I simply MUST share this. It's too powerful not to, and just what many of us need to hear. Please subscribe to Sacred Steps: Meditation In Motion to get magic like this every single week. These are hiking/walking meditations made specifically for our hiKin community. -Brian -- As the North Rim of the Grand Canyon burns, this episode of Sacred Steps becomes more than a meditation—it becomes a collective ritual. Guided by Zeena Speciale, co-founder of hiKin and a witness to the Canyon’s healing cy...
Jul 20, 2025•16 min
As the Dragon Bravo Fire grows past 11,700 acres with 0% containment, frustration is mounting—not just from the blaze itself, but from what many see as a lack of access, transparency, and leadership. On today’s episode, we break down the latest updates from fire crews and federal officials, including new threats to Kaibab Lodge and continued structure protection efforts at the North Rim entrance and administrative loop. Plus, a growing chorus of voices—both online and on the ground—is demanding ...
Jul 18, 2025•12 min
In this special episode of The Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show , Brian shares critical updates on the Dragon Bravo Fire that has devastated the North Rim. With the fire now at over 11,000 acres and containment still at 0%, much of the North Rim infrastructure—including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge—has been lost. Trail closures are expanding, including a 1.7-mile stretch of the North Kaibab Trail now burned to Supai Tunnel. But amidst the destruction, there's still hope—and a powerful message for...
Jul 17, 2025•27 min
In this emotional and unfiltered conversation, longtime Grand Canyon shuttle driver and tour guide Krocky Meshkin opens up about the devastation of the North Rim fire, the shocking loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge, and the ripple effects on his livelihood and identity. Just days before the blaze, Krocky was celebrating a life finally coming together—his business thriving, his future clear. Now, he's forced to start over. Recorded while the fire was still 0% contained, this episode is a raw, intima...
Jul 16, 2025•43 min
In this urgent fire update, Brian and Zeena share troubling new developments from the North Rim: the blaze has now spilled over the rim and threatens Manzanita and the critical pump house at Roaring Springs. With no containment and growing danger deep inside the canyon, we break down what’s really happening—what’s confirmed, what’s not, and what it all means for the future of the North Kaibab Trail. This is the most consequential moment in the corridor’s modern history—and we’re not sugarcoating...
Jul 15, 2025•31 min
What do you say when one of your favorite places in the world burns down? In this update on the devastating North Rim fire, Brian and Zeena sit down to reflect on the Dragon Bravo Fire that consumed Grand Canyon Lodge and much of the North Rim. But this isn’t just a story of loss—it’s one of love, memory, and the spirit that refuses to die. With firsthand reports, emotional tributes to employees and volunteers, and a powerful reminder that the Canyon endures, this episode holds space for both gr...
Jul 14, 2025•31 min
To subscribe on Apple Podcasts, click here . To subscribe on Spotify, click here . -- In this powerful walking meditation, Zeena Speciale explores the meaning of the word Kaibab —a Paiute word that translates to “mountain lying down.” As you walk, you’ll be invited to consider what it means to descend instead of climb, to find wisdom not in the striving, but in the surrender. Step by step, breath by breath, this episode guides you into the heart of the Grand Canyon and the heart of yourself. Thi...
Jul 13, 2025•13 min
Ashley Handschke and her fiancé weren’t new to pushing their limits. As endurance athletes and seasoned hikers, they thought they were ready for a two-day Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim of the Grand Canyon. But the Canyon has a way of humbling even the strongest. With temperatures soaring past 100 degrees and the climb up South Kaibab feeling endless, their first crossing tested their resolve, forcing them to question whether they could continue. But rest, food, and a reset mindset changed everything, settin...
Jul 11, 2025•5 min
Margaret Bradley was young, brilliant, and unstoppable—an All-American runner and Boston Marathon finisher who thought she could handle anything, even the Grand Canyon in July. She was wrong. In this powerful and cautionary episode, we revisit the tragic story of Margaret’s final run, exploring what went wrong, how it could have been prevented, and why the Canyon doesn’t care about your resume. With insights from Dr. Tom Myers, co-author of Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon , this episode is ...
Jul 09, 2025•26 min•Season 2Ep. 87
To subscribe on Apple Podcasts, click here . To subscribe on Spotify, click here . -- In Japan, there is an art called kintsugi , where broken pottery is repaired with shimmering gold, turning cracks into beauty rather than hiding them away. In this meditative walk, Zeena guides you to honor the places within you that feel tender or fractured, filling them with breath and light as you move. Each step becomes a gentle repair, reminding you that you are not broken, but beautifully mending. Let thi...
Jul 06, 2025•15 min
Not every Grand Canyon tale is about survival. Some are about knowing when not to push. In this episode of Tales From Below , Dave Skierkowski and his seasoned hiking crew swap ambition for wisdom—canceling a planned double-crossing in favor of a single, dialed-in Rim-to-Rim. Through early starts, smart pacing, and well-timed cooling breaks, they conquered the heat of a brutal May day without incident. Their story is a quiet masterclass in preparation, humility, and the power of making the right...
Jul 04, 2025•7 min
What does it take to hike the entire length of the Grand Canyon—800 miles of brutal, unforgiving, awe-inspiring terrain? In this episode, Dr. Tom Myers, longtime Grand Canyon physician and author, shares the story behind his new book The Grandest Trek , chronicling his end-to-end Canyon journey with his son, the lessons they learned, and the powerful, raw moments that shaped them along the way. We also dive into Tom’s decades of heat illness treatment in the Canyon, with timely insights for summ...
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 86
Introducing Sacred Steps: Meditations In Motion , a weekly meditation for your hikes or walks by my wife, shamanic Reiki master teacher and certified sound healer Zeena Speciale. Try them on your hikes—I think you'll love them! (These will be released separately on Sundays, so please subscribe to Sacred Steps: Meditations In Motion wherever you get your podcasts so they show up in your feed.) ***** In this debut episode, Zeena guides you through a grounding walking meditation to honor your very ...
Jun 29, 2025•14 min
What do you do when your heart rate won’t come down, the sun is climbing fast, and the Canyon stretches endlessly in both directions? For Alan Fletcher, the answer was clear—listen to your body, not your ego. In this episode of Tales From Below , we follow Alan’s solo Rim-to-Rim hike in May 2025, a journey marked by wisdom, self-awareness, and the courage to pivot. It’s a reminder that strength isn’t always about pushing through—it’s knowing when to pull back so you can hike another day. ***** P...
Jun 27, 2025•7 min
When 12 women—mothers and daughters, best friends and lifelong training partners—set out to cross the Grand Canyon together, they didn’t just take on the heat, the elevation, or the fear of heights. They took on the challenge of staying united. In this episode, we talk with Laurie Bertani, a former college soccer player who came in doubting whether she could do it—and came out forever changed. From a creative hydration hack that kept her drinks cold the entire day to walkie-talkie check-ins that...
Jun 25, 2025•51 min•Season 2Ep. 85
Distress on South Kaibab isn’t just a story about a well-planned rim-to-river hike—it’s a real-time reminder that in the Grand Canyon, conditions can change in an instant. Sharon Spruill and her group set out with preparation, training, and intention. But halfway through their ascent, they encountered something no one plans for: an emergency unfolding right in front of them. What happened next became a powerful lesson in calm, compassion, and Canyon reality—because sometimes, your hike becomes p...
Jun 20, 2025•7 min
Anne and Alexis Keyworth didn’t just survive their Rim2Rim—they thrived . Two sisters, a Canyon adventure, and a perfectly executed plan that turned one of America’s toughest hikes into a joyful, pain-free experience. In this episode, they walk us through the smart training, strategic timing, heat mitigation, and mindset that made it all possible. If you want to know what “doing it right” really looks like, this is your blueprint. ***** Please join the hiKin Grand Canyon Facebook group—the offic...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 84
Lori Anne wasn’t out to break any records. In her mid-60s, recovering from health setbacks, she set a goal that felt both “crazy” and deeply necessary: to move, to grow, to see if she belonged below the rim. What followed was a full-day South Kaibab–Tonto–Bright Angel hike taken with intention and joy. This story is a reminder that not every Grand Canyon hike has to be a race—and there’s no such thing as just a Rim2River or just to Ooh Aah. Every Canyon journey matters. ***** Please join the hiK...
Jun 13, 2025•7 min•Ep. 84
She’s the boss of everything below the rim—and one of the most respected rangers in the National Park Service. In this raw, revealing conversation, Grand Canyon District Ranger Lisa Hendy takes us inside the mechanics of a rescue, explains how heat and hubris turn hikes into helicopter rides, and shares her thoughts on the controversial River Trail closure. Plus: the growing abuse rangers are facing and why that uniform deserves your respect. ***** Please join the hiKin Grand Canyon Facebook gro...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 83
When Scott DeBergh reunited with three college friends for their first-ever trek below the rim together, they expected a challenge—but nothing could’ve prepared them for what the Canyon had in store. From dehydration and a bonk in The Box to redemption at Ribbon Falls, this five-day journey tested limits, strengthened bonds, and reminded them why the Grand Canyon is a spiritual pilgrimage and an athletic crucible. Whether you’ve hiked Rim2Rim or are just dreaming about it, this one is filled wit...
Jun 06, 2025•8 min•Ep. 83
Caleb Metzger has hiked Rim2Rim multiple times, including one-day crossings with his teenage son. But this spring, on a planned two-day Rim2Rim2Rim, everything felt... off. Despite being well-trained and well-prepared, the Canyon delivered something he didn’t expect—forcing a decision most hikers try to avoid. In this episode, Caleb opens up about letting go of the plan, communicating better on the trail, and how sometimes the strongest thing you can do… is turn around. ***** Please join the hiK...
Jun 04, 2025•50 min•Season 2Ep. 82
In the premiere episode of our new series Tales From Below, Gordo Barcomb crosses the Grand Canyon with a team of six—four unforgettable days from South Rim to North. But what no one knew, not even his wife or daughter, was that he had one more hike planned. This is the true story of a secret solo Rim-to-Rim, years in the making, decided quietly, and carried out with heart. It's a tale about setting goals, keeping them close, and choosing the right moment to chase something just for yourself. **...
Jun 01, 2025•9 min•Ep. 82
Every Rim2Rim hike begins with a drop—and North Kaibab's can be a rude awakening to your legs. In this episode, Brian takes you step-by-step through the 14-mile descent from the North Rim to Phantom Ranch and the Colorado River. You'll hear what to expect, what to look for, and what mistakes to avoid. This is your unofficial audio trail guide for one of the most punishing—and rewarding—stretches of the Canyon. Plus: Coach Arnie returns with a sharp reminder about heat prep, pacing, and why under...
May 28, 2025•32 min•Season 2Ep. 81
What started as a joyful Grand Canyon crossing for Jackie Kunkel and her crew—“The Crazies”—turned somber in the final stretch when they encountered the season’s first hiking fatality just 0.3 miles from the top of North Kaibab. In this raw and heartfelt conversation, the group reflects on the shock of witnessing a life lost on the trail—and the deep reminder that it could happen to any of us. But this episode is more than grief. It’s also packed with some of the most practical Rim2Rim training,...
May 21, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 80
Thinking about hiking Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim in a single day? Hold up. In this episode, Brian lays down a no-nonsense warning for anyone dreaming of the Grand Canyon’s vaunted “double crossing.” Even ultra-fit hikers have been humbled—or worse—by the brutal demands of this 42+ mile trek with 20,000 feet of elevation change. It’s not just long. It’s relentless. It’s dangerous. And it will expose every weakness you didn’t know you had. This isn’t fear-mongering. It’s reality. And if you're serious abou...
May 14, 2025•29 min•Season 2Ep. 79
They met below the rim, at the start of their separate bucket-list adventures. One was out for a day hike, the other a long backpacking trip. Today, Jerry Crank and Scott DeBergh reunite and reminisce—about what the Canyon taught them, what they wish they'd done differently in their training and preparation, and ultimately the lasting impact of their once-in-a-lifetime experiences. ***** Please join the Hike Tribe Grand Canyon Facebook group—the official group of The Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 78
It wasn't until about six months ago that Jerry Crank even thought of taking on the Grand Canyon. But, inspired by our group and fueled by a fitness kick that's changed his entire life, Jerry became a man on a mission. Today, we join him for every step of his transformational journey and find out exactly what he's done to get himself Canyon Strong at 77 years old. ***** Please join the Hike Tribe Grand Canyon Facebook group—the official group of The Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show—by clicking here ...
Apr 30, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 77
John Haley is a Canyon regular and a believer in giving yourself rewards when finishing your grand adventure. Today, a conversation from the top of Black Mountain on root beer floats and lessons learned below the rim. ***** Please join the Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show's private Facebook group by clicking here . Our group is a judgment-free zone full of interaction, information, and inspiration—it's simply THE place to get the best information in advance of your Canyon adventure. Join Brian, Coac...
Apr 23, 2025•52 min•Season 2Ep. 76
With the last-minute closure of the River Trail—and loss of all access to Bright Angel Trail for Rim2Rim hikers through Sept. 30, 2025—you might be wondering what your options are. In this special bonus episode, we lay out the pros and cons of the not-so-great alternatives you now have. ***** Please join the Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show's private Facebook group by clicking here . Our group is a judgment-free zone full of interaction, information, and inspiration—it's simply THE place to get the ...
Apr 18, 2025•22 min•Season 2Ep. 75
As her quest for 200 Canyon hikes nears its climax, 74-year-old Ms. Mary fittingly stars in Episode 74 of the show, and shares her hard-earned wisdom—and her opinions on why it's never too late to hike the Grand Canyon. ***** Please join the Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show's private Facebook group by clicking here . Our group is a judgment-free zone full of interaction, information, and inspiration—it's simply THE place to get the best information in advance of your Canyon adventure. Join Brian, Co...
Apr 16, 2025•57 min•Season 2Ep. 74
