I considered it "thread hijacking" to give a full description (safety steps, itineraries, hazard list, etc) of our trip when replying to the topic of fitness. I didn't realize I needed to post a legal disclaimer to stay on-topic on this board. I still maintain that your "Aron Ralston" jab was very inappropriate, especially in light of this community's interests.

I used the term "nannies" because the NPS, like many other segments of our government, has decided to cater to the least common denominator of visitors in the NPS' attitude & communications. Stupid people get themselves killed all the time, and the NPS acts like all park visitors are the same. The vast, vast majority of "Canyon casualties" are flagrantly unprepared, unfit tourons (tourist + moron) who have been known to hike in flipflops & jeans, carrying a 0.5L soda bottle, trying to get to the Colorado river. I don't appreciate being lumped in with that crowd by the NPS.

We are hiking the heavily-patrolled corridor trails and we have friends who know our plans and are expecting a check-in call at the end of our day. Believe me, we have those bases covered.

I have hiked into the Canyon from both rims in the past, in summer, solo. The first time was a short 10 mile jaunt, the next one a more involved 20 mile day. I can hump a load all day like you wouldn't freaking believe. My wife is in even better aerobic shape than me. I am well acquainted with the indifference of the Canyon. Frankly, climbing El Capitan back in '99 was a lot scarier... and it would have been a lot harder to get rescued.

If a kid in AZ reads my post and tries to hike the Canyon unprepared... oh jeez, what a can of worms! We'd better lock up the entire Internet and save the children.

So after eating up all this bandwidth dealing with Chris' concerns, I'll reiterate my original point to our group then I'll leave the thread alone: "I think being in reasonable physical shape would be a real asset in a survival situation".