In summer, start early to take advantage of the cool temperatures.
Don't leave anything valuable in your vehicle, and make sure everyone knows where the keys are.
Double check your packs one last time and take it easy on yourself throughout the hike.
To stay energized, start energized.
Avoid the heat by not hiking between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
In hot weather, time you're hiking to take advantage of the shade.
Take a break every 20 minutes to eat and drink fluids that replace salts.
Don't wait until your thirsty or hungry.
Exercise curbs your appetite, so you might not know when you need to eat.
When its hot, cool down by getting wet.
Save energy for that last uphill climb by pacing yourself from the very beginning.
You're going too fast if you can't easily carry on a conversation.
Weather can change surprisingly quickly, so be alert.
During lightning storms,stay away from high points.
Remember, if you get hurt, you're responsible for yourself,
and the National Park Service isn't legally required to rescue you.
By and large, people who are hurt in the canyon
should do all they can to rescue themselves.
If you need to report an injury, key questions you'll be asked include:
where is the person now?
Are they conscious and breathing?
What exactly is the nature of their problem?
Is anyone with them?
What first aid measures have been taken?
and, do they have food and water?
These questions allow Rangers determine the urgency of the call.
Often, several emergencies are underway at same time,
and Rangers must evaluate each one.
There is no guarantee that Rangers
will be able to rescue everyone you meet.
Safety is your responsibility.
To hike respectfully, leave as little trace of your presence as you can, starting with
the trail itself.
You might be tempted to shortcut across a switchback, or detour around fallen rocks,
but it's important to stay on the trail as much you can.
Shortcutting causes rock falls that are dangerous to hikers below.
Walking 2 abreast widens the trail, destroys vegetation and damages the fragile soil.
If you walk single file, it easier for others to stay on the trail.
And, don't forget that up-hill hikers have the right-of-way.
You'll understand why - when you hike out.
When you meet mules or horses, stop and follow the wrangler's instructions.
in general, off or on trail, leave the canyon just as you find it.
Don't collect fossils rocks and artifacts, and don't pick plants.
Draw or take pictures instead.
When you encounter animals on the trail, remembered that it's illegal to feed them.
Feeding wildlife causes them to become aggressive and sickly and often leads to their death.
If your permit is for a designated site, you must use that site.
If your permit is for at-large camping, camp where others have camped before.
Look for previously used campsites in sandy areas or on slickrock benches.
These sites have compacted soil and little vegetation.
Dry washes may look like good campsites, but become rivers in flash floods, so don't camp
there.
"I think we might have our campsite."
"Mike, wait a second, look."
"Look at this."
"Can we pick these up?"
"Yea, we just got to make sure we put them back down in the same spot."
Don't camp in archaeological sites.
"We got to be careful of where we're stepping. Obviously we won't be able to camp here"
Pottery sherds, or evidence that someone has lived at this spot, indicates archaeological
value.
Camp at least 100 feet from water sources.
Camping closer to water disturbs wildlife and can pollute the water.
Don't remove vegetation, trench around your tent, or build a rock shelter.
Leave the area undisturbed.
"Good. Getting hungry yet?"
Put food where critters can't get it.
Campfires are not allowed in the canyon, so if you cook, use a stove.
The simple rule for waste in the Grand Canyon is: carry it out.
The one exception is your feces.
Where toilets are available, use them.
Never put plastic or garbage in them.
Where there are no toilets, burry your feces in a cathole.
Find a sunny out-of-the-way place,
Be sure your cathole is at least 70 large paces from water,
dry washes, the trail,or a campsite.
Use a small trowl to dig a shallow hole in mineral soil
4 to 6 inches deep
and about 4 to 6 inches wide.
After you've used the hole cover it with the soil you dug out
and disguise it with natural materials.
Put used toilet paper or tampons in a
sealable plastic bag and carry them out.
Don't bury or burn them.
Burning toilet paper has caused many wildfires.
A small spark went over into a bunch of dry grass and it immediately went on fire,
and I tried to put it out, but it spread so quickly.
In seconds it was a 10 foot wall of flames.
I managed to get out OK, but I was really frightened that there were other people in
the area, or that the fire might spread.
and,
When I went back to the fire site later, I found that, there were all these beautiful
trees there,
five hundred, three hundred year-old acacia and pinyon and juniper, that were gone, and,
the only thing I would have needed to do was not burn my toilet paper.
Wastewater from cooking and washing will foul streams and camping areas, so never wash in
streams or pools.
Minimize use of soaps.
Scatter any wastewater at least 70 paces from water sources and campsites, and remove all
traces of trash and litter.
Leave the ground free of any trace of food, and collect any scraps that fall inadvertently.
Start your hike bight and early to take advantage of the cool of the day.
"A good day."
On your way up, you'll work harder than on your way down, sweat more and take longer.
On a return hike in hot weather, it's even more important to stay in the shade and to
avoid the midday heat.
Pace yourself and save energy for that last uphill climb.
"How's it going, gentlemen?"
Steep climbing in the heat drains body fluids and salts especially for children, so watch
for the symptoms of heat related illness and treat them right away.
Consult your Grand Canyon hiking brochure for details.
If you feel dizzy, week, disoriented or nauseated, or if you have a headache or clammy skin,
you may have already lost too much salt and water.
Cool down, drink and eat.
"OK, I want you to try and eat some."
"Why don't you take the bag."
"Got it?"
"Chew it up real good..."
Another good reason to stay together is to be sure that everyone has access to water
and food.
"...back of the neck."
"That feel good?"
No matter what the time of year or day the bottom of the canyon is at least 20 degrees
fahrenheit or 11 degrees celsius warmer than the rim.
Climatic conditions change rapidly in the canyon, especially in spring and fall.
It can turn cold or snow.
Take cold as seriously as you take the heat.
If you're chilled, stop, warm up,
and get plenty of food and water.
"Ah, look,"
"I think we did."
"Yes !"
"Chow time."