The Grand Canyon – International Fundraising Challenge

17th - 26th October 2009

This will be the third year for our international challenge events and this year we are heading west to North America to take on the Grand Canyon challenge.

This trip is exclusively for Bibby Line Group employees and is fabulous way to raise funds for your favourite charity, meet other people from across the group and challenge yourself all at the same time.

You’ll spend an exciting but not for the fainthearted, ten days following in the footsteps of those that have challenged themselves to descend in to the Grand Canyon, one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world. Definitely one not to be missed. On this ultimate trekking challenge, we will descend into one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world; into the heart of the Grand Canyon at Havasu Canyon. We will trek and explore the special Havasupai Reservation, where many Indians still live to this day, and enjoy the evenings at our permanent camp (we have an exclusive arrangement with the Havasupai Tribe). This challenge will take you to a very spiritual place and leave you with a great sense of accomplishment as you trek out of this greatest natural wonder.

Itinerary for the Challenge

Day 1
Depart from UK.
Arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2
Trekking distance 5 miles
Depart Phoenix at 8:00 a.m. 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 1½ to 2 hours, arrive in Sedona, Arizona featuring the wonder of what
Native Americans consider the spiritual vortex of the Southwest with its red rock formations – Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon rival many national parks. Late morning acclimatisation trek of approximately 5 miles along Oak Creek, home to world-class views of famous rock
monoliths such as Cathedral Rock. Followed by a picnic lunch near the creek before driving up and through Oak Creek Canyon (approx 2½ hours), surrounded by towering red-rock walls.
After reaching the crest of the Mogollon Rim, at more than 7000 ft. elevation, continue across the Kaibab Plateau to your hotel.

Day 3
Trekking distance 10 miles
Breakfast at hotel and 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 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. The first four miles are the steepest, however once we reach the Indian Gardens the trail will begin to flatten out and we have just one over a mile more to Plateau Point. Remember, the return is 5-miles with an unrelenting up hill grade.

Day 4
Trekking distance 10 miles
Following an early breakfast (6.00 a.m.) travel to Hualapai Hilltop (pronounced ‘Walapai’ – a 1 hour journey). This is the only land travel access to Havasupai. Starting at 5,400 feet, this demanding trail begins with switchbacks until it reaches a dry streambed where the trail begins to level out. After a trailside lunch descend deeper into the labyrinth of red sandstone. At 3,200 ft continue on the cottonwood-lined paths through the village, into the canyon’s back-country and a manageable 2-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
Following breakfast (7.00 a.m.) 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 you to Beaver Falls avoiding the rivers and streams and the wet route requires some light swimming. Guides will accompany the group taking the dry route and guides will accompany the group taking the wet route. The group will then meet up at Beaver Falls and trek back together to our base camp – a wild, wet and challenging day!

Day 6
Trekking distance 12 miles
Today we will hike up 3-miles up Carbonate Canyon to explore the area and then return to Havasu Falls before lunch. After lunch the guides will lead you another 1-mile to Navajo Falls – another beautiful waterfall. We will then ascend up onto the Esplanade, with spectacular views overlooking our camp and Havasu Falls we will trek on a narrow path which traverses this natural bench carved into the canyon walls. Our goal will be 4-more miles down canyon where jaw dropping views of 5000-feet up to the North Rim and 850-feet down to Mooney Falls await. After retuning to camp we will have a festive final canyon dinner.

Day 7
Trekking distance 10 miles
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 transfer to your hotel in Las Vegas.

A presentation dinner will be held in the evening to celebrate our achievements.

Day 8
Breakfast at hotel.
Today we have a free day to explore Las Vegas. Why not take a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon or try your hand at poker at one of the many casino’s on the strip – the limits are endless! Lunch and dinner will be for each participant to do as suits them.

Day 9
Following breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight back to the UK.

Day 10
Arrive back in the UK

It is hugely challenging to raise the money and then complete the challenge, however, if you take it on we guarantee you one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of your life.

For further details contact the Community Team on 0151 794 1052 or e-mail community@bibbyline.co.uk