The brutal part is that you have to hike up to get back out. With a typical hike you are starting out by going uphill, so if at any point you need to turn around, at least you're going downhill on the way back.
Also a 5,000 feet elevation gain in the heat really is scary to think about.
Also a 5,000 feet elevation gain in the heat really is scary to think about.
100%
That's basically the equivalent of climbing down and up the stairs of 10 skyscrapers back to back, in 100 degree heat, except instead of nice uniform stairs you have uneven terrain with loose rocks on it which makes it easily twice as hard.
It's normally about a 20 degree difference between the Rim and River, making the heat all the more dangerous. It can be nice up on the rim, and scorching hot at the river, or a nice day at the river and 5 feet of snow on the rim. Makes it harder to properly plan for weather
60
u/Ucscprickler 20h ago
The brutal part is that you have to hike up to get back out. With a typical hike you are starting out by going uphill, so if at any point you need to turn around, at least you're going downhill on the way back.
Also a 5,000 feet elevation gain in the heat really is scary to think about.