Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim

Hiking rim-to-rim across the Grand Canyon is a bucket-list experience most people never attempt. You'll descend 5,000+ feet into the canyon, hike through five ecosystems (from alpine to desert), camp near the Colorado River, and climb out the other side. The vertical is brutal. The heat is intense. The scenery is beyond description - photos don't capture it. This trip teaches desert backpacking: water management, heat strategies, and respecting terrain that can kill you. Permits are competitive (apply a year ahead), costs are high (flights, shuttles, permits), but this is one of the world's great hikes. Boys who complete rim-to-rim know they've done something genuinely hard.