5,400 feet of elevation gain in 12 miles. Almost type 3 fun, lol. Glad you’re ok!
Backpacking it sounds wonderful. I'd like to do a multi-day trip in the future. I hope you get to enjoy 3 days in the canyon soon! Happy trails to you!
There is no shame in calling it a day. On my first thru hike I injured my quad. I am older and I came out to fast. I was on the AT and I normally hike the White Mountains of NH and I found the AT fairly easy. I was putting in way to big of days and loving it. It took me off the trail for 6 weeks, I returned and never had an issue again. Before I had an issue with my quad I felt great. I am sure you had a great adventure and learned a lot. Sometimes we don’t know how far is to far. Take care
@mtadams2009 I'm glad to hear you recovered fully and were back on the trail in 6 weeks! It was a grand adventure and hike, and I feel lucky I had a pretty perfect 24.2 miles before having to bail. And, I'm glad I turned around! Lots of good lessons. Thanks for sharing your experience, and happy trails to you!
Wow! What a great lesson. Congratulations on making two critical decisions, first to go back up to the north rim, second to go to the hospital. Now I'm waiting to see your retrospective video and to see your long-term recovery.
@DouglasKubler thanks! It was a learning experience, and one that will make me more prepared for future hikes. Now that I've had some time to reflect, I'm hoping to have the retrospective video out in a week or so. Definitely things I'll do differently next time, and things that served me well that I'll repeat. Thanks for watching, your comment and support! Happy trails!
Hi @DouglasKubler - I finally got the retrospective video together and just posted it. Took me longer as I thought through how to crystalize my thoughts (and how to keep it a reasonable length :) ). Recovery is going well - I'm back doing short hikes, and slowly working up to more, but it'll be a while yet before I'm doing anything with lots of distance or elevation. Here's the link to the retrospective: ua-cam.com/video/9jFbPpsFJdg/v-deo.htmlsi=raBRNDNxFqKBGcIg , I'd be interested in your thoughts, and if I covered the topics you were hoping for.
Thank you so much for sharing your story . I’ve done rim to rim it’s amazing and hard . Took a lot longer than I thought . I developed a knee problem during , ya just never know what will happen in the canyon. Great job ! That’s a lot of elevation change in a short amount of time 👏🏻👍
Thank you @susiebennett6953 ! I'm glad your r2r was a safe one, and hopefully the knee wasn't too painful! The canyon is such a special place, but also such a demanding one that even all the prep in the world can't fend off ailments. I appreciate your watching and your supportive comment! Happy trails to you :)
I'm hoping to have it out together by early next week. I just need to sit down and film and edit it. Thanks for watching (and for the encouragement to get the retrospective together). Anything you're particularly interested in for the reteospective?
Hi @terrienne73 - It took me a little longer than expected, but I just posted my retrospective. Would love to know your thoughts, and if there's anything I didn't cover you were hoping to hear, or places that could use more detail. Happy Trails to you!
I am left wondering exactly what was your training program? Can you provide some detail on how you prepared and mimicked some this type of difficult conditions? I am curious why you believed you were ready for this hike. Thanks
Hi @MJB123MJB - I recently put together a retrospective video that talks about training (what went well, what I'd change for next time: ua-cam.com/video/9jFbPpsFJdg/v-deo.htmlsi=Z8fERsXoRcqNEghg In a nutshell - Living in Seattle my training was mostly indoors for the first 80% or so, due to the winter. I used an incline treadmill and weighted pack. As the weather improved, I got outdoors - in WA, the Eastern Sierra to snowshoe, in the mountains near Palm Springs, and then in AZ. I started training in December to give myself plenty of time to start easy and work my way up. I cut out alcohol (there was a glass of champagne on New Years, and one or two drinks here or there, but for the most part went completely dry). Ways I checked my progress included seeing how much of a load I could carry, how my heartrate was doing as I increased inclines and speed. Mailbox Peak near Seattle is a 4,009 foot elevation gain in under 4 miles, and hiking that gave me a sense of how I was doing out of the gym, several weeks before the canyon. Snowshoeing in the Eastern Sierra up above 9,000 feet gave me another check in on how I was doing with altitude. And, then the hikes in SoCal and AZ also gave me touch points to see how I was doing for pace, heart rate, recovery. I mapped those against how I'd felt/performed prior to other rigorous hikes/peak ascents. Thanks for the questions and happy to provide more detail.
Thank you for this video. My gosh, I’ve never even heard of that before. I have done some research on it since watching this and it really is serious. I have been obsessed with wanting to hike the rim to rim but now I’m a leery. I am so happy that you made the decision to go to the hospital. Sounds like it took a while to recover from that. I think a lot of people are embarrassed to post videos that something went wrong medically during a hike, but I am so glad that you did because now I’m aware of it. Thank you.
Thanks for watching and for the good wishes. I'm glad the video was helpful, and I hope you get to do rim to rim! It's an amazing hike and I plan on going back again, with some more conditioning and some different approaches. In case it's useful, I just put together a retrospective of what worked for me and what I'd do differently next time. When you do hike the Canyon, I'd love to hear how it goes for you! (and if there's any part of planning you'd like another opinion on, happy to be a resource).
@@AdventuresWithSpencer I will definitely let you know when and if I do do it. I am excited that you did the video on the retrospective of that trip. I will look for it on your page.
@loridavis5699 I feel very fortunate my body gave me signs. I told myself before the hike I wanted a "safe" hike over completion. I think setting that intention early helped make the choice easier. Canyon will always be there.
When the muscle cramps arrive, you have to respect and obey . After years of doing intense day-hikes I developed surprise cramps on 2 events : one on Cactus to Clouds only 5 miles from the start, and on San Bernardino Peak trail only 4 miles in. Fortunately the turn-back trip is downhill which spared my muscles. For a strange reason I later developed Peripheral Arterial Disease (blocked arteries) in my lower legs, so now I have to be extra careful and aware of over-stressing my muscles. Now I get muscle fatigue and pain from walking for 5 minutes. I can tough it out, and the fatigue subsides after a while, but I over stressed one time and messed up my right calf. Took almost 6 months to get back to my previous capability. Presently no more marathon day-hikes from me - only short 4-5 mile. Even a 2 mile walk can be difficult.
@aliensoup2420 I hope your legs recover and you can up your mileage. Cactus to Clouds is on my list, but I haven't been in shape for it (was planning for this fall, but my recovery won't be there yet). Your experience is a good reminder for me not to take it for granted, even when we're in marathon hiking shape. Happy trails to you!
HI from the mountains of Colorado. I just found/watched your video and I have subscribed to your channel. I also subscribe to Dan Becker and saw his video about his attempt, and resulting hospitalization. Is there a Rhabdomyolysis test that hikers can take before attempting something like R2R2R?
@tvpromo1 hello from Seattle! You've got some great mountains in CO (I lived in Littleton as a kid). Unfortunately, there's no test, to my knowledge. It took a blood test at the hospital to diagnose - all the vitals the EMTs were able to check in the ambulance came back normal. An easy on trail test would be amazing. From talking to the doctor at the ER in Kanab, they see Rhabdo fairly regularly from canyon hikers, even though it's a fairly rare condition from what I've read.
Rhabdo is caused by muscle tissue breaking down and releasing into the blood stream. You can’t take a test before a big hike to see if you have it because it hasn’t happened yet. It’s from extreme overuse and damage to the muscles. The best way to not get rhabdo is to listen to your body and not do extreme endurance activities unless your are conditioned and even then it can still happen. It’s a risk people take pushing the limits of our bodies. I do CrossFit and it’s common in that sport as well as spin classes. Anything that puts immense strain on your big muscle groups like quads, biceps, etc
Best of health, Spencer. A single-day R2R2R is a strenuous hike. I completed it for the second time in early May this year, a week after you were at the Grand Canyon. I wouldn't recommend doing it within a single day to anyone who isn't used to high weekly running/hiking mileage with some steep climbing, on a weekly basis, for many months if not years. We are talking about an ultramarathon strain on the body. Not something one should do without good preparation. Even then, one may have to make some adjustments to avoid risks (see my R2R2R hike video for adjustments I had to make toward the end of my hike). You made the right choice, calling it off, this time. Cheers, and take much care. My R2R2R: ua-cam.com/video/RLUxDo_ZQgQ/v-deo.html
Thanks @RubiHammer . I feel very lucky it turned out as well as it did. the 24.2 miles I did get were beautiful. I'd been in the canyon before, and had done long distance, strenuous hikes (and had been conditioning for months). I definitely agree with you that this hike shouldn't be undertaken if you're not truly prepared for it! Doctors said it just wasn't my day, and if I'd gone the day before or after I would have been fine. That said, I'm looking forward to fully recovering over the next few months and getting back to hiking in general, and then retraining and bagging it fully in a future year. Happy trails to you (and maybe our paths will cross out there one day)!
@@AdventuresWithSpencer I would also recommend a few days of higher altitude acclimation, even though the Rims elevation is not extreme. I usually arrive hiking the Grand Canyon after a week with moderate hikes in the Southwest high desert area (this time I arrived from Colorado, in prevues times from Utah). You can count this last one as an extended R2R experience. Next time you will do better.
Quite a few years ago, we backpacked rim to rim to rim. It was beautiful and hard, but we did it. I cannot imagine in my wildest dreams the reason anyone wants to do this hike or even a cross canyon hike in one day. To each their own. It's mind boggling to me!
@dianetuccillo345 congrats on your crossing a while back! I'd love to go and backpack it, and take more time in the future. I like to do long hikes in a day as I can't always get permits for overnight camping, and there's something about the accomplishment of the day hikes I enjoy. That said, I also like being able to take my time and going slower brings a different type of enjoyment. Thanks for watching and your comment! Happy trails to you!
We took a week! We hiked down and camped at BA and Cottonwood, hiked to NR and stayed a couple nights, did some hiking on the Rim, hiked back to Cottonwood, back to BA, then hiked out to SR. It was nice to take our time and enjoy the Canyon. It was a dream week come true. This really was a great option, in case anybody is looking for another idea.
@GrandCanyonHikerDude - Thanks for watching, and for the invite! I'm listening to your podcast now. I'd be honored to join and discuss with you! Let me know how best to get in touch.
@Smashycrashy - it's really hard to pinpoint it. It was something intangible. Maybe it was feeling extra tired and unusually fatigued...maybe it was some brain fog. Whatever it was, I'm blessed I did stay with the ambulance. Before I ever got on the trail, I told people that I'd turn around if it wasn't safe for me to continue. I think setting that intention and mindset ahead of time (and reaffirming it in a prayer as I started down the first switchback that morning) made it easier for me to listen to my body, as opposed to defining success as finishing every step of the full hike. I'm planning to go back for it one day, but definitely not this season! Thanks for watching and for the questions!
@Smashycrashy the physical therapist thinks it will be September or October. I tried a flat 2 mile hike in Grand Teton last week. It felt mostly okay while doing it, but the next two days were pretty sore and uncomfortable, so realized I need to slow down and not push it.
Why do people do RTR in one day? It’s nuts! People get injured and die all the time trying to attempt it. At least two hikers have died in the Grand Canyon this year. Don’t be stupid. 🤦♀️
@Starfish2145 we do it for the enjoyment, challenge, experience, and many other reasons. I've been in the canyon before, do distance hiking, trained for months, and came prepared and capable. I turned around and called for help when I needed it.
What a beautiful smile you have! I did RTR , but backpacked w a friend in 3 days. To me that is soo worth it! Enjoying every single step, exploring, instead of running. Try that next time. You won’t regret it! Best to you!
Thank you @@rosiealaniz3205 ! My parents get credit for the smile (three years of braces and head gear). When you did your 3 day trip, where did you stay each night?
Rim to rim running and single day to rim hiking is ruining the corridor in Grand Canyon. It taxes the infrastructure beyond its capacity and is incredibly negatively impactful.
Have you ever done a rim to rim? This is getting a bit old hearing people get ambulanced and getting lots of clicks. I feel abd for the nps having to bail people out that overeestimate their fitness levels.
@billygraham2587 this was not my first time hiking in the canyon, or doing long distances, and I trained for months in advance. So yes, I knew exactly what I was getting into and was prepared. The doctor told me it just wasn't my day, and if I'd gone a day earlier or later I would have been fine. I agree the canyon gets underestimated by many people.
glad your recovering & will be able to continue hiking!! You have to look back at where you were what you did huge accomplishment!!!
@jackiegannon9179 thank you! I feel very lucky to have walked out and to be recovering. Now it's just training and conditioning, but not overdoing it!
You're so right. I get caught up wanting to be in the same shape sometimes, as opposed to seeing how far I've come, and what I was able to accomplish.
Happy trails to you! Thanks for tunning in and for your supportive message :)
When I was 20, in 1960, 64 years ago I did the RtoRtoR north to south to north ribbon to south back to the north. I was coming off four years of high school and college track in cross country and so was in very very good condition. Nevertheless it was absolutely as as difficult thing as I ever attempted and coming up right angel Trail the last mile was on my hands. These took me 16 hours, and I finished in the dark without a headlamp so it was pretty damn scary at times wondering if I fall off the edge of the trail as I was hiking by starlight. So I admire your attempt and believe me respect anybody who takes this on. It is quite the challenge. It may be one of the most difficult I took though I think I did a couple ones in death Valley in my 40s that may have ranked in there with the same degree of insanity. 23:54 Thanks for the UA-cam video. It brought back a lot of memories.❤😊
23:54
That sounds like an adventure (amd glad you made it out okay in the dark)! Thanks for "joining me" for mine via UA-cam, and for the comment!
What a crazy adventure Spencer! Glad you are ok and thanks to everyone who helped you out!
Thanks Gabe! It's been an adventure. I feel pretty lucky to be in one piece, and for the beautiful hike I got. Sounds like I'll be back in hiking shape this fall.
Went there 22 years ago and did the same thing. Had the body of a powerbuilder because thats the workout I was in at that time. Needless to say physically I was not ready and started cramping up on my way back up. Took 2 extra hours to climb. The crand canyon is one of those places you need to start preparing physically 6 months before if you plan to go all the way down and then back up.
Totally agree with the need to prepare! I has a conditioning routine I started 5.5 months before the canyon. I had originally planned to hike it in October 2023, but by August 2023 I knew I wouldn't be in shape, so pushed the hike back.
I'm glad you got to enjoy the canyon and made it out safely even with the cramps.
Woooow! Amazing! Thnx 4 sharing these beautiful mountains and canyon, love it
Thanks for watching and the support!
Good job on making a smart choice. Most people would try to keep going.
@debraherring-fallert5784 thank you! Deciding I wantedva "safe hike" before I got on the trail made the decision easier in the moment. When I talked with the SAR coordinator on the phone, she was surprised I'd turned around, and said she'd only heard that a handful of times in her career at the park...most people push on, and things get even worse. I feel lucky my body gave me signs and I listened.
Thanks for watching and your supportive comment!
I just don’t understand the mindset of rushing through such an incredibly beautiful place. Just take your time and look around.
@Starfish2145 I plan to do it as a multi-day trip in the future, too. Different experiences, based on time and goals. Sometimes I go fast because I don't have the time, the permits, or want to carry a heavy pack, or many other reasons. Different strokes for different folks.
If you know, you know. Moving at speed through beautiful landscape has its own charm. I've done rim to rim both ways, slow and fast.
I’ve wanted to do that for a couple years now. I’d like to backpack it over 3 days, though. Just rim to rim in one day looks rough. Closest I’ve gotten to that was 5,400 feet of elevation gain in 12 miles. Almost type 3 fun, lol.
Glad you’re ok!
Backpacking it sounds wonderful. I'd like to do a multi-day trip in the future. I hope you get to enjoy 3 days in the canyon soon!
Happy trails to you!
There is no shame in calling it a day. On my first thru hike I injured my quad. I am older and I came out to fast. I was on the AT and I normally hike the White Mountains of NH and I found the AT fairly easy. I was putting in way to big of days and loving it. It took me off the trail for 6 weeks, I returned and never had an issue again. Before I had an issue with my quad I felt great. I am sure you had a great adventure and learned a lot. Sometimes we don’t know how far is to far. Take care
@mtadams2009 I'm glad to hear you recovered fully and were back on the trail in 6 weeks! It was a grand adventure and hike, and I feel lucky I had a pretty perfect 24.2 miles before having to bail. And, I'm glad I turned around! Lots of good lessons.
Thanks for sharing your experience, and happy trails to you!
Wow! What a great lesson. Congratulations on making two critical decisions, first to go back up to the north rim, second to go to the hospital. Now I'm waiting to see your retrospective video and to see your long-term recovery.
@DouglasKubler thanks! It was a learning experience, and one that will make me more prepared for future hikes. Now that I've had some time to reflect, I'm hoping to have the retrospective video out in a week or so. Definitely things I'll do differently next time, and things that served me well that I'll repeat.
Thanks for watching, your comment and support! Happy trails!
Hi @DouglasKubler - I finally got the retrospective video together and just posted it. Took me longer as I thought through how to crystalize my thoughts (and how to keep it a reasonable length :) ). Recovery is going well - I'm back doing short hikes, and slowly working up to more, but it'll be a while yet before I'm doing anything with lots of distance or elevation.
Here's the link to the retrospective: ua-cam.com/video/9jFbPpsFJdg/v-deo.htmlsi=raBRNDNxFqKBGcIg , I'd be interested in your thoughts, and if I covered the topics you were hoping for.
Great job documenting your story & it ended in success!
Thank you! Looks like you've had some good Grand Canyon time as well!
Thank you so much for sharing your story . I’ve done rim to rim it’s amazing and hard . Took a lot longer than I thought . I developed a knee problem during , ya just never know what will happen in the canyon. Great job ! That’s a lot of elevation change in a short amount of time 👏🏻👍
Thank you @susiebennett6953 ! I'm glad your r2r was a safe one, and hopefully the knee wasn't too painful!
The canyon is such a special place, but also such a demanding one that even all the prep in the world can't fend off ailments.
I appreciate your watching and your supportive comment! Happy trails to you :)
Glad your made it out ok and thanks for your video! When will your retrospective on preparing for your R2R2R be posted?
I'm hoping to have it out together by early next week. I just need to sit down and film and edit it.
Thanks for watching (and for the encouragement to get the retrospective together). Anything you're particularly interested in for the reteospective?
Hi @terrienne73 - It took me a little longer than expected, but I just posted my retrospective. Would love to know your thoughts, and if there's anything I didn't cover you were hoping to hear, or places that could use more detail. Happy Trails to you!
I am left wondering exactly what was your training program? Can you provide some detail on how you prepared and mimicked some this type of difficult conditions? I am curious why you believed you were ready for this hike. Thanks
Hi @MJB123MJB - I recently put together a retrospective video that talks about training (what went well, what I'd change for next time:
ua-cam.com/video/9jFbPpsFJdg/v-deo.htmlsi=Z8fERsXoRcqNEghg
In a nutshell - Living in Seattle my training was mostly indoors for the first 80% or so, due to the winter. I used an incline treadmill and weighted pack. As the weather improved, I got outdoors - in WA, the Eastern Sierra to snowshoe, in the mountains near Palm Springs, and then in AZ. I started training in December to give myself plenty of time to start easy and work my way up. I cut out alcohol (there was a glass of champagne on New Years, and one or two drinks here or there, but for the most part went completely dry).
Ways I checked my progress included seeing how much of a load I could carry, how my heartrate was doing as I increased inclines and speed. Mailbox Peak near Seattle is a 4,009 foot elevation gain in under 4 miles, and hiking that gave me a sense of how I was doing out of the gym, several weeks before the canyon. Snowshoeing in the Eastern Sierra up above 9,000 feet gave me another check in on how I was doing with altitude. And, then the hikes in SoCal and AZ also gave me touch points to see how I was doing for pace, heart rate, recovery.
I mapped those against how I'd felt/performed prior to other rigorous hikes/peak ascents.
Thanks for the questions and happy to provide more detail.
Thank you for this video. My gosh, I’ve never even heard of that before. I have done some research on it since watching this and it really is serious. I have been obsessed with wanting to hike the rim to rim but now I’m a leery. I am so happy that you made the decision to go to the hospital. Sounds like it took a while to recover from that. I think a lot of people are embarrassed to post videos that something went wrong medically during a hike, but I am so glad that you did because now I’m aware of it. Thank you.
Thanks for watching and for the good wishes. I'm glad the video was helpful, and I hope you get to do rim to rim! It's an amazing hike and I plan on going back again, with some more conditioning and some different approaches. In case it's useful, I just put together a retrospective of what worked for me and what I'd do differently next time.
When you do hike the Canyon, I'd love to hear how it goes for you! (and if there's any part of planning you'd like another opinion on, happy to be a resource).
@@AdventuresWithSpencer I will definitely let you know when and if I do do it. I am excited that you did the video on the retrospective of that trip. I will look for it on your page.
I commend you for having the sense to pull the plug when you did.
Thank you - I'm very thankful I did, too! I hope others will turn around when their bodies warn them.
Beautiful!! Good job!
@@loridavis5699 it was such a beautiful hike. Wish the camera did it better justice! Thanks for watching :)
@@AdventuresWithSpencer Smart man listening more to your body than your ego saved your life. It is a great lesson for all!
@loridavis5699 I feel very fortunate my body gave me signs. I told myself before the hike I wanted a "safe" hike over completion. I think setting that intention early helped make the choice easier. Canyon will always be there.
So glad everything worked out!
Thanks @Dirtbag.G ! And thanks for all of your support directly and from the great hiking community you've got!
When the muscle cramps arrive, you have to respect and obey . After years of doing intense day-hikes I developed surprise cramps on 2 events : one on Cactus to Clouds only 5 miles from the start, and on San Bernardino Peak trail only 4 miles in. Fortunately the turn-back trip is downhill which spared my muscles. For a strange reason I later developed Peripheral Arterial Disease (blocked arteries) in my lower legs, so now I have to be extra careful and aware of over-stressing my muscles. Now I get muscle fatigue and pain from walking for 5 minutes. I can tough it out, and the fatigue subsides after a while, but I over stressed one time and messed up my right calf. Took almost 6 months to get back to my previous capability. Presently no more marathon day-hikes from me - only short 4-5 mile. Even a 2 mile walk can be difficult.
@aliensoup2420 I hope your legs recover and you can up your mileage. Cactus to Clouds is on my list, but I haven't been in shape for it (was planning for this fall, but my recovery won't be there yet). Your experience is a good reminder for me not to take it for granted, even when we're in marathon hiking shape. Happy trails to you!
HI from the mountains of Colorado. I just found/watched your video and I have subscribed to your channel. I also subscribe to Dan Becker and saw his video about his attempt, and resulting hospitalization. Is there a Rhabdomyolysis test that hikers can take before attempting something like R2R2R?
@tvpromo1 hello from Seattle! You've got some great mountains in CO (I lived in Littleton as a kid). Unfortunately, there's no test, to my knowledge. It took a blood test at the hospital to diagnose - all the vitals the EMTs were able to check in the ambulance came back normal. An easy on trail test would be amazing.
From talking to the doctor at the ER in Kanab, they see Rhabdo fairly regularly from canyon hikers, even though it's a fairly rare condition from what I've read.
Rhabdo is caused by muscle tissue breaking down and releasing into the blood stream. You can’t take a test before a big hike to see if you have it because it hasn’t happened yet. It’s from extreme overuse and damage to the muscles. The best way to not get rhabdo is to listen to your body and not do extreme endurance activities unless your are conditioned and even then it can still happen. It’s a risk people take pushing the limits of our bodies. I do CrossFit and it’s common in that sport as well as spin classes. Anything that puts immense strain on your big muscle groups like quads, biceps, etc
Best of health, Spencer. A single-day R2R2R is a strenuous hike. I completed it for the second time in early May this year, a week after you were at the Grand Canyon. I wouldn't recommend doing it within a single day to anyone who isn't used to high weekly running/hiking mileage with some steep climbing, on a weekly basis, for many months if not years. We are talking about an ultramarathon strain on the body. Not something one should do without good preparation.
Even then, one may have to make some adjustments to avoid risks (see my R2R2R hike video for adjustments I had to make toward the end of my hike). You made the right choice, calling it off, this time. Cheers, and take much care.
My R2R2R: ua-cam.com/video/RLUxDo_ZQgQ/v-deo.html
Thanks @RubiHammer . I feel very lucky it turned out as well as it did. the 24.2 miles I did get were beautiful. I'd been in the canyon before, and had done long distance, strenuous hikes (and had been conditioning for months). I definitely agree with you that this hike shouldn't be undertaken if you're not truly prepared for it!
Doctors said it just wasn't my day, and if I'd gone the day before or after I would have been fine. That said, I'm looking forward to fully recovering over the next few months and getting back to hiking in general, and then retraining and bagging it fully in a future year. Happy trails to you (and maybe our paths will cross out there one day)!
@@AdventuresWithSpencer I would also recommend a few days of higher altitude acclimation, even though the Rims elevation is not extreme. I usually arrive hiking the Grand Canyon after a week with moderate hikes in the Southwest high desert area (this time I arrived from Colorado, in prevues times from Utah). You can count this last one as an extended R2R experience. Next time you will do better.
@@RubiHammer 100% with you. I spent time in the Eastern Sierra on the way over, and then hiking and camping around Flagstaff for a week previous.
Quite a few years ago, we backpacked rim to rim to rim. It was beautiful and hard, but we did it. I cannot imagine in my wildest dreams the reason anyone wants to do this hike or even a cross canyon hike in one day. To each their own. It's mind boggling to me!
@dianetuccillo345 congrats on your crossing a while back! I'd love to go and backpack it, and take more time in the future. I like to do long hikes in a day as I can't always get permits for overnight camping, and there's something about the accomplishment of the day hikes I enjoy. That said, I also like being able to take my time and going slower brings a different type of enjoyment.
Thanks for watching and your comment! Happy trails to you!
Me too smh 2-3 day hike
We took a week! We hiked down and camped at BA and Cottonwood, hiked to NR and stayed a couple nights, did some hiking on the Rim, hiked back to Cottonwood, back to BA, then hiked out to SR. It was nice to take our time and enjoy the Canyon. It was a dream week come true. This really was a great option, in case anybody is looking for another idea.
Great story. Would love to have you on The Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show podcast to discuss.
@GrandCanyonHikerDude - Thanks for watching, and for the invite! I'm listening to your podcast now. I'd be honored to join and discuss with you! Let me know how best to get in touch.
What was the feeling you had that made you, smartly, stay with the ambulance and go to the hospital despite being cleared? What was feeling off?
@Smashycrashy - it's really hard to pinpoint it. It was something intangible. Maybe it was feeling extra tired and unusually fatigued...maybe it was some brain fog. Whatever it was, I'm blessed I did stay with the ambulance. Before I ever got on the trail, I told people that I'd turn around if it wasn't safe for me to continue. I think setting that intention and mindset ahead of time (and reaffirming it in a prayer as I started down the first switchback that morning) made it easier for me to listen to my body, as opposed to defining success as finishing every step of the full hike. I'm planning to go back for it one day, but definitely not this season!
Thanks for watching and for the questions!
@@AdventuresWithSpencerhow long do they anticipate until you are back to 100%?
@Smashycrashy the physical therapist thinks it will be September or October. I tried a flat 2 mile hike in Grand Teton last week. It felt mostly okay while doing it, but the next two days were pretty sore and uncomfortable, so realized I need to slow down and not push it.
Rim to Rim + a hospital trip. Nothing really new there.
Ahh, but it was new to me, my friend, it was new to me!
@@AdventuresWithSpencerRim to rim… I understand but rim-rim-rim 🤦♀️ just why?
@@dlittledtr Save on shuttle fare.
@@DouglasKubler 🤣🤦♀️
@@DouglasKubler there wasn't a shuttle running in April. North Rim was still closed :)
Why do people do RTR in one day? It’s nuts! People get injured and die all the time trying to attempt it. At least two hikers have died in the Grand Canyon this year. Don’t be stupid. 🤦♀️
@Starfish2145 we do it for the enjoyment, challenge, experience, and many other reasons. I've been in the canyon before, do distance hiking, trained for months, and came prepared and capable. I turned around and called for help when I needed it.
What a beautiful smile you have! I did RTR , but backpacked w a friend in 3 days. To me that is soo worth it! Enjoying every single step, exploring, instead of running. Try that next time. You won’t regret it! Best to you!
Thank you @@rosiealaniz3205 ! My parents get credit for the smile (three years of braces and head gear). When you did your 3 day trip, where did you stay each night?
Rim to rim running and single day to rim hiking is ruining the corridor in Grand Canyon. It taxes the infrastructure beyond its capacity and is incredibly negatively impactful.
@matador483 can you say more? The only infrastructure used on a single day is water and outhouses. Seems to have less impact than overnights?
Have you ever done a rim to rim? This is getting a bit old hearing people get ambulanced and getting lots of clicks. I feel abd for the nps having to bail people out that overeestimate their fitness levels.
@billygraham2587 this was not my first time hiking in the canyon, or doing long distances, and I trained for months in advance. So yes, I knew exactly what I was getting into and was prepared. The doctor told me it just wasn't my day, and if I'd gone a day earlier or later I would have been fine.
I agree the canyon gets underestimated by many people.