Get
ready for the experience of a lifetime. You
are embarking on an adventure that will have a special purpose
to you FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE! Welcome to your Conquer The
Canyon®
Adventure.
As you prepare for
your adventure at Grand Canyon National Park, here are a few but
very important things that you can do to maximize the experience
for yourself and those around you. We invite you to use the same
principles we will discuss about Conquer The Canyon during your
training at home.
Conquer The
Canyon is NOT about "Man vs. Nature." That's already
been done! It's about Nature helping Man!
For hundreds, maybe
thousands of years, native cultures and early settlers came to
Grand Canyon simply to see what was there; to explore the secrets
of its depths, and of course, to prospect and see what riches
could be mined from the deep chasm of carved Earth. As they settled
and applied their early trades, whether that be subsistence farming
and villages of ancient cultures along its water routes at the
bottom, gold or uranium mining in its walls or along its rim,
or simply to find a new trade route or a shortcut across the Colorado
River, for them, Grand Canyon provided the ultimate challenges
of "man vs. nature" in one of the harshest environments
on Earth. As a matter of survival in the Southwestern US, many
perished in their pursuits while others thrived in peaceful harmony
within the bounty of beauty of this extraordinary natural wonder.
Through these past epic challenges and historical efforts, TODAY,
the Grand Canyon offers a much different and varied experience
for its visitors.
With Conquer
The Canyon, There is Something For Everyone!
With Conquer The
Canyon, Grand Canyon was never meant to only be seen and experienced
by risk-taking, daredevil extreme athletes whose main mission
is "man against nature," or "setting personal records,"
by how fast or far one can go. Indeed, that can be dangerous or
even deadly. Rather, it is a place where you will come and visit,
to see its vastness, absorb its power, and experience its timelessness.
Most importantly, for an entire weekend, you will celebrate with
pride your personal accomplishments of training and preparing
yourself to experience all that Grand Canyon has to offer, and
knowing that your true success lies in the completion of the program
and raising funds to help conquer homelessness. You have worked
hard to make someone else's life better in many ways. CONGRATULATIONS!
Conquer
The Canyon was designed for you, with your specific needs in mind.
Many of you will
be seasoned hikers, ready for the rigors of the most difficult
trails into and out of Grand Canyon. Some of you will be "weekend
warriors" and Grand Canyon will be more daunting than you
ever imagined. But you have been diligent in your training and
preparation and you are now ready for the steep descents and ascents
back to the rim or for a very long hike along the rim. Still others
of you, hiking will be a whole new experience. You too have followed
your training and prepared yourself, but may be a bit unsure of
how you will fare. And finally, some of you from each of these
groups will be here for a more casual hike, taking pictures and
enjoying an interpretive experience at Grand Canyon at a leisurely
pace.
Conquer The Canyon
and The Walking Connection WELCOME each and every hiking participant
and your guests. Together we will form a team where each of you
will help the other and form the bonds of new friendship and share
in the mutual accomplishment of Conquering the Canyon in your
own personal way.
To make your experience,
and those around you, the best it can possibly be, we have established
a short list of guidelines you should follow while training on
your local trails. And we have established the "do's and
don'ts" that are required for all participants to follow
during the adventure at Grand Canyon National Park. We thank you
in advance for your attention and compliance to these details.
Our Adventure
In Grand Canyon National Park.
As a member of
Conquer The Canyon program, you will want to join your fellow
participants, The Walking Connection and our guides in becoming
"Stewards" of the park. Grand Canyon is one of the greatest
natural wonders of the world. As such, hiking here comes with
a few responsibilities on our part, and several very strict rules
that we must abide by. It is up to all of us to protect it, respect
it and follow those rules. We must become benefactors of this
natural wonder and our personal legacy must be to leave it better
than we found it! Please, take only pictures and fond memories.
Leave only footprints!
The guidelines you
must follow are as much for your safety as they are to protect
Grand Canyon. If you feel you cannot comply with ANY aspect of
them, then please discuss them with your area director or with
us prior to coming to Grand Canyon. Together, we can answer your
questions and provide you with the information you need.
This is a coordinated
and managed adventure that more than 3300 people have participated
in. Through that experience, we can assure you that going with
the flow as led by your guides will make your experience the best
and safest it can be. Bring your sense of adventure with you,
leave any "hurry up" attitude behind.
We have developed
a special itinerary and coordinated all the events surrounding
your weekend. Some of it is time and destination specific and
are just for fundraising participants. Private individuals and
guests will not be able to participate in all facets of the adventure
and must adhere to a special code of conduct with regard to the
event as well.
The Adventure
and the Mission of the non-profit organization you support.
Both of these are
intrinsically tied together. Conquer The Canyon is designed to
benefit those who have raised the funds and the missions of our
.ORG Partners. Circumventing any part of the program or not following
the guidelines by any individual not only damages the experience
and integrity of the adventure, but potentially harms future fundraising
efforts of the very organization you came here to Grand
Canyon to support.
The adventure provides
for a complete weekend of activities including the hospitality
room, receptions, transportation, meals, celebrations, sponsored
items and guided hikes at the Grand Canyon. Fully paid guests
may participate in everything EXCEPT the hiking experience at
the Grand Canyon.
Transportation
Transportation for
fundraising participant hikers and paid guests is included in
the Adventure. Guests are not allowed to participate on the hikes
with the participants. Out of respect for the effort and commitment
to fundraising each participant has made to the mission, we ask
that guests, family members use the separate transfer shuttles
provided and enter the park after the hikers are on the trail.
There are NO exceptions.
Guests who choose
to enter the park in private vehicles are not allowed to meet
the participants at any trailhead or attempt to hike with the
groups. "Well wishers," should offer all farewells and
congratulations at the hotel prior to departure or after the adventure.
Unregistered and
unpaid people are not allowed on any Conquer The Canyon transportation,
function or to share in hotel room.
While in the Park:
1) Hikers must blend
in with the normal traffic patterns and general dress code of
the park. Since we are on an adventure together, bring your "team
spirit." But leave your team apparel behind during your hike.
You cannot wear "team" shirts and hats or identifying
sponsors or team logos on shirts during Hike. Save them for the
hotel and Mission Celebration Dinner.
2) No banners, signs,
or "attention getting materials" of any kind in the
park.
3) No congregations
or groups of well wishers at the trailhead. All farewells must
be done at the Hotel prior to leaving for the hike.
4) Do not disrupt
the normal traffic patterns of the park by congregating at trailheads.
While on the trails:
No Boots! No Hike!
No Excuses! No Exceptions! (Please don't even ask?)
Your Walking Connection
Grand Canyon EXPERT Guides.
Our Grand Canyon
guides are simply the best guides available at Grand Canyon. They
have many years of specialized training specific to Grand Canyon
and work closely with The Walking Connection, our Guide Leadership
Program and The Grand Canyon Field Institute to provide you with
the best adventure possible. They are all Wilderness First Responders
certified in first aid and CPR. While on the trail, they have
the final word in EVERYTHING! They are the absolute "captain
of the ship," and operate under very strict risk management
protocols, emergency response practices and national park rules
and regulations. When you agree to hike with them, you are agreeing
to hike as a team and abide by their rules and judgment.
By the way,
they are also informative, creative and a ton of fun to hike with!
More on them later.
While on the trail,
you will cross paths with other hikers. Some from our adventure,
others on adventures of their own. They are on the trails to enjoy
the Grand Canyon in their own personal way. Most are there for
the grandeur, peacefulness and serenity. Please be mindful and
respectful of this.
Do not bunch up
into larger groups. We have purposely staggered the start
of each team so that each has the opportunity to enjoy, learn
and share among themselves. Should you come across another group,
either as part of our adventure or on their own, please keep moving
so that we are not forming a large group at any point on the trail.
No facilities
on the trails! There are no toilet facilities on the Hermit
Trail -- which is another reason for small teams...Everyone will
need a moment of privacy! Please find a place off the trail and
DO NOT leave any paperwork behind! Small animals will find them,
and it can spread disease.
Trash In/Trash
Out - Take what you need in, take everything (including personal
papers) OUT! -- A small zip lock bag is very handy for this. NO
ONE is going to clean up after you! As stewards of this magnificent
place, our goal is to leave it better than we found it. If you
see a piece of trash, please pick it up and take it out with you.
Litter is a problem and if we are not part of the solution,
then we are a part of the problem.
Terminus
Points - Conquer The Canyon, in conjunction with The
National Park Service and Grand Canyon National Park has established
firm terminus points/turn around points on each trail we utilize
for Conquer The Canyon. NONE OF HIKES GO THE THE COLORADO RIVER
AND BACK. Conquer The Canyon guides will not exceed these points
for any person for any reason. Please do not even ask.
When you agree to hike with Conquer The Canyon, you are
agreeing to abide by these established rules and terminus points.
Stay on the Trail!
- DO NOT cut across or shortcut switchbacks. It is dangerous,
disruptive and destructive to the desert.
Electronics Devices
OFF! Your cell phone probably will not work in the Grand
Canyon. Your ipod or mp3 should be at the hotel. Wearing them
here could distract you and others in the group and therefore
create a dangerous situation for everyone.
Uphill has the
right of way. Hikers going uphill have the right of way.
They are working harder! You'll appreciate this when it is YOU!
Water/hydration
drink requirement...128 ounces of water/electrolyte fluids. No
water. No hike. No exceptions!
While at the
Hotels:
Your non-profit
organization has paid for your hotel accommodations for their
participants and guests based upon your early registration. PLEASE
DO NOT add additional people into your rooms that are not properly
paid and registered. This could cause additional expenses
for your organization. If you have any question about
this, please consult with a member of the Conquer The Canyon or
Walking Connection staff member at the hotel.
Sponsor banners,
signs, team shirts and colors may be worn and hung at the hotels,
Hospitality Suite and at our Mission Inspiration and Celebration
dinners. during the weekend. PLEASE DO NOT bring any of these
into Grand Canyon National Park. They are strictly prohibited
and will jeopardize our ability to host this adventure in the
future!
While at the Inspiration
and Mission Celebration Dinner
Conquer The
Canyon has paid for these events for participants and
guests based upon your early registration. PLEASE DO NOT bring
additional people to these functions that are not properly paid
and registered. This could cause additional expenses for
YOU and your organization. If you have any question about
this, please consult with a member of the Conquer The Canyon or
Walking Connection staff member at the hotel.
You, our .ORG
Partners, Your Friends, Donors, Supporters and Conquer The Canyon
(The Walking Connection)...Together...we are a team with the same
mission!
Our .ORG Partners
along with The Walking Connection are working closely together
to create a long term program that will benefit your organization
as a fund raising program for many years to come. Conquer The
Canyon was designed with this mission in mind. It can provide
a long lasting and important source of revenue to help fight homelessness,
but we will need more people to follow in your footsteps! In order
to make that happen YOU must do your part!
Please honor yourself
and the organization you represent by closely
abiding by the rules of the adventure.
Here are a few additional
links that will help you understand trail etiquette and what is
expected of you while on the trail near your home and while in
Grand Canyon National Park.
Hiking and Trail
Etiquette Links
Todd's
Desert Hiking Guide - Excellent Resource!
ABC's
of Hiking Etiquette - This is a very good site.
The
Aspen Times - Hiking Etiquette - More good ideas.
Emily
Post Goes Hiking - No fooling! Even Emily knows proper hiking
etiquette.
City
of Phoenix Parks | Trails
And Open Spaces | OpenSpace.org
Have a safe and
rewarding adventure!
# # #
NEXT
STEP: Training - Online Guidebook
Hike On!
