Carrying a T2i down Grand Canyon and return in one day?

Plan to hike down Grand Canyon (via Angel trail) and return in one day. It is a 12 miles round trip, 3000 ft hike. A hydration pack will be on my back. So the camera got to be strapped in-front.

The lens is a 17-50/2.8 Sigma, it's huge. I am a little weary with this rig. I am a 50 yr old, 130lbs, 5"4. It will be October, so not too hot.

I know I will have to put up with its size and weight around my neck. I am contemplating on carrying the Canon ELPH instead.

Any GC hikers, what do you think? Put up or let up?

I did the Angel Trail many years ago when I was in my 30's. This will date me, but I had a Canon AE-1 with a 35-70mm zoom and another 70-210 zoom. I wish I had not done that! Halfway back to the top, I was prepared to abandon it all! I made it out, but I will not do that again. Keep it as minimal as possible - the only thing you can't have too much of is water.

I used to run 5k and 10k so I thought I was fit - doing the Angel Trail both ways in a day on foot in August was the most tiring thing I've done.

I hiked bright Angel trail in 2004, I was 52. It took us (my wife and I) 8 hours to hike down to Phantom ranch. Many stops to take pictures (PS camera and Hi8 camcorder)... We were very tired when we arrived at Phantom Ranch, 42°C in the shade at the bottom... We stayed a full day at the bottom and hiked up the third day (12 hours, many stops to talk to other hkers, to watch at a rattlesnake, etc...). Preparing the trail, every body told us that trying to hike down and up the same day was a MISTAKE. The rangers we met there agreed.
My advice, don't do that in one day...
Read that :
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hiking-faq.htm#CP_JUMP_100018
You can go to Plateau point and return in one day, many people do that.

Understood. Plateau Point is where I expect to make a turn around. From the rim to Plateau Point is 6 miles which should take

I will go in mid October, so it won't be more than 35C.

If it were me, I'd not be concerned about the small extra weight of one DSLR camera and lightweight lens compared to one P&S camera. On my last 10 mile hike I carried three DSLR cameras and lenses. The following link describes the hike.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1031&message=42254531

It was many years ago I climbed down the Grand Canyon, but not all the way down. My lesson then was it was much easier to get down than up. So when we went up the trail on our way back, it took much longer than we expected. We were very sore the next day.

For you, if you are in shape, allow for enough time and have plenty of food and water, you should be hopefully OK. But do bring a flashlight and other emergency provisions, to cover for unexpected problems (like a sprained ankle etc. which would slow you down). Oh, I should mention...on my last hike to Velma Lakes I did not allow for enough time, and I had to hurry back. At times I lost the trail as I had to follow footprints. I didn't have a lot of contingency for taking the wrong path. But fortunately, I did find the trail and make it back just as the sun was setting. I brought with me approximately 5 liters of water, and almost finished it all before returning.

If you're going to take the T2i, why in the world would you take "huge" (and I presume heavy) lens? You don't need f/2.8 in the daytime. Why not take the very lightweight kit 18-55mm?

DVT80111 said:

Plan to hike down Grand Canyon (via Angel trail) and return in one day. It is a 12 miles round trip, 3000 ft hike. A hydration pack will be on my back. So the camera got to be strapped in-front.

The lens is a 17-50/2.8 Sigma, it's huge. I am a little weary with this rig. I am a 50 yr old, 130lbs, 5"4. It will be October, so not too hot.

I know I will have to put up with its size and weight around my neck. I am contemplating on carrying the Canon ELPH instead.

Any GC hikers, what do you think? Put up or let up?

Click to expand...

I sold the kit lens for..$40.

I just bought the 18-55 kit (for 40 euros), and I expect to use it a lot when I need something light, it's a surprisingly good lens.

I hiked the South Kaibab trail down 8 yeras ago, but not to the bottom, a little over half way (a bit past Skeleton Point, about 900 meters down, not the whole 1481), and up again. It took me only a little over three hours, since I was mostly running. I have to admit I was very fit, having done marathons etc. I only had aCanon G2 with me, not even a bottle of water.

What helped was the fact that it was early spring, the temp at the top was zero C, and +17 C at the bottom.

If I ever do the same thing again, I'd probably take my Canon 1 GX along, not my 650D or 5D MkII
--
Jouko
http://http://www.slowshutter.net

You might think about using an OP/TECH dual harness, and using only the two front mounting connections for a single camera. This will move the weight off off your neck or a single shoulder.

http://www.amazon.com/OP-TECH-USA-6501042-Neoprene/dp/B002IUOAFQ

I'd also recomment a set of Uni Adaptor Loops instead of the camera straps included with the dual strap for flexability and adjustablility.

http://www.amazon.com/OP-TECH-USA-1301012-Connectors/dp/B0010HE2CY

Look like the ELPH is in, DSLR is out.

I don't think I will have enough time to take many pictures anyway. Better safe than sorry.

I hiked down to the river and up in one day twice. In my opinion, South Kaibab trail is better for photographing simply because it is a ridge trail, whereas the Brighten Angel trail is a ravining trail. You can turn back at the Skeleton point if down to the river is too much. One warning though, you have to carry enough water because there is no water source on the South Kaibab trail. I carried XSi, with the kit lens, in my second hike.

DVT80111 said:

Plan to hike down Grand Canyon (via Angel trail) and return in one day. It is a 12 miles round trip, 3000 ft hike. A hydration pack will be on my back. So the camera got to be strapped in-front.

The lens is a 17-50/2.8 Sigma, it's huge. I am a little weary with this rig. I am a 50 yr old, 130lbs, 5"4. It will be October, so not too hot.

I know I will have to put up with its size and weight around my neck. I am contemplating on carrying the Canon ELPH instead.

Any GC hikers, what do you think? Put up or let up?

Click to expand...

The the 18-55 IS, you don't really need a fast aperture there in the open, and the lens is small and light on a t2i.

If you only go to plateau point, it should be no problem. Going back up at the end is the worst part, but then you have already drunk quite a bit of the liquid.

--
Life is short, time to zoom in ©

Remember that in mid-October the day will be fairly short. I hiked to the river and back one December many decades ago and it was a very bad idea. I also agree that South Kaibab is better for what you want to do, it's more scenic. Cedar Ridge is a great destination for a day hike and then you can go farther if you want--but please, not all the way to the river and back. Once I went down the canyon with my Minolta SRT 101 (I'm dating myself as well) and 2 lenses; when I got out I immediately bought a Minolta A[?] 370 with a newer lighter lens because every pound you take down feels like 2 pounds coming out. If I were doing it tomorrow I'd take my T2i (550D) and the kit 18-55 lens, maybe also the 55-250.

I can't emphasize enough the need to take adequate water, at least 1/2 gallon for Cedar Ridge in October and more if you go farther.

You might get lucky and see California condors as well.

FF

If you do have a medical problem in the Grand Canyon, the only way out is via helicopter. The approximate cost of the ride is $10,000.00. There’s usually at least one helicopter rescue a day during the summer, mostly by hiker going too far and getting dehydrated.

I would recommend a 1-day hike down, with an overnight stay at Phantom Ranch and hike back up the next day. You need to have advance reservations and hearty meals are available.

-Paul

We went down to campground with my friends in about 4 hours, few years ago and going back was the killer, climbing whole time in 105 F degree heat, I was ready to give up. So you better be in good physical shape, however this is one of the places for which cameras were invented, so you have to have it. And IMO if you can make it without camera you will make it with the cam (I had tent, sleeping bag etc. and the camera and I don't think not having the camera would make a difference). Just know this will will be one of harder physical things you'll ever do unless, you're into this type of things.
Good luck and have fun.

Forget the camera. You probably won't make it just walking. Mules are recommended for the trip unless you have some need for frequent stops. Even so, the mules would carry some of the equipment load. The 17-50 lens is not huge, and the camera doesn't go around your neck. It goes on a monopod, which is held horizontally or into the ground. You also have to know what you're doing. If you don't know what you're doing, you can be in for a fall, which is usually a fatal mistake. If you have health problems, you're not getting back up that trail. Mentioning "weary" over carrying a lightweight lens should be an automatic disqualification for the trail. If you can't carry that, how will you carry the rest of your weight?

--
http://www.alexanderrogge.net/arshutterbug

I have been hiking in local mountain to condition my body. Yesterday, I hiked over 4 miles, about 1400 ft in about 2 hours. I will try to double that in next few weeks. It is hot here too. I hiked in 100+ weather all the time. Understand the problem well. I will bring plenty of food, Cytomax, and at least 2L of water (refill station every 1.5 mile).

I agree that hiking 10 or 12 miles at a time is not usually a problem for people in shape, as long as they have the right provisions. I found running a few times each week on a regular basis keeps me fit, so the hiking was not a problem. On my last 10 mile hike my shoulders were a little sore the next day from the heavy backpack, since I carried about 5 liters of water (plus other things). In addition to the backpack, I had three DSLR cameras and lenses that I carried in two side bags (a little towards the front). It kind of balanced things out for me, with the extra weight in the front and weight in the back. Believe it or not, I even carried with me an umbrella, even though the forecast was for sunny skies. I've lived in Oregon too long to not trust the weather.

that any energy food you bring along does not contain dried fruit (raisins, apricots, etc.) which, during digestion, will deprive your muscles and organs of much needed moisture. Also, get or make your own packets of electrolites to add to your water. These can be found at a good sporting goods or mountaineering store.

Have a fun, safe trip and show us some of your photos when you return.

Nick
--
photography -- a compatible blend of tech and art --

Hey, I'm jealous, just thought I'd get that out of the way first off.

A couple years ago I did a three day hike w/45 lb pack down South Kaibab trail to Phantom Ranch, mucked about down there for a couple nights, then up Bright Angel, with an overnight at Indian Garden and a quick evening stroll out to Plateau Point. The best views of the canyon are from within, no doubt about it.

Be aware of your light, as the sandstone walls really come to life as the sun gets low, but if you are a day hiker you should be on your way back out well before sunset.

Plan on some strenuous hikes to test your fitness (have you had a stress test lately?) Wear light synthetic clothing with perhaps a microfibre undershirt and carry a light jacket capable of blocking wind (it can get windy in there.) Spare pair of laces and socks, maybe some moleskin if you tend to blister. Silk sock linings are supposed to help in that deparment, REI should be able to set you up well. Hiking poles should be considered a must, they help take some of the load off your knees and ankles and distribute some to your upper body, get accustomed to using them correctly. If you turn a corner into a strong wind they may save your life (did I mention it can get windy down there?)

Spare battery and as much memory as you have should be taken along, take LOTS of pictures, it's the one you didn't take which was the most rewarding ;-)

A side trip, driving out to Desert View before sunset I highly recommend. October should be clear of much of the haze from San Diego/Los Angeles granting visibility for great distances.

My trek into the canyon was with a Nikon D70s, which is a fairly old camera, but did some great work in RAW mode (honestly take all your shots in RAW you can convert to jpegs at home) and throughout the daylight hours some areas were well lit and others in captivating shadows. It's a magical place.

Enjoy your hike!
--
Deja Foobar - A feeling of having made the same mistake before.