Posted on 01/03/2024 1:24:58 PM PST by SJackson
They say age is nothing but a number.
That is certainly the case when it comes to Alfredo Aliaga Burdio.
The 92-year-old, who currently lives in Berlin, Germany, completed his trek across the Grand Canyon on 15 October 2023, becoming the oldest person to cross the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim on foot (male).
Although it was Alfredo’s most historical journey across the Grand Canyon, it certainly wasn’t his first.
“I have hiked in the Grand Canyon many times in my life,” he said.
After his wife passed away from ALS in 2006, Alfredo decided he wanted to revisit the places where they had travelled together, so he took his daughter and nine-year-old grandson to hike rim to rim in the Grand Canyon.
Then, in October 2022, Alfredo crossed the Grand Canyon together with his son in just four days.
It was during this journey that he came up with the idea to attempt the record.
“I had read about the previous record holder, Mr. John Jepkema whom I admired immensely,” said Alfredo.
“I knew that I was only a few months younger than Mr. Jepkema had been and thought that I had a great shot at setting a new record the following year.”
In January of this year, Alfredo began training for what would be the hike of a lifetime.
He began walking 12 km (8 miles) every day.
The record attempt was supposed to take place in May 2022, but the North Rim and the North Kaibab trail were closed due to too much snow in the winter and damage from meltwater.
Alfredo adjusted his plans, hiking from the South Rim to Phantom Ranch, and staying two nights before hiking out the same way.
“I noticed that the training every day had made a difference,” said Alfredo.
In October, Alfredo finally began his long-awaited hike, starting at the North Rim due to logistics.
He was able to get lodging at the North Rim, making the trip much easier.
Alfredo began to make his journey at 6 a.m. before stopping at the Coconino Overlook at 6:20 a.m. where he saw the sun rising.
The journey down the Grand Canyon is very strenuous and the way down is extremely steep from the North Rim to Manzanita, but Alfredo made an effort to stop and take a break nearly every hour.
“I was very tired after those first five hours,” he said.
“What surprised me is that after about a 15-minute break, some food, and electrolytes, I recovered and felt strong again and was ready to tackle the next seven hours.”
Alfredo also said walking slowly but steadily helped him throughout his hike, as well as matter of the mind.
“I think of the next step and the next, and not how far I still have to go,” he said.
“Then it is not so overwhelming and very doable.”
Alfredo says although the most interesting part of hiking the Grand Canyon is usually the geology, the river, and the rocks, this time it was the people.
He says many people were hiking the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim and took the time to be kind to him.
“Truly the best thing was meeting all the people on the trail, that support and kindness and just happiness was wonderful,” said Alfredo.
Alfredo says every single person cheered him on and was happy for him.
He was also appreciative of his witnesses, who helped make the entire endeavour a success.
“Can you believe that two people who would usually cross the Canyon in eight hours agreed to be witnesses, walked at my speed, and were unwavering in their support,” said Alfredo.
“Julian Coiner and Peter Todd are truly unusually kind and wonderful people.”
Alfredo even became an honorary member of the Tucson Fire Department during his trek, after running into firefighters who had awarded him a Tucson Fire Department patch.
Although the entire journey took Alfredo 34 hours and 2 minutes, his actual hiking time was 21 hours and 15 minutes.
It took 11 hours and 15 minutes to hike from the North Rim Trailhead down to Phantom Ranch and an additional 10 hours the next day from Phantom Ranch to the South Rim Trailhead.
Alfredo hopes his journey will show people that doing what you love and never giving up on trying to achieve things is what matters.
He would also like to show people that it is never too late to try something.
“I began living a healthy lifestyle really at age 76,” said Alfredo.
Although Alfredo would eventually like to break an additional record title by hiking the Aconcagua, the Chimborazo, or the Cotopaxi, he says his next plans are to hike the Grand Canyon again in May, without all the pressure.
“My son-in-law already has a cabin for October 2024, when we want to see if we can go with my son’s family,” he said.
“But I have to see how I am doing then. I am getting older.”
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Sorry, wrong list.
Interesting.
I’ve done some hiking in the Grand Canyon. What strikes me is that it is so much harder than mountain climbing because the steepest, hardest part comes right at the end.
That is a grueling hike. I did it 20 something years ago in my early 40s.
I’ve never done rim to rim, probably never will, but it would be grueling in one’s 20s
I’m not sure, but maybe it’s to give some people encouragement to even try to reach for the stars. YMMV.
Please add me to this ping list.
When I was a kid, my family tent camped across the US (and some of Canada) every year for the family vacation. I learned a lot on those trips.
This month alone for example is 30 years ago the Clinton criminal cabal took power, Jan. 20th 1993.
I was watching it on TV, the inauguration and remember Hillary wearing that table cloth suit and the bizarre man hat and I was saying to myself "There's something off about that woman" Little did I realize she was Satans daughter and would still be causing us tremendous problems 30 years down the road.
Don’t let the old man in
I hiked partway down the Bright Angel Trail many years ago. It was tough, especially then coming back up part.
God bless this guy. To be able to do something like that at 92 is quite the accomplishment.
Oops, I forgot, it’s now 2024. So it’s 31 years ago. AAAAH
Maybe even an inspiration for those under 30 who can’t get around Walmart without an electric cart.
Your Guinness Record is duly noted.
Lots of people on that trail were riding mules or donkeys. Boy did they look unhappy.
He lived 92 years, and this is all he can do with his time? I wouldn’t want to cross the Grand Canyon on foot at any age.
Thanks, SJ! That’s my feel-good, inspirational story of the day. What an awesome accomplishment at 92. And it is SO cool that two other hikers agreed to walk with him at his slow speed to be his witnesses for the record books. Great people.
It’s heartwarming that he met so many people on the trail and all were so supportive of his trek.
It’s also very neat he decided to revisit the places that he and his wife had gone to before she passed away.
Overall, a fun, inspiring, and touching story.
Harsh take, man.
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