IF YOU THINK HIKING NINE MILES IN OR OUT OF THE GRAND CANYON IS AS EASY AS WALKING TO THE STORE, AND IF YOU SORTA-KINDA GET IN SHAPE IN BETWEEN GOING TO THE MOVIES AND MAKING DINNER, YOU’LL BE JUST FINE, THINK AGAIN. VETERAN O.A.R.S. GUIDE, JEFFE ARONSON OFFERS INSIGHT INTO WHAT IT TAKES TO HIKE THE LEGENDARY BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL.

Trust me. More than a few folks have limped their way to and from the boats, missing hikes to waterfalls and swimming holes because they’re too beat up, eating ibuprofen like candy.

Written by Jeffe Aronson

Jeffe Aronson rows dories in the Grand Canyon. His love of rivers, and evocative descriptions of wild places and the constant tension and nearness of death, has gripped travelers and readers alike for the duration of Jeffe's 36 years as a river guide and story teller. Jeffe is currently seeking an agent for his book, River God—a riveting collection of adventure narratives that reveals nature at her wildest and most beautiful, or as Jeffe says, "River God takes readers places they yearn to glimpse, but dare not go."

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The water has indeed risen. 75,000 cfs. Scuttlebutt has it going higher. I make a mental note to scout an uphill escape route as we float. Who knows? The dam just might blow. (I cross my fingers, actually preferring this option, but keep my mouth shut.) Six hundred vertical-foot tsunami. Should take a few hours to make it a hundred miles downstream, plenty of time to scramble to the perfect viewpoint and crack a beer.

Suzanne joins me at Phantom’s boat beach and we observe as the nervous clients pack. She watched a thirty-seven foot motor rig flip end-over-end against the wall in Crystal last week. Crystal is ten miles downstream. That’s a bit over an hour at current speeds.

Written by Jeffe Aronson

Jeffe Aronson rows dories in the Grand Canyon. His love of rivers, and evocative descriptions of wild places and the constant tension and nearness of death, has gripped travelers and readers alike for the duration of Jeffe's 36 years as a river guide and story teller. Jeffe is currently seeking an agent for his book, River God—a riveting collection of adventure narratives that reveals nature at her wildest and most beautiful, or as Jeffe says, "River God takes readers places they yearn to glimpse, but dare not go."

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