Shop and donate

Epilepsy Action is a working name of British Epilepsy Association.

British Epilepsy Association is a Registered Charity (Registered in England No. 234343) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (Registered in England No. 797997).

© Epilepsy Action 2008

Grand Canyon Experience

31 May-8 June 2008
4-12 October 2008

• Trek the Grand Canyon • Wade along the waters of Havasu Creek

What is the itinerary?
I want to take part, what do I do next?

This challenge involves hiking through the stunning Grand Canyon, taking in such wonderful sites as Sedona with its red rock formations, Oak Creek, Mogollon Rim and the turquoise waters of Havasu Creek.

An intense but exhilarating expedition to a stunning location.

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart from UK.
Arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2 – trekking distance 5 miles/8 km

Depart Phoenix at 8am and make our way north through the Sonoran Desert and into the high elevation plateaus and red-rock canyons of north central Arizona.
After a drive of approximately one and a half to two hours, we arrive in Sedona. Here we experience Oak Creek Canyon – the area that Native Americans consider the spiritual vortex of the Southwest with its red rock formations.
There is a late morning acclimatisation trek of approximately five miles along Oak Creek, home to world-class views of famous rock monoliths such as Cathedral Rock. This is followed by a picnic lunch near the creek before driving up and through Oak Creek Canyon (approx 2 and a half hours), surrounded by towering red-rock walls.
After reaching the crest of the Mogollon Rim, at more than 7000 ft. (2,134 metres) elevation, we continue across the Kaibab Plateau to our hotel.

Day 3 – trekking distance 6 miles/9.6km

After breakfast at our hotel we transfer to Grand Canyon National Park. We descend into the enormous red abyss on foot. Due to the elevation of the south rim – 7,000 feet (2,143 metres) at the start of the path – the immediate area is quite densely forested, and the pine trees persist for some way down, providing welcome shade from the sun. This is a six-mile round trek, but please remember, the final three miles are an unrelenting uphill grade.

Day 4 – trekking distance 10 miles

Following an early breakfast (6.00 am) travel to Hualapai Hilltop (pronounced ‘Walapai’ – a one hour journey). This is the only land travel access to Havasupai.
Starting at 5,400 feet (1,646 metres) this demanding trail begins with switchbacks until it reaches a dry streambed where the trail begins to level out. After a trailside lunch we descend deeper into the labyrinth of red sandstone.
At 3,200 ft (975 metres) we continue on the cottonwood-lined paths through the village, into the canyon’s back-country and a manageable two mile trek past the 80 ft Navajo and 100 ft Havasu Falls. Late afternoon will be spent near the waterfalls setting up camp.

Day 5 - trekking distance 16 miles maximum (26km)

Following breakfast (7.00 am) we trek deeper into the Canyon, down to Mooney Falls. There is a severely testing descent at Mooney Falls before continuing on to Beaver Falls. Participants will be asked to choose a ‘wet route’ or ‘dry route’ in order to reach Beaver Falls. The dry route takes participants to Beaver Falls avoiding the rivers and streams and the wet route requires some light swimming and jumping off waterfalls. A guide will accompany both groups.
The group will then meet up together as a whole at Beaver Falls and trek back to our base camp.

Day 6 – trekking distance 3 miles (5 miles)

Again, after an early breakfast, a less strenuous trek to the stunning Navajo Falls, to re-charge our batteries before the toughest day tomorrow. Following lunch at the campsite, we climb onto the Esplanade for a bird’s-eye view of the Falls and the North Rim.

Day 7 – trekking distance 10 miles (16 km)

trekking along the same path used for the descent, today we set out to conquer the canyon! After battling against intense heat and exhaustion, the exhilaration of reaching the Rim makes this arduous and challenging day one never to be forgotten.
In the late afternoon we transfer to our hotel in Las Vegas - the 24 hour city! A presentation dinner will be held in the evening to celebrate our achievements.

Day 8

Transfer to the airport for return flight.

Day 9

Arrive back in the UK.

Please note that while we make every effort to stick to this schedule and the accommodation stated, this is subject to alteration.

This wonderful challenge aims to attract people with a reasonable level of fitness to participate in an exciting and memorable event. This experience will physically and mentally test you. It will give you a tremendous sense of achievement and at the same time benefit those people whose lives are affected by epilepsy.

The challenge requires a minimum sponsorship of �2,950, �1,601 of which goes directly to Epilepsy Action. There is also a registration fee of �375 and an insurance fee of £45. If you would rather pay the registration fee in installments please call the fundraising department.

Three-quarters of the minimum sponsorship money is to be paid to Epilepsy Action 12 weeks before departure. The remaining quarter is due on return.

See Epilepsy Action's other challenges

If you would like more information about this event please contact our fundraising department:

by telephone on 0113 210 8800 (UK) or +44 (0)113 210 8800 (international), or
by email to funding@epilepsy.org.uk

Organised by Global Adventures Challenges (ATOL 6506)

Fundraising guide

Index · Advice · Ideas · Money · Publicity · Training plans
A to Z of fundraising ideas

Download or print our fundraising guide
Download or print a sponsorship form
Get one of our excellent Epilepsy Action events T-shirts

To view any file in Portable Document Format (PDF) downloaded from this site, you need the latest version of the Adobe Reader program. If you don't already have it, it can be downloaded free from www.adobe.com.