Day 132 - Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

Time for our trek into the Grand Canyon today. We are up early and make the short drive to the visitor centre on the edge of the south rim of the canyon. 

We are greeted by this fellow upon arriving. "There's a moose loose about this hoose".

We have a great breakfast in the place next to the visitor centre. Love the choice you get in these places in America. Anything you can think of they have. We then meet our guide Jason along with a couple from Texas and set off to the starting point of our trek, a three mile drive away. 

We get unpacked and do more form filling in signing away yet more rights. Never knew walking was so dangerous!

We then head to the edge and get our first glimpse of the canyon. We are doing the South Kaibab treck which goes down into the canyon about half the way down. It is too far to get to the river and back in one day (so they say). I'd have liked to give it a go but there are more signs about death than in the grim reapers house! They just make me want to do it even more. 

It is a little bit chilly to start with but as we descend into the canyon it gets a lot warmer. In all we descend just over 2,000 feet today, trekking the 3 miles to Skeleton Point (6 mile round trip) starting at 7,260 feet and ending at 5,200 feet. It's not bad going but the competitive types we are we would have liked to push ourselves a bit further. We had to consider the group though as the two people we were with were not the fittest. 

Anyway back to the trek. Fantastic first views of the canyon.

Really great to be here on the ground seeing it in the flesh as last time I was here as a child we flew over in a helicopter (which was also fantastic). 

Great panoramic views. 

Nice picture at "ooh ahh" point (as it's the first point you get more of an end to end view of the canyon). We rename it "boobie point" as when you approach it it looks like a pair of boobs. Always good to rest on a pair of boobs. 

King of the world. 

This is the midway point to Skeleton. 

All the way down we see lines of mules being let up the mountain by cowboys (or are they donkey boys?) that make for some fantastic pics. 

Ominous looking ravens. Hope we see a condor. Didn't know how big they are. Apparently their wing span is about 8-9 ft. Must look like a dinosaur!

The trees here are fantastic. They all look like they are on their last legs as they have very shallow roots to capture as much rain as possible when it it rains which is hardly ever. 

This one actually is dead. 

Stopping for a rest. 

More mules. 

Glad we have the walking pole as the downward journey can be tough on the knees. 

We reach Skelton point where we can get a view of the Colorado river. 

The river in the middle - this is a much as we see of it. To the right is Phantom Ranch. Would have loved to trek there, stay there the night and then head back the next day but you basically need to make a reservation 18 months in advance it is so popular. It's also pretty basic as it is only supplied by the mules. 

Stopping for lunch. Jason prepares quite a little feast for us with some damn tasty turkey sandwiches. The Americans sure know how to make a good sandwich. 

If only I had a parachute I might be tempted to try base jumping!! ;-)

Ready for the walk back. 

Love this picture. Spot of climbing. 

I had a bit of an issue with a leaking water bottle so had to fashion a washing line to dry them.

Another great tree that looks dead but is actually alive and well. 

Heading back up is obviously a lot harder than the way down. Definitely gets the blood flowing which is well needed as we have done hardly any exercise over the past few weeks. 

Aka "boobie point"... Like Nat's cat woman fancy dress. 

Contemplating man. 

As the sun starts to go down the shadows that form on the rocks looks amazing. Makes it look completely different to earlier. 

The view back down to boobie rock...  There they are!!!

We made it. We have had a great time with he group. Jason has been great too. Really good guy. 

Quick stop off at the shop for some evennng reading. My fave is guns and amo. Maybe there will be a special report on how to go crazy and kill hundreds of innocent people with my gun! 

We decide to have a night in tonight and order a pizza and watch a film. This was actually our first night in of the trip. Not bad going for day 132!!

We get a fantastic selection of beer. Turn the heater up to full as it is getting mighty cold again and settle down to watch Kick Ass 2. Needless to say neither of us stay awake to the end. Another fantastic day but we are shattered.