Trek America - fit?

FairCity12

I'm booked on a 2 week trip with Trek America shortly. I'm not that fit. I had hoped to lose a lot of weight by now but I haven't, so I'm currently about 3 stone overweight. Will I be able for the activities or am I going to end up redfaced from embarrassment?

Another thing, I haven't worn swimwear in a VERY long time so I'm apprehensive about this. These silly things shouldn't be an issue but unfortunately they are.

Please put my mind at ease! (It's a Western USA trip)

The Black Oil

I went with them last year. I run a bit, but I'm by no means super fit. What activities are you concerned about? There were 2-3 overweight people on my trip, they still went white water rafting, but they opted not to hike or turned back after a while - even some slimmer people turned back as well. Main thing on some activities is to stay in a small group so you don't get lost.

FairCity12

I don't want to compromise and back out of things though because I'm self conscious - but I don't want to try things & then have to give up because of weight issues! The hikes into the Grand Canyon look SCARY but I assume they have them to suit all fitness levels? I'm not completely UNFIT either - I'm a 26 year old female! A hike is just a long walk though right? I can do that?

The Black Oil

I've never been to the Grand Canyon, so I don't know challenging or not it is. Maybe it's more of long day than upwardly tough, I'm not sure. You should talk to the trek leader - they tend to be pretty approachable.

LizT

I've done two treks with Trek America and I was in the same boat as yourself OP. Don't let your weight hold you back! You should do anything you feel comfortable doing as you will only regret it if you don't. I did white water rafting on both treks, horse riding and lots of hikes.

The Grand Canyon is amazing - I did the hike down to plateau point. I did it with about 7 people from my group. It took us three hours to hike down there (about 6 miles) and on the way back everyone went at their own pace. It took me seven (!) hours to get back up, it was bloody tough! I was the last person in the group to finish, some people finished 3-4 hours ahead of me. I was glad I did it but at the time it seemed so hard. The thing to remember with the Grand Canyon is that you're hiking down, so you think "Yeah, this is grand, I feel fine" but it's twice as hard when you're hiking back up.

You can do a hike just around the rim of the canyon, it's mostly flat. Our trek leader told us that only 10% of people who visit the canyon actually go below the rim so it's worth hiking down for about 10 minutes just to say you've been below the rim.

The main thing is to stick with what you're comfortable with. Ask your trek leader for advice and don't feel pressured to do what everyone else is doing. it's YOUR trip.

As regards swimwear, maybe think about getting a pair of shorts or something? I was very self conscious the first few times in my swimwear but honestly people have other things to be thinking about.

Seaneh

lizt wrote: »

As regards swimwear, maybe think about getting a pair of shorts or something? I was very self conscious the first few times in my swimwear but honestly people have other things to be thinking about.

This, board shorts and a rash-vest and you will be grand, lots of peoples use them when swimming so wouldn't look out of place.

FairCity12

Liz, thank you so much for your reply - that is very helpful.

I will try whatever I can - I don't want to be feeling like I can't do things though because of weight. I'm about 3 stone overweight but surely this shouldn't hold me back - I just have a huge [pardon the pun] complex when it comes to things like this!

I cannot wait for the Grand Canyon, but will take things easy. I've heard only good things about the trek leaders so I'm sure they will advise. 7 hours trekking doesn't sound appealing to me but I suppose it's a once in a lifetime thing - I don't plan on going again.

AS for the swimwear thing, I have a black swimsuit that does look quite nice on me, or as nice as I can imagine one would, and I've also ordered another one, just in case. HAd toyed with the idea of the shorts and/or a swimdress but I think I'll stick with the swimsuit and hope for the best. You are right - they'll have other things to be looking and thinking about rather than my wobbly legs!

Thanks again, I really appreciate your reply!

[To confirm - is the hike in the Canyon just really a long kind of walk or do I have to climb over rocks!? Sorry for the completely stupid question but I am quite a clumsy person when it comes to these things!]

LizT

FairCity12 wrote: »

Liz, thank you so much for your reply - that is very helpful.

I will try whatever I can - I don't want to be feeling like I can't do things though because of weight. I'm about 3 stone overweight but surely this shouldn't hold me back - I just have a huge [pardon the pun] complex when it comes to things like this!

I cannot wait for the Grand Canyon, but will take things easy. I've heard only good things about the trek leaders so I'm sure they will advise. 7 hours trekking doesn't sound appealing to me but I suppose it's a once in a lifetime thing - I don't plan on going again.

AS for the swimwear thing, I have a black swimsuit that does look quite nice on me, or as nice as I can imagine one would, and I've also ordered another one, just in case. HAd toyed with the idea of the shorts and/or a swimdress but I think I'll stick with the swimsuit and hope for the best. You are right - they'll have other things to be looking and thinking about rather than my wobbly legs!

Thanks again, I really appreciate your reply!

[To confirm - is the hike in the Canyon just really a long kind of walk or do I have to climb over rocks!? Sorry for the completely stupid question but I am quite a clumsy person when it comes to these things!]

There are different types of hikes. The one around the rim is fairly flat. The one I did is down a rocky trail, not huge rocks but you just have to pay attention. The thing is that there are 3 (if my memory serves me right) stops on the way down so some people in my group only went to the first or second stop and then hiked back up. The trail I did was called the Bright Angel trail if you want to google it!

FairCity12

Haha funny you should say that, I have heard SCARY things about the Bright Angel trail taking forever so I'll be avoiding that like a plague, I'll try a different one!

LizT

FairCity12 wrote: »

Haha funny you should say that, I have heard SCARY things about the Bright Angel trail taking forever so I'll be avoiding that like a plague, I'll try a different one!

What have you heard?

The Black Oil

FairCity12 wrote: »

Haha funny you should say that, I have heard SCARY things about the Bright Angel trail taking forever so I'll be avoiding that like a plague, I'll try a different one!

lizt wrote: »

What have you heard?

There's been a bit of talk about it over on the Trek America forum.

LizT

It IS hard but for me, so worthwhile. I don't know if I'll ever go back to the grand canyon and I got to see it in the best possible way As I said, it took me ten hours and we left at 5.30 to catch the sunrise on the way.

One of the girls in my group turned back early and just stayed at the campsite for the day - don't do this! Whatever you do, make the most of your time there.

Are you going to monument valley on the trek?

FairCity12

No not going to Monument Valley - going to Yosemite Park!

LizT

FairCity12 wrote: »

No not going to Monument Valley - going to Yosemite Park!

Yosemite is amazing, I was there last year. Again I did another long hike which was really hard but well worth it for the views alone.

vsartorel

Hi,

I am actually a lot more overweight than you and I was wondering how you got on? Im booked to go in September for 3 weeks and am getting very nervous about the whole thing. Its the Rocky Mountain High tour. Im worried about squashing someone in the van, not being able to walk so far, sweat rash - you name it!

Id really love to hear your experiences.

Thanks

FairCity12

I really enjoyed it. Didn't feel my weight got in the way. I did a 7mile hike in Yosemite which I was very proud of myself for doing. Didn't do the 'typical' hike in Grand Canyon [Bright Angel Trail] as I didn't feel I would be able for it, plus only 2 from my group ended up doing it.

You'll really enjoy your trip. I did! I was lonely a bit at the start but made 2 great new friends, hopefully for life [clichéd or what!]

Don't worry

Skuxx

Hi Guys,

Wasn't sure weather to start a new thread or not but I just wanted to ask what the average age of people in the group would be and would a lot of travelers be travelling alone?

I really want to go to South America in the next few months, possibly early next year, but there is none of my friends who would be in a position to go so I might go with Trek America.
I'd be 22 year old lad going on it.....would I be a lot younger then the others?

LizT

alan1990 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Wasn't sure weather to start a new thread or not but I just wanted to ask what the average age of people in the group would be and would a lot of travelers be travelling alone?

I really want to go to South America in the next few months, possibly early next year, but there is none of my friends who would be in a position to go so I might go with Trek America.
I'd be 22 year old lad going on it.....would I be a lot younger then the others?

I've done two treks, the ages have ranged from 18 - 36. Average age is usually mid 20s. You all have the same frame of mind on a trek though, age doesn't really matter

Skuxx

LizT wrote: »

I've done two treks, the ages have ranged from 18 - 36. Average age is usually mid 20s. You all have the same frame of mind on a trek though, age doesn't really matter

Super thanks, do you mind me asking where you did your treks? Are you glad you went with Trek America rather than organising it yourself?

LizT

alan1990 wrote: »

Super thanks, do you mind me asking where you did your treks? Are you glad you went with Trek America rather than organising it yourself?

I did the southern sun and the northern trail. Definitely glad I did it with them, no worrying about booking hotels etc and was with a great bunch of people both times. Would thoroughly recommend them!

FairCity12

Trek America is for 18-38 year olds, but the oldest on mine was 31, everyone else was in their 20s.