The Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show

Appearing on the TV show Shark Tank was a life highlight for my brother and me. Now—seven years later—the lessons I learned are being applied to Grand Canyon hiking. Today, it's all about the three simple words that propelled us to Shark Tank, and how they might even help influence your Grand Canyon adventure. ***** Please join the Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show's private Facebook group by clicking...

It started with what dad figured was an unserious idea, and ended with he and his adult daughter conquering one of the most serious hikes in the world. Today, we get a sneak peek into what it takes to have a successful Rim-to-Rim with the father/daughter team of Paul Hofmann and Amybeth Hancock. ***** Please join the Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show's private Facebook group by clicking here . ***** Th...

Kevin Fedarko now has two Grand Canyon-related best sellers to his name: The Emerald Mile and his latest book, A Walk In The Park, which chronicles what he calls the "spectacular misadventure" of his through-hike of the 700+ mile length of the Canyon.   Kevin recently gave a talk at the Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim, and we were there to record every word. The audio quality isn't up to our u...

After talking north-to-south Rim2Rims in the last episode, we move on to south-to-north Rim2Rims in this one. Buffy Park is back for a discussion on the pros & cons of the South Kaibab-North Kaibab route. ***** Please join the Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show's private Facebook group by clicking here . ***** The Rim2Rim Pack from Bright Angel Outfitters is now available! Check out our Canyon-inspi...

"Which way do I go?" It's a common question when deciding the direction you'll take when planning a Rim-to-Rim adventure. Today, we break down the pros & cons of the north-to-south route—from logistics to difficulty—with Canyon vet Buffy Park. ***** Please join the Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show's private Facebook group by clicking here . ***** The Rim2Rim Pack from Bright Angel Outfitters is no...

A special episode today where we discuss the unprecedented extreme heat in Arizona and the Canyon—very dangerous as it comes right in the middle of prime Rim2Rim season. Plus an encore airing of one of our most popular episodes: Death And Despair On North Kaibab. ***** Please join the Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show's private Facebook group by clicking here . ***** The Rim2Rim Pack from Bright Angel...

Hiking Rim2Rim and want a tour guide along the way? Download this episode and take it with you as Brian joins you for all the stops along the way with information about what you're seeing, how much progress you've made, and how far you still have to go. All brought to you free of charge by Bright Angel Outfitters. Here are the stops on the North Kaibab - Bright Angel route: 00:00 North Kaibab Trai...

Hiking Rim2Rim and want a tour guide along the way? Download this episode and take it with you as Brian joins you for all the stops along the way with information about what you're seeing, how much progress you've made, and how far you still have to go. All brought to you free of charge by Bright Angel Outfitters. Here are the stops: 00:00 South Kaibab Trailhead/The Chimney  03:00 Ooh Aah Point 04...

If you're going to hike Rim2Rim in the Grand Canyon, preparation is the #1 indicator of success. How you train and how you plan can truly make all the difference. Today, we speak with Jackie Kunkel, a 59-year-old who recently took on this bucket list adventure with two other ladies—and learn how they finished with smiles on their faces. ***** Please join the Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show's private...

Mary from Kansas is now a Canyon vet, having completed her first Rim-to-Rim in May. But getting there wasn't just a physical challenge—it was a  mental one as well. Today, Mary unpacks the strategies she used, including training as a flatlander, and how her anxiety led to overpacking—or, as she puts it, " fear packing." ***** Please join the Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show's private Facebook group by...

Imagine loving the Grand Canyon so much that Phantom Ranch stew is on your holiday menu—in England! This is the story of the father/daughter duo of Steve & Georgia Coppen, who were planning a summer hike to Phantom before a waterline break forced them to change plans at the last minute. ***** Please join the Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show's private Facebook group by clicking here . ***** The Rim...

August 22, 2024 is a day I won't forget. For me, it meant a Rim2River hike in shockingly perfect summer conditions. For those downriver in the Havasupai area, though, it meant a raging flash flood that led to chaos—and loss. We'll talk with Dr. Tom Myers about what to do in the event of flash flooding on your hike, and also catch up with a pair of hikers at the bottom of the Canyon for an intervie...

Would you know what to do if you or someone you were hiking with was having a heat emergency? Phillip Grim was just 10 years old when he set out to hike Rim-to-Rim with his family. But he never made it. Today, 28 years later, his story is a reminder of the serious business of hiking the Grand Canyon—and how one poor decision can snowball into an unfathomable nightmare.  Plus, Dr. Tom Myers shares...

When you mess something up, you have to admit it. You have to own it. You have to wear it. So...that's what I'll do today, as I talk about the harsh lessons I learned about myself on a recent Rim2Rim, and hope they can help you on your own Grand Canyon adventure. ***** Please join the Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show's private Facebook group by clicking here . ***** To reach Coach Arnie, you can call...

How to train, what to pack, how to handle food and water intake and so much more—Jessica Varvus did all the research she could in preparation for her May Rim2Rim. Today, she shares what worked, what didn't, and what she wishes she'd have known before taking on the mighty Grand Canyon. ***** Please join the Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show's private Facebook group by clicking here . ***** The Rim2Rim P...

Summer hiking in the Grand Canyon can be dangerous. Fatally so, in fact. But if you're going to take it on, at least do yourself (and those who might otherwise be forced to rescue you) the service of being physically and mentally prepared for an extreme physical activity in an extreme environment. Today, exercise physiologist and Canyon vet Coach Arnie shows us how becoming heat adapted is possibl...

Logistics can be just as challenging as the hike—especially when you're talking about multi-day trips on the corridor trails. Today, we speak with Canyon vet John Sterrett, an experienced multi-day Rim-to-Rimmer with vast knowledge on what it takes to plan and train for more complex itineraries, and why he thinks those are the best way to experience the Grand Canyon. Plus a training tip from Coach...

The stretch from June 16 through July 7 of 2024 was amongst the deadliest in the recorded history of the Grand Canyon. Four hikers lost their lives during that period, with the assumption (it's too early for official causes to be released) that some, or perhaps all, were heat-related. One of those fatalities was Scott Sims, a 69-year-old entrepreneur from Austin. Mr. Sims had been in the Canyon ma...

Alicia Caine was so inspired by her Rim2Rim—that she wrote a book about it. Today, Alicia shares the story of that unforgettable day, and what drove her to write a book that's sole purpose is to help others prepare for the Canyon's #1 bucket list adventure. ***** Alicia's book, Conquer The Canyon: Rim to Rim In A Day, A 16-Week Training Plan is available exclusively on Amazon. You can find it by c...

It's been a devastating three weeks in the Grand Canyon, with FOUR hiking deaths. We don't know for sure that any of them were heat-related, but it's very likely. So let's talk about it... ***** Click here for the link to Amy's Google doc on hiking in the heat at the Grand Canyon. ***** The all-new Grand Canyon Shade Tracker is LIVE!! This incredible interactive tool lets you see when and where yo...

A variety show today as we cover topics from hiking in the heat to wearing headphones to North Rim mule rides to a spouse's perspective of their Canyon hiker and much more...with the Grand Canyon Hiker Dudette—my wife, Zeena Speciale. ***** Please join the Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show's private Facebook group by clicking here . ***** The Rim2Rim Pack from Bright Angel Outfitters is now available!...

Al Pickering and his wife had a dream: the iconic Rim-to-Rim hike in the Grand Canyon. But when Al invited his younger brother along—and feared his brother hadn't put in the proper preparation—things quickly turned in a dangerous direction. ***** Please join the Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show's private Facebook group by clicking here . ***** The Rim2Rim Pack from Bright Angel Outfitters is now avail...

Jamie Zwilling is the best kind of "loser"—the kind who has battled obesity and managed to cut his weight almost exactly in half. Today, Jamie shares the inspirational story of his Rim-to-Rim adventure, including the details of his training regiment, the logistical challenges he faced, and a step-by-step account of what he calls the hardest physical accomplishment of his life. ***** Please join th...

It's everything I don't advise: a Rim-to-Rim during the hottest time of the year. So if someone has to do it, it might as well be me. Come along as I tackle the Canyon's most iconic hike on a scorching afternoon, and hear everything I learned about hiking in extreme heat. ***** Please join the Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show's private Facebook group by clicking here . ***** The Rim2Rim Pack from Brig...

Hiking in direct sun in the Canyon's warmer months isn't just uncomfortable—it can actually help kill you. Today, we talk to the creator of the Grand Canyon Shade Tracker—a powerful new tool designed to show Canyon hikers exactly when and where they can find shade, anywhere on their route, any day of the year. ***** The Rim2Rim Pack from Bright Angel Outfitters is now available! Check out our Cany...