I am going to be in motion down the august canyon on 2/23/08 close to my 49th birthday.?
I need to buy instep crampons for me and 2 others. We may not use them again. Any suggestions?
Any suggestions for the trip?
Answers:
The Grand Canyon Tourist Information Botth would enjoy all the answers.
Try over at the visitor center for information.
I own done a lot of hiking at the Grand Canyon contained by winter. This winter they have get an unusually large amount of snow and so you will specifically want to have something on your foot - instep crampons or at least yak-trax - because the upper section of the trails will be icy.
I don't know of any place that rents crampons around the canyon, but they are not that expensive.
Alternatively, you could get a set of two of YakTraxs which are rubber straps with metal rings that you stretch over your boots. They unquestionably don't give as appropriate traction as the crampons, but they are much better than normal boots, they are easier to pack and enjoy the benefit that you can wear them comfortably in areas of little or no snow which can be nice if the trail go in and out of icy spots.
If you are staying on the fundamental trails (South Kaibab and Bright Angel) and they have not get any more heavy snow inwardly the 4-5 days before you shift, you may want to consider going with the YakTraks and a moment ago planning on taking it slow and easy for those first few switchbacks where on earth it is the worst. However, if you are going to be dealing with continous rock-hard packed snow and rime for a significant section of the upper trail than you will probably want the cramp-ons. Check next to backcountry office (phone below) previously you leave to receive the latest trail and weather conditions.
You can buy YakTraks at Babbitt Outdoor Outfitters or Peace Surplus - both contained by downtown Flagstaff on the way to the canyon. They supply crampons at the village store at the rim and also usually enjoy some pairs for sale at the bottom at Phantom Ranch.
I hold done a number of winter backpacking trips contained by the canyon (including one this last December) and own generally be OK with YakTraks although I also did a winter trip down Grandview trail a few years ago and be very glad that I have crampons.
Other general suggestions for hiking the canyon surrounded by winter...
I am a big fan of have trekking poles (look like ski poles) because they can run a lot of strain stale your knees and ankles on both the up and downs. They are especially useful surrounded by winter for a little extra support and match on the icy spots.
Remember that the climate gets furnace as you go deeper into the canyon until by the time you capture to the river it can be 20+ degrees radiator than the rim. You can start the morning freezing in snow and rime on the rim and then be relatively happy within just a t-shirt when you receive to the bottom. As a result, you will want to dress in layer that you can easily attach and remove during your hike. While on the rim, you will plainly want a warm headdress, thick insulation latter, waterproof out shell and probably some gloves.
Another minute on trails... conventional wisdom say that the best route is to go down South Kaibab and up Bright Angel. One of the big advantages of Bright Angel is the shade and drinking hose down half-way up at Indian Gardens (there is no water on the South Kaibab), which is intensely important within the warmer months. However, contained by winter, I prefer to use South Kaibab on both the up and down hike. Because it follows a ridge flash while BA is in a bit side canyon, you get out of the icy spots much quicker on SK. It is cool adequate in winter that carrying satisfactory water is not an issue and best of adjectives, the views on South Kaibab are incredible - roughly more expansive than on BA. I love hiking the South Kaibab and don't find it to be any harder to go up (from an shot perspective) than BA in winter. If you enjoy not been to the canyon beforehand, you may still want to go up BA anyways to see something different and attain the full canyon experience - but both ways on SK is definitely a viable resort.
At Phantom Ranch, they sell special t-shirts that can just be bought at the bottom and whose design changes every year - they are sort of collectors items. The ones from 2007 (which they probably will still hold when you are there) were excellent - painting of the inner gorge at dark.
Are you backpacking or staying at the Phantom Ranch dorms or cabins?
Either passageway, unless a major storm hits while you are on the trail, you should own a good trip. I love the canyon surrounded by winter and now do most of my canyon backpacking trips afterwards. It is much more peaceful and smaller quantity crowded, the snow on the upper canyon is beautiful, and once you go and get half path down the temps generally capture to be perfect for hiking.
Have fun and elated birthday!
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