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So you want to hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim in a day?
That was a question I heard echoed over and over.  Then the second question was “WHY” and “ARE YOU CRAZY”?  My usual response would be “WHY NOT”.  At this point I could tell you the health benefits of hiking; relieves stress, improves heart and lung capacity, improves overall body composition and endurance etc.  That's what most of my friends would expect me to say because I'm a health fitness consultant/personal trainer.
My response was different this time.  I was so excited to share, that a rather “eclectic” group of people had expressed a desire to hike the Grand Canyon.  We contacted Allen Newsom; a semi retired contractor and seven time hiker of the rim to rim (25 miles) for training advice.  The rest is history.
What do a lawyer, insurance administrator, financial advisor, homemaker/volunteer, production manager, court reporter, building contractor, business woman/philanthropist, and personal trainer have in common?  A real desire to hike the Grand Canyon!  Last September, we began our journey.  We had our first meeting with Allen laying out the training strategies, to begin in January.  Lodging at both the North and South rims were secured in September.
Before our feet hit the trail, Allen instructed us in appropriate shoes, clothing, nutrition, and hydration.  Of course foot comfort and fanny packs were the biggest issue for all of us.   During the 16 week training regimen some of us purchased more than one pair of hiking shoes, after nursing blisters and toe nail loss.  He also educated us in the variety of weather he has encountered at the Grand Canyon.  “We could start our hike in the morning at 25 degrees and snowing, land at the bottom of the Canyon at 105 degrees, and even encounter rain and wind”.
Our first training hike was 7.5 miles in the Kern Canyon on the Richbar Loop Trail.  Allen believes that we are fortunate to have the Kern Canyon at our doorstep.  “It is a perfect place to train for the Grand Canyon.  Its terrain is very similar and is equally as challenging”.
Keep in mind some participants had not been on a fitness program previously.  Cary Blue 36, court reporter and mother of two daughters experienced the difficulty of the first hike.  Her fitness level improved significantly.  Over the next few months we prepared for the adventure.
Just like a marathoner, we gradually built up our distance.  The next training hikes in February were 10-12 miles which included the Richbar Loop to Cow Flat Road and down Big Al's Grade.  In March and April we started the really hard and long hikes of 15 miles with steeper elevations such as Mill Creek and Lightner's Peak.
I mean steep, no switch backs, 8 hours long.  We would receive emails from Allen that would prepare us for the following Saturdays hike.
Here's an example: “This hike is our 8th week of our training schedule.  This hike will gauge if you are ready for the Rim to Rim hike.  IF YOU HAVE A HARD TIME WITH THIS, IF YOU CANNOT COMPLETE THIS HIKE, THEN YOU ARE NOT READY FOR THE RIM TO RIM.  YOU EITHER NEED TO START TRAINING HARDER AND GET IN BETTER SHAPE OR RECONSIDER YOUR PLAN TO JOIN “!
The month of May ushered in a long 20 mile hike and then we tapered to the events date of Thursday, May 22.  Our group started with about 15 and had been reduced to 9.  We were ready mentally and physically!
May 22nd had arrived.  It was just as he said it could be, “cold and snowing”.  We began our hike after group pictures and goodbyes to loved ones at 5:30 a.m. at the North Rim, 8250 feet.  As we began our descent into the abyss our excitement of what was to be over shadowed the physical test ahead.
With the morning skies just opening before us and lighting our path, we began to see and feel the enormity of this most beautiful place in North America.  Marty Neumann, 40, production manager for Frito Lay remarked, “Walt Disney got his ideas from the very deep red walls, hundreds of feet tall, lined with stacked rock and the man made carved Supai Tunnel.  It could be a set design for many areas that you see in Disneyland”!
 As we continued our descent we began to warm up to the blue skies with the sun outlining the ostentatious cliffs. As we continued down Roaring Springs on the North Kaibab Trail, we saw nature repeated over and over again with a deliberate show of plants and trees that none of us expected.
“I thought the Canyon would be more arid like”, added Tom Mestmaker 60, insurance administrator.  There were ample bathrooms and drinking water along the way which we took advantage of.  Lunch was at Phantom Ranch, elevation 2400 feet, roughly the bottom.
With 9.8 miles to go the weather turned cold, rainy, and windy!  “We should be thankful that we did not have the 100+ degree heat that you can experience, reminded Allen”.
 After lunch we crossed the Colorado River on a suspension bridge and continued on to the Bright Angel Trail.  “From one trail to another, from one mile to another, nature did not repeat itself. There was always another vista unfolding before our eyes” remarked Jeff Mestmaker 25, financial advisor.
Soon we were at Indian Gardens Campground, elevation 3800 feet with 4.6 miles to go.  “O'K this is where the training hits the trail, said Neumann, “We're soon to start into Jacobs Ladder and climb to 6860 feet.  There will be lots of switch backs with very steep inclines.  This will be your hardest part of this 25 mile hike”.
As we hiked, we continually looked back to see where we had come from.  That view kept many of us going, one foot in front of the other.  “We were definitely well trained. The end was steep, it was hard, and at times, mentally I thought it would be hard to finish, said Barbara Grimm Marshall, 55, business woman/philanthropist.  “We have all become quite a team, each helping the other, offering encouragement and sometimes an extra hand to make a step”.
After 13 hours, we ascended the top of the South Rim and were met with cheers from our loved ones.  “This was one of the most meaningful experiences in my life”, said Ralph Wyatt 58, lawyer, “This was always something I wanted to accomplish”.
Deb Roney 57, housewife/volunteer added “that she experienced some fear of the impending hike but Psalm 121 put those fears at bay.  “I lift up my eyes to the hill - where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord…”  “The spectacular beauty of the Grand Canyon revealed His creative hand”, said Roney. 
At age 58, I'm thankful for my health which allowed me to take this journey.   For me, this was an incredible accomplishment.  This wonderful “eclectic” group, combined with the beauty of the Grand Canyon touched my heart in a special way and left an indelible memory.

About the author: Diana Mestmaker, is a wife and mother and owns a personal training business.  She has 33 years experience in the fitness business and is certified through the American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Coaching Association, and Aerobics Fitness Association of America.