BACKPACKING TRIP:

     Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

                    MAR 3 - 11, 2007 (Spring Break)

              *    

 

COST: $850 (if you have your own personal gear)   (As of 2/20 we have one spot available for $750.  You need to be in shape!)

Cost includes:  Transportation, Group Equipment, Camping and Permits, Park Entrance Fees, On-the-Trail Food, and Hotels. Participants will be responsible for their own personal equipment and "travel food".

Payment Schedule:

           REGISTRATION FEE                     = $100 

       

            2ND PAYMENT, DUE  Jan. 19     = $300

            3RD PAYMENT, DUE Feb. 2       = $250

            4TH PAYMENT, DUE Feb. 23      = $200

                                                                         $850

* TO RENT PERSONAL GEAR FROM THE RENTAL CENTER = $39.75

        (backpack, sleeping bag & pad, poncho)

 REGISTRATION:     Bring $100 (cash or check) to the Outdoor Recreation Center,  located on Children's Way , by A.S.A.P.                                      (Hours: Monday and Friday: 12-6 PM, Tues., Wed., Thur.: 3-6 PM.)

 

PRE-TRIP MEETINGS: There will be five Pre-Trip Meetings for this trip.

          

                    Next Meeting:  Sunday, Feb. 11 at 7:00 PM.

                    The four additional Pre-Trip Meetings will follow in January and February, 2007.  Other times and dates TBA.

Number of spots remaining as of 6 PM, Feb. 16 = 1

TRIP OVERVIEW:

Get in shape now for the trip of a lifetime!! This year, we will be travelling in style, by flying to Phoenix and using a chartered bus for local transportation to go to THE Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona. There will be two hiking groups, each backpacking for seven days on the Bright Angel, Tonto, and Grandview Trails, off the south rim of the canyon. Exact hiking trails will be determined after we get our hiking permits. The total hike is around 40 miles, however plan to pack some 8-10 mile days.

This trip is designed with the experienced backpacker in mind.  Enthusiastic beginners are welcome; however, a good to high level of fitness is necessary to be able to hike with a backpack that may weigh one-third your body weight.  The five Pre-Trip Meetings are designed to teach participants what to expect, what to bring, and to plan the menu. Temperatures can vary from a low of the 20's on top and 40’s on the bottom, to a high in the low 80's inside the canyon. Needless to say, the scenery will be spectacular, and this will be a trip you will not soon forget!

Due the scope of this big trip, participants are required to attend all five pre-trip meetings and to work out to prepare for the strenuous climbs we will encounter. In addition, each participant is required to go on a pre-canyon hike, with weighted pack.   This hike will help determine your ability to withstand this amazing trip.

Dates for the hikes are either Saturday, Feb. 3 or Sunday, Feb. 11 at Percy Warner Park. Also note that the cost includes: Transportation, Group Equipment, Camping and Permits, Park Entrance Fees, On-the-Trail Food, and Hotels. Participants will be responsible for their own personal equipment and "travel food".   Note:  If we get a reduction in airfare, we will pass it on to you. 

             >>> THIS TRIP IS LIMITED TO 18 PARTICIPANTS. . .

                                              . . . SO DON'T DELAY IF YOU ARE INTERESTED....!!

 

TRIP COORDINATORS:   Brennan McDavid, Ben Karp, Danny Weinstein, and John Hickman

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  E-mail Linda at outdoorrec@vanderbilt.edu

                                                      Or call Linda at 343-7898.

 

GRAND CANYON LINKS:    http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

                                         http://www.americanparks.net/grand_canyon_national_park.htm

 

An Overview of our probable itinerary:
 

Saturday, March 3:  Meet at Outdoor Rec. at 9:30 AM

                                -  Van ride to the Nashville Airport, Fly to Phoenix

                                -  Charter bus to Flagstaff

                                -  Purchase fuel, etc, eat dinner, Hotel in Flagstaff

Sunday, March 4:   Early Breakfast at hotel or nearby Denny's

                                -  Charter bus to the Grand Canyon (about 1.5 hours if weather is good)

                                -  Last minute purchases at the canyon, use restrooms, etc.

                                -  Hopefully, by 10 or 11 AM, begin hiking.  One group begins at the Bright Angel Trailhead,

                                    the other group begins at the Grandview Trailhead.

Sunday - Saturday:   Each group backpacks for 7 days and 6 nights.  Specific trail itineraries are listed below.

Saturday, March 10:   Each group hikes out of canyon, usually between 11 AM and 1 PM.   Bus will pick up

                                     each group and transport to the showers.  Everyone get a chance to shower,

                                     purchase souvenirs, etc.

                                    -  Charter bus to Phoenix, stopping for dinner along the way.

                                    -  Hotel in Phoenix

Sunday, March 11:    Early Breakfast.

                                -  Shuttle to airport around 7:00 AM.

                                -  Fly to Nashville, arrive around 2:55 PM.

                                -  Van ride back to Outdoor Rec.  Return, clean up gear; be done by 4:30 PM.

 

VU Trail Permits for 2007:

 

HIKING MILEAGES for the GRANDVIEW GROUP:

DAY 1 = 5.5 miles . . . DOWN! (-4,280 ft.) . . . Camp at Cottonwood Canyon.

 

DAY 2 = 3.8 miles . . . “ACROSS” . . . Camp at Grapevine Canyon.

DAY 3 = REST AT GRAPEVINE CANYON

 

DAY 4 = 8.7 miles . . . “ACROSS” . . . Camp at Lonetree Canyon.

 

DAY 5= 7.8 miles . . . “ACROSS” & DOWN (-1600’) . . . Camp at Bright Angel Campground.

DAY 6 = 4.7 miles . . . UP (1,400’)  . . . Camp at Indian Gardens Campground.

 

DAY 7 = 4.6 miles . . . UP (3,060’)  . . . Hike out to the top of Bright Angel Trail.

 

                35.1 TOTAL miles (approximately)

 

 

HIKING MILEAGES for BRIGHT ANGEL GROUP:

DAY 1 = 9.3 miles . . . DOWN! (-4,460 ft.) . . . Camp at Bright Angel Campground.

DAY 2 = REST AT BRIGHT ANGEL CAMPGROUND

 

DAY 3 = 7.8 miles . . . UP & “ACROSS” (+1600’) . . . Camp at Lonetree Canyon.

 

DAY 4 = 8.7 miles . . . “ACROSS”  . . . Camp at Grapevine Canyon.

 

DAY 5 = 3.8 miles . . . “ACROSS” . . . (Camp at Grapevine Canyon).

 

DAY 6 = 2.7 miles . . . UP (1,780 ‘) . . .  Camp at Horseshoe Mesa Campground.

 

DAY 7 = 3.0 miles . . . UP (2,500’) . . .  Hike out to the top of Grandview Trail.

 

               35.3 TOTAL miles (approximately)