Note to self: when hiking in what’s still officially winter, remember ice crampons.

I’m waiting for Heidi to get out of the shower, so I thought I would pass on the latest and greatest from our vacation. Today’s adventure was a 6-mile (round trip) hike down the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point. I’ve never been down the South Kaibab, but it was suggested to us by a park ranger as a shorter version of the Plateau Point hike down the Bright Angel Trail. These two trails are by far the most popular at the Grand Canyon and they’re both well maintained and relatively easy. I’ve done the Plateau Point hike, but that’s 12 miles and involves 3100ft of elevation change. The Skeleton Point hike, on the other hand is shorter and only changes elevation by 2100 ft. Nothing to sneeze at for an out-of-shape pair of hikers like us, but far easier. In fact, the only negative is that it’s a bit steeper.

The only bad thing today was that the snow yesterday (oh yeah, it snowed here last night) created some pretty icy stretches at the top. We didn’t have ice crampons and so spent part of the hike almost crab walking down the switchbacks. Once we got down into the canyon far enough (maybe after 45 minutes) no snow and no ice. Only the mule droppings were dangers on the trail after that.

I’ll have photos up soon. I need to rest and get showered and stuff. We might not have Internet access in the next hotel, so this might be the last time you hear from me for a bit. It’s funny… the last time I came here, there was no digital or free analog cell coverage and no Internet access. Now, not only do I have GSM cell coverage, I have GPRS coverage as well. Also, Best Western is now offering free Internet access in all their hotels in North America (except Mexico). Wireless in the common areas and wired here in the rooms. Not bad.

It seems like a trend. The Microtel that we stayed at in Buffalo also offered free wireless access in all their rooms. That was for $35 a night or so, by the way, so it’s not just the mid-tier of places like the Best Western. I wonder what they’re replacing the revenue with, though, because folks like me would happily pay for one night of Internet access for $7 or $12 or whatever they used to charge. I wonder if the W or the Marriott’s of the world are doing the same thing? I haven’t stayed in one recently. Anyone know?