One of GCFI's most challenging hikes of the season, this high-intensity backpack will explore a swath of the canyon as challenging as it is secluded. Following a rendezvous in Fredonia, AZ, participants will carpool on rough gravel roads to the North Rim near Kanab Point and descend a little known climber's route to the Esplanade, one of the defining features of western Grand Canyon.

Here the Esplanade constitutes a predominantly bare, slickrock bench, with potholes, knolls and rocky hobgoblins—truly a delight to experience. The sporadic pinion pines and junipers provide welcome shade without impeding the hiking or hindering the views. Participants will follow the Esplanade bench for miles before reaching their goal in Tuckup Canyon. En route the class will explore beautiful Scotty's Hollow and negotiate tricky One Hundred Fifty-Mile Canyon. For the privilege of traversing this stunning country the class will need to employ determined route and water finding skills, along with a host of other backcountry hiking and camping techniques.