
Yearly Pilgrimage to the Grand Canyon
Yearly Pilgrimage to the Grand Canyon
My wife and I went on a pilgrimage to the Grand Canyon in Arizona last week. In fact, it’s become a regular part of our lives now – we go there every year at the same time. Sometimes, it’s hard to find the time, but we try our best to go there despite the difficulties of life.
Why, you say? Let me answer your question with another question: have you ever been there? If you have, it’s easier to explain. If not, I would recommend you go there if you can – and I promise you won’t regret it. There’s no such vast beauty to be seen in Ireland. The reward is worth the trouble. And if you go there, you can visit Vegas on the same trip! And yet the story doesn’t end there.
The Size of the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Sixty million years ago, the Rocky Mountains and the Colorado Plateau, of which the Grand Canyon is a part, were formed by tectonic activity. Gradually, the Colorado River carved its way through the ancient rock, digging ever deeper.
Today, it is a steep-sided canyon – 446 km long, up to 29 km wide, and 1,857 metres deep. It covers a vast area of 5,000 km² – that’s half a million hectares.
That’s not easy to imagine. To put it in context: imagine Counties Kilkenny, Waterford and Carlow combined – and every inch of it covered by one deep canyon. And you could almost hide two Carrantuohills in its depths from top to bottom.
While there are other great canyons in the world, the Grand Canyon is the most famous. Around 5 million people visit it every year. It’s an awesome sight to behold from the rim. Most visitors head to the South Rim – it’s not as remote as the North Rim.
Staying at the Bright Angel Lodge
When I first saw the Canyon, my eyes almost popped out of my head in awe. Seeing it on Instagram or TV is one thing – but experiencing it in person is another. It takes your breath away.
After our first visit to the South Rim, my wife and I were completely captivated. There’s magic – not just in the canyon itself, but also in the quiet village on the rim (Grand Canyon Village). We love staying in the village at the Bright Angel Hotel – in a small log cabin on the edge of the canyon.
The hotel has shops, a restaurant and a pub – everything you could possibly need. You can have a lovely dinner, and then take a walk as the sun sets – perfect subject for your next selfie!
Preparations for the Crossing
After several years staying on the rim, we heard about an exceptional hike that a friend of ours had done – a complete crossing from the south rim to the north rim, about 40 km in length.
The descent is not the most challenging – it is the steep ascent that is, especially in the heat of the season. When I heard about this hike, and despite the difficulties he mentioned, I asked to go with them – and they accepted me without delay.
I started training seriously. There were mountains nearby and I did a long hike every weekend – between the altitude and the desert heat.
Oddly enough: In the Grand Canyon, you can experience two climates in one day – freezing at the top of the canyon, with desert heat up to 40°C at the bottom. Therefore, comprehensive preparation is required – layers of clothing, a food strategy, and above all, water management.
If you are going ‘rim-to-rim’ – that is, from one rim to the other, you will be on the trail for up to 15 hours. You need to have a plan for hydration – how much water to carry, where the fill points are, and how to balance your weight. 3–4 liters is essential, but 4 liters weighs 4 kilograms.
The Big Day: Crossing the Canyon
I met up with the group of hikers later in the year as we had planned. There were about ten of us. We spent a few days at the north rim first to get used to the altitude – 2,500 meters.
At four o’clock in the morning, by the light of the stars, we met up and set off. The temperature was below freezing at the time, but we were prepared. Dressed appropriately, we set foot on the famous Bright Angel Trail – and into the Grand Canyon.