The Green Hiker

Our first Spring hikes are just days away. Even in Upstate New York.

What follows is a quick review of hiking happenings across the U.S.

• Ed Parsons offers a great perspective on revisiting favorite hiking trails throughout the year. His seasonal reminiscences of New Hampshire hiking trails are perfect as we transition from Winter to Spring.

• The U.S. Forest Service upgraded and standardized the blazing and signage in the Chattahoochee and Oconee National forests (Georgia). Green for horse trails and lime green for hiking trails. I assume all horses will be tested for color recognition skills.

• Deb Stanley in the Denver Hiking Examiner has her Spring hiking list in order. 16 great day hikes in the Rocky Mountain National Park and the Grand Canyon. Deb, beautiful photo of Solitude Lake.

• Amy Hotz of the StarNewsOnline roams the Ev-Henwood Preserve south of Wilmington. N.C. Fifteen hiking trails and a 1,000 year old cypress tree named “Gus”.

Now Go Outdoors!

Hiking And Backpacking As Conditioning

Most people view conditioning for sports as something that should take place in a gym, in a field, on a track, or in a pool, but there are other, more adventurous options. Cross training has become a common practice for most athletes, but most of them think of it as a mix of other conventional sports such as running, biking, and swimming.

There are more useful and more exciting ways to cross train for any activity, and many options are in the outdoor adventure field.

As a soccer coach, I have used hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, trail running, mountain biking, climbing, cross country skiing, and downhill skiing as training methods that my athletes enjoy, look forward to, and always come out on the other side in much better shape.

I want to focus on Grand Canyon hiking, because of its unmatched upper leg building and overall conditioning.

Grand Canyon Hikes

There are many ways to use a Grand Canyon hike for team or individual sport training. I’ve taken my entire soccer team into the Canyon on rim-to-rim adventures that strengthened the boys’ teamwork as much as their bodies.

The rim-to-rim, which entails 4000 feet of downhill hiking and 4000 feet of uphill hiking, can be done in a single day for the super-fit or as a multi-day hike, which works better for team-building. The rim-to-rim-to-rim, which includes 8000 feet of downhill hiking and 8000 feet of uphill hiking can also be done in a single day or as a multi-day hike, but should only be tried in one day if you’re willing to trail run much of the way.

Either way, hiking between the rims is a feat both physically and emotionally. The trail is steep and sustained and is absolutely perfect for upper leg strengthening. For the rim-to-rim, most people take the South Kaibab Trail down and the North Kaibab Trail back up, and then back the same way for the rim-to-rim-to-rim.

Another alternative though is to take the Bright Angel Trail as a alternative route back to the South Rim.

Another option especially for preseason trainings is a rafting trip into the canyon and then a hike out. The conditioning isn’t as good with the rafting, but the hike out more than makes up for it. The rafting is one-of-a-kind when it comes to bonding athletes around something outside of their sport.

Less Strenuous Options

The New Hance Trail is a great option for a tougher hike, and a mule-assisted trip down to Phantom Ranch is a great way to make it more moderate. Whichever option you choose, just remember it’s critical to stretch and hydrate frequently.

And in the Grand Canyon September is the best month because it’s not too hot, and the Fall sports season is just beginning.

Now Go Outdoors!

Exploring the Grand Canyon is an outdoor adventure sure to create a level of bonding and healing for any family open to nature’s wonders.

There are three reasons it’s so effective. (And it’s OK if you don’t have the physical conditioning to do it, or if you have small kids – I have some answers for you.)

Share The Moment

First, the Grand Canyon is an incredibly special place. Carved by water and blowing wind over millions of years, it’s literally a 4000 foot deep chasm winding through a vast plateau.

A wild river thunders through the canyon’s base. Desert flowers, wildlife, waterfalls, springs, rapids, and horizon-busting vistas will astound even the most cynical of brothers, sisters and spouses.

After spending 3 or 4 days exploring the Canyon’s depths, it’s impossible to view the Canyon from its rim and not be overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with gratitude for being alive in that moment. Overwhelmed by sharing that moment with every family member …

A Natural Rush

Second, small family groups living in the wilderness is how human beings evolved over the past 70,000 years. It feels right.

Freed from the work-a-day world with its superficial distractions, your family can talk and listen and interact in natural and stimulating environments. It just may be possible to open new and healthy dialogues. What is crushed by the rush of every day civilization, just may be nurtured by the rush of the Colorado River ….

Team Family

Third, hiking the Grand Canyon is an achievement. Your family, like any team, is happier when they win and is less happy when defeated. Even the most basic trek into the Canyon is an achievement . It isn’t easy. It’s challenging.

And once your family tastes this sweet “victory”, it may create a hunger for more family achievements, more family victories ….

Not In Shape?

If you aren’t physically fit enough to take on Grand Canyon hike then I’ve got some solutions.

First, you may be in shape enough to hike without a pack. If you are, then there are mule services to carry your gear down and back up, so you don’t have to do it. The mules are also a great solution for families with young children.

Another solution is to book the trip several months out and then start training. Start training as a family activity.  And if neither of those solutions will work, then another option is to do a Grand Canyon rafting trip with day hikes from the bottom.

If your family is going through a rough patch, consider a Grand Canyon adventure. Or any outdoor activity. It may be the natural healing tonic your family craves.

(Would love to hear from anyone with a healing family adventure.)

Now Go Outdoors!

Green hiking tips in the heat and moonlight!

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