Grapevine Canyon Sunset                                                               (Photo: Brian Lane)

Inner Canyon Weather:
Inside Grand Canyon weather remains hot and humid with a chance of afternoon monsoonal thunderstorms. August and September are still dangerous times to hike the canyon due to extreme heat. Temps will remain in the 105 degree range for the next few weeks and slowly moderate into the mid-80's by mid-October. The chance of rain remains high while the Arizona Monsoon stays active, by mid-September the monsoons have subsided and precipitation goes from about an inch-and-a-half average in August to about a half inch of rain during the month of October. Due to extreme temperatures canyon hikers are still being advised to drink plenty of water (1-2 liters of water for every hour hiking) and be off the trail between the hours of 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. - the hottest time of day.

Man Rescued After Falling into Canyon:
On August 5th, 2010 an eighteen year old male visiting from France slipped and fell about 75 feet below the rim while taking pictures near Mather Point.  The incident occurred at about 2:45 p.m. and the man was air lifted via helicopter short-haul around 4:15 p.m. and flown to Flagstaff Medical Center with non-life threatening wrist, ankle, and neck injuries.

Technology Can Cause Trouble:
A recent article in the New York Times talked about the problems related to hikers using cell phones and other emergency communication devices in the backcountry. First of all, cell phones generally do not work inside the Grand Canyon, so canyon hikers are usually limited to satellite phones, personal location beacons (PLBs), or the newer SPOT Messenger. In the Grand Canyon I know of one instance where these satellite communication devices possibly saved a life a couple of years ago when a hiker in Surprise Valley suffering from heat exhaustion was air lifted out to medical care.

Then, I know of two instances where these devices were activated for no reasonable purpose, both happened during September, 2009...

The first occurred on September 2nd at 1:30 a.m. when a group of three hikers was sleeping along the rough and unmaintained Tanner Trail, about three miles from the South Rim. Grand Canyon dispatch was notified that a SPOT "911" activation had been received from the group whose permit holder and trip leader had extensive experience hiking the canyon. A rescue team arrived a short time later to find all three in their tents fast asleep. Further investigation revealed that one of the three hikers (on their first trip into the canyon) had become worried that they had run out of water, and she had heard "odd respiratory noises" coming from the group leader. Deciding they were in trouble she activated the 911 device and went back to sleep without telling anyone. After the rescue situation happened the group decided not to continue their intended trip any further and returned to the South Rim the next day. The Park Service did not press charges. 

Later that month, on September 23rd, Park Rangers initiated a search for two men and their two teenage sons along the rugged, unmaintained, and difficult to follow, Royal Arch Loop after receiving word that the group had activated the "help" button on the SPOT tracking device rented for the trip. They were reached via Park Service helicopter the next day, where they declined rescue since they had activated the device because they ran out of water, and had since then found a water source. That same evening the group activated the "911" button on their SPOT device. Due to darkness, an Arizona State DPS helicopter with night vision capabilities was requested. The DPS helicopter crew found the group less than a quarter mile from the location of the first "rescue" call. This time they said they were concerned about dehydration because their water "tasted salty." The group requested a night evacuation but was turned down by the helicopter crew due to the danger of such extractions. The group was provided more water before the helicopter departed. The next morning the group again activated the "help" button on their rented SPOT device. They were subsequently removed from the canyon at that time - all four refused medical assessment or treatment of any kind. The group leader admitted that he had hiked in the Grand Canyon once before, while the others had never hiked the Grand Canyon, and had little backpacking experience. The trip leader was cited for "creating a hazardous condition."

Emergency communication devices should never be relied upon in the backcountry. They are not intended to replace common sense and informed decision making. A reasonable person would know what they are getting into before entering the backcountry, and should be fully prepared physically and mentally for such a challenge. If rescue from the inner canyon is required you may be charged the cost of such rescue.

To read the full NYTimes article go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/science/earth/22parks.html


  Hike Safe & Have Fun!
              Brian

 
Lipan Point, Grand Canyon                                   Photo: Brian Lane

Hiker's Body Recovered from Canyon
Park officials received a call on Wednesday evening (July 7th, 2010) concerning an overdue hiker. The caller stated that the female hiker had accompanied the caller's son to Tuweap Valley along the North Rim. The two had planned to hike down on Lava Falls Route to the Colorado River where the male was meeting up with a river float trip in progress. After locating the male with his rafting group he informed the park rangers that he had not seen his companion since they had split up on Tuesday afternoon - when she was supposed to hike back to the North Rim. An aerial search was initiated and the woman's lifeless body was spotted on Thursday afternoon. No names have been released and no cause of death was reported at this time; park officials are investigating.

Man Drowns in Havasu Canyon
The Coconino County Sheriff's Office received a report on June 30th, 2010 of a deceased male just downstream from Mooney Falls. The victim, Michael Allen (32) of Ogden, Utah was on a camping vacation with family and friends when the accident occurred. According to witnesses Mr. Allen was swimming in Havasu Creek near the top of Mooney falls when he apparently went under and did not resurface. He then travelled over Mooney Falls (210' drop) and continued down the creek until his body came to rest along the creek bank. Coconino County detectives and the medical examiner are conducting an investigation into the incident.

North Rim Fire
A lightning caused fire that was first reported on June 26^th is still burning at this time. The Saffron Fire has blackened over 1,200 acres and is currently about fifteen miles northwest of the North Rim Lodge. Swamp Ridge Road and Swamp Point (the trailhead for North Bass Trail) have been closed until further notice. All over previously reported fires have been contained.
 

Canyon Heat Continues

Inner canyon temperatures will be remaining in the 110 degree range for the near future. With monsoon activity possible afternoon temps could moderate a bit as storms pass, but as soon as it clears and the sun comes back out the heat will quickly rebound. I say it all summer long - do not hike the inner canyon between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Rest often, drink a minimum of one liter of water (with electrolytes) for each hour you are planning to hike, and eat salty snacks.

Monsoon Season Primer

The Arizona Monsoon Season officially runs from June 15^th through September 30^th. By this standard, now in effect for the last couple of years, we are currently in the monsoon period.  But, by the old standard, the monsoonal weather pattern has not yet begun. The old requirements were three consecutive days with dew points over 55 degrees. Only then was a monsoonal flow considered in control of the Arizona climate. So far that has not come to pass, but eventually it will. With that in mind, let’s go over some of the basics that visitors to this area may need to know.

On August 26, 2001 the body of photographer and long-time Grand Canyon hiker George Mancuso (46) was found after he and his hiking partner were caught in a flash flood during Arizona Monsoon Season. Mancuso was a highly experienced canyon traveler and made the cover of Backpacker Magazine as a “Grand Master” of the canyon in 1997.  He and his companion had been exploring a side canyon off the Little Colorado River when a violent thunderstorm some thirty miles away, which they probably didn’t even know about, produced a flash flood that caught them in a narrow side canyon and swept them downstream to their deaths. I use this story to quickly illustrate the awesome power and dire circumstances that can be created during monsoon storms.

Monsoon storms are usually highly charged with lightning and produce heavy localized downpours. Enough so that history regularly reminds us how trails can be washed out, much to the chagrin of inner canyon hikers, who then must consider another way of exiting the canyon – when very few exist. The two big issues that one has to deal with during afternoon monsoon storms are lightning and flash floods.

Lightning:

Most lightning strikes the rim of the canyon, the deeper into the canyon you are, the less likely you are to be struck. If you are hiking the canyon’s upper reaches you are still susceptible, so listen for thunder and scan the sky occasionally looking for towering, anvil shaped cumulonimbus clouds.  Estimate how far away the storm is by counting the number of seconds after you see a flash of lightning and hear the crack of thunder and divide it by five seconds per mile. Remember lightning strikes can occur ten miles out from the storm front.
 

If you are caught outside in a lightning storm and hear crackling and/or feel the hair start to rise on the back of your neck quickly crouch down (in the catcher’s position), make yourself small, and cover your head. Do not lie flat, do not huddle in groups (people should be fifteen feet away from each other), avoid wet and damp areas, and avoid standing under tall trees or structures. If you are in your tent you should sit on an insulated mat, and do not touch the walls. Remain in a protected area for a minimum of thirty minutes after the last lightning or thunder is seen or heard.

 

Flash Floods:

Stay out of canyon washes when storms are forecast. If you must cross a dry creek bed, be aware of escape routes and immediately climb to a point of safety at the first sign or sound of water running down what would normally be a dry wash. Never try to outrun a flash flood.

When driving in Arizona during a monsoon storm…

Do not drive through flooded areas; it takes only a few inches of rushing water to begin moving a vehicle. Arizona has a Stupid Motorist Law that says if you need to be rescued after purposely driving into a flooded wash you will be charged up to $2000. Many such areas are clearly signed “Do not Enter When Flooded” it bodes well to heed that warning.

When the water mixes with grease, oil, and dirt on the road they become slippery so slow down and do not tailgate when driving in a storm. If the storm is so intense that visibility becomes impossible pull completely off the roadway, turn lights off, and take your foot off the brake so that others do not rear end your vehicle (as they may be following your taillights).

Hike Safe & Have Fun!

Brian

Ribbon Falls Close-Up: Photo Illustration - Brian Lane

Wildfires Abound… 

Wildfire season is upon us and after the very welcomed early spring rains we now face the dry (little to no rain for the last few months), hot (inner canyon temps over 100 degrees) dog days of summer with lots of desiccated brittle weeds in great abundance. This week fires have been popping up all over the high country of Northern Arizona and the following fires are currently being actively fought in the Grand Canyon vicinity as of this date:

 

Schultz Fire – 14,000 acres burned; Hwy 89 has been periodically closed just north of Flagstaff

Skousen Fire – 16 miles SE of Tusayan, AZ (17 miles SE of Grand Canyon Nat’l Park’s South Entrance)

Eagle Rock Fire – 3,420 acres burned; 11 miles NE of Williams, AZ

Hardy Fire – 300 acres burned; Near Little America Hotel - two miles SE of Flagstaff 

Three North Rim Fires were reported on June 14^th: The Walla Fire, Fuller Fire, and the Glades Fire;
All roads and trails remain open.

 

Officially the Arizona Monsoon Season, but no thunderstorm activity yet… 

The meteorological elements necessary for a good old monsoon season have not yet come together but the prognosis is for above normal heat and above normal rainfall for this, the Arizona wet season. The Arizona Monsoon Season occurs officially from June 15 through September 30, although we are not even close to seeing any monsoon activity yet. When active, the monsoon season produces violent localized afternoon thunderstorms. Luckily for canyon travelers, the afternoon should be the time for resting in the shade, and truth be told, it is the people on the rim that are most likely to be struck by lightning than anyone traveling the depths of the canyon. The Inner Canyon explorer should though, be aware of flash flooding in canyon washes.

 

Inner Canyon Heat Makes a Return… 

After a week of moderate temperatures the summer heat is set to return in the next few days with temps going above the 110 degree range (in the shade). If hiking inside the canyon please make sure to be off the trail between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Drink at least a quart of water every hour, more when climbing out of the canyon. Use electrolyte containing sport drinks and eat salty snacks.

Hike Safe & Have Fun!

Brian Lane

View from the top of Cathedral Stairs, Hermit Trail
Photo Illustration by Brian Lane.

First Excessive Heat Warnings of the Season

The first heat wave is poised to hit the Inner Grand Canyon this Saturday, June 5^th, 2010 and the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the weekend. The NWS may also issue its first Excessive Heat Warning of 2010 in the next couple of days as temperatures for the Inner Grand Canyon could reach as high as 110 degrees by Monday. These "dog days" of summer will last from now until early September, although the Arizona Monsoon Season (June 15th - September 30th) and its pattern of thunderstorms can offer temporary afternoon relief.

Excessive heat is the number one weather related killer in the U.S. with more than 1,500 people dying each year from heat associated situations. After blisters, this is the most common malady in the canyon, bar none. Initial symptoms include headache, pale and sweaty skin, cramps, nausea and vomiting, and fatigue. The symptoms usually progress as water loss increases. If not treated, your skin will turn red and hot and you will soon become disoriented, irritable, combative and ultimately unconscious.

Remember that the human body is 60% water and a canyon hiker can lose 20% of that water in one day of hiking, (or about 12 to18 pounds, which is equal to about 1.5 to over 2 gallons of water). The chronological order of heat related injury for the average person goes something like this: After sweating about 2% of your body weight your thirst mechanism is triggered. At 3% your performance is reduced by about 10%. Around 3 to 4% loss and heat exhaustion and muscle cramps set in. Then, at about 5%, your body begins losing a severe amount of muscle strength and endurance and you begin to make really bad decisions. By the time your body has lost 6 to 9% of its water weight, incapacitation sets in and you are unable to stand. Next comes the onset of total delirium and coma, when you reach 20% you are gone. Anyone choosing to hike into the canyon during periods of high heat should make sure to heed the following safety rules...

1). Avoid Strenuous Activities

Do not hike inside the canyon during the hottest time of day, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  Find a cool shady place to rest until temps moderate. Consider hiking at night, especially when the moon will provide some illumination.

2). Stay Out of the Direct Sun

Exposure to full sunshine increases your own personal "heat index" by about 15 degrees. Plus the fact that getting a sunburn makes the cooling process much more difficult.

3). Dress Accordingly

Wear loose, lightweight and light colored clothing, preferably cotton since cotton stays wet longer and therefore keeps you a bit cooler for a longer period of time. I like to keep a wet cotton hanky or neckerchief around my neck to help cool too.

4). Eat Accordingly

Avoid heavy proteins that increase water loss and also increase metabolic body heat production. Consume more carbohydrates and simple sugars for energy.

5). Drink Lots of Water

Start drinking extra water a few days before your trip and drink sport drinks with electrolytes a couple of hours before you begin your hike and while on the trail. Sport drinks containing electrolytes help keep your body chemistry balanced when sweating a lot. Especially in the summer season you will need to drink nearly a quart of water and/or sport drink for every hour of hiking. Drink enough fluids that your urine runs clear and avoid alcohol or caffeine, and consult your physician if taking antihistamines or antidepressants. Don't take salt tablets unless directed by your doctor.

** If you find yourself or someone else in your group suffering from the heat be sure to have them rest in a cool, shady spot. Slowly drinking copious amounts of water and/or sport type drinks can help. If symptoms progress, aggressive cooling is required so spray the victim with cool water and fan them while massaging muscle cramps as needed. Evacuate immediately if incapacitated. **


Hike Safe & Have Fun!

Brian on Tanner Trail
Photo by: Larry Lindahl
www.larrylindahl.com

        Yaki Point, Grand Canyon National Park. Photo Illustration: Brian Lane
Available as a limited edition fine art print on canvas signed by Brian - go to www.aSenseofNature.net

North Rim of Grand Canyon Now Open
The quiet North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park was officially opened last Saturday, May 15th at 7:00 a.m., when the Arizona Department of Transportation unlocked the gate at Route 89A and Route 67, a forty mile drive which leads to the Park's North Entrance. All roads are now cleared of snow and ready for traffic, although there is still about 35% snow coverage on the ground. The North Rim receives about one-tenth the number of visitors than the South Rim, and while a visit to the South Rim is said to average six hours, time spent by visitors at the North Rim averages three days. North Rim services will remain open until mid-October of 2010. Just to let you know, there will be prescribed burns in the North Rim area during the next thirty days.

All South Rim Trails Now Clear of Snow, but...
All South Rim trails are reportedly clear of snow and ice, but trails on the North Rim (1,000 feet higher in elevation from the South Rim) including portions of the Arizona Trail, Nankoweap trailhead access, and many other trailhead access roads may still be covered with 1-2 feet of snow. Access to Point Sublime from the W-1 Road may not come about until mid-June, so plan accordingly.

Central (Cross-Canyon) Corridor Water Availability
Water along the central corridor trails (Bright Angel, South Kaibab & North Kaibab Trails) is now available at all cross canyon water spigots, except for Supai Tunnel on the North Kaibab. Water sources along wilderness trails are quickly drying so make sure you check with the Backcountry Information Center for updates to ephemeral water availability.

Central Corridor (Inner Canyon) Campgrounds Full in May
Bright Angel, Indian Garden, and Cottonwood Campgrounds along the cross-corridor are reporting 100% full during May and 95% full during the month of June. Permits for late June, July, and August are readily obtainable - because most people do not enter the canyon during these times of extreme heat (average of over 100 degrees in the shade) plus the Arizona Monsoon Season (officially from June 15th - September 30th) brings violent thunderstorms with the accompanying danger from lightning and flash floods.

Temperatures Flirt with the 100 Degree Mark
It has been a nice, reasonably comfortable spring season at the Grand Canyon. Inner Canyon temperatures, on average, reach 100 degrees in early May. So far we've held it off but the Nat'l Weather Service projects that temperatures at Phantom Ranch will reach close to 100 degrees by this Friday, May 21st followed by another brief cool down. Remember to be off the trail between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. during times of extreme heat.

A Safe Year, so far...
No deaths , (save for a couple of apparent suicides), have been reported yet this year. 2009 had many people succumb to various tragedies including suicides, drownings, heart attacks, hantavirus, and heat related deaths. An average of twelve people die at Grand Canyon National Park annually and during last year it seemed that every few weeks a new misfortune and befallen a canyon visitor. Hopefully this year will remain a safe and happy one for all visitors to this magical place. 

Hike Safe and Have Fun!
Brian "Hikernut" Lane

 "Spring Arrives," Redbud in bloom off Bright Angel Trail. (Photo Illustration: Brian Lane)
Available as a limited edition fine art print on canvas signed by Brian - go to www.aSenseofNature.net


Trail Conditions - April 30th, 2010:
Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trails are (finally) mostly snow and ice free, and the Nat'l Park Service (NPS) is no longer recommending cleats or crampons be worn. On the upper sections of North Kaibab (above Supai Tunnel) the NPS is still recommending crampons as there is still snow, ice, and rockfalls that have not yet been cleared from the trail. Although the snow is melting fast, traction devices are also still needed on Grandview and possibly on Tanner Trail.

Water Availability:
Drinking water is again available at Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground as of April 22nd. The water pipeline break has been repaired. Along the Central Corridor (Bright Angel, South & North Kaibab Trails) water is only available at Indian Garden, Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch, and Cottonwood Campground at this time. All other water sources are still turned off. Other ephemeral water sources are beginning to dry out, check with the Backcountry Information Center for up to date information on potential backcountry water availability.

North Rim Set to Open:
The gate for Route 67 (at Jacob Lake) to gain access to the North Rim will be unlocked and opened by the Arizona Dept. of Transportation on Saturday, May 15th, 2010 at 7:00 a.m. Concessions will open after 10:00 a.m., and lodging check-in will start at 4:00 p.m. North Rim facilities include lodging, food service, camper services, and the gas station.

Weather:
Cool temperature are still the norm, especially on the rim, with lows at night in the 20 degree range. Inner Canyon temps are mid-40's at night with daytime temps warming from the mid-60's and into the 90's by early May.

Hike Smart & Have Fun!

Brian

Prickly Pear Cactus in April Bloom. Photo Illustration: Brian Lane
Available as a limited edition fine art print on canvas signed by Brian - go to www.aSenseofNature.net

This winter the Grand Canyon received the most snow they have seen in the last quarter century. The Nat’l Park Service (NPS) at Grand Canyon is therefore still advising hikers to use trekking poles and traction devices, (cleats or crampons) while hiking the upper reaches of Bright Angel, South Kaibab and Grandview Trails. Tanner Trail isn’t too icy but the snow is still about three feet thick at the top. Most of the other trails along the South Rim are free enough of snow and ice to be reasonably navigated without cleats, these include New Hance, Hermit, and South Bass Trails. Access to South Bass Trailhead via Forest Road 328 is passable, but 4-wheel drive is recommended. The North Rim is still closed and snow on the North Kaibab Trail is many feet thick above Supai Tunnel.

Drinking water is currently not available at Bright Angel Campground or Phantom Ranch due to a pipeline break that occurred on April 13th. You should always carry a water treatment system of some kind when traveling the Inner Canyon, even when drinking water is supposed to be available, since the pipeline breaks quite often.

Inner Canyon temperatures are fluctuating wildly, (which is usual for spring in Northern Arizona), with daytime temps varying from the mid-60's to low 90's, and nighttime temps from the mid-40's to the mid-60's. A chance of showers is still around, (usually by May the showers stop and the heat begins to dominate).

Remember that parking at the canyon has changed. When entering the park visitors can no longer drive up to Mather Point (historically the first view many visitors would take in). Now you must park at Canyon View Information Plaza to walk over to Mather Point. The Info Plaza is also the bus hub for the Village Route and the Kaibab Trail Route shuttle buses.

Hike Smart & Have Fun!

Brian

A big horn sheep rests along Bright Angel Trail - President's Day, 2010. (Photo: Brian Lane)

March Trail Conditions...
The snow is still falling and winter conditions remain in full force, but the sun is poised to return and warm things up by mid-March. Nonetheless trailheads remain snow packed and icy for the top couple of miles, so make sure you use crampons or cleats to ensure proper footing along these slick areas. Anyone trying to access South Bass trailhead is urged to drive the old mud rutted road only between the hours of 4-7 a.m., when the road is most likely to be frozen. Even then it is recommended you travel only in a four wheel drive vehicle equipped with a shovel, towing straps, tire chains, a winch, and the like.
 
Inner Canyon Camps Look Full...
Nearly all backcountry areas along the South Rim are completely full in March, April, and part of May (from Tanner Trail in the east, to Royal Arch to the west). If you want camp overnight inside the canyon and do not have a permit, you should go the Backcountry Information Center and put your name on the waiting list (although it could take a couple of days before a slot opens up). A few sites usually open up each day.

Toilet Talk...
Two new bathrooms have been installed along Bright Angel Trail. One in back of Three-Mile Resthouse, and another on the trail at the junction of Bright Angel and the River Trail, near the River Resthouse.

Another pilot program has begun at Grand Canyon NP for those camping in wilderness areas with no toilets - the WAG Bag program. In short, WAG Bags are human waste disposal bags where the backcountry traveler truly packs out everything that they pack in. To learn more or to volunteer for this pilot program to go: http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/waste-mgmt.htm for more information.

Phantom Trip in February...
After having canceled my Rim-2-Rim plans of last October due to a death in the family I did manage to make it back to Arizona in time to go into the canyon on President's Day with my lifelong friend, John Ducasse. We hiked down Bright Angel Trail on Monday, February 15th, checked into the cabin, cleaned up, and had the famous "hiker stew" that evening for dinner. The next day we investigated Phantom Creek, hiking up North Kaibab a couple of miles, then rock hopping across Bright Angel Creek to enter Phantom Canyon. We visited the triple waterfall and bushwhacked along the narrow canyon until we could go no more as our progress was impeded by a six, or so, foot waterfall surrounded by slickrock. We turned around, grabbed some stuff at the canteen, then stretched our legs walking along the Colorado on the River Trail. After showers we dined on the Phantom Ranch "veggie chili" at the canteen. We spent our last night at Phantom Ranch amusing ourselves (and others) as we played "Pass the Pigs" at the canteen. On Wednesday morning we hiked up on South Kaibab Trail, taking about five hours to climb out at a nice leisurely pace. The El Nino patterned weather cooperated and was just perfect! Great weather, environment, and friends...it just doesn't get any better!

Hike Smart & Have Fun!
Brian

Photo Illustration: "Fresh Snow" by Brian Lane

Back Home (and getting back into the proverbial saddle)
I arrived back to our Sedona home last week, just ahead of a wonderful Arizona winter storm. I have been away since mid-September helping with family matters back in central Massachusetts. Thanks to all who sent condolences and kind thoughts. They have been much appreciated.

Now it's time to get ready to go into the canyon next month. After being unable to get out and hike much in the snowy New England winter it will be nice to get back into better physical condition - the canyon often serving as my motivation. I especially love the winter months inside the Grand Canyon! It is so quiet in January and February. So different from the throngs of people that will arrive by mid-March and into April when the moderate temperatures entice spring breakers to venture throughout its depths. Winter brings its own special kind of peace to the canyon.

Last year I reserved a cabin (thirteen months in advance) at Phantom Ranch for President's Day and will be hiking down with one of my best friends from back in Massachusetts, John Ducasse. We grew up just a few houses away from each other, and we're the same age, so we high schooled together and wreaked minor havoc upon the populace in the little hamlet of North Brookfield together growing up. We've done lots of hiking and backpacking together, and it's always great to spend some time with an old (and getting older) friend.

In Other News...
On the fifth of January Park Rangers found the body of a lone male about 300 feet below a point called The Abyss along Hermit Road. The cause of death and the identity of the individual have yet to be ascertained.

Remember that the backcountry permitting system will be changing as of February 1st, 2010. Those wanting permits that become available four months prior must submit their request in writing - individuals can no longer receive a permit in-person at the Backcountry Information Center for trips starting four months out. All requests for permits must be submitted either by mail, fax, or in person, but they will be processed by random draw beginning at 5:00 p.m. on the 1st of the month for any trip beginning four months out. For example on February 1st, 2010 they will process permits for any overnight trip inside the canyon whose start date is in the month of June, 2010. See my post of November 30th for a link to more complete information.

Icy Trails...Remember too that anyone venturing inside the canyon during these winter months should be wearing cleats or crampons to avoid a slip and fall where snow and ice has accumulated near the rim (top) of the canyon. This ice can remain present until late March. Always check with the Backcountry Information Center for trail closures and updates before going into the canyon.

Hike Smart & Have Fun!
Brian

Snow storm begins to clear along South Kaibab Trail (photo: Brian Lane)

The first significant snow storm for this late fall season 2009 is now approaching Northern Arizona. The chance for heavy snow along the rim increases to a 90% chance this Monday evening - December 7th through Tuesday the 8th. A chance for snow is forecast to continue throughout the week.

The Inner Canyon and Phantom Ranch will see temperatures near freezing with heavy rain forecast for Monday. Remember that Inner Canyon temps run about 20 degrees warmer from those along the rim, so it rarely snows at Phantom Ranch.

It is recommended that anyone hiking into the canyon wear crampons or cleats from now until spring to avoid slipping (and falling) on (or off) the trail. If need be, they can be purchased at the General Store at Market Plaza on the South Rim.  

Hike Smart & Have Fun!
Brian