Breaking Records at 92: Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Hike

Alfredo Aliaga Burdio, a 92-year-old resident of Berlin, recently achieved a remarkable feat by completing the challenging 24-mile rim-to-rim hike across the Grand Canyon.

Breaking the previous record, he accomplished this demanding trek in an impressive 21 hours.

Setting a Guinness World Record: Oldest Male to Conquer the Grand Canyon on Foot

Guinness World Records officially recognized Alfredo Aliaga Burdio for being the oldest male to journey across the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim on foot.

He achieved this milestone on October 15, surpassing the previous record held by John Jepkema.

The National Park Foundation categorizes the rim-to-rim trail as strenuous, with less than one percent of the Grand Canyon’s annual visitors attempting this challenging expedition.

A Journey of Endurance and Resilience

The rim-to-rim hike involves a 14.3-mile descent of 6,000 feet into the canyon, followed by a 9.6-mile ascent of 4,500 feet.

Despite starting a healthy lifestyle at the age of 76, Mr. Burdio attributes his fitness and longevity to a balanced diet, hydration, daily walks, and sufficient sleep.

Training and Overcoming Challenges

Undeterred by setbacks, including trail closures due to snow and meltwater damage, Mr. Burdio embarked on his journey in October 2023.

Beginning with daily eight-mile walks in January, he trained rigorously for the challenging rim-to-rim hike.
The expedition took 34 hours and 2 minutes in total, with actual hiking time lasting 21 hours and 15 minutes.

The Uphill Battle: Steep Trails and Mental Fortitude

Navigating steep trails along the rim-to-rim hike, Mr. Burdio took short breaks every hour.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining a slow and steady pace, staying mentally motivated, and focusing on the next step rather than the distance ahead.

His daughter, her husband, and two volunteer witnesses accompanied him throughout the journey.

Inspiring Others and Future Plans

Mr. Burdio hopes his achievement encourages others, proving that it’s never too late to pursue passions and set new goals.

Despite having plans to hike the Grand Canyon again, he expresses no intention of pursuing another record.

Instead, he looks forward to exploring trails in the Andes Mountains in South America, emphasizing the need to assess his capabilities as he continues to age.

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